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Council approves $18,500 retaining wall at 221 Columbus Drive after debate over TIF 3 eligibility
Summary
Council approved a $18,500 estimate to construct a modular block retaining wall at 221 Columbus Drive to prevent vehicles from damaging a residence. Public speakers argued the property is not inside TIF 3 and opposed taxpayer funding for private property; the council voted to approve the contract after rejecting a motion to table.
The Belleville City Council on Nov. 3 approved an $18,500 estimate from Hanks Escalating and Landscaping Inc. to construct a modular block retaining wall at 221 Columbus Drive, a project described by staff as intended to prevent vehicles from leaving the roadway and striking a home.
During public participation, resident Michael Ackler said the property “is not within TIF 3,” and that, on that basis, TIF 3 funding would be ineligible. Joyce Driver, another neighbor, urged the council not to use taxpayer dollars to “beautify private property” and suggested cheaper alternatives such as a stop sign, bollards or boulders. Driver said the quoted wall price — “almost $20,000” — exceeded comparable work her daughter paid for.
At the council meeting Streets and Grades committee members and the city engineer, Scott Seager, said the retaining wall work would be in the right of way and therefore within TIF 3. Alderman Randall and others said the location is a known accident site with repeated vehicle strikes near the residence and argued the wall would protect residents and drivers. Alderman Steele and several others recommended obtaining additional, less decorative, lower‑cost options (bollards, ballards or boulders) and sought to send the item back to committee. A motion to table and send the item back to Streets and Grades failed.
After further discussion the council approved the Hanks Escalating and Landscaping estimate. The final roll‑call recorded 13 ayes and 3 no votes; the motion carried.
The ordinance funding source listed in the agenda was TIF 3; city staff said the work would be in the public right‑of‑way in front of the residence and therefore consistent with TIF 3 funding in the city’s view. Councilmembers who supported the motion cited months of study and multiple on‑site reviews before bringing the item forward.
