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

European Union says U.S. consumers will end up paying tariffs

European Union says U.S. consumers will end up paying tariffs

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square European Union leaders detailed the terms of a trade deal they struck with President Donald Trump on Thursday, making sure to point out who will...
WATCH: Illinois’ FY23 financial audit released amid criticism of tardy reports

WATCH: Illinois’ FY23 financial audit released amid criticism of tardy reports

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois taxpayers can now look at how the state spent their money in the fiscal year that...
Illinois quick hits: Anti-SLAPP bill signed; Chicago schools settles meditation case

Illinois quick hits: Anti-SLAPP bill signed; Chicago schools settles meditation case

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Anti-SLAPP bill signed Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation to protect news media from strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP). The...
U.S.-EU trade deal includes ceiling for European pharmaceutical imports

U.S.-EU trade deal includes ceiling for European pharmaceutical imports

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The European Union has escaped a potential 250% pharmaceutical tariff and instead has secured a maximum 15% levy with the U.S. according to a joint...
Supreme Court allows Trump to block DEI funding

Supreme Court allows Trump to block DEI funding

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision on Thursday, allowed President Donald Trump to cut hundreds of millions of dollars in federal research grants....
Trump to probe Smithsonian museums for 'woke' ideology

Trump to probe Smithsonian museums for ‘woke’ ideology

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square President Donald Trump has promised to crack down on “woke” ideas promoted in museums across the United States, including the federally funded Smithsonian museums in...
Director: Nation’s largest outdoor ag show brings economic impact to central IL

Director: Nation’s largest outdoor ag show brings economic impact to central IL

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The nation’s largest outdoor agricultural show is set for next week in Central Illinois. The Farm Progress...
Personnel cuts to national intelligence office will save taxpayers $700 million

Personnel cuts to national intelligence office will save taxpayers $700 million

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The Office of the Director of National Intelligence is set to undergo a massive overhaul and cut 40% of its workforce, continuing the Trump administration’s...
Redistricting would split cities, counties throughout CA

Redistricting would split cities, counties throughout CA

By Dave MasonThe Center Square Lodi, a Northern California city of 66,000 people, will be divided among three congressional districts if a Democratic Party-backed redistricting map goes into effect. And...
Pritzker: Fair maps in Illinois would be 'disarming' to Democrats

Pritzker: Fair maps in Illinois would be ‘disarming’ to Democrats

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says Democrats would be “disarming” if they agreed to fair maps state by...
NY appeals court overturns Trump's civil fraud penalty

NY appeals court overturns Trump’s civil fraud penalty

By Chris WadeThe Center Square A New York appeals court has tossed out a $454 million civil fraud verdict against Donald Trump and his family business over charges he broke...
Casey Police Graphic Logo

Casey Police Department to Add New Officer

Article Summary: The Casey Police Department will soon have a new officer on its roster after the City Council unanimously approved the hiring of Tommy Starks. The approval follows a...
States sue over Victims of Crime Act grant funding

States sue over Victims of Crime Act grant funding

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser has joined a 20-state coalition and Washington, D.C., suing the Trump administration over restrictions it has put on Victims of...
White House backs off hefty EU tariff threats, EU eliminates industrial tariffs

White House backs off hefty EU tariff threats, EU eliminates industrial tariffs

By Caroline BodaThe Center Square After striking a framework trade deal with the European Union in July, the White House added more details to what the agreement entails Thursday. Most...
Home sales up 2% in July as prices stayed nearly flat

Home sales up 2% in July as prices stayed nearly flat

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Home sales increased 2% last month after a lackluster spring selling season as prices cooled. Existing-home sales increased by 2% in July, according to a...