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Council approves crack-fill, discusses sidewalk refund program and tables tree removals pending field inspections
Summary
The council approved a crack-fill project (budgeted figure cited) and discussed a sidewalk reimbursement program ("up to 50%" refund language criticized as vague); it accepted a committee recommendation to apply for a Metro East Park grant to widen a section of Illinois 4 to a 10-foot shared-use path and tabled decisions about several town-square trees pending field trips and engineering review of possible mine subsidence.
The Lebanon City Council on Sept. 22 agreed to move forward with several public-works items brought by committee, including a crack-fill project on Lebanon Street, debate over a sidewalk-refund program and a recommendation to apply for Metro East Park District grants to widen a segment of Illinois 4 to a 10-foot shared-use path.
A committee reported the crack-fill line-item is in the fiscal year budget at approximately $18,000 and cited a specific proposal of $18,477. Council members discussed the sidewalk-refund program language, which proposed the city pay up to 50% of construction costs. Several public commenters and council members said the phrase "up to 50%" is vague and asked whether the city will budget funds annually and whether property owners could use their own contractors if work passes inspection.
"If you're gonna pay 50%, say 50%. To me, it's vague because I had an issue with that," said Ron during public comment. (Ron, speaker 8)
Staff and council members clarified the intent: the program is intended to prioritize the worst sidewalks and to require inspection and ADA compliance; the council discussed creating a prequalified contractor list and allowing owner-installed work so long as it meets city specs and is inspected.
The council also accepted a committee recommendation to pursue Metro East Park District recreation grants for the Illinois 4 sidewalk project. Committee discussion cited a combined estimate of about $172,879 for the project with the council's additional share to move the sidewalk from 5 feet to a 10-foot shared-use path totaling roughly $4,137 for that change (committee figures provided in meeting materials). Staff said grant matching details will be clarified as part of the grant application.
On an unresolved public-works matter, council members discussed removal of several unhealthy or damaged trees in the town square and a separate concern over a possible mine-subsidence condition on a recently completed road segment. The council agreed to send crews and outside specialists on a field inspection, invited the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to examine a suspect section, and referred final tree-removal action back to the appropriate committee until field trips and engineering reviews are complete.
"We're gonna table the trees pending field trips," the Mayor said, and the council referred the item back to committee for follow-up. (Mayor)
Votes on committee recommendations for the crack-fill project and the sidewalk/grant referrals were recorded by roll call during the meeting; the council also recorded committee authorization and funding references for the visitor-center floor refinishing and event permits elsewhere on the agenda.
