Beautification on N. Second St. in Loves Park in the works

By Margaret Downing
Reporter
At the July 22 city council meeting, aldermen gave the okay for the street department manager to hire Arc Design Resources of Loves Park to provide engineering services within the “North Second Streetscape Improvement Project.” The project costs are not to exceed $195,000.
Per the Arc Design proposal, the total cost includes: topographic survey, right of way, etc. at $60,000; Phase 1 preliminary engineering or “expected city costs prior to grant funding, also $60,000; Construction plans, bidding (eligible for 80 percent federal reimbursement), $75,000; a 6.5 percent fee based on the three million project cost could be reduced if Arc Design chooses one side of the route to rebuild at this time.”
Per the approved resolution, a portion of the total cost may be reimbursed if an ITEP (Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program) grant is awarded to the city for this project.
According to its website, “ITEP provides funding for community based projects that expand travel choices and enhance the transportation experience by improving the cultural, historic, aesthetic and environmental aspects of our transportation infrastructure.”
In line with this effort concerns the fact that the city actually owns three of four corner lots along River Lane and N. Second St.
As recently explained by Parks Chamber Executive Director Tonya Lamia, this is an area where lighting, seating, landscaping, and art sculptures will be placed and additional parks installed. Fundraising is underway and as Lamia explained, “The city will then maintain these sites.”
The Fiscal Year 2019 Appropriation Ordinance was passed commencing on May 1 of this year and ending on April 30 of next year, comes to a total general fund appropriation of $25,689,183. “Gross Appropriation” comes in at $36,646,310.
An ordinance, first reading “approving the purchase of flood control project real estate parcels,” passed that “authorizes the city to purchase real property for public purposes…that will provide benefit to the public, is in the best interests of the city and its citizens, and is necessary for the general public health, safety and welfare of the city.”
One cost with fees comes to $253.51, and another one with fees, comes to $468.67.
Per the weekly police activity report for the period from July 7 through 13, a total of 621 calls for service were taken, 289 arrests were made, and 10 accidents responded to by officers.
Fire Chief Jerry Wiltfang presented his fire department report for the month of June. There were a total of 211 EMS responses and 42 fire responses during June. A total of carbon monoxide incidents were two. Mutual aid included one where aid was given and nine were received. Average response time (dispatch to arrival) for Station No. 1 was five minutes and eight seconds, and for Station No. 2 six minutes and 14 seconds. Average time on scene for the department came to 17 minutes and one second.
Wiltfang noted, “In anticipation of the arrival of the second ambulance, equipment and general stocked items were ordered. Preparations for the Illinois Department of Health Inspection of the ambulance are being made.”
Staff during the month worked with the police department on “active shooter planning and training for schools within the city.”
The department received training from the “manufacture of two LUCAS CPR devices donated by Mercyhealth.”
The department’s Fire Academy began with four candidates enrolled.
Department staff completed 324 hours of firefighter training.
Three staff members went to Pierce Manufacturing in Appleton, Wis. To complete a two-day inspection process of the new “Quint” before it was delivered. Definition of a Quint is as follows: “A quintuple combination pumper or quint is a fire-service apparatus that serves the dual purpose of an engine and a ladder truck. The name is derived from the Latin ‘quinque,’ meaning five, and refers to the five functions that a quint provides; pump, water tank, fire hose, aerial device, and ground ladders.”