Madison County Presents $100,000 Check to Mitchell Public Water District
Madison County officials presented Mitchell Public Water District with $100,000 in ARPA funding. County Board members Matt King of East Alton and John Janek of Granite City presented the water district’s office manager, Ginger Toolen, with a “large” check earlier this month, marking the first payment in American Rescue Plan Act funding for infrastructure upgrades to water districts.
The county presented the check after the completion of the districts
projects, which included installing smart meters and centralized storage/warehousing. King, who works for the water district, said the funding is much appreciated.
“The water district is committed to maintaining quality delivery to its
customers by installing a cost-effective and innovative system,” King said.
King said the new system would automate the meter reading-to-billing
process by linking its meters, distribution site and control devices in a
single date network. The updated technology is designed to automate the
collection of meter readings, provide customers with a better understanding of their water bills and help identify leaks that are responsible for property damage and the loss of water.
In April 2022, the County Board approved granting eight water districts
the ARPA funding as they did not receive any federal monies. The board
made the decision after receiving ARPA monies to assist with projects not
funded by any other means. King said most districts cannot afford to take on debt to replace aging infrastructure or equipment and the county’s granting of ARPA monies is a huge help. “Public water districts struggle to take on big projects,” he said. “With this funding we didn’t have to delay projects or borrow money.”
The county picked projects that met ARPA’s funding guidelines and had
the greatest impact. “The water district is appreciative of the fact the county found the money to do these projects,” Janek said. ““Water districts seldom receive grants. This investment makes sure water districts continue to deliver services to taxpayers in unincorporated areas of the county.”
From Madison County Newsletter, “Talk Around Town”
IDOT Announces Pavement Resurfacing on Highway 111 from Horseshoe Lake Road to Pontoon Road
The Illinois Department of Transportation on Tuesday announced pavement resurfacing on Illinois 111 from Horseshoe Lake Road to Pontoon Road will require intermittent daytime lane closures starting at 7 a.m. Thursday, June 8, weather permitting. Four-lane sections of road will have one lane of traffic open in each direction, at minimum. Flaggers will maintain the two-lane portions of two-way traffic.
Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during the lane closures. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone.
The project is expected to be completed by the end of October.
Rebranding a Granite City Institution
Founded in 1941, some customers have been members of Granite City Steel Community Federal Credit Union for over 80 years. July 1, 2023 the long standing institution will change it’s name to Revity Credit Union. ” This revitalization will help bridge the past and future while connecting to our entire 18-county field of membership”, Keith Burton President/CEO.
The name Revity is a combining of words that we feel identifies us and our future. Revitalization with integrity, longevity, positivity, community, and accountability. We feel that this perfectly represents our direction for the future. The new logo represents our past through color selections (steel, copper) and the design of Revity and how it is spelled out. The lettering was deliberately designed to appear like steel beams.
Although the look and signage will be changing, the same friendly faces and products and services will remain. Read here for more information.
Monday, June 5, 2023 the Granite City Youth Police Academy Begins
The youth academy is back after a hiatus due to COVID. To kick off the event City Clerk (Retired Captain ) Jenna Deyong greeted the students wearing a costume and a smile. Everyone was taken on a tour of the police department with plenty of fun to follow.
Park Grill provided lunch for the bunch, followed by a trip to St. Clair Bowling Alley for some friendly competition before the day wound down for a sweet treat at Mr. Twist. Weber Chevrolet provided transportation and t-shirts for everyone.
Pontoon Beach – Growing By Leaps and Bounds
“What’s going on in Pontoon Beach?” is the question we receive the most. Well, let’s just say a lot is going on, a whole lot. After speaking with Pontoon Beach Mayor Mike Pagano, we have a rundown of what’s happening in the village, and it certainly is exciting.
Let’s start with Rosati’s Restaurant. Rosati’s is a family pizza restaurant ran by the Rosati Family. While specializing in Chicago-style deep dish pizza, they will also have a full-service menu that includes an extensive appetizer menu, an array of salads, wings, sandwiches, chicken, ribs, desserts and of course, deep dish pizza. They will be located across from Amazon.
Another exciting project is the complete renovation of the Oakmont Center. The center will now include a full-service banquet facility that will be available for weddings, receptions, birthdays, and parties for all events. Also located in the development will be “Grants and Sons Meats”, a new meat and fresh produce market, located conveniently within the center. This is something the residents of the village have been asking for, a place where they have an opportunity to purchase grocery items within Pontoon Beach.
Steel City Cheesecake and Coffee will offer up wonderful, locally made gourmet cheesecake and a variety of coffees. For customer convenience they will have a drive thru as well. Steel City Cheesecake has a huge following and these delicious treats are always in high demand. They will be located on the north side of Pontoon Road.
Coming to the corner of Highway 111 and Pontoon Road will be a Phillips 66 station, complete with a convenience store and a Subway sandwich restaurant.
A food court is coming, across from Amazon that will offer a selection of foods in the twenty acres of retail space in the same area.
“Cookies” a recreational marijuana facility will be moving into the old Mastermind Vodka building and is expected to be open in August.
Tesla has leased a one million square foot building at Northport.
Rush Trucking Company is currently under construction on East Chain of Rocks Road. River Roads Sales & Leasing is under construction on East Chain of Rocks Road as well. This will be a trailer sales and repair establishment.
D.J.’s 4×4 is currently expanding with an additional building and new office, they are located near the intersection of Pontoon Road and Carghill.
Northport Development will eventually be adding thirteen new distribution centers to the Northport complex.
The village will be getting a new tornado warning siren and a new ambulance service as well. All the exit ramps at State Route 111 and Interstate 270 will be changed and a third lane will be added to both east and west bound traffic.
The Long Lake Drain / Flood Project is still on-going at a cost of seven million dollars.
More hotels are likely in the not-too-distant future as well.
This list would not be complete without mentioning two of our area’s favorite events, the annual Acoustic In The Park Series at the Randall D. Dalton Veteran’s Memorial Park, located at 5111 State Route 111 in Pontoon Beach. Monthly, from May through October this summertime event features an array of local talent under the stars. Attendance is free and food and beverages are available for purchase.
This year’s schedule of performances can be found below. And the now famous “Party At The Beach” which takes place annually during the month of August. This “party” features nationally known big-name entertainment nightly, carnival rides, food vendors and so much more. This year’s headliners are Gary Allan with special guest Drake White and The Marshall Tucker Band with special guests “Anthology” an Allman Brothers cover band). Attendance is also free to see these exciting entertainers. This event has grown so big that people come from far and wide to attend.
So, for all those “inquiring minds”, this is a short synopsis of all that is happening in the Village of Pontoon Beach. It’s very exciting watching the growth and knowing there are so many more good things to come.
Metro East Mutual Aid (MEMA) Founded Here in Granite City
Scott Marion, The Intelligencer
Metro East Mutual Aid (MEMA) has been in existence for less than two years, but it’s already making a major impact in the community. Sharon Autenrieth, co-pastor of the Rooted Community Church in Granite City, is a founding member of the organization, which formed in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a solidarity-based system of support in which community members commit to caring for one another.
The idea for Metro East Mutual Aid started brewing a few years ago, when Autenrieth led a seminar on Utopianism. In her research, she did a lot of reading about cooperative economies, base communities and community programs over the years. During the pandemic, Autenrieth started reading more about mutual aid projects, many of them connected to specific pandemic responses, and started setting up lunch and coffee dates with friends who she thought might be willing to join the endeavor.
For more information, or to donate or join the group, visit Metro East Mutual Aid on Facebook or email metroeastmutualaid@gmail.com.
The group also meets once a month, with the next meeting scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 19, at Twigs Community Complex, 2101 Cleveland Blvd. in Granite City. Full story here…
Granite City Park District Awarded $138,395 in Park & Recreation Grant
Madison County awarded $1.3 million dollars to many local municipalities through the Park Enhancement Program (PEP) Grant Funding. The grants are used to improve recreational facilities through all of Madison County.
“The PEP grants range between $15,000 and $138,000 and include funds for
projects such as, , ADA equipment, playground equipment, pickleball courts,
fencing, bike/pedestrian trail, landscaping, sporting equipment, lighting,
senior center renovations, picnic tables, outdoor fitness equipment, barbecue
grills, portable scoreboards, mowers and more. The funding is combined with
city, village, township and park district funds to finance projects.”
In addition to the $138,395 awarded to Granite City’s Park District, the Nameoki Township received $15,000, the City of Madison received $15,000 and Chouteau Township received $26,295.
‘In the program’s 23 years, municipalities, townships and park districts
received more than $25 million in funding. The grants are applied on an
annual basis.”
A Sign of Summertime in Granite City
You know summertime has arrived as the colorful tents and booths begin to pop up at St. Elizabeth Parish. When the caravan of trucks hauling carnival rides make their way through town, excited children and adults who have made this yearly carnival a family tradition begin making weekend plans to gather with family and friends.
Public Works:
The council approved two no parking signs to be installed on the south side of Cottage Avenue at the intersection of Franklin Avenue.
Fire Committee:
The council approved resolution for a Mutual Aid Agreement with Rural Med LLC to provide back- up ambulance service in Granite City.
Finance Committee:
The council approved the Fair Housing Resolution
The council also approved a resolution to update the Americans with Disabilities Act Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan for the City of Granite City, Illinois. The council approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to apply for Community Development Block Grant Funds from Madison County.
All the above resolutions are annual updates and standard procedure.
The council accepted the low bid for 2022 MCCD HMA Roadway Improvements. The responsible low bidder was Gleeson Asphalt $142,697.00 for road work.
Items discussed in Committee for future action:
Possible Alternative Ticket Program of the City of Granite City: Would allow residents cited with ordinance violations to perform community service for payment of fine. Continued discussion of the ordinance regarding Food Trucks in the city. The main points is that food trucks may be allowed to operate on private property with owner consent and that all food trucks must have a city business license.
The Downtown (District) Committee discussed three new businesses we hope to see occupying the former Petris’ building. These include a new photography studio, a new alterations business and a new restaurant. The mayor explained that the downtown area is developing as planned. He pointed out that several new businesses have opened in addition to the expansion of Brenda Whitakers’ storefronts and the recent and future expansions of Sissy’s Space. All of these are bringing new traffic to downtown. We also have new sculptures on display in the downtown area that are part of a nationwide search and at no cost to local taxpayers.
Mr. Juneau explained that the St. Clair roadway and ditch improvement project should start by early fall. Illinois American has once again been informed about the separation of the concrete patch they put in. I asked Mr. Juneau about getting yards on Edgewood and Erin regraded and seeded where Ameren recently replaced gas lines. He will follow up with Ameren. Several yards have large piles of excavated dirt and homeowners have raised concerns.
Reminder: This is a summary of items discussed and voted on and does NOT constitute the official minutes.
The Old Six Mile Historical Society does far more than just offer tours of the Old Six Mile Museum these days. There are flowers, vegetables and garden plants among a collection of ever changing items available.
Just announced, coming soon will be the Old Six Mile Museum Gift Shop. The gift shop will offer honey, bees wax candles, wreaths, Avon, Old Six Mile books, and books on the history of Granite City. Other treasures you may find will include jewelry, vintage and antique items, quilts and so much more.
Stop by Thursday, May 18th in the afternoon from 10 AM-2 PM. Then again in the evening from 5 PM-7 PM, when there will be food trucks on sight for your dining pleasure. Enjoy browsing our local vendor’s goods and crafts.
If you’re looking for a volunteering opportunity, look no further! Please call and inquire about the many tasks, large or small you may be able to help with.
(618) 975-1836