ROCHELLE — Residents along Southview Drive can expect to see construction activity near Well 10 after Rochelle City Council gave the approval for the well building and equipment project.
Work is set to begin in July on the $1.2 million project to replace the building and all equipment for the major water supply well, originally constructed in 1965.
City officials said the current structure and equipment is beyond repair.
Adam Lanning, Supt. of Water/Water Reclamation, addressed Rochelle City Council at their meeting Monday evening, providing details of the project and before and after pictures of the building.
“Design is complete for replacing the existing well house and pump and was done to accommodate a future radium removal plant if the need ever arises,” said Lanning.
The new design type, which resembles surrounding architecture, will also have paved access for daily monitoring and material delivery. An ordinance approving a variance of the rear yard setback was also approved.

Incentive
Council approved the ordinance regarding the early separation incentive program for certain employees.
“Since the last plan was approved, the City/RMU has had six out of the nine eligible employees participate,” Jeff Fiegenschuh, City Manager, said. “The six positions will not be replaced for a total savings of approximately $900,000 over the next two years.”
With the new plan, 17 employees are eligible to participate and will be offered the same two years of insurance. The difference is the age requirement is lowered to 55 and the years of accumulated service would be reduced to 12. Fiegenschuh said of those eligible, three are in the public safety department. These positions would be replaced but at a lower rate of compensation.
“Within these respective departments, those qualifying positions will be consolidated into other positions, replaced with part-time personnel or replaced in full after the two-year insurance plan has ended,” Fiegenschuh said.
Following the approval by council, the plan goes into effect immediately with an enrollment period through Dec. 31, 2018.
Other business
Council approved an authorization to purchase a 12-Lead cardiac monitor to replace a damaged unit. The approval includes a financing agreement to allow a moderate payment in this budget year with the remaining to be applied in the 2019 budget year.
Council also approved a classification and compensation study from AJ Gallagher. City staff will also perform certain parts of the project in order to meet the budgeted amount of $30,000. The study will review and analyze classification structure and identify and recommend pay structures.
Fiegenschuh noted that the study is beneficial at a time when several positions are becoming condensed or combined with previous job titles and duties.
Also, council approved a land lease agreement between the city and LAMAR companies for signs located along Interstate 88 and east of Caron Road.
Both agreements expired on May 1. The term for five years is a combined lease amount for $8,082 per year. Monies received from the lease will go towards the economic development department marketing fund.