Final 6 legacy tornado sirens set to be removed and replaced by end of year
By Devese “Dee” Ursery
COLLINSVILLE — The City of Collinsville will be removing the final six Legacy sirens and poles and replacing them by the end of the year. Parkside Commons will be adding a subdivision extension to its complex, as well.
During the regular Collinsville city council meeting council members approved several ordinances and resolutions to not only preserve and improve existing neighborhoods, but also to invest in public infrastructure, keep Collinsville safe and support excellent municipal services.
A vote was made by council members to approve an ordinance amending the 2024 CIP project FD-SIREN. The scope of work for this project includes the removal and replacement of the final six Legacy Tornado Sirens and poles, according to Deputy Fire Chief, Kevin Reis. This addition to the project is estimated not to exceed $22,000. These additional funds will be transferred from 2024 CIP project FD-ENGINE.
The City employed Acoustics Technology Inc. to install a modern outdoor warning system. The design of the system was based on the reuse of 10 existing poles/locations. The 10 Legacy sirens were removed under the scope of work by ATI, but not the sirens or poles they did not reuse. There are six locations throughout the city that have either the old siren and pole, or just the old pole. This requested amendment to the 2024 CIP FD-SIREN project will provide the funding to clean up the six locations.
“This move will provide funding to remove six Legacy Tornado Sirens and/or poles, which are not in the scope of the ATI project,” Reis said. “The removal of these outdated sirens and poles was originally anticipated for a 2025 project, however due to the availability and unexpected funds from the Fire Department Engine Replacement project we can accelerate this clean up of equipment now.”
The City Council authorized an initial project budget of $340,000 for the 2024 FD-SIREN project and with the approved change order No.1 in May 2024, it was increased to $351,000, according to official documents. The new siren installation project includes the removal of the old legacy sirens on the existing utility poles that were being reused. The project did not include funding for the removal of the siren and/or pole in the remaining six locations throughout the city that were not needed with the new technology.
The Council also authorized $375,000 to the 2024 FD-ENGINE project for the procurement of a used fire engine. Fortunately, they found an engine for only $281,250 and we anticipate using an additional $35,000 to have the fire engine response ready. Staff anticipates unexpended funds for project FD-ENGINE of approximately $58,000. The new project total for FD-SIREN will be $373,000. The FD-ENGINE project total will be reduced to $353,000.
“We have received one quote for the removal work and it amounts to $22,000. We are in the process of obtaining additional bids to ensure competitive pricing and the best value for the City,” Reis said.
“We anticipate the removal of the old sirens and poles before the end of 2024. This expected timeline will allow us to remove the old sirens and poles and not have the false sense of awareness with sirens that have been disconnected and unused poles just standing there.”
The owner of Parkside Commons has applied for preliminary plat approval in order to expand the Parkside Commons Subdivision by 23 units, dubbed as the Parkside Condos Subdivision. The proposed request includes a site plan and preliminary plat approval for the subdivision and public road construction and dedication. Staff recommends approval of this request.
The request was approved by council members and it was made in conjunction with a rezoning request. The proposed subdivision will adjust the lot sizes to accommodate the dedication of right-of-way for the extension of Parkside Commons Court. It will also pave the way for a future shared use path along North Keebler, to be constructed by the City.
According to documents the gross area of the site is 2.65 acres with .40 acres dedicated as right-of-way and 0.73 acres for open space. The development includes sewer and water main extensions along with the road extension. The property will remain in two lots split by Parkside Commons Court.
During the regular City meeting an ordinance was approved by council members to appropriate 2024 expenditures from Capital carryover and operational changes. Finance Director Dustin Ziebold explains the need for the allotment of funds.
“Throughout the fiscal year the city faces various changes to the financial environment including changes in operation and opportunities for capital purchase,” Ziebold said. “This ordinance will appropriate funding to multiple situations that have arisen related to capital, operations, and unforeseen expenses.”
Ziebold said the unspent fund balance, unbudgeted revenues or interfund transfers/savings will be used for the funding of these items. There were salary adjustments within the General Fund due to some operational changes that had to be made. There were workman’s compensation and liability claims the City were required to pay, and the replacement of a police car that this ordinance will also fund.
According to Ziebold the City did have some adjustments within Gateway, as well for operational changes. Those will be shown as a zero transaction, but in and out of various accounts.
“The Motor Fuel Tax will be utilized at $75,000 of the fund balance for some Horseshoe Lake Road work,” Ziebold said. “In the Capital Projects Fund, we had a really good turn out for our utility rebate program to give some funding back to the citizens.”
The ordinance to purchase an all-wheel drive 2023 Ford Police Interceptor in the amount $42,290 from Morrow Brothers Ford. Staff is also asking for $13,000 in additional funding necessary to properly equip the vehicle for service. The total cost of the vehicle will be $55,300.
Reis said on February 24, 2024, one of their officers was involved in a traffic crash that resulted in a total loss to a 2018 Ford Police Interceptor. At the time of the accident the car had 82,748 miles assigned to patrol operations.” Our officer was the at fault driver which left us without traditional funding to replace this vehicle,” continued Reis.
“Although this unit would be due for replacement in 2025, its absence in our fleet will result in excess use of other fleet vehicles,” Reis said. “To avoid a degradation to our patrol fleet, we feel it is prudent to use forfeiture funds to replace this vehicle.”
The requested vehicle is in stock and ready for delivery from Morrow Brothers Ford, according to Reis.
The Collinsville Food Pantry was recognized during the city council meeting for its generosity and community outreach towards the citizens of Collinsville. Stacy Jones, Director of Services for the Collinsville Food Pantry discussed the mission of offering hope and a helping hand to the less fortunate.
“We offer support, graciousness and understanding to all who come. We do this through amazing programs like Tote Me Home, where selected children in the Collinsville Unit 10 School Districts are provided with food every weekend that they can have meals on the weekend; or our Transient Program that provides tote bags or easy opening meals or toiletries to our homeless population,” Jones said.
“Then there is the S.O.S. the Spirit of Sharing Soup Kitchen, that is a hot meal, served through drive-thru every Tuesday and Thursday with no cost or requirements from its patrons.”
The Food Pantry is donation based and would not be able to function without the help from local businesses, churches and the countless volunteers that offer their time.
“Donations don’t have to be monumental to be felt,” Jones said. “They only have to be present.”
Jones ended her discussion by quoting Coretta Scott King, ““The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”
There were also a couple of retirements in the recognition portion of the meeting. Danny Clark, Superintendent of Streets retires after 33 years of service and Lisa Requesting Permission from the Illinois Department of Transportation to Close Main Street for Smokin’ on MainKirk, Dispatcher retires after 24 years of service.
The Community Appearance Board has awarded first place honors for Yard of the Month Winner for June to Brian and Pamela Cox at 21 Briarcliff Drive. Mayor Jeff Stehman presented first place winners and recognized second place winner Karen Ives at 422 Cyprus Creek Road.
Motions were approved by council members for the payment of bills for the period ending June 14, in the Amount of $1,366,802 and payroll for the period ending June 7, in the amount of $974,002. A motion was approved for the minutes of the June 11, council meeting.
Last, but not least several resolutions were approved, one being the request for permission from the Illinois Department of Transportation to close Main Street for Smokin’ on Main; and the reappointment of Chief Steve Evans, to the Police Pension Board.
The next regular bimonthly Collinsville City Council meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 9 at the City Hall Building located at 125 South Center Street.
