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Kewanee council raises concerns after unpermitted Boiler Shop demolition and wastewater compliance notice
Summary
Council members raised environmental concerns about an unpermitted demolition at the old Boiler Shop and discussed a recent wastewater compliance notice attributed in part to drought conditions; staff said state agencies have been notified and documents have been submitted.
City staff and council members discussed potential environmental and wastewater compliance issues at the Kewanee City Council meeting on Aug. 12. Council Member Michael Yaklich reported that a valid demolition permit for the old Boiler Shop had not been followed and that state environmental agencies were notified.
"We have no liability in this at this point," City Manager Bradley said about the Boiler Shop matter, and staff had contacted the City Attorney as well as the Henry County Health Department and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Bradley said the city has concerns about possible water contamination and that the appropriate state offices had been alerted. A council member (Keith) suggested requiring larger bonds for large demolition projects to help reimburse potential city costs.
Council also discussed wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) compliance. City Manager Bradley said the city had been in compliance until this month but, because of a lack of rainfall, the city was not meeting certain expectations tied to discharge; a notice of violation was issued for documents that were not logged as received. Bradley said the missing documents were submitted and accepted and that staff has urged state officials to consider reclassifying a nearby ditch the city views as a non-navigable creek.
Other operational updates during "Other Business" included progress on anti-bullying training in schools (Chief Troy Ainley said some of the training is complete), a report of a road buckle on Tenney Street that will be investigated, and a CPR class with low attendance that Council Member Michael Komnick urged staff to better publicize. No formal motions or votes related to the Boiler Shop or WWTP were recorded in the minutes; the items were discussed and staff reported follow-up steps.
