Casey Approves Two Easement Ordinances for North-of-Interstate Utility Work

Spread the love

Casey City Council Meeting | May 18, 2026

Article Summary: The Casey City Council on Monday, May 18, 2026, approved two ordinances cleaning up easement paperwork tied to utility development north of Interstate 70 — releasing a broad blanket easement on one property and formally acquiring a utility easement across another. Both passed unanimously.

Casey Easement Ordinances Key Points:

  • Ordinance No. 625 releases an unrecorded blanket utility easement covering an entire roughly 55- to 60-acre property north of the interstate so the land is more attractive to a future developer.
  • Ordinance No. 626 authorizes acquisition of a 0.036-acre permanent utility easement from Paul W. and Marsha Lee for a sewer/water extension, for $10 plus recording costs.
  • Public Works Director Ryan Staley said both items are final cleanup paperwork on easements that were already signed and recorded.
  • Both ordinances passed on unanimous roll-call votes.

CASEY — The Casey City Council on Monday, May 18, 2026, approved two ordinances tidying up easement paperwork connected to utility development north of Interstate 70, with Public Works Director Ryan Staley describing both as routine final steps on agreements already in place.

The first, Ordinance No. 625, authorizes the release of an unrecorded Utility Services Easement dated Nov. 8, 2024, on property owned by a group of family holding companies — the Huisinga and Pfeiffer family LLCs, according to the ordinance. Staley said the existing easement covered the entirety of the property, roughly 55 to 60 acres, and was so heavily weighted toward the city that it could deter development. “It leans very heavy toward us,” Staley said, explaining that the city had already signed and recorded a more appropriately scoped easement on the portions where utilities will actually be developed.

“In the event the property is developed, the developer at that time will want this to be released,” Staley said. “So we’re just clearing it up now.” City Attorney Tracy Willenborg had flagged the unrecorded blanket easement as overly broad. Hanley made the motion to approve, and the ordinance passed on a unanimous roll call.

The second, Ordinance No. 626, authorizes the acquisition of a permanent easement for utility purposes from Paul W. Lee and Marsha Lee. According to the ordinance and the attached easement agreement, the easement covers 0.036 acres for a total of $10 and other consideration, plus recording costs, in support of a sewer extension project. The packet’s permanent easement agreement, prepared by HWC Engineering, was recorded in Clark County in December 2025. Staley said the property runs from the west side to the east side across the Lee parcel and that the easements had already been executed and recorded. “This is just clean up as a final paperwork for this project,” he said. The ordinance passed unanimously.

Staley also briefed the council on the broader interstate utility project, reporting that BNT Drainage, which won the low bid on the electric portion last summer, has confirmed it will honor that bid. A pre-bid meeting for the water and sewer portions is set for June 2, with a bid opening June 17. “Trying to get everything wrapped up this year,” Staley said.

The two properties tie into a larger effort to extend water, sewer, electric and gas service to develop land near the interstate interchange.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Gas prices ahead of Thanksgiving holding steady

Gas prices ahead of Thanksgiving holding steady

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The average price of gas has fallen in 2025, and it appears to be mostly holding steady around $3 heading into the Thanksgiving holiday –...
Casey Westfield School Board.1

Casey-Westfield Board Proposes 2025 Tax Levy, Sets Truth-in-Taxation Hearing

Casey-Westfield School Board Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: The Casey-Westfield School Board reviewed a tentative tax levy that accounts for rising property values while opting for a lower rate...
Illinois quick hits: Migrant youth allegedly murdered homeless Chicago man

Illinois quick hits: Migrant youth allegedly murdered homeless Chicago man

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Migrant youth allegedly murdered homeless Chicago man Three juvenile Venezuelan migrants are part of a group that allegedly attacked, murdered, and...

WATCH: Trump calls Pritzker a ‘fat slob,’ Illinois governor blasts president

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – President Donald Trump has revived his criticism of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker over crime, and Pritzker has...
Illinois business group warns of 'backbreaking' progressive income tax

Illinois business group warns of ‘backbreaking’ progressive income tax

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Manufacturers say legislators at the Illinois State Capitol have done enough damage and a progressive tax would...
Illinois tops U.S. in pumpkin production despite recent decline in value

Illinois tops U.S. in pumpkin production despite recent decline in value

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Despite a recent decline in production value, Illinois is far and away the leader when it comes...
Casey Westfield Warriors logo graphic.2

Defense delivers thrilling 30-28 win over Oakwood

By Terri Cox | Casey Local Sports Reporter OAKWOOD — In game two of the opening day of the Oakwood Tournament, the Lady Warriors faced the host Lady Comets in a...
Congress moves to restore federal union powers, critics warn of higher costs

Congress moves to restore federal union powers, critics warn of higher costs

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The U.S. Congress is set to vote on House Resolution 2550, a bill that would restore...
Illinois quick hits: Chiropractor sentenced for fraud; fatal airport shooting investigation

Illinois quick hits: Chiropractor sentenced for fraud; fatal airport shooting investigation

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Chiropractor sentenced for fraud A Chicago chiropractor has been sentenced to nearly six years in federal prison for billing a private...
STEM - science, technology, engineering and mathematics infograp

Lake Land College Board Accepts Over $284,000 in STEM and Agriculture Grants

Lake Land College Board of Trustees Meeting | October 13, 2025 Article Summary: The Lake Land College Board of Trustees on Monday, October 13, 2025, formally accepted two grants totaling more...
Federal court blocks Trump from dismantling four agencies

Federal court blocks Trump from dismantling four agencies

By Dave Mason | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A federal court has issued a permanent injunction stopping the Trump administration from dismantling four federal agencies...
State reps: Pritzker turns 'blind eye' to Chicago’s public safety crisis

State reps: Pritzker turns ‘blind eye’ to Chicago’s public safety crisis

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – After Gov. J.B. Pritzker said President Donald Trump was amplifying crime in Chicago, Illinois House Republicans said...
Illinois quick hits: Medicaid coverage for parental home visits; 'Trouble in Toyland' report

Illinois quick hits: Medicaid coverage for parental home visits; ‘Trouble in Toyland’ report

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Medicaid coverage for parental home visits The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has launched new Medicaid coverage of home...
Casey Westfield Warriors logo graphic

Lady Warriors roll past Covington in tournament opener

By Terri Cox | Casey Local Sports Reporter OAKWOOD — The Lady Warriors opened the 2025 Oakwood Tournament with a dominant performance against Covington, rolling from the opening tip to a...
Poll: Majority of Americans still support legal immigration

Poll: Majority of Americans still support legal immigration

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square A majority of Americans say that legal immigration is good for the United States, according to a new poll commissioned by The Center Square. The...