Much business taken care of by Loves Park City Council
At the April 21 bi-monthly city council meeting, Loves Park aldermen approved a number of items:
*A resolution authorizing the appointment to various positions was approved for the following employees: Shannon Messinger, (pay rate $115,00 a year), Nathan Bruck, community development director, (pay rate $106,000 a year), Craig McDonald, water superintendent, ($106,00 a year), David Jacobson, and Russell Caveny, water department manager (pay rate $97,000 a year).
*A resolution authorizing Mayor Greg Jury to hire Joseph D. Rongere as a full-time Plumbing/HVAC Inspector, effective May 1, passed at a salary of $77,885,
*Three resolutions were approved authorizing the street department manager to hire ArcDesign Resources of Loves Park for the reconstruction of Renrose Ave., for the 2026 city-wide street improvement project, and for the reconstruction of Riverside Blvd. Cost is not to exceed $23,300. Total cost for 2026 engineering services for citywide street improvements will be $33,537 at $2.10 per lineal foot and 15,970 feet of roadway. Cost for reconstruction of Riverside Blvd. is not to exceed $184,460.
*A resolution authorizing the street department manager to hire Trickie Enterprises of Loves Park for seal coating and striping of the city hall parking lot. Cost will not exceed $26,430.
*A resolution authorizing the public works manager to hire Countryman Inc., of Rockford for re-striping of various roads in the city was okayed. Cost for this project will not exceed $45,000.
*A resolution authorizing the water department manager to purchase new pumping equipment for Well No. 4 from Municipal Well & Pump of Waupun, Wis. was approved for a cost not to exceed $173,490..
*A resolution authorizing the street department manager to hire Northern Illinois Service Co. for Rock Valley Parkway Creek Improvements, Phase 2B, passed. Costs will be covered by the city’s “stormwater repair” account for a total of $546,466.25.
*A resolution was okayed authorizing Mayor Greg Jury to sign the IDOT agreement for upgrading the traffic signals and sidewalks on a portion of IL 251. Per the Agreement “Mayor Jury is authorized to sign the attached agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) for upgrading the traffic signals and sidewalks to meet the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements along IL from Snow Ave. to the southern boundary of the City. This resolution includes appropriation of $9,600 of Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) to be reimbursed to IDOT for the City’s share of improvements…”
*A resolution authorizing the street department manager to hire ArcDesign Resources for the Material Avenue Drainage Survey passed.
*A resolution authorizing the city to enter into a redevelopment agreement with Write
It Right Public Adjusting LLC, (Developer) for property known as 521 Loves Park Dr. (Tax Increment Finance District) was approved. In the agreement, developer project costa are listed at $195,000.
* A resolution authorizing the City to enter into a redevelopment agreement with A.A.A. M & V, Inc of Pecatonica for the property known as 4840 N. Second St. was pulled from the agenda.
*A resolution authorizing the City to enter into a redevelopment agreement with
A.A.A. M & V, Inc. for property known as 4832 N. Second St. passed. Developer project cost was listed at $121,700.
Effective May 1, the following employees were appointed by the mayor to various city positions: the Mayor is authorized to appoint the following people to the listed positions:
Shannon Messinger to the full-time position of Public Works Director, with an annual salary of
$115,000., Nathan Bruck to the full-time position of Community Development Director, with an annual salary of $106,000, Craig McDonald to the full-time position of WaterSuperintendent, with an annual salary of $106,000, David Jacobson to the full-time position of Street Department Manager, with an annual salary of $97,000, Russell Caveny to the full-time position of Water Department Manager, with an annual salary of $97,000. As noted, “All positions are salaried and overtime exempt. Wages and benefits are set by current FY24-25 Salary Ordinance.”
–ORDINANCES
26. An Ordinance authorizing a text amendment to Chapter 14, Animals, Sec.14-13, “Dangerous Animals” passed as did an ordinance amending Chapter 14 “Animals, Honey BeeKeeping.”
Per the bi-weekly police activity report covering March 23 through April 5, 1,060 calls for service were logged, 33 arrests were made, 494 tickets and warnings were issued, and 22 vehicle crashes were responded to by officers.
Per the bi-weekly fire department report from April 3 through 16, 134 EMS incidents, 11 service calls, seven fire calls, and 30 “all other types calls” were logged.
Between March 31 and April 14, street department employees continued tree trimming and removals, swept main roads, held CPT recertifications classes for all employees, worked on shop work and truck and maintenance and miscellaneous sign repairs.
The water department, among other duties, continued GPS water infrastructure work, dug and repaired water main breaks in the 400 block of Burrwood Ave and in the 6500 block of Lanterne Dr., dug and repaired a fire hydrant valve in the 5000 block of Vail Dr., and worked on a future break room demo, along with other jobs.
Following the council meeting a gathering was held in the cafeteria wishing long time council member, A. Marie Holmes the best after her many years of service for the City of Loves Park.
Anyone wishing to speak at the city council meeting shall contact the mayor’s office by 4 p.m. the Friday before the council meeting by calling 815-654-5030.