Public Property Update

October 27, 2009

While cleaning a sewer line our jetter nozzle became lodged in a main that runs diagonally from 2nd St. & Jefferson to the Nash Recreation Center.  The wastewater line is not indicated on our maps, but it is the original sewer line from the schools to the Rock River.   The line runs under buildings and across properties and it was necessary to dig up a private driveway to free our equipment.

The City attended a pre-construction meeting at IDOT for the 7 million dollar Rt 2 North highway rebuild and utilities are being moved this fall.  They plan the project to be completed in 2011, but Sjolstrom expects to have it done in 2010.  MDES intends to put out for bids for the City sewer main in January, but that may be changed to December.  By coordinating the project with Sjolstrom and Martin Companies, the City will not be required to remove trees or bore under Rt 2.  Saving the City a about $40,000. 

MDES has inspected the E D Etnyre sewer connection to the City wastewater system at Settlers Ridge Subdivision. E. D. Etnyre and Company and the Dave Martin property on Daysville Road are now connected to the City Sewer system and operating. 

 

The City of Oregon is replacing and moving a fire hydrant at the F N Smith new office building location.  The semi-annual hydrant flushing is complete and we have three hydrants that did not drain properly and one that will not shut off.  Repairs will be made as necessary.  Hydrants at the Settlers Ridge Subdivision have not been turned over to the City and are not charged or able to be tested.

Department workers are constructing a permanent building around our fine screen at the wastewater plant.  The structure will be insulated and have a portable heater in winter to keep our equipment from freezing.  The water department is also replacing four steel doors that are rusting away at two of our well houses.  We expect to have this job completed within weeks. 

There is progress with disconnecting the storm water at the Ogle County Court House.  With the Post Office disconnected, the Court House and FN Smith to be disconnected, it will help the City considerably with our overflow discharges into the Rock River.   We have not been in violation with the IEPA about discharges because of the City effort to improve the situation, but we have been notified many times that our discharges are not acceptable.  MDES has forwarded a letter to the EPA explaining the City effort to eliminate CSO’s into the Rock River.   We will purchase equipment to monitor outflows as a necessary EPA requirement.  With the completion of the upgrade, we expect outflows to be eliminated and the remaining #11 overflow line will be sealed.

There was a water main brake on Nohe Ave over the weekend and it has been repaired.   We think this is the first break on the East Side of the Rock River and the cause seems to be a defective pipe.

MDES has completed the water portion of the City GSI mapping and now manholes and sewer lines will be located and recorded.  This will make information on every part of our water and wastewater system available on prints or computer. 

The swimming pool is being prepared for demolition and the slide was sold for a dollar to the City of Rockton,  two ladders in the pool have been given to the Oregon Park District.  The fencing has been given to the Ogle County Fair.

The EPA requirements for the wastewater plant upgrade are finally complete and after a special Monday afternoon Council Meeting completed the required votes, the necessary paperwork was picked-up Tuesday morning by a CMT engineer and was taken to Sjolstrom and Son’s in Rockford for signatures.  There is a pre-construction meeting planned for November 3 at the wastewater plant and a ground breaking ceremony planned for November 18th, 2009.

The $4.6 million project received a 500,000 STAG Grant and $911,135 stimulus forgiveness.  The project loan will be $3,640.545 with a pay back of $2,730,340 over 20 years at 0% interest.