AMBOY – With Depot Days behind the City of Amboy, the Amboy City Council focused on different matters at the monthly meeting held Sept. 16 at the Amboy City Community Building.

Mayor Frank Stenzel and the city’s aldermen agreed the tax abatement given to rural Amboy farms and residencies located by the city sewer landfill 20-plus years ago should be extended another 20 years.

“We’re moving to extend another 20-year abatement on their property,” said Amboy Mayor Frank Stenzel. “They had a 20-year abatement when they first signed up because the City of Amboy was trying to annex so it could get the landfill. The farmers and residencies in the area signed for the abatement.

“Now, the abatement is up and the bills for city taxes are coming to the property owners. They wanted some relief. We understand and are working with our lawyer to extend the abatement.”

Also covered in the new business section of the meeting’s agenda were a couple of approvals.

The city has agreed to purchase a 2007 Case-IH backhoe from the Village of Ashton for $35,000.

“This backhoe is about the same age as one we currently own,” Stenzel said. “But the one Ashton has is in spectacular shape. With the purchase of this backhoe, we can get rid of the one we have that has a lot of hours on it, and for not a lot of money.

“It’s a good deal for us.”

Also approved was a resolution authorizing the purchase of real estate at 117 N. Blackstone St. Amboy is buying the dilapidated property for $7,500.

The city will then apply for a grant from Lee County to get the money back and receive funds to clean up the property.

Other matters discussed at the meeting:

A door at the old school building by the Amboy Depot Museum needs replaced.

Pickle ball courts at Amboy High School are a hit as they’re being used regularly.

A new airline is to be put in the sewer disposal plant, and filters need replaced at the pump stations.

Zoning Board Director Nancy Kelley approved zoning change at 204 S. Mason from Residential-1 to Commerical-1 for owner Jared Zellhoffer to tear down the old house currently on the property and eventually construct a building meant for a small business or businesses.

Depot Museum is waiting on report from engineer for Phase-1 of repair and renovation plans.