Water Authority Discusses Progress on Phase II of Beach Improvements; Various Issues

The Effingham Water Authority heard the latest at this month's meeting on improvements being made to a property at Court Six at Lake Sara.

The Water Authority's attorney, Tony Siemer, requested forfeiture of the lease held on the property and/or permission to complete the work with a lien on the property. Siemer suggested waiting on committing to any action. The matter is next due in court on October 24 to see whether renovations have been completed.

Dr. Doug Kabbes has asked the Water Authority to vacate a cul-de-sac at his property in The Knolls Subdivision. Kabbes said he plans to asphalt the roadway and would maintain it. The Board is opposed to vacating the cul-de-sac, but is open to have an agreement with Kabbes where he would maintain the road.

Wabash Fiber Optic is interested in coming into the lake area, and is interested in easements. Trustee Jim Boos suggested an agreement with Wabash similar to the agreement with Mediacom. Siemer and a trustee will reach out to Wabash on the issue.

The Board reviewed bids on a truck for the Water Authority fleet, and heard that Water Authority Superintendent Mike Dirks will talk with each bidder about trade-in value on an existing vehicle. There was also discussion about opening accounts at other banks for deposit of funds, especially in light of grant funds being received.

There was a resolution as to the ongoing discussion over dirt bikes being used at the lake. Trustee Chairman Rob Brown went to the home of those using the bikes, asked them to start up their bikes and to start up their lawn mower. Brown had these recommendations: The riders be allowed to continue riding, but on a limited schedule; they will be limited to the type of bikes they can ride (and no racing bikes); they will be limited to one day during the week for a half-hour and one day on the weekend for a half-hour; only the two boys will be allowed to ride; and the issue will be revisited in three months.

Tom Ryan of the Parks and Rec Committee reported that work on Phase II of the beach renovation project is ahead of schedule due to the lack of rain. Ryan said they plan to have informal ribbon cuttings at each of the stations with an informal ribbon cutting at the end of construction. They are planning to be completed by mid-October. Ryan said he would like to purchase benches and tables for the new area, but that costs have increased by a third since the last purchase.