Residents press council for details as Walnut/Third reconstruction reaches $1.03 million

Several residents pressed Village of Anna officials on the Walnut Street and S. Third Street reconstruction during public comment, raising questions about project authorization, inspection, and potential sidewalk assessments.

Darrin Alexander told council that little information had been presented in public meetings about authorized purchases and projects, and urged inspections during and after construction. Gina Hurley said affected residents had not received regular financial reports and asked how she could be charged for a sidewalk assessment when her sidewalk had already been removed. Elaine Denning and Mason Jutte reported damage to sidewalks and edging after recent paving; Denning asked council to walk the affected sidewalks to inspect the damage.

Fiscal Officer Stacy Meyer gave a financial update on the project, saying "we are at a new total of 1.029 M ($1,029,410.87). Leaving $120,589.13 for extra work, at this point. So far there has been $78,000 disbursed/paid and that was for engineering." Administrator William Kessler said "the overall assessments total around $150,000."

Council members and staff described options for assessments: Naseman noted the Village can choose to assess particular items or not and referenced previous phased assessments on Young and South streets. Residents pressed for clarity about long-term drainage impacts, grading decisions made by the project engineer, and whether assessment calculations had been amortized over 10 years.

Council did not take further action on assessments at the meeting; staff indicated engineering and change-order work is ongoing and that some funds remain available for extra work.

The council will consider follow-up reports from staff; residents asked for more frequent financial updates and for council to review sidewalks in the recently paved area.