While Monday night’s Galesburg City Council meeting was short, coming in under 12 minutes, a major ongoing infrastructure plan was approved for its next phase.
Aldermen approved J.C. Dillon Inc to replace 500 lead water service lines, as they have for the first two phases of the project, aiming to virtually wipe out of the city’s supply of hazardous lead service lines
After this phase, City Manager Todd Thompson says about half of Galesburg’s 3,100 lead lines will have been replaced.
While the bid hiring J.C. Dillon comes in at over $1.7 million all of that will be covered by an entirely forgivable loan from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
The contractor’s rate comes in at about $3,400 per line replaced, giving some idea of the expense saved by homeowners who will get work.
They’ll begin their work in the spring with plans on completing this phase by the end of 2019.
Galesburg Aldermen also authorized demolition proceedings for three Galesburg properties, two homes, and one detached garage.
In all three cases, letters were sent to the owners notifying them of their property’s deficiencies, with follow up inspections that note no attempt at repairs were made.
One property at 1092 Grand Avenue, according to council documents, has no gutters, a dilapidated porch and open windows inviting in the elements.
Council also approved proceedings for 122 Lake Street and 708 Lombard Street. Next city staff will do a title search and notify any other owners who can lay claim to the properties.
Next, the city legal staff will pursue an order for demolition. Staff will then draft specifications and put the demolitions out for bid, which council will have to approve.
Thompson says its always the city’s hope that they won’t have to demolish worn down properties unless absolutely necessary.
