By KIP CHEEK

Staff writer

MENDOTA – The Mendota City Council approved the sale of property and several ordinances at its March 6 regular meeting.

Prior to the regular meeting, a public hearing was held in regard to a petition by Black Bros. Co. to vacate a portion of alley near its property. After no public comment, the meeting proceeded into regular session.

Alderman John Hessenberger made a motion to approve the petition, which was backed by the full council. The alley is between Eighth and Ninth avenues, south of Fifth Street.

Alderman John Holland’s report included a short presentation by a representative of the city’s auditing firm. The representative said that the FY22 audit was given an unmodified opinion by the firm, which is the cleanest opinion that can be given. The audit was placed on file.

In other action from Holland’s report, the council adopted ordinances authorizing the sale of municipally-owned property comprising two 2-acre properties in the Mendota Business Park. Two acres each were sold to Kunz Engineering and Lilja Tiling & Excavating in the amount of $12,000 per acre. Both 2-acre parcels adjoin lots already owned by the purchasers.

Also from Holland’s report, the council approved an intergovernmental agreement with Mendota Township in regard to TIF 2022 and approved amending the wage ordinance.

Alderman Kyle Kim presented a side letter of understanding and agreement between the city and the Mendota Police Department patrol officers. The agreement was accepted and added to the contract.

Kim said all Mendota residents will be receiving a letter from the city in regard to a mandate from the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Illinois EPA in regard to the city conducting a water service line inventory. The Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act (LSLRN Act) requires owners and operators of community water supplies (CWS) in Illinois to deliver a complete water service line material inventory to the Illinois EPA no later than April 15, 2024. The complete inventory must report the composition of all service lines within the CWS’s distribution system.

In order to aid the city in this endeavor, residents will be asked to determine what type of material the water line entering your home or office (ex: copper, galvanized, lead, plastic) is made of. Residents are asked to go online to www.mendota.il.us and click on the link to complete a five-minute ‘Water Service Line Material Survey.’ The link is highlighted in purple and gold along the left side of the home page.

If you are unable to complete the survey via the website, call the Mendota City Clerk’s office at 815-539-7459 and set up an appointment for a water department employee to come to your home or office to complete this survey for you. Kim said the letters have been sent to residents in the Third Ward.

OTHER ITEMS

Police Chief Greg Kellen said nine candidates participated in the police testing process on March 4. He said the department is looking to hire three officers. It currently has two vacancies and one upcoming.

Kellen said two 2023 Dodge Durango vehicles will be delivered on April 15 and should be ready for use on May 1.

The next regular meeting of the Mendota City Council will be Monday, March 20 at 5:30 p.m.