Trees axed during city repair projects
By JEFF LAMPE
For The Weekly Post
ELMWOOD – Insurance costs and planting trees were two main topics of discussion during a brief meeting of the Elmwood City Council on May 15.
As part of recent sidewalk-repair projects on Magnolia and Main streets, several trees located in the city right-of-way were cut down. Alderman Nathan Brunnelson said roots from the trees, some of them quite large, were causing problems with heaving of the sidewalks.
Brunnelson said the plan is to plant trees this fall and to offer residents four species from which to choose. Because of limited space in the right-of-way, those options will likely be for smaller decorative trees or trees with less invasive root systems.
“I don’t think you’ll be able to get 70- to 80-foot maples,” Brunnelson said.
The council also discussed this year’s city insurance premium of $118,900 from Elmwood Insurance Services, LLC. City Treasurer Bonnie Beal said the premium increased 23% compared to last year’s total of $96,500. That was more than had been budgeted, even after increasing the budget 19%, and caused Beal to make a transfer from the General Fund.
“We can cover it, we just didn’t budget for it,” Beal said.
Brunnelson said the city has had its business with Elmwood Insurance for about eight years and he and Alderman Bob Paige said the city could shop for a cheaper premium, though they have generally tried to remain local with the business.
City Clerk Bethany Lovingood reminded the council that the city had several claims in the past year, including dog bites and a few workmen’s compensation claims for city staff. Salary rates also raise workmen’s compensation rates.
In committee reports, Brunnelson said the city’s sewage lagoon project is going out for bids soon. The pre-bid meeting is scheduled for June 2 and bid packages are due back by July 1.
Brunnelson also praised Lovingood for learning a new software system on the fly in the clerk’s office.
Mayor Andrew Almasi said Good Forest Timber Co. of Chillicothe plans to harvest walnut trees in the next few weeks from the city’s newly annexed property on the north edge of the city. The original plan was to cut 49 walnut trees that would net the city at least $35,000.
There was some discussion about having Good Forest Timber work on creating trails, but Almasi said he did not think that’s the type of work commonly done by the company.
The mayor said trees will sit for two weeks after being cut and then will be removed from the wooded area.
The board tabled to June 2 further discussion about a ground lease between the city and Peoria County.
