Upset resident points out drainage issue along Indiana Avenue

Taking care of business was rather routine for the Pontiac City Council at its meeting on Monday. But when it came time for public comment, there was a resident who made his his feelings known about collateral damage created by work on Indiana Avenue. This included the potential draining issues that he foresees.

“Anybody know what the big hole is, you know where the (Alzheimer's) unit is?” Carstens asked as he started his monologue. “If you don't, that's the 'big hole.'

“They used to have a nice lawn out in front of it. Now, it's a big hole. If you haven't seen it, and I challenge each and every one of you here to take a walk down Indiana Avenue. (I'm) dead serious. Don't drive, walk. … I hope everyone will take a walk, it's like a zoo.”

“The big hole” is a pit, as Carstens described, located between the new building under construction and the sidewalk. Among the many concerns Carstens described were potential issues with water fowl, such as ducks and geese, as well as rodents and mosquitoes.

There is also a creek approximately a quarter mile east of this and Carstens expressed concern over flooding and pooling should a heavy rain force heavy drainage in a short time.

“There's a lot of water going to go down this road,” Carstens said.

After Carstens gave his speech, Wastewater Treatment Superintendent Jake Kinkade was asked about the situation regarding draining in that area with the sewer set up and the hole that currently exists.

“It's purpose is not just to hold water, but to slow it down, drop the velocity to a degree, which is the same set up we have all over … town.” — Jake Kinkade, stating that the design is set up to deal with high water.

Kinkade pointed out that the system is designed and engineered to withstand quite heavy rain falls without serious flooding.

“It's required under our code,” City Administrator Bob Karls said of the system.

Carstens had other complaints regarding affects of the two projects taking place — the city's Indiana Avenue and Evenglow's expansion — and what it has done to the neighborhood, as well as his property. Only the city's street project seems to be a direct issue for Carstens' property.

“When I came back from Florida, my front yard was tore all to hell,” he said. “I have a rock out in the yard, it was displaced, unleveled; solar lights tore up. I spent probably close to a thousand dollars just fixing things and buying top soil and grass seed. I fixed that yard now three times since I've been there. I've lived there 54 years, going on 55.”

In time, after the Indiana Avenue project is completed, Carstens sees speeding as a big issue. He said that is currently and the road is supposed to be closed to traffic that isn't local to the neighborhood.

In an unrelated matter but one that will involve law enforcement, former Pontiac Police Chief Jim Woolford, who is taking over as city administrator for the retiring Karls, introduced Interim Chief Dan Davis, who was in attendance.

“Dan's been with us his whole career. Dan was the assistant chief when I became chief,” Woolford said. He also gave a brief overview of Davis' experience.

The city council approved five items on the regular agenda. The first was a contractual agreement with Lifts of Illinois for a wheelchair lift at the Eagle Theater. City employee Rick Rambo told the council what the project was and where it would be located, on the south wall of the stage.

It was pointed out in a written report from Streets Superintendent Chris Brock that it could be used to move heavier objects onto and off of the stage.

The approved cost was $15,779.

The city also approved a bid of $16,741 from Opperman Construction to demolish two houses (at 302 Polk St. and 632 S. Locust). Alderman Brian Gabor abstained because of his representation of an involved party.

Kinkade explained the need for new software for the water treatment plant to replace outdated and inoperable software currently in place. The council approved a bid of $20,350 from Aquatic Informatics for a new system.

The council approved a contract extension with Pontiac Firefighters Association, Local 3239. This extends a contractual agreement through March 31, 2026.

Woolford, in his first update as a city administrator, gave the council an update on two new charging stations to be placed in the city parking lot in front of City Hall. He said that grant money is being used to cover the entire cost.

This is part of a project for such installations along Route 66.

Mayor Bill Alvey opened the regular agenda portion of the meeting by reading a resolution that recognizes the 100th anniversary of the Kiwanis Club of Pontiac. The club I still active and holds its meetings at Pontiac Family Kitchen.

This article originally appeared on Pontiac Daily Leader: Upset resident points out drainage issue along Indiana Avenue