Waterloo was honored by a regional group for its recent efforts to enhance the community’s natural resources.

Every year, Heartlands Conservancy presents the Sea of Verdure Award. The term “Sea of Verdure” comes from early explorers 185 years ago that described Southwestern Illinois as a “land of immeasurable beauty.”

The annual award is given to individuals, organizations, or communities that have made significant contributions toward preserving or contributing to the “immeasurable beauty” of the region.

Waterloo was named this year’s recipient of the award during the Heartlands Conservancy Annual Dinner held March 20 in Belleville for recent volunteer efforts at Zimmer Park and Bellefontaine House, as well as for projects such as the “Explore Waterloo” bicycle and pedestrian trails plan.

In other city news, Waterloo zoning officers are working on a plan to rezone four blocks between Mill Street and Third Street from B-3 to R-3. This is to more accurately reflect the current property use in those areas, zoning administrator Jim Nagel said.

On Monday night, the Waterloo City Council voted to release executive session minutes from February through August 2001. The council voted against releasing minutes from May 7, May 21 and June 18, 2001 due to information of a sensitive medical or personal nature.

Much of the information discussed around this time dealt with negotiations to bring a YMCA facility to the county, an alderman said.

During its March 17 meeting, the council authorized the acquisition of property located at 103 Lemen Street, giving the city three lots on that street.

The next council meeting takes place 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 7, at City Hall.