Savanna’s Bid to Purchase Thomson Correctional Center? One Dollar

By Michael Miller For The Prairie Advocate

SAVANNA – In a symbolic gesture intended to indicate to the State of Illinois how critical the opening of the Thomson Correctional Center is, the Savanna City Council voted unanimously to bid the sum total of one dollar for the facility in its August 24th, 2010 regularly scheduled City Council meeting.

The meeting was attended by Council members Lois Hunsaker, Jeff Griswold, Bill Grummitt, Peg Haffey, Rosalie Hansen, Merle Long and Bill Robinson, with Jack Fosdick absent, still recuperating from an injury. Also in attendance were Mayor Larry Stebbins, City Clerk Paul Hartman, City Attorney Phil Jensen, Comptroller/Treasurer Sheryl Sipe, Police Chief Michael Moon, Fire Chief Shawn Picolotti, and Superintendent of Public Works John Lindeman.

The bid for the prison came about halfway through the meeting, after Stebbins read a letter from Central Management Services, informing the City that the facility was available for purchase at fair market value. The letter went on to state that bids for the property should be “no less than $219.932,218.00”. Stebbins then announced that “as mayor I have discretionary funds, and with the Council’s permission I would like to make a bid of one dollar, because this facility is only worth one dollar unless it is used and I am fearful that at that price the state may be knocking themselves out of a potential buyer.” After the Council approved this bid, Stebbins went on to say “my intent is to get other cities in Carroll County to do the same thing and set the value of that property, because we need that prison open..”

The Council also reviewed bids for the demolition and disposal work related to the property at 10 Chauncy Street in Savanna. Only bid was received, from Colgan Excavating, Inc, for the total amount of $6630.00. Stebbins directed this bid be sent to the Finance Committee for further action.

Grummitt delivered the Hotel/Motel Committee report, reviewing the committee’s last meeting. He told the Council that the Train Car Museum Board had requested $2000.00 in funds to advertise the upcoming Haunted Forest, and the committee voted to approve this request.

Mrs. Connie Zink told the committee that funds from the recent Garden Walk will soon be totaled and donated to the Train Car Museum and Savanna Historical Society and presented an invoice to the committee for $205.88 for a purchase she had made relating to the event. The committee approved this payment.

The committee also reviewed the City’s billboard design and advertising guidelines, adding an additional condition to the required guidelines, that the event advertised must be in the cooperate limits of Savanna to be funded.

Robinson detailed the Water/Sewer/Refuse/Streets and Alleys Committee report which focused on the city wide street improvement project. He reported that the total cost for doing all the required repair work on all the streets would be $497,552.53 according to engineer estimates. He said that the committee was advised by Willett Hofmann that the seal coating work would have to be done next spring but can be included in the bidding process if any bituminous work is desired to be done yet this year.

Robinson also reported that the State planned on doing grind and overlay work from Third Street to the east Plum River Bridge and on IL 84 South tot he Plum River Bridge. The City would be responsible for manhole adjustment, some drain and valve work, which would total $35,360.00. For the parking area on Chicago Avenue, the cost for work would be 50/50 between the City and the State. Total cost of this project would be $39,762.00, with a cost to Savanna of $19,881.00. “We’ll never get it done any cheaper,” Robinson said. He then made a motion that Savanna sign up with the State to do this project. This motion was unanimously approved.

Long’s Building and Public Property report revealed that three buildings were on the City’s list of structures to begin action on, 1125 Chicago Avenue, 35 Milwaukee Street and 520 Main Street.

Long also discussed news from the Haunted Forest Committee, saying the committee would like to make the Savanna Fire Department the “main sponsor” of the yearly event. Picolotti said he was fine with this suggestion, and the motion passed unanimously. A lengthy discussion ensued about making the event’s use agreement extend out for a longer period than one year, with Picolotti commenting that the current one year agreement tends to hinder the work the committee does because they never know if a new council will concur with previous council’s decisions regarding the Forest. Jensen cautioned about locking in future councils with the decisions of the present one, a situation that would make future councils feel powerless.

Long also talked about the installation of a water fountain at the south end of the Train Car Museum, saying that he felt this could be accomplished with volunteers for less than a $100.00 cost.

Jerry Cavanagh addressed the Council concerning his proposal for an Eagle Scout project which would entail constructing a pavilion at the Skateboard Park. This would be a shelter house for the skaters in case of bad weather. Mr. Cavanagh said the projected cost of this project would be between $450.00 and $500.00. He asked for City approval in going forward, and received it.

Mayor Stebbins read aloud from a proclamation declaration for the Knights of Columbus, announcing a fund drive to benefit people with intellectual disabilities. This funding will take place on September 17th and 18th, and the Savanna Knights of Columbus #890 will participate.

Penny Gharst addressed the Council questioning whether or not volunteer fireman are compensated for their work, and stated that she felt they should be paid more for their efforts. Stebbins said these volunteers get $5.00 for their efforts, acknowledged that amount was “not enough” and went on to highly praise them, saying they were rewarded in other ways throughout the year and admiring their public service and fortitude.

Esther Losh addressed the Council about continuing issues with littering on her property and asked for guidance on how to proceed with eliminating this issue. Mayor Stebbins suggested having the officer on the scene take fingerprints, and Chief Moon suggested investing in a security camera to help identify the culprit and to provide solid evidence.

Savanna City Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month and are open to the public.

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