Casey Approves Two Easement Ordinances for North-of-Interstate Utility Work
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.
Latest News Stories
State rep calls out violent rhetoric after Pritzker commission rips federal officers
Report: Phoenix, Salt Lake City top airports for holiday travel
$3.5M verdict tossed; Judge shielded evidence of plaintiff’s dishonesty, crime
HHS takes sweeping action to reverse Biden-era policies on gender affirming care
Trump signs order reclassifying marijuana as Schedule III drug
Poll: Americans back criminal and homelessness reform
U.S. troops to get $1,776 tax-free bonuses by Dec. 20
New action taken to strengthen US military chaplain corps
Federal judge blocks ICE policy on lawmaker visits
Illinois quick hits: Increased energy prices expected; IHSA changes approved
Pritzker disputes Trump claims, says Illinois GOP backs president ‘100%’
WATCH: Pritzker reacts to Trump’s address; Immigration enforcement continues