Kankakee Times

Village of Clifton Board met July 24.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

Call to Order President Winkel called to order the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:00 p.m.

Members Present: President Andrew Winkel, Trustees Jim Schoon, Randy Gigl, Casey Hull, Joe Kolosky, Brianne Ryan, and Paul Hess Also Present: Clerk Shannon James, Mike Thompson and Kevin Elliot

Public Questions and Comments Mike Thompson, Chebanse Township Highway Commissioner, spoke about drainage work he believes the village has committed to in the past that has not been completed in the area of Washington (3000 N Road) and Evergreen (1000 E Road) and along the east side of 1000 E Road north to 3100 N Road (High School Road). The village contracted Haley Brothers in August 2013 to install approximately 375’ of tile from the corner of Washington and Evergreen on the east side of the road running north. After allowing the dirt to settle, Haley Brothers did not return to grade and clean-up the ditch and as a result it is 2-3 feet higher than it was. Thompson also was told the village agreed to put in a squash culvert (purchased by Kevin Elliot) the next mile down at the corner of 1000 E Road and 3100N Road (High School Road). The culvert is currently being stored on Mr. Elliot’s property.

Thompson stated that it is a rarity, maybe once a year, that the area gets so much rain that it will not stay in the ditch in sections where it is not as deep and it can go in to Hansen’s field on the east side of 1000 E Road. He believes that cleaning out the ditch on the east side of 1000 E Road, from Washington (3000 N Road) to 3100 N Road (High School Road) and installing the squash culvert at the end of that mile at high school road (corner of 1000 E Road and 3100 N Road) would help alleviate that problem and enable the ditch to take the water better. Thompson reported he has reached a verbal agreement with Kevin Hansen that the east side of the ditch from the corner of Washington and Evergreen to the corner of 1000 E Road and 3100 N Road will be cleaned out, not dug, to improve drainage. Schoon suggested the culverts need cleaned and that it is possible the tile is broken down at some point. Thompson replied that there is one culvert in question and it will be cleaned and possibly lowered and lengthened.

The 36” tile was questioned in relation to the 24” tile it will feed into and why it is being put in the middle rather than starting at Langan Creek and working back toward the village. Winkel stated that the 36” tile was recommended by Tyson Engineering and that it is believed it will drain sections of the west side of the village more efficiently and will also hold more water rather than filling up. The 36” tile will end at the village limits at the corner of Evergreen (1000 E Road) and Washington (3000 N Road). Winkel also relayed that the village has several drainage issues at this time and that this drainage issue is likely the villages’ smallest in terms of cost and the estimate of this proposed work (36” tile installation) is almost prohibitive. This is the fix the village can manage at this time.

Thompson stated the Township would be willing to pay for at least half of the ditch cleaning (east side) of 1000 E Road from Washington (3000 N Road) to 3100 N Road (High School Road) as that has not been done for 30 years. Winkel asked Thompson to work with the Water and Sewer Committee to come up with a clear plan to recommend to the village board for ditch cleaning and possible culvert installation.

Clerk James will look through village board minutes and Trustee Schoon will search his notes for information about the squash culvert and what the village may have committed to. Gigl said he would contact Dennis Behrends from Haley Brothers and discuss coming back out to finish the job of grading and cleaning-out the section of ditch where the tile was replaced.

Approval of Bid Letting for NW Drainage Project from Gerdez Park to Washington Avenue Gigl moved and Hull seconded to Approve Bid Letting for the Northwest Drainage Project from Gerdez Park to Washington Avenue. Koloksy questioned if the proposals discussed in public comments were included in this project. The bids for this project will include only what Tyson Engineering has proposed, installation of a 36” tile from Gerdez Park to Washington. The goal is to start the project after the crops come out. Estimates are for between $200,000 and $220,000. Kolosky wanted to make sure that the ditch gets cleaned up from the last job and suggested that contractors that do not finish work are not considered for bids on a new job. Hull asked about appropriations for village drainage as only $140,000 was included for all village drainage projects for the whole fiscal year. Winkel reported that he had spoken with the village attorney, Dana Meyer, and she would recommend amending the appropriations to reflect the change. Meyer also suggested checking with the local banks on promissory notes to pay portions of it over a period of time, possibly five (5) years. Gigl has spoken with one local bank and he will be gathering information requested and contacting others. Discussion was held regarding other pending drainage issues and possible costs. Koloksy suggested the village may want to look for a low interest grant/loan through the government for this project. Winkel briefly discussed bonds as an option with the village attorney. The work involved with bonds is likely not worth the trouble considering the amount needed to complete the project. Roll call of votes. Ayes 6; Schoon, Gigl, Hull, Kolosky, Ryan, and Hess. Nays 0.

Concluding Public Questions and Comments: None.

Adjournment Schoon moved and Kolosky seconded to adjourn at 7:51 p.m.

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