American Legion moving to Dorr Road

By Margaret Downing

Reporter

SOUTH BELOIT – Commissioners approved several ordinances at the Feb. 1 South Beloit City Council meeting, including issuance of a Retail Liquor Dealer’s license for the Holtz-Hirst American Legion Post No. 288.

The facility is relocating from Blackhawk Blvd. to Dorr Road and had requested that the $5,000 license fee be waived, as it was not a new license. The council waived the fee and approved the ordinance.

Additionally, an ordinance “regulating development in floodplain areas,” was approved. Mayor Ted Rehl explained that the ordinance must be on file so the city can “be eligible for FEMA funds.”

Purchase of two “3G modems from Physio Control for the fire department a cost not to exceed $1,663.47” was okayed. Finance Director Don Elliott explained they are necessary for sending cardio readings to hospitals.

A resolution, after discussion, for “bid letting for the 2016 Sanitary Sewer Lateral Improvements” issue was approved. The mayor stated the project is in its final phase – the sewer improvements are necessary under court order.

Police Chief Dean Steigmeier presented the department’s activities in a report dated Feb. 1, as read by Commissioner Tom Fitzgerald, which included:

* The sale of the city’s old “Code Enforcement vehicle, a 2006 Chevrolet Impala, that was sold at auction with the winning bid coming in at $1,700.01.”

* A report that on Jan. 26, “an officer on patrol was driving Squad Car No. 102 in the area of the Winnebago Foundry at 132 Blackhawk Blvd. As the officer was turning southbound onto Blackhawk, coming out of the foundry parking lot, he brushed against a snow pile on the side of the road causing damage to the lower rocker panel and passenger side door.” An estimate of $1,853.55 was obtained for work to repair the damaged vehicle.

* On Sunday, Jan. 31 at approximately 8 p.m. officers responded to the Mobile gas station, 810 Blackhawk Blvd. for a reported armed robbery.” After speaking with the clerk, “who stated that a white male entered the store with an unknown type of handgun and demanded money.

“The clerk turned over an unknown sum…and the offender fled out the south door. An immediate search of the area was conducted with the assistance of the Winnebago County Sheriff’s K-9 unit with negative results. The investigation is ongoing.”

* The city’s new patrol vehicle, “a 2016 Ford Police Explorer, has arrived and is awaiting installation of all the emergency equipment.”

Additionally, the department issued 72 moving citations, the chief saying a number were for outdated license plate tags, of which notice is no longer sent to vehicle owners by the State of Illinois.

A total of 452 calls for service were received in January, and 21 arrests, and 14 traffic accidents were reported. Fees or fines totaled $4,810. The Chief said it had been a busy month.

Fitzgerald stressed the importance of homeowners keeping sidewalks shoveled for the safety of children walking to and from school.

Per Fire Chief Ken Morse’s report for Jan. 16-30, the department logged 41 emergency responses, two Haz-Mat, two automatic alarms, 26 residential “medical” calls, two public service calls, and one smoke investigation call.

Mutual aid calls included four for Beloit, two for Rockton, and two for Rockford West Suburban. Training topics included ice rescue with the Beloit Fire Dept., ethics, equipment maintenance, physical fitness, and self-contained breathing apparatus consumption, along with some testing.