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

Groups warn Middle East truce may not ease economic fallout

Groups warn Middle East truce may not ease economic fallout

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group are closely watching the tentative truce between the U.S. and Iran in the Middle East, but...
National ratings outlet says Pennsylvania has most ‘toss up’ midterm races

National ratings outlet says Pennsylvania has most ‘toss up’ midterm races

By John ColeThe Center Square The 2026 midterm elections are just under seven months away and the races for the U.S. House are beginning to heat up. With control of...
Regulator: LNG expansion likely to affect rare marsh bird

Regulator: LNG expansion likely to affect rare marsh bird

By Alton WallaceThe Center Square A proposed expansion of the Sabine Pass liquefied natural gas export facility in Louisiana could threaten the federally protected eastern black rail, a marsh bird,...
Court showdown over Trump's tariffs could reshape U.S. trade policy

Court showdown over Trump’s tariffs could reshape U.S. trade policy

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A ruling from a small federal trade court in New York could reshape global trade, as it decides the legality of President Donald Trump's latest...
PSA urges consumers to think ‘Before You Call That Lawyer’

PSA urges consumers to think ‘Before You Call That Lawyer’

By Chris Dickerson | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A national education campaign is urging consumers to gather critical information before hiring a personal injury attorney. Protecting American Consumers Together, or...
Vance to lead talks in Iran on Saturday

Vance to lead talks in Iran on Saturday

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Vice President JD Vance will lead talks with Iranian leaders in Islamabad on Saturday. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Vance will be...
Rep questions state ed board’s higher budget request, proficiency standards

Rep questions state ed board’s higher budget request, proficiency standards

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois State Board of Education wants more taxpayer funding to address inequity and boost public school...
Illinois reps move bill to give remedy to young victims of hidden cameras

Illinois reps move bill to give remedy to young victims of hidden cameras

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Lawmakers advanced a proposal aimed at giving Illinois families new legal recourse when minors are secretly recorded...
Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago Election Board says 94% of ballots casts were for Dems

Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago Election Board says 94% of ballots casts were for Dems

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago Board of Election Commissioners have announced the official results of the primary election in the...
Casey Westfield Baseball Graphic

Casey-Westfield Pitching Shines in 7-0 Shutout Over Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City

The Casey-Westfield varsity baseball team utilized a dominant pitching performance and capitalized on defensive miscues to defeat Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City (CHBC) 7-0 in Tuesday’s home non-conference matchup. The hosts delivered a...
Casey Westfield Softball Graphic

Goble’s Gem and 16-Hit Attack Propel Casey-Westfield Past Salt Fork 10-1

The Casey-Westfield varsity softball team fired on all cylinders Tuesday afternoon, combining a relentless 16-hit offensive assault with a dominant pitching performance to secure a 10-1 non-conference road victory over...
Chicago office vacancy rates worsen, card swipe numbers offer hope

Chicago office vacancy rates worsen, card swipe numbers offer hope

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As Chicago’s downtown office vacancy rate hits another record high, homeowners in the city can expect to...
Illinois Quick Hits: Illiois gas prices keep rising

Illinois Quick Hits: Illiois gas prices keep rising

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The average gas price in Illinois has risen 89 cents per gallon in the last month. According...
IL Supreme Court says it can remove Cook Co. judge for pro-Trump column

IL Supreme Court says it can remove Cook Co. judge for pro-Trump column

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square The justices on the Democrat-dominated Illinois Supreme Court are asking a federal judge to declare they have the constitutional authority to abruptly...
FBI: Illinois’ cyber crime losses reached $535M in 2025

FBI: Illinois’ cyber crime losses reached $535M in 2025

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The FBI Internet Crime Report for 2025 ranks Illinois fifth in the U.S. for cyber crime complaints...