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: Legislator says Illinois’ child welfare agency uses interns, has legal exposure

WATCH: Legislator says Illinois’ child welfare agency uses interns, has legal exposure

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois state legislator insists the state’s child welfare agency is violating the law by using interns...
Cyberattack closes state government services in Nevada

Cyberattack closes state government services in Nevada

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square Nevada state government services were still limited Wednesday morning after the discovery of a statewide cyberattack. Emergency services remained open, but many state-run websites and...
Economic index shows reduced uncertainty, more stability in Midwest

Economic index shows reduced uncertainty, more stability in Midwest

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s Survey of Economic Conditions Activity Index suggests more stability and less...
Trump hits India with 50% tariff on imports as talks continue

Trump hits India with 50% tariff on imports as talks continue

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump put a 50% tariff on goods from India on Wednesday, keeping his word that he'd punish the nation for buying oil from...
RFK Jr. wants doctors to learn more about nutrition

RFK Jr. wants doctors to learn more about nutrition

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is calling on medical education organizations to teach doctors more about nutrition during training. The U.S....
WATCH: Congressional candidates debate ICE, other issues

WATCH: Congressional candidates debate ICE, other issues

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Candidates for Arizona’s congressional special election have a lot to say about issues affecting the country. That includes the issue of U.S. Immigration and Customs...
Walz: Praying for kids, teachers after horrific act of violence

Walz: Praying for kids, teachers after horrific act of violence

By J.D. DavidsonThe Center Square Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz called a shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis that killed two young children Wednesday morning a horrific act of violence....
Cooperation sought from Big Tech, financial industries to protect children

Cooperation sought from Big Tech, financial industries to protect children

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Protection of children from deepfake pornography and chatbots in artificial intelligence is being requested of major technology and financial companies by nearly every member of...
Two killed, 17 injured in Minneapolis Catholic school shooting

Two killed, 17 injured in Minneapolis Catholic school shooting

By Jon StyfThe Center Square Two children were killed and 17 others were injured when a gunman opened fire on a mass at Minneapolis’ Annunciation Catholic School just before 8:30...
Department of Transportation reclaiming control of D.C. Union Station

Department of Transportation reclaiming control of D.C. Union Station

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square In the Trump administration’s latest bid to “beautify” Washington, D.C. and make it safer, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced Wednesday that it is reclaiming...
New law sparks debate over Illinois school mergers, communities fear loss

New law sparks debate over Illinois school mergers, communities fear loss

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new law that could push school districts to study possible consolidation, aiming for efficiency and...
Popcorn Festival.1

Casey Gears Up for 37th Annual Popcorn Festival: A Labor Day Weekend Extravaganza!

Fairview Park to Host Four Days of Music, Fun, and Free Popcorn CASEY, IL – Get ready, Casey! The beloved Casey Popcorn Festival is set to return for its 37th anniversary,...
Illinois in Focus: Rest area burglary arrests made; overdose awareness events planned

Illinois in Focus: Rest area burglary arrests made; overdose awareness events planned

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Rest area burglary arrests made Two men have been detained in connection with a reported burglary at the northbound Interstate 57...
WATCH: Pritzker, Johnson defend public safety approach; campaign finance issue looms

WATCH: Pritzker, Johnson defend public safety approach; campaign finance issue looms

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 discusses the latest...
Illinois quick hits: Record hotel tax revenues reported; grocer sentenced for SNAP, WIC fraud

Illinois quick hits: Record hotel tax revenues reported; grocer sentenced for SNAP, WIC fraud

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Record hotel tax revenues reported Illinois tourism numbers for 2024 saw an all-time high for hotel tax revenue. The Illinois Department...