The Village of Oreana is seeking bids for sidewalk curb removal and ramp installation at 4 intersections in Oreana (S. View and View Circle North Intersection, S. View and View Circle South Intersection, S. View and Park Ct, and S. View and Westmoor Ct).

The scope of work is as follows:

• Removal and replacement of the barrier curb with a depressed curb and gutter
• Construction of ADA compliant lower landings, curb ramps and turning spaces
• Construction of a transition zone to blend the ADA compliant section into the existing sidewalk (4’ min. length to nearest sidewalk joint).
• Backfilling and seeding the edges of the sidewalk.

All work must comply with Illinois Prevailing Wages.

Bids will be accepted until Friday, July 17th at 5:00pm and should be sent to: publicworks@oreanail.com or mailed to: Village of Oreana, Public Works Dept, PO BOX 37, Oreana, IL 62554.

Questions should be directed to Austin Welker, Village of Oreana Street Superintendent, 217-468-2112 or publicworks@oreanail.com.

The Village Board Meeting On April 21, 2020 will be held remotely. The Whitmore/Oreana Community Building WILL NOT be open to the Board or Public. Members of the board and public can participate in the meeting by phone. To Join the meeting, call 312 626 6799. When prompted, enter meeting ID: 672 221 2599 and password: 0421.

In addition to the above option to join the remote meeting by telephone, public comment can be submitted in advance by e-mail to mayor@oreanail.com or by dropping off written comments in the water bill slot at the Whitmore/Oreana community building. Public comments must be submitted by 5:00 PM on April 21, 2020.

TOWN HALL MEETING

December 17th, 2019 @ 6:00 PM

407 S.View – Oreana

The Village Board would like to hear from residents regarding proposed zoning ordinances for Adult-Use Cannabis businesses locating within the Village of Oreana.

Question before the board: Should the Village of Oreana “opt-in” or “opt-out” of allowing adult use cannabis businesses to locate within Village limits? These businesses could include a cultivation center, craft grower, processing organization, infuser organization, dispensing organization or transporting organization.

The Village Board will not address medical use of cannabis, or the use and/or possession of recreational cannabis, as Illinois State law has already addressed these issues. The only issue for the Village Board to resolve is whether or not to allow the above mentioned businesses to locate within Village limits.

The town hall meeting will include a time for residents to address the board for up to 3 minutes each. The board looks forward to hearing from residents regarding this issue. The regular Village Board will take place following the town hall. This issue will be listed on the agenda, and the board will have the option to vote on this issue at that time if they desire.

The agenda for the August 2019 meeting can be viewed by clicking this link.

As many of you know, the Village of Oreana decided in the spring of 2018 to pursue the construction of a new water tower. This decision came after inspections of the current tower had revealed that it is under-sized for the demand, and also in need of repair work that would exceed the tower’s value. At that time, we began the process of applying for a low-interest loan from the Illinois EPA to finance the design and construction of a new tower, as well as demolition of the old tower. Since it has been a little over a year since we embarked on this journey, I wanted to provide an update on the process as it stands today:

As with any project, an unexpected delay often pops up. In the case of our water tower, that delay came in March of this year when we were notified that our current tower is eligible for listing to the National Register of Historic Places. The significance of this is that demolition of the tower requires approval from the State Historic Preservation Officer, and as such, there are certain requirements that must be met before we are able to demolish the old tower. Much as the past few months have been spent working with the State Historic Preservation Officer, our engineering firm, and a historical contractor who will complete the work required to obtain approval to demolish the tower. This process has slowed the loan application process, but we continue to move forward.

Although the loan application and approval process has been slowed by this delay, we have made progress in other areas. The design work of the new tower is nearly complete, and a location has been selected. The new tower will be located on East Street, on property already owned by the Village.

I will provide another update once we have more information to report. Thank you for your patience as we work through this process. I am optimistic that a new water tower is on the horizon. Our infrastructure is vitally important to us, and generations to come.

Mayor Aaron Keathley