Sewers, annexation, and federal funding among topics of next council meeting
The Decatur City Council will be voting on the Oakland and Grand sewer separation project, annexation of property in the NW quadrant for future economic development and possibly discuss how potential changes in federal funding may impact water rates for residents. Below is additional information regarding these agenda items.
OAKLAND AND GRAND AREA SEWER SEPERATION PROJECT
The Decatur City Council will likely approve spending $9.7 million to separate sanitary sewers from stormwater sewers in the area near Oakland and Grand. Currently, this area is serviced by a combined sanitary and stormwater sewer. During heavy rainfall events, this could result in sewer backups in residences. By separating the combined sewer into two (sewer and stormwater), sewer backups should be eliminated. To pay for the project the city will take out a 20- to 30-year loan at an interest rate of 1.87% through the state’s Water Pollution Control Loan Program.
ANNEXATION AGREEMENT OF TWO PARCELS
The city council will likely approve an agreement with McLeod Properties, LLC to annex two parcels north of I-72 and west of IL-48. It is predicted that annexation of the properties will facilitate future economic development opportunities for the city. In return, the city is agreeing to cap permit fees that McLeod Properties, LLC pays for a 611,000 square foot warehouse development located on E. Mound Rd. This will likely result in a savings of ~$150,000 to the owner of the annexed properties, while the city is poised for future growth.
FUTURE OF WATER RATES ON PAUSE
Residential users of water consume 13% of the water drawn from Lake Decatur and provide 29% of water revenue. On the other hand, unprocessed water taken directly from Lake Decatur for use by a large industrial company represents 34% of the water drawn from the lake and provides 7% of water revenue (based on 2017 data). This difference between water uses and water revenue was being examined through a water rate study that among other things would establish whether water rates are equitable among user groups.
The last water rate study was performed in 1997, but the majority of current city council members have refused to perform a water rate study despite the last one being performed over 25 years ago. Fortunately, as part of another project, the city was able to identify a utility finance firm that was going to provide the study at no cost to the city via the USEPA water technical assistance program. However, the city has learned that as a result of new leadership at the USEPA, the technical assistance program is on hold, and thus, the water rate study is on hold. Even if the city does not receive federal assistance, it will be important for the council to move forward with the water rate study as residents should not be paying a disproportionate amount of money for a basic necessity.
PLEASE EXPRESS YOUR VIEWS AT THE NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING
The Decatur City Council will meet on February 18 at 5:30 PM in the council chambers located on the third floor of the Decatur Civic Center (1 Gary K. Anderson Place). Free parking is available in the lot immediately south of the entrance. Citizens are encouraged to attend meetings and express their views. Citizens are allotted 3 minutes per person near the beginning of each city council meeting. In addition, citizens can provide comments regarding one regular agenda item per meeting for up to three minutes provided they notify the city in advance (and prior to the start of the meeting). You can request to speak on a particular agenda item at a council meeting by filling out an on-line form at: https://www.decaturil.gov/FormCenter/Mayor-Council-11/Advance-Request-to-Speak-at-Council-Meet-60.
AGENDAS FOR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE
An agenda and information about each agenda item for each city council meeting can be found at: https://www.decaturil.gov/mayor-and-council/council-meetings/.
CITIZENS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
If you would like to discuss city issues with a council member, phone numbers and email addresses for each council member can be found at the following link: https://www.decaturil.gov/300/Mayor-Council.