Tazewell County Board members Wednesday approved a new guaranteed maximum price for the construction of a three-story Tazewell County Justice Center Annex in downtown Pekin.
The price is $43,498,217, up slightly from the $43,334,323 approved by the board in November.
The new maximum price is based on construction manager P.J. Hoerr's recommendation to the board to award contracts to the low bidders, value engineering done by P.J. Hoerr that lowered costs while maintaining contingencies, and a $163,895 cost for the county to demolish the former Pekin Times building at 306 Court Street, which it purchased last month.
The GMP does not include the possible construction of a Circuit Clerk's office in the annex, which will be located just north of the Justice Center. The Justice Center is at 101 S. Capital Street.
In a related action Wednesday, the board approved an agreement with the Illinois State Historic Preservation Officer to document historical information about the Arcade Building, which was demolished to make way for the annex.
The documentation is required as part of the building permit review process for the annex.
The Arcade Building, built in 1905, was located at 15 S. Capital Street, across from the Tazewell County Courthouse. The building, home to many businesses and offices, had been deteriorating for several years before it was taken down in 2023.
Special use requests for solar farms approved, sent back to drawing board
A special use request for a solar farm in an agriculture preservation district was approved by the board. Another request was sent back to the board's land use committee for further discussion.
Elm Grove CSG 1 was given the go-ahead to build a five-megawatt commercial solar farm in a field located immediately west and across the street from 14420 and 14394 Mennonite Church Road in Elm Grove Township, owned by Robert Orr of Pekin.
The county's Zoning Board of Appeals and the land use committee each recommended approval of the special use request. The board voted 12-8 to approve the request.
Hittle Township Solar wants to build a 2-megawatt commercial solar farm at the southwest corner of the intersection of Armington Road and the State Route 136 Bypass in Hittle Township, owned by John Boudeman of Armington.
While the ZBA recommended approval of the special use, the land use committee recommended denial by a 5-2 vote.
At the request of Jackie Workman, the county's community development administrator, and Hittle Township Solar, the special use request will be considered again by the land use committee. The board approved the action 19-1, with Mark Goddard casting the lone no vote.
Board member Nick Graff, echoing previous comments by board members during discussions about special use requests for solar farms, expressed his frustration about the county essentially being forced to approve the special use request or face a possible lawsuit from the solar farm developer, which would have a state law on its side.
Solar farm decommissioning, road use agreements approved
In other board action Wednesday:
• The board approved a decommissioning agreement required by state law and county code with Fast Ave Solar for its 37.67-acre solar farm at 33885 Fast Avenue in Mackinaw Township. Among other things, the agreement includes a requirement for a full decommissioning within one year after the solar farm's useful life, the removal of above-ground and below-ground infrastructure, and the prevention of soil erosion.
• The board approved a road use agreement with Coyote Road Solar so it can use local roads to build the Coyote Road Solar Farm, a 150-megawatt community solar project, on multiple parcels in Groveland and Malone townships. The agreement includes fees for county permits for overweight and oversized vehicles, and Coyote Road Solar's responsibility to repair damaged roads so they're in the same or better condition than before the damage occurred.
• The board approved a revision in County Administrator Michael Deluhery's contract that changes the time required for a written notice of resignation by Deluhery from 45 to 30 days. Deluhery's three-year contract runs through Nov. 30. His salary is $160,729.
• The board approved switching county employees' health insurance provider from Heath Plus to Aetna as of Sept. 1. Employees' plan benefits will not change, and they'll have more in-network providers. The county's agreement with Health Plus went into effect June 1, 2022 and was supposed to expire Dec. 31, 2026. Health Plus agreed to the early termination date.
• The board approved a contract for the purchase and setup of 27 replacement laptops with Heart Technologies of East Peoria for $58,449. The county has an IT services agreement with Heart Technologies.
• The board approved a contract with lone bidder R.A. Cullinan of Tremont for $205,225 for seal coat road work in the Heritage Lake Subdivision in Mackinaw.
• The board approved the county's quarterly payment of $18,750 to the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council.
• The board approved a $50,000 commitment to the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission's application for a United States Department of Agriculture grant that would create a regional housing hub. The hub would provide strategies for rural housing development in the area.
• The board approved allowing the county to enter into intergovernmental agreements with townships that wish to use the county's property tax appraisal software. The county and each township will determine the cost.
Each board approval was unanimous.
