The East Peoria City Council has approved more than $300,000 in water treatment-related expenses required by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, but with some apprehension.
In presenting each of three resolutions, commissioner Mike Sutherland expressed frustration and displeasure over the need.
“I don’t like them, not a one of them,” said Sutherland. “Not a one do I like, because we are driven down this rabbit hole by the IEPA — that they make all these rules. They don’t have any funding for us, and we have to fund this.”
The biggest expense is a contract not to exceed $190,000 with Fehr Graham & Associates to provide engineering services for a chemical storage system at the city’s Wastewater Treatment Plant. No. 1
That agreement includes $7,000 to prepare bidding documents, review shop drawings and provide limited construction observation for the tank platform and access ladder. The firm also will handle IEPA-required documentation.
“This is costing us for paperwork and design and engineering, and a lot of this has to do with the rules and regulations that the EPA [has],” said Sutherland. “So this $190,000 that I’m asking this council to vote on should be substantially less than $190,000, if it wasn’t for the EPA demanding things that’s common sense to begin with.”
The other two approved resolutions include a $109,500 contract with TWM Inc. to assist the city in fulfilling its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System [NPDES] permit requirements, and $32,500 for the annual renewal of the IEPA’s NPDES fees.
While all three measures were approved unanimously, Sutherland did not mask his frustration.
“I understand that they have inquiring minds about how fit our water is or isn’t, but I think that the state has a way deeper billfold than we do for them, unelected officials, to come up with something that we have to do in entirety,” he said.
“I understand if they want to do this, then put your money where your mouth is and pay for it yourself if you’re asking for it. I’m done.”
Other business
The council unanimously approved a cost-sharing agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation for reconstruction work on the Cedar Street extension bridge and interchange with Illinois 116 and U.S. Route 24, which is South Main Street.
IDOT is expected to proceed with bid letting on the project this fall, in coordination with the city and Fehr Graham as the engineering firm acting on East Peoria’s behalf. The pre-bid estimate for the city’s portion of the cost is $47,600; depending on the accepted bid and completion cost, that amount would be capped at 125% of the initial estimate, or $59,500.
In a separate agreement with IDOT, the city will contribute up to $6,500 in shared costs for modernizing traffic signals at the North Main Street intersections with Highview Road, Mariner Way, and Blackjack Boulevard.
Additionally, the city council approved a three-year contract with Teamsters Local Union No. 627 for the Department of Public Works, and an agreement with Courtesy Bench Group to for placement and maintenance of bus stop benches.
Despite recommended approval by the Zoning Board of Appeals, a special use request for a ground-mounted solar installation at the Cross Point Church on S. Pleasant Hill Road was voted down, 4-1.
