The Albion City Council met Monday night and voted to approve the first reading of a 14 page document to finalize the agreementwith the W2E water. This agreement is an agreement to sell water to the city of Albion and city of Grayville. The documents will then be sent to the IEPA for possible funding of a new water plant to be constructed just north of Grayville. Speaker: The reading will be held Tuesday night at 6 p.m. with a final vote of approval coming at that meeting.
The council approved the asphalting of the rights of way on Fourth Street from railroad bridge to Pine Street, also known as state route 130. The state is wanting to resurface the roadway and the city would be responsible for the asphalt meeting up with the curb and gutter. The estimated price which is much lower due to federal and state funding was $27,500. This does not include additional work to the adjacent sidewalks. This work is to begin in 2025.
It was also announced that the county has decided to keep open the center drive on the east side of the Courthouse Square only. The two other openings at either end of the parkway will have curbing installed.
More discussion about the upcoming eclipse party on the bricks. The city is to provide dumpsters and six porta potties for the square area near the entertainment area.
Mike Speir told the council that some tape of some seams on the city hall and ambulance headquarter roof should take care of the leaky roof. That work will be done in the weeks to come.
Mayor Harris reported to the council that city superintendent Ron Cullison will be retiring at the beginning of May. Cullison will retire with 62 years and 4 months of service to the city of Albion.
The city is facing some major expense with two of the city’s water wells. Wells one and two will need their plumbing reworked at an estimated cost of $59,622 for well number 1 and $30,964 plus a possible $12,500 repair to the plumbing on well number 2. The council accepted the estimate from Brodsky wells service.
Many years ago, electric poles were installed in the block of Elm from Seventh to Eighth Street. However, during the installation years ago, the sewer lines were near enough to the auger that some damage to the sewer lines developed. So now the city will need to repair those holes left by the poles and an estimated cost of $52,750.
The council approved to spend an estimated $60,000 to oil and chip some city streets and alleyways this summer.
After executive session, the council voted to employee Zachary Murray as a city worker animal control officer.