Village board seeks Metra extension

Village trustees are Mark Cunningham, Charlotte Hollenbach, Keith Lemburg,
Dave Oelert and Doug Young.

At the regular village board meeting on Feb 5, 2003, hopes to woo Metra to extend tracks from Fox Lake to Richmond were discussed. Charlie Eldredge presented his findings about the history of Metra in Richmond. Dan Deters asked if any board members investigated the Metra issue on their own as opposed to taking Eldredge’s presentation for granted. Lemburg  said that the proposal was “straight forward” needing no further explanation.

Bruce Hunter expressed concern that Metra may want to provide a large storage yard for trains which the village may not be ready to handle. Cunningham agreed. “It is in our best interest to cover ourselves for this possibility. Johnsburg had similar misgivings.”

Village President, Kevin Brusek, strongly disagreed. “We need Metra to do business with us,” said Brusek. He noted that this is not the best time to put conditions on Metra during the negotiation process. “Any land that Metra needs would be donated by the village, not purchased by Metra,” said Brusek referring to Hunter’s comment that Metra bought the land in Fox Lake to store trains. “This is the new way Metra does business.”

Convincing Metra to extend its operation to Richmond will involve much more discussion and negotiations. The possibility is still far from reality.

OTHER BUSINESS

State Rep. Jack Franks wrote a letter to the board explaining that the funding of grants to the village is now frozen by the State. He asked the board to write letters about this.

Randy Rohner, who owns a parcel of property near village hall, attended the meeting. He was issued a citation for storing heavy equipment outside a building on the property. “I want an understanding about what I need to do to correct this situation,” said Rohner. Brusek noted that current zoning laws do not permit outside storage. “We need you to come into compliance before the next court date,” said Brusek. Rohner missed the first court date due to his being out of town.

Doug Mushell, the village engineer for Genoa City, presented new plans for the town’s wastewater treatment plan which would run into Richmond’s jurisdiction along the state line. He asked the board to retract its objection about this to the Illinois EPA in order to facilitate the new construction. Village attorney, John Roth, recommended an inter-governmental agreement which would protect the legal interests of both towns. Brusek said, “We are looking for a way to make this happen.” It was hoped that any differences could be worked out before the next board meeting this month.

Bob Stevens asked for a public apology from Brusek regarding a sign put up in downtown Richmond on his father’s property. "You did not give me a copy of what was going to be on the plaque," said Stevens who was obviously very angry. 

Rommy Lopat told the board that she thought the McDonald’s marquis sign is very distracting to drives passing by it. “This is a very dangerous situation,” said Lopat.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Brusek noted that this year’s Cruise Nights will be sponsored by radio station Magic 104.3. He said that the village is working with two auto dealerships as additional sponsors.