Will County Gazette

City of Lockport Committee of the Whole met Feb. 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

REGULAR MEETING of the Committee of the Whole of the City of Lockport, Illinois was held on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 in the Board Room, 3rd Floor, of the Central Square Building, 222 E. Ninth Street, Lockport, Illinois. Mayor Steve Streit called the Meeting to order at 7:12 pm.

ROLL CALL

PRESENT: Mayor, Steve Streit

Alderwoman, Renee Saban

Alderwoman, Joann Bartelsen

Alderman, Darren Deskin

Alderwoman, Christine Bergbower

Alderman, Patrick McDonald

Alderman, Jonathan Pugh

Alderwoman, Susan King

ABSENT: Alderman, JR Gillogly

ALSO PRESENT: City Clerk, Kathleen Gentile

Interim City Attorney, Thomas Thanas

Chief of Police, Richard Harang

Director of Public Works and Engineering, Brian Lovering

Director of Community & Economic Development, Lance Thies

PRESS: Cathy Wilker, LCTV

ITEMS RECOMMENDED TO BE PLACED ON THE AGENDA FOR CONSENT OR ACTION AT THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING

FN-1. 2024 Budget Amendment

Finance Director, Lisa Heglund, presented the Staff Report.

DIRECTION: Add to the Consent Agenda for the March 5, 2025 City Council Meeting

CD-1. Approving the Professional Services Agreement with Arcadis to Perform Advisory Services for the Star Innovation District in the Amount of $124,400.00

Director of Community & Economic Development, Lance Thies, presented the Staff report. Discussion among the Council ensued.

DIRECTION: Add to the Consent Agenda for the March 5, 2025 City Council Meeting

PW-1. Intergovernmental Agreement for Participation in the Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network (IPWMAN)

Director of Public Works, Brian Lovering, presented the Staff Report. The City currently has an IGA with the Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network. The amendment allows for support during normal work circumstances and not limited to emergency situations. Discussion among the Council ensued.

DIRECTION: Add to the Consent Agenda for the March 5, 2025 City Council Meeting

NEW BUSINESS

1. PW-1. Water System Discussion - Information Only

a. Mayor Streit presented a history of the City’s water system, the recent new higher rate, and the increase in water consumption. In 2011, the Council had decided to shut down wells. At that time, the water flow was not adequate to cover fire flow. In 2013, the Council created a Capital Improvement Plan to plan for and systematically fix and improve the City’s water system.

b. Discussion about the quality of the water. The City has invested in processes to improve the quality of the City’s water. The City does have well water, it is harder water that includes iron, magnesium and other, safe levels of minerals. Hard water is hard on appliances. If a resident finds that they have to frequently replace appliances, Mayor recommends contacting the Public Works Department who will conduct an assessment to see if there is an issue with the pipes within the home. The City will also check the water meter, for free. There is only a charge to the resident if the meter was replaced, but the original meter was not bad; the resident would be charged $100 for the meter replacement.

c. Reviewed the City’s water service inventory; 45 older homes still have lead service lines. Every year, the City has been replacing the lead lines in 20-30 homes.

d. Lake Michigan water costs $40-50M for the water towers. The City of Lockport prefers to have autonomy and manage their own water system. Any investment the City makes to the water system can only be funded by Water Bills; no money from general funds or any other funding source is allowed per law.

e. For any questions with water service, reach out to Water Billing Department, 815- 838-0549 option 3.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

1. Ray Alcalar – drainage, water – to improve water quality, the options include replacing house pipes, adding reverse osmosis system, install water softener. He has one problem with sewer; despite French drain and other improvements, his yard looks like a river. Issue where the City owns the sewer but the State owns the road.

2. Keith Seper – water issue, lots of sediment. The main problem seems to be related to the septic line and sewer. Request to leave his number and have Public Works visit his home to investigate the issue. Suffers from seizures.

3. Randy Juras – data center – raised concerns about water quality and what would be required to support a data center.

4. Vicki Bozen – Illinois American Water – thankful Lockport is not pursuing IAW. At her own home, she has a TDS meter to test total dissolved solids. In a recent test her house tested at 500 which is over the 200-300.

5. Mary Amant – water testing, independent service – her home is identified as one of the houses that has lead pipes. On specific days and times, she cannot use the water because it smells so bad. Suffers from neurological and seizure disorders. Requesting EPA testing.

a. EPA testing is done annually, the report is one year behind.

6. Michael Clausen – Homer Township Civic Center – Homer Township Trustee. Homer Glen resident with a well. IAW issues in Homer Glen is a real issue; resident family of 4 has a water bill of over $600/monthly. Raised awareness about the new Homer Township Civic Center, 10,000 square foot community center. Phase 1 completed today. Seeking help from the City of Lockport to promote the new civic center.

7. Mike Bonomo – Homer Township Civic Center – the new Homer Township Civic Center is owned by the residents. At the Lockport City meeting today to raise awareness and promote the civic center.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION BY BARTELSEN, SECONDED BY PUGH TO ADJOURN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING AT 8:57 PM. VOICE VOTE ON THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED.

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