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

WATCH: Libertarian concerns persist as IL Sec of State announces IDs for Apple Wallet

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Digital IDs have gone live in Illinois, but libertarians say the move makes it easier for governments...
Illinois quick hits: Pritzkers meets the Pope; Broadview to close street outside ICE facility

Illinois quick hits: Pritzkers meets the Pope; Broadview to close street outside ICE facility

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Pritzkers meets the Pope Gov. J.B. Pritzker says it was an honor for he and the first lady to meet with...
DHS launches new initiative to crack down on student visa fraud

DHS launches new initiative to crack down on student visa fraud

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has launched a new initiative to crack down on student visa fraud. It’s launched a new online tool through...
'Ghost projects' haunt power grid planners and taxpayers

‘Ghost projects’ haunt power grid planners and taxpayers

By Lauren Jessop | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As the country braces for a surge in electricity demand driven by large energy users like...
WATCH: $10M campaign finance fine dropped; Digital ID unveiled, Chicagoans speak up

WATCH: $10M campaign finance fine dropped; Digital ID unveiled, Chicagoans speak up

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop reviews actions taken...
ICE, Border Patrol agents experience historic surge of vehicular attacks this year

ICE, Border Patrol agents experience historic surge of vehicular attacks this year

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square A surge in targeted vehicular attacks against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol officers have occurred this year “driven by hateful rhetoric from...
Poll: Americans support eliminating Department of Education

Poll: Americans support eliminating Department of Education

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square A new national poll reveals strong American voter support for eliminating the U.S. Department of Education. The survey by the nonprofit Yes. Every Kid Foundation,...
Exclusive: Nonprofit leader urges fight against 'woke capitalism'

Exclusive: Nonprofit leader urges fight against ‘woke capitalism’

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square A bill designed to protect the United States' court system from foreign influence is too broad, according to Trent England, director of the nonprofit Save...
As pennies disappear, businesses turn to hoarding, rounding

As pennies disappear, businesses turn to hoarding, rounding

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Americans can continue to spend pennies, but few businesses are giving them back as the coin's 232-year run comes to an end. Some businesses have...
Chicago tax proposals draw concern over legality, 'economic death spiral'

Chicago tax proposals draw concern over legality, ‘economic death spiral’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s allies have launched a seven-figure campaign to support his 2026 budget proposal, but...
Illinois quick hits: Former governor proposes millionaire's surcharge; digital state ID launched

Illinois quick hits: Former governor proposes millionaire’s surcharge; digital state ID launched

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Former governor proposes millionaire's surcharge Former Gov. Pat Quinn is pushing for a state constitutional amendment requiring Illinois millionaires to pay...
Louisiana Rep. Clay Higgins defends Epstein 'no' vote

Louisiana Rep. Clay Higgins defends Epstein ‘no’ vote

By Natalie ChandlerThe Center Square LouisianaRepublican Rep. Clay Higgins of Lafayette, the only U.S. House of Representatives lawmaker who voted against releasing documents associated with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein...
U.S. Senate passes bill to release Epstein files, heads to Trump's desk

U.S. Senate passes bill to release Epstein files, heads to Trump’s desk

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Senate on Tuesday agreed to pass a bill by unanimous consent requiring the U.S. attorney general to release all documents related to convicted...
Abbott designates Muslim Brotherhood, CAIR as foreign terrorist organizations

Abbott designates Muslim Brotherhood, CAIR as foreign terrorist organizations

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Gov. Greg Abbott is the first governor in the United States to designate two Muslim groups as Foreign Terrorist and Transnational Criminal Organizations. On Tuesday,...
Judge blocks feds from freezing California education funding

Judge blocks feds from freezing California education funding

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from freezing University of California's federal funding over alleged violation of anti-discrimination laws. U.S. District Judge Rita Lin...