Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Belvidere Daily Republican: Belvidere AGREEMENT for train station

 

BELVIDERE - An intergovernmental agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation to build a new passenger railroad station near downtown has been referred to city council for action.
Aldermen, sitting as a committee of the whole, approved that step Monday night (Dec. 8) in a 9-0 vote.
This is a $2.643-million project that will be paid for entirely by IDOT, according to the agreement. The only possible city exposure would be cost overages, and any design, environmental and construction activities not included in the breakdown of costs.
Once the agreement has been approved design of the station will be done. Construction of the platform and at least a shell of the depot must be done by October 2015.
Public Works Superintendent Brent Anderson told the committee the city will pay for the work up-front, and be reimbursed by the state. City Attorney Michael Drella assured officials that "if they (state) stop paying, we stop work."
"Our exposure will be somewhat limited," Anderson said.
The project also includes a 150-space parking lot that will utilize the existing lot across Whitney Boulevard from city hall. The location of the depot has been moved slightly so it doesn't encroach on the Boone County Historical Museum property.
Here is a breakdown of the overall cost:
Preliminary engineering, $30,000; environmental, $10,000; final design, $100,000; construction project management, $60,000; parking lot, $200,000; platform, about 500 feet long, $419,375; and the depot, $1.454 million. The contingency fund, for unexpected expenditures, will be $369,655.
Alderman Ron Brooks said he saw in the agreement that IDOT could pull out of the project if the work isn't funded.
"Yes, that's typical," Anderson replied.
Belvidere will be a stop on the new train service that will link Rockford with the city of Chicago.
SURVEY FINDS VIOLATIONS
Also Monday the committee was informed by Anderson that the Environmental Protection Agency had conducted a field survey of the city's water system. The survey was conducted Nov. 19, with two violations of state standards being found.
One of them was the need to conduct a cross-connection survey of the 7,770 customers of the water system. The purpose of the study is to "identify improper plumbing arrangements that may allow contamination of the water supply through backflow or back siphonage conditions, and to require those improper plumbing arrangements to be eliminated."
Such a survey should be conducted every two years, he said, with Belvidere last doing one about four years ago.
The other violation was having a "significantly outdated" emergency management plan. That plan is to include the following items:
1. Identification of potential natural and human-caused risks to the water system.
2. Identification of personnel responsible for response actions, notification procedures and public/press relations should such an emergency occur.
3. Measures for averting or avoiding emergencies and the means for implementing the emergency response plan. An emergency management plan must be prepared and kept updated.

(5) Belvidere Daily Republican

How much does a dog adoption from Boone County Animal Shelter Cost?

 

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Above is from:  http://www.boarddocs.com/il/boone/Board.nsf/files/9RJSQE67E370/$file/BCAS%20Staff%20Report%20December%202014.pdf

Carie L. Poirier appointed Public Defender for Boone County

---PRESS RELEASE---


JOSEPH G. McGRAW
Chief Judge
For Immediate Release
-STATEOFILLINOIS
CIRCUIT COURT
SEVENTENTH JUDI CAL CIRCUIT
December 10, 2014
WINNEBAGO COUNTY COURTHOUSE
400 WEST STATE STREET, SUITE 215
ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS 61101
PHONE (815) 319-4800
Contact: Thomas R. Jakeway
Trial Court Administrator
Phone- 815-319-4806
Email- tiakeway@wincoil.us
MEDIA RELEASE
ATTORNEY CARIE L. POIRIER SELECTED
AS BOONE COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER
ROCKFORD, IL - Joseph G. McGraw, Chief Judge of the 1 i 11 Judicial Circuit Court, is
pleased to announce that the judges of the I i 11 Circuit voted to select local attorney Carie L.
Poirier as Public Defender for Boone County, Illinois
. The vacancy in this office will be created
as result of the planned retirement of current Boone County Public Defender Azhar J. Minhas.
Ms. Poirier will take her oath of office and assume duties as the Boone County Public Defender
on Friday, January 9, 2015.
Commenting on the selection, Chief Judge Joseph G. McGraw states, "Ms. Poirier is a talented
attorney with extensive trial experience and an established presence in Boone County. I am
confident that her administration will build upon the high quality of legal representation being
provided by the Boone County Public Defender's Office. We look forward to her service as a
key stakeholder in our criminal justice system."
Ms. Poirier completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois and received her
Juris Doctor from Northern Illinois University College of Law in 1997. Her legal career has
been dedicated to service with the Boone County Public Defender's Office. She has been
employed in the Boone County Public Defender's Office since November 1997 and currently
holds the position of First Assistant Public Defender.
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Christmas Community Meal

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