RAPIDS CITY THE REVIEW THE REVIEW
The Review • Tuesday, February 16, 2021
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Water loop project closer to bidding phase BY SARAH FORD For Shaw Media
The Rapids City board approved a $44,000 agreement with village engineering firm MSA Professional Services on Feb. 9. It’s the next step for the water loop project that will bring more water pressure and less emergency shut offs to all the residents living north of the railroad tracks. Chris Cooper with MSA provided an update on the efforts to extend the water main under IL 84 and the tracks, near the south end of the village. MSA has been working with Canadian Pacific Railroad and IDOT this past year to acquire the permits, and the agreement will allow for the next phase of planning and bidding to begin. Plans include boring under the railroad tracks to install and connect the water main. Cooper said the main will be “fairly deep in the ground” due to the composition of bedrock. He estimated that the water loop project will cost $367,000, depending on different scenarios. The village has been planning and budgeting for the project for the past year and was able to acquire a 30K grant to help pay for some of the costs.
The board next heard from Rapids City resident Lynn Hunt, Vice President of Sales at the Quad Cities Visitors Bureau. The organization is seeking the village’s support in hosting a bass fishing tournament July 26-30 at Shuler’s Shady Grove Park and requested access to the launch site and amenities that week. Schneider was concerned with the “exclusive” launch site use in the agreement, and the board agreed that exclusive access may not be allowed due to IDNR regulations, but the village could accommodate both the tournament and any recreational users. “I believe we can make things work, we just need clear communication. We can make this happen,” said Village President Harold Mire. The board unanimously agreed to the partnership with the QCVB, approving their use of facilities, electricity, and boat launch access, with trustee Rick Fiems appointed as liaison for the event. The board also reviewed an $11,269 quote from MidAmerican Basement Systems for water and mold remediation in the Village Hall due to concerns for the “health and safety of employees,” stemming from an ongoing issue where water is seeping in through the walls. Trustee Craig Schneider said he’d
like to have the village solicit multiple bids from multiple companies, while also checking with the company who did previous remediation work over the summer. Mire agreed, asking office staff to contact that company to see if there was a guarantee in the contract. “We can make a decision at next month’s meeting. I don’t want to prolong the process, but Craig’s points are taken,” Mire said. He recommended that the board consider best practices by seeking other bids before the next meeting. In other action: • Mire is working with the Rock Island County Sheriff’s Office in establishing a non-emergency number; residents will be provided that information when available. • Approved the budget meeting and Committee of the Whole schedules, with plans to approve the final budget reading on April 22. • Agreed to refund a $1,000 building permit fee after the applicants withdraw their application due to changes in plans. • Learned that the general fund was negative this month, so some financial realignment may be necessary at the next meeting.
PORT BYRON
No decision yet on extending TIF district BY SARAH FORD For Shaw Media
A decision on extending the TIF District may take another six months, Mayor Bruce Peterson told the Port Byron Village Board on Feb. 1. Peterson said there was no new TIF business since he didn’t go to the school board meeting as planned due to weath-
COVID-19 variant detected in Rock Island County
er. He doesn’t expect the school board’s decision on extending the TIF District for at least six months. The Board of Education has requested materials such as TIF account information, balances, and what to anticipate for the next 5 years. In other action the board: • approved $2,200 for new air dryers for the village hall restrooms, paid out of
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has announced the first case of another COVID-19 variant (B.1.351), this time in a Rock Island resident. This variant was first identified in South Africa.
water and sewer funds. • discussed plans to codify the village ordinances to meet state regulations. Village Clerk Engels said the last update was in 2014, and every ordinance passed since then will need to be codified with the state. Village staff will be working on the project, which may cost the village $12,000 or more.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that the variant was confirmed in a Rock Island resident. The release said 22 cases of the B.1.1.7 variant have been reported in the United States after being first identified in the United Kingdom.
RCFPD ACTIVITY December report Members of the Rapids City Fire Protection District and Port Byron Fire Department responded to 32 calls for assistance in December 2020. A breakdown of those calls included: • Village of Rapids City – One EMS call,
one traffic accident, and one down power lines. • Village of Port Byron – Eight EMS calls. Fire Protection District (Rural) – 15 EMS calls, three traffic accidents, and one fire alarm. Automatic Aid was given to Hillsdale for one traffic accident.
Mutual Aid was given to Cordova for one traffic accident. In 2020, RCFPD volunteers responded to a record 479 calls. The district is currently taking applications for volunteers - contact Fire Chief Don Carey at the station by calling 309-523-2511.
