AMBOY — The Amboy City Council met in regular session on May 15, and immediately began with committee reports. Alderman Brandon Klein mentioned that the new outside lights at the Community Building is complete. Mayor John Schamberger stated that he had driven by and the lights “looked good” and are a nice addition. Alderman Bill Bontz said that two trees in the park need to come down as the result of the ash borer beetle as well as spraying to keep them away. 

Schamberger was very happy to announce that the city will be receiving $1 million in federal funding to replace galvanized steel and lead service lines. The funding is earmarked in Congressional directed spending through U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth under the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and related agencies. In 2021, state legislators approved the Lead Service Replacement and Notification Act, requiring communities to replace the lines including public and private residences homes. Estimates are somewhere between 100 and 300 homes that will need to be replaced. Schamberger thanked all involved and said that the funding will help us and we won’t have to have our residents carry the burden by raising taxes. The work to replace will likely start next year. Plans need to be submitted by 2027, and cities have 34 years to complete all replacements. 

Under Old Business, there was no movement or anything to report about the Biogas-Amereso project except that plans are being made to purchase the property for development. Klein spoke of the continuing windmill ordinance and said that the city will prohibit any structures within a mile to a mile and a half of the city including annex and around the land fill. 

City Clerk Melissa Eisenberg presided over the swearing in of Alderman who was re-appointed to another 4 year term including Klein, Greg Noble, and Frank Stenzel. Newly elected Peter Rood joined the group. 

New Business wrapped up paperwork for IDOT 2021 Motor Fuel Tax of $27,662.52 as a result of a project overbid. 

The council approved the Lee County 911 Dispatch International Agreement that comes up for review every 6 years. Under the Building Inspector Report, Don Clayton said that there were, 5 roof, 1 siding, and 1 fence permit. 

Schamberger ended the meeting by inviting everyone to the Long Branch Saloon on June 3, to salute his mother Joyce who is retiring after 39 years as an educator, and is currently the Elementary School Principal.