Dixon Commission hold brief meeting

by Matt Hughes

J-E News Editor

The Dixon Commission met in a brief meeting on Monday night with only two items on the agenda.

First, the commission heard from Rod Martin with Hunter Martin Associates, the engineering firm that has been handling the city’s water line rehabilitation project.

“As you are aware, you have a little money left over from your water grant,” Martin said. “About $77,000. There are really two areas of interest where we think the money could be best used.”

Martin said there was a 2,000 foot section of line on Clayton Avenue that could be replaced for around $145,000 or a 1,600 foot section on Leeper Street near Lakeview Drive that would have a price tag around $125,000.

“Clayton Avenue probably has the oldest water lines in Dixon,” Martin told the commission. “There are some other things you could do, but Clayton is probably the biggest deal.”

“Our previous water operator said we were having a lot of water leaks on Clayton Avenue,” commissioner David Royster said. “He could track them down because they were leaking underground and not coming to the surface.”

“We need to spend this money and replace some of these old lines,” added commissioner Junior Little.

Martin said that his firm was ready to begin drafting the project as soon as the commission could tell them which section of line they wanted to work on. He also pointed out that if grant money was not spent, the city would lose it.

“If we go ahead and have this project engineered, it will be what the state considers ‘shovel ready’,” said Dixon water operator Jamie Harkins. “Those projects look better in Frankfort when you are trying to get funding.”

The commission agreed and voted to proceed with the design phase of the project. Once completed, plans for the project will be good for one year. Even if the city was unable to secure grant funding within those twelve months, they can request a one year extension.

The only other item on the agenda was a proclamation that the city had been given by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).

“Two ladies from the DAR have ask that we adopt a proclamation declaring November National American Indian Heritage Month,” Mayor Linda Frederick reported.

Commissioners voted 4-0 to approve the proclamation.