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

Illinois quick hits: Report: Paroled six-time felon charged in shootings

Illinois quick hits: Report: Paroled six-time felon charged in shootings

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Report: Paroled six-time felon charged in shootings Prosecutors have charged a paroled six-time felon with shooting a woman inside a Chicago...
Systematic organization behind riots in Minnesota probed by FBI

Systematic organization behind riots in Minnesota probed by FBI

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square A systematic organization behind riots in Minnesota exposed through leaked group chats is under investigation, says FBI Director Kash Patel. Patel said the FBI is...
Malibu continues to rebuild one year after Palisades Fire

Malibu continues to rebuild one year after Palisades Fire

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Malibu is open for business, but officials say more time is needed to get the famous beach city back in the shape it was in...
‘Promises kept’: American energy dominance has advanced in Trump’s first year

‘Promises kept’: American energy dominance has advanced in Trump’s first year

By Tate MillerThe Center Square A year into President Donald Trump’s second term, American energy dominance has advanced as promised, confirmed by affordable power and reliable energy, and seen in...
Illinois millionaire’s tax would direct 50% of revenue to public schools

Illinois millionaire’s tax would direct 50% of revenue to public schools

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A proposal for a state constitutional amendment to impose a millionaire’s tax has been referred to the...
Group seeks clarity on local IL governments using tax dollars for polling

Group seeks clarity on local IL governments using tax dollars for polling

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A taxpayer advocacy group warns local governments could be using tax dollars to promote tax increase proposals....
Illinois congressmen call for accountability after fatal Minneapolis shooting

Illinois congressmen call for accountability after fatal Minneapolis shooting

By Catrina BarkerThe Center Square Illinois members of Congress are speaking out following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis on Saturday, emphasizing the need for...
Kavanagh: Mayes must resign, her comments endanger ICE

Kavanagh: Mayes must resign, her comments endanger ICE

By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square Senate Majority Leader John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, called on Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes to resign after she said people who feel they are in...
Riots continue in Twin Cities

Riots continue in Twin Cities

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Rioting is crippling Minneapolis with local lawmen standing down in the wake of the second shooting by federal agents in the Twin Cities. Local law...
Former GOP lawmaker urges regulators to block potential Netflix-Warner Bros. merger

Former GOP lawmaker urges regulators to block potential Netflix-Warner Bros. merger

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square A new report from a technology watchdog group is urging federal regulators to block a potential merger between Netflix and Warner Bros., warning the deal...
U.S. withdrawal from WHO completed over COVID-19 mishandling

U.S. withdrawal from WHO completed over COVID-19 mishandling

By Tate MillerThe Center Square The United States completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization due to the group’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a medical group praising...
Judge ends anti-ICE case, jumps into IL Dems’ bid to freeze ICE

Judge ends anti-ICE case, jumps into IL Dems’ bid to freeze ICE

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square After a federal appeals court signaled it would rebuke her decision restraining ICE from using force against those interfering with immigration enforcement...
U.S. Supreme Court to define decades-old consumer law

U.S. Supreme Court to define decades-old consumer law

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court agreed on Monday to decide how a 1988 video privacy law applies to the modern age. Salazar v. Paramount Global seeks...
WATCH: Candidate investigates Medicaid spending; Diversity program audit urged

WATCH: Candidate investigates Medicaid spending; Diversity program audit urged

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square's Greg Bishop shares a conversation with...
TCS stories about Illinois' diversity agency prompts call for audit

TCS stories about Illinois’ diversity agency prompts call for audit

By Jared StrongThe Center Square Illinois diversity commissioners are paid tens of thousands more than other state boards but aren't required to work full time, allowing them to run a...