By KIP CHEEK

Staff writer

MENDOTA – The Mendota City Council heard preliminary figures on the city’s tax levy and were informed of a new broadband option being offered to Mendota at its Dec. 6 regular meeting.

ALDERMANIC REPORTS

Alderman John Hessenberger presented a zoning variance request from Craig Truckenbrod at 703 Third Ave. for a shed to be constructed within five feet of the lot line. The request was approved.

Alderman Jim Fitzpatrick told of a broadband company, Surf Broadband Solutions, that will be installing fiber optic lines and offering their services to every household and business in Mendota. With that, the council approved right-of-way and understanding of cooperation agreements with Surf to begin its process of installation.

Terry Barr, Central Illinois Regional Manager for Surf, said the company will be installing main lines at the street, and then homeowners that choose to subscribe to the service will feed off of that line with one run to the house, most likely placed underground if possible. Weather permitting, Surf hopes to be up and running in Mendota sometime next spring.

Surf Broadband Solutions currently provides service to Northwest Indiana, Northeast Illinois and Southwest Michigan. Barr said other area cities that the company will enter are Rock Falls, Sterling, Dixon, Ottawa and Oglesby.

In other action from Fitzpatrick, the council approved a contract with TEST, Inc. (Total Environmental Service Technologies) for the waste water treatment plant.

Fitzpatrick said special hours are set for Christmas tree drop-off at the burn pit. The burn pit will be open from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 30 and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 8.

Lastly, Fitzpatrick thanked Ekana Nursery for its donation of plants and trees for Lake Mendota Park and the soccer fields.

Mayor David Boelk presented a request from NCI ARTworks/Triple Service for a donation for the railroad depot art mural project. The city approved a $10,000 donation with money coming from the hotel/motel tax fund, and also a donation of four light poles, bricks and pavers. It was also stated that the north entrance to the First State Bank parking lot will be moved.

Alderman John Holland presented the city’s Risk Management Insurance renewals. He said last year’s premium was $443,244 and the 2022 premium is $442,814, minus cyber liability insurance. The renewal was approved by the council.

He also gave pension levy requests from the police and fire departments, and also the city’s general tax levy. The fire levy request is $179,820 and the police request is $568,956. He said the fire pension is funded at 75.8 percent and the police at 64.4 percent. The requests will be placed on file before being acted on.

The city’s proposed tax levy is $2,068,576, a slight increase from last year. Holland said there will be minimal effect on property taxes. The levy will be placed on file and voted on at the next meeting.

MPD VEHICLES FOR SALE

The police department is accepting bids on three retired police vehicles. They are a 2013 Ford Explorer (72,033 miles, minimum bid of $13,000), a 2014 Dodge Charger (59,396 miles, minimum bid of $10,000) and a 2014 Dodge Charger (65,822 miles, minimum bid of $10,000). Bids must be turned in by noon on Wednesday, Dec. 15. For more information, contact the police department at 815-539-9331.

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