Macomb approves water main project bid

MACOMB — The city has approved a $377,878 bid for replacement of a water main located on South Johnson Street

One bid was received for the South Johnson Water Main Replacement by Laverdiere Construction. The project will be funded by using ReBuild Illinois Funds in the amount of $377,878 contingent on approval from IDOT. City Council approved the contract with Laverdiere and it will be sent to IDOT.

An ordinance was approved to provide for the levy and collection of taxes for 2021, payable in 2022 in the amount of $2,484,028. The levy provides funding for the following: Fire Pension Fund, General Corporate Fund, Police Officers Pension, Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, Fire Protection Tax Fund, Police Protection Tax Fund, FICA/Medicare, Insurance and Torte Judgment Fund. This pertains to property in the City of Macomb.

An order was approved to abate the direct annual tax levied for 2021 to pay the annual debt service on $2,275,000 in General Obligation Refunding Bonds (Waterworks Alternative Revenue Source) Series 2016 and $4,010,000 in General Obligation Refunding Bonds (Infrastructure Projects Alternate Revenue Sources), Series 2020.

The board also made some decisions on health insurance.

The City of Macomb's group health plan with a 0% increase and renewal with the current insurance company, Tokio Marine, HCC effective February 1, 2022, were renewed.

Hines utilization Case Management as PPO/UR/Pre-certification was adopted, along with preventative care benefits and voluntary vision and dental plans for the upcoming year.

The acceptance and dedication of Tom and Gayle Carper's donated property at 529 W Piper for a pocket park there was authorized by the Council.

A contract with AEP Energy for 12 months of electrical supply for the Waste Water Treatment Plant was approved. The remaining city accounts will revert to the Ameren defaults for 12 months. This amount is 0.0557$kWh. Power rates have been higher in the last two years due to a volatile market. It was discussed that setting the supplies up like this will give more time to look at what's available, hoping that the market calms down.

An ordinance to amend Chapter 16, Section 54, Chapter 15, Section 407 and Chapter 24, Section 10 of the Municipal Code of Macomb for cannabis regulation was adopted. This mirrors the Illinois law that no one under 21 can knowingly be in possession of cannabis unless authorized under Illinois law; that no one over 21 can be in possession of more than allowed by state law; and that medicinal marijuana is legal to possess with a medical card.

Maple Avenue Christian Church at 1300 Maple Avenue has applied for rezoning on their property from R-1 One-Family Residential to O/I/Office/Institutional. A public hearing was held December 8, and there was no opposition. The zoning board approved 7-0. Next week will be the second reading for the City Council to vote.

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