Mendota retains engineering firm for Safe Routes to Schools

Last year, Mendota obtained $350,000 to help children walk to school in safety. Now, the city has an engineering firm to oversee those improvements.

Monday, the Mendota City Council announced the hiring of Lochner, an international engineering firm with offices in Chicago, to craft a comprehensive plan for the “Safe Routes to School” program.

In May, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced $99,800 to fund a safety audit of routes to all Mendota schools. Lochner will tackle that project and will meet soon with Mendota officials.

(Also in May, IDOT announced $250,000 for upgrades of sidewalks around Lincoln School. Bids are pending.)

New building inspector

Separately, the council approved the hiring Justin Boelk as building inspector. The vote was 7-0, with Alderman John Holland III abstaining. Holland explained Justin was a cousin of his wife.

Boelk is a nephew of the city’s mayor, David Boelk. When asked about the appearance of nepotism, Boelk said that Justin was interviewed while he, the mayor, was recently hospitalized.

“I didn’t even know he applied for the job,” the mayor said.

Mendota sees soaring sales tax

Finally, Mendota may be within striking distance of a retail sales record.

Mendota has collected a $1.4 million share of retail sales taxes through Oct. 31. While end-of year totals won’t be available until just before St. Patrick’s Day, the running total is on pace to exceed the city-record $1.7 million collected in 2023.