Elgin creates position to oversee street projects

ELGIN – Elgin City Council has added a new position to the city’s staff.

The council voted 4-0 Tuesday to create the new position of streets and parks superintendent, who will oversee street projects among other tasks. The council did not set a salary range for the person filling that position, who will report to the mayor.

The streets and parks superintendent will perform the following duties, according to a copy of the job description:

• Manage street and traffic sign installation and maintenance.

• Oversee landscaping maintenance and projects.

• Manage mowing rights-of-way.

• Manage tree trimming and removal.

• Other tasks as assigned.

The person who fills the position will need some analytical ability in order to collect and summarize data for reports, solve administrative problems and set work priorities. Other essential skills include performing multiple tasks efficiently, making independent judgments that would affect the city and determining the proper response to emergency situations.

In other business, the council:

• Awarded a construction contract for the state Highway 17 and Scenic Ridge channel liner project to T&G Construction Inc.

The city will pay T&G $49,200 for its work on the project, which should help beautify one of Elgin’s busiest corners and improve drainage in the area, Mayor JJ Francais said in an email to a Southwest Chronicle reporter.

He said the SH 17 and Scenic Ridge channel is one of many that may have a concrete liner installed over the next several years.

• Approved a $62,090 contract with TEIM Engineers to relocate utilities for the U.S. Highway 277 project, which involves building a center turn lane and other improvements.

• Struck from the agenda an item designating a date and time for trick or treating.

The council could not reach a consensus on the date and will revisit the issue in the coming weeks, Francais said.