Pinckneyville approves the local match for CDAP sewer line replacement grant

Following a public hearing on a Community Development Assistance Grant (CDAP) grant to install a new sewer line to the treatment plant on the north end of town, the council passed a resolution committing local funds to the project. Total cost of the project is $610,220. The local share is $160,220 or 26 percent.

The resolution specifies that the funds will come from the city's general fund. However, the city can reimburse the general fund for the cost. Commissioner Leonard Heisner said there is over $1 million in the water/sewer bond fund which is intended to pay for infrastructure improvements such as the new sewer line.

At the previous meeting, the council agreed to apply for a permit from IDOT to do the work in case the grant is approved.

The grant could be approved by the end of the year. All of the engineering work is completed so the city could bid the project early next year.

In other business, the council:

• passed a resolution approving a development agreement between the city and Pinckneyville Community Hospital. The city agreed to give the hospital $250,000 in TIF funds for the construction of a new hospital, which is currently underway.

• renewed the health insurance contract with Mutual Medical Insurance for coverage beginning June 1. There will be a four percent increase in fixed costs for Mutual Medical's administration fee and no increase in Symetra's reinsurance. In order to keep the same reinsurance fixed costs, Pinckneyville agreed to make available to employees an Affordable Care Plan (ACP). Under the ACP, employees who have planned a major surgery such as a hip replacement or back surgery that will cost $50,000 or more can choose a plan through the state's insurance exchange. The city pays the entire premium and all out-of-pocket costs. Andreas said that the city's stop-loss insurance covers costs that exceed $35,000 per employee. The cost of a plan on the exchange and the out-of-pocket costs are typically about $13,000 per year. That's a savings of $22,000 for the city.

• agreed to donate $2,500 to the Chamber of Commerce to help with advertising for the annual Mardi Gras festival.

• renewed the lease with the Perry-Jackson Child Advocacy Center for another year. The annual cost is $1.

• agreed to close Ballpark Road from Aug. 11 - 18 for the August American Thresherman Association Show and to allow the ATA to hold their Parade of Power through town at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 14, following the same route as the Mardi Gras parade.