The Geneseo City Council reviewed plans for a $13.921 million wastewater treatment plant upgrade during its November 10, 2026, meeting. Council members also received updates on two damaged wind turbines and several infrastructure projects.
Wastewater project
Terry Boyer, P.E., of Donohue & Associates presented the wastewater project.
The work is intended to prepare the plant for a phosphorus limit of 0.5 milligrams per liter by January 1, 2030. It would also replace treatment equipment dating to the 1980s.
Plans include a new oxidation ditch and selector structure, new pumps, improvements to two final clarifiers, removal of the existing trickling filters, and a modernized monitoring and control system.
Funding and schedule
The project is estimated to cost $13.921 million.
Geneseo applied for financing through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency but did not qualify for the agency’s funding list. The application received 410 points, while 455 points were needed.
The city could receive 100 additional points after completing required plans, permits, and bidding documents. A future score of 510 is projected.
Possible financing terms include a 1.83% interest rate, a 20-year loan, and up to 30% principal forgiveness. Those terms could change and are not guaranteed.
The detailed schedule calls for:
Advertising for bids on December 15, 2026
A pre-bid meeting on January 5, 2027
Opening bids on February 2, 2027
Beginning construction in June or August 2027
Finishing construction in summer 2029
Engineering agreement
The council reviewed a proposed $1,421,970 construction-related engineering agreement with Donohue.
The agreement includes construction administration, observation, startup assistance, record drawings, and upgrades to the plant’s supervisory control and data acquisition system, known as SCADA.
SCADA services account for $480,000 of the proposal. The remaining $941,970 represents about 6.8% of the estimated project cost. The entire agreement represents about 10.2% of the project cost.
The council moved the agreement forward for approval consideration at its November 24 special meeting.
Wind turbines
Wind Turbine 1 experienced a generator failure on April 30, 2026.
The city submitted an insurance claim and a generator-replacement quote. The insurer paid $855,151 toward replacement and $50,000 for lost revenue. The city also received a quote to decommission the tower.
Wind Turbine 2 experienced a generator failure on July 30. The city submitted an insurance claim and received an analysis report from Vensys.
No final repair schedule or total cost for either turbine has been provided.
Well 33
Geneseo Well 33 is awaiting an operating permit from the Illinois EPA.
The agency requested additional water samples, which were resubmitted for review. No approval date was provided.
Ford Road sewer project
Groundwater slowed construction of the Ford Road sanitary sewer extension and lift station.
Work expected to take four days has reached its 12th day. The contractor plans to use two crews, with one working along Ford Road and the other completing the connection toward Chicago Street.
The project includes a lift station and approximately 900 feet of sanitary sewer.
Pedestrian bridge
Design work continues on the proposed pedestrian bridge at Oakwood Landing.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources approved the elevated redesign. IMEG had started structural design and was finalizing the civil plans.
The city expects to learn in April 2027 whether the project will receive a state grant. No construction start date has been announced.
Other projects
North State Street: Construction is complete. Final quantities, material certifications, and other documents are still being reviewed.
Chestnut Street: All 17 replacement utility poles have been set. Wire and services still have to be transferred on eight poles.
Electric planning study: A first draft is expected this month.
Cemetery road: Crews installed fabric and base rock along Sections 32 and 33. An asphalt overlay may be completed in 2027.
Police department
Police Chief Casey Disterhoft reported that two new squad vehicles arrived November 10. They still need graphics, cameras, and mobile computers before entering service.
The city is working with the state on the required permit for a license plate reader on Route 82 North.
Fencing and stonework has been completed at the police training range. Interior work and camera installation remains underway.
Chamber report
The Geneseo Chamber of Commerce reported that more than 150 bingo cards were submitted during Witches Night Out and that more than 1,000 pieces of candy were distributed during Scarecrow Row.
The Chamber announced the following award recipients:
Amy DeFauw of Katsch Boutique — Ambassador of the Year
Beth Terpening of Anthology for Books — Rising Star
Geneseo Park District — ACES Award
Local Motive — Business of the Year
John DuBois of Central Bank — Lifetime Achievement Award
Upcoming events include the Christmas Open House on November 13, the Hy-Vee ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 24, and the Christmas Walk on December 12.
Yard waste dates
The Roos Hill Road Disposal Site is scheduled to be open November 21 and December 5, from 8 a.m. to noon.
Curbside yard waste stickers are half price during November and available at City Hall. The final curbside collection is scheduled for the week of December 14.
Next steps
The council is expected to consider the wastewater engineering agreement at its November 24 special meeting.
City staff will continue preparing the wastewater project for bidding, pursuing IEPA financing, and monitoring other infrastructure projects.
