Scot Wrighton to be Named City Manager

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe announced this morning that the Decatur City Council has unanimously asked Scot Wrighton to be the city’s next city manager. The Mayor also announced that she has called a special meeting of the City Council for Monday evening, January 14, to approve an employment agreement.

A press conference will be held at 1 p.m. today in the City Council Chamber on the 3rd floor of the Decatur Civic Center to introduce Mr. Wrighton. The Decatur Civic Center is located at 1 Gary K. Anderson Plaza in Decatur.

Scot Wrighton is currently the city manager of Streator, Illinois, a position he has held for more than four years. He also served as Streator’s city manager from 1987 to 1994. Between his two terms as Streator city manager, Wrighton served as the city manager of Kirksville, Missouri for nine years; on the faculty of the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government for six years; and as the city manager of a private new urbanism development project in India for five years. Early in his career, Wrighton’s first municipal manager’s job was village administrator of Mt. Zion; so after more than 30 years he will now be returning to Macon County.

“Scot has not pursued the normal city manager career route,” said Mayor Moore Wolfe, “but his rich diversity of professional experiences and his change-agent skills seemed like the exact leadership style the City Council was searching for in a new city manager for Decatur, and we are anxious for him to start his new duties.”

The consulting firm of GovHR was retained by the city to conduct the city manager search, help the City Council select finalists, schedule interviews and negotiate an employment agreement.

Although Wrighton had met twice with the Decatur City Council in December (once as a group, and then individually with each councilmember), he is meeting with Decatur’s senior staff and department heads for the first time this morning. The Mayor’s office will work with media outlets to arrange interviews with Mr. Wrighton as desired.

Funds Available for City of Decatur’s Neighborhood Services Emergency Program

DECATUR — Persons interested in the City of Decatur’s Emergency Program may begin making appointments by calling 217-424-2797.
This program provides grants up to $5,000 for repairs to address “life-threatening” or “sanitation” situations (i.e., hot water heater replacement, electrical issues, and furnace replacement). The program is open until set aside funds are exhausted.
All applicants must be homeowners, meet the low-to-moderate income standards as set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and reside within the corporate limits in the City of Decatur. The residential unit must also be contractually feasible. The Emergency Program funding is provided by HUD and will be made available as an immediate grant. See attached flyer and income guidelines below.
Emergency Program Pg 1opens PDF file Emergency Program Pg 2opens PDF file

City Seeking Volunteer Members for Plan Commission and Zoning Board

City of Decatur is seeking committed and community-minded volunteers to fill several vacancies in its Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals.

The Decatur City Plan Commission is an eleven-member advisory body with its community members appointed by the Mayor and City Council. The Commission’s primary role is to provide a forum for public hearing of petitions for rezoning of property, Conditional Use Permits, vacation of public rights-of-way, and amendments to the Zoning Ordinance. It then provides summary recommendations to the City Council which makes final decisions on those petitions. The Commission typically meets on the first Thursday of each month at 3:00 P.M. in the City Council Chamber.

The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) is a seven-member quasi-judicial body appointed by the Mayor and City Council. The Board’s primary purpose is to consider and decide on petitions for variances where the applicants would experience hardship or practical difficulties related to the subject properties when specific requirements of the Zoning Ordinance must be met e.g. building setbacks and building height. Certain other powers are also granted by the Decatur Zoning Ordinance e.g. interpret and clarify the location of zoning district boundaries, and permission for larger accessory structures.  Unlike the Plan Commission, all decisions of ZBA on the petitions are considered final. The Board typically meets on the second Thursday of each month at 4:00 P.M. in the City Council Chamber.

The City of Decatur appreciates those who would like to invest their time to serve the community without compensation. With terms of three (3) years, volunteer community members for both the Plan Commission and ZBA must reside within the Decatur City limits. If interested in serving on either of these public bodies, please complete and submit an application formopens PDF file .

Please contact Scott Dedert, Senior Planner at (217) 424-2786 or Joselyn Stewart, Transportation Planner at (217) 424-2782 for any additional information.

America In Bloom Community Profile and Evaluation Available

The Decatur Community made an impressive showing as part of its first America In Bloom Contest. Told not to expect to win the first time out, the community based team brought home the People’s Choice Awrd, Outstanding YouTube Video and best use of social media. The community based effort to showcase the beauty that is Decatur Illinois achieved a 7 star rating on a scale of 10, an incredible accomplishment for a first year entry!

Download a fantastic community profile submitted to judges for the competition or download the competition evaluationopens PDF file .

Congrats Decatur!

 

U.S. 36 in Harristown set to reopen Nov. 16

U.S. 36 in Harristown set to reopen Nov. 16

HARRISTOWN — The Illinois Department of Transportation announces that work on the bridges that carry U.S. 36 over U.S. 51 is nearing completion and that U.S. 36 is scheduled to be reopened by Friday, Nov. 16.

A marked detour is in place to guide motorists around the closure.

Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment.

For IDOT District 7 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict7 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com. Contact: Mark Tucker 217-706-5336 or Tim Hemmen 217-342-8301.

 

City of Decatur Partners with the Illinois Department of Human Rights to Host a Tenant and Landlord Informational Program

DECATUR-The City of Decatur is hosting the Illinois Department of Human Rights informational program for tenants and landlords. Everyone deserves a great place to live. Having a clear understanding of housing rights and responsibilities can help landlords and tenants avoid and address issues when they arise.  Join housing experts for a free workshop that tackles a variety of topics that property owners and renters should be aware of.

The program will be held at the Decatur Civic Center located at 1 Gary K. Anderson Plaza in Decatur. The session is scheduled for Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at 6:00 p.m., in the 1st floor classrooms.  Free parking will be available. Registration for this free training is required.  To register, please call (217) 424-2777 or e-mail: vbuckingham@decaturil.gov.

City of Decatur Partners with Others to Host Post Purchase Homeowner Program

The City of Decatur is partnering with the Decatur Area Habitat for Humanity and the Habitat of Champaign County to host a FREE post purchase homeowner education program entitled “Keeping the American Dream”.  The program contains three class sessions.  The 3-part program focuses on topics that help both new and established homeowners manage their most important asset, the home.  The session topics are:

  • Home Maintenance
  • Budgeting, Saving, and Keeping Records
  • Being Part of Your Community

The 3 sessions will be held at the Decatur Civic Center located at 1 Gary K. Anderson Plaza in Decatur. The sessions will be held on the first floor in the 1st floor classrooms.  Free parking will be available.

  • The Home Maintenance session will be held at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 17, 2018.
  • The Budgeting, Saving, and Keeping Records session will be held at 9:00 a.m., Saturday, October 20, 2018.
  • The Being Part of Your Community session will be held at 11:15 a.m., Saturday, October 20, 2018.

Habitat for Humanity of Champaign County is an U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved housing counseling agency.

To register for the 3 sessions, please contact the City of Decatur’s Neighborhood Services Division at (217) 424-2777 or e-mail vbuckingham@decaturil.gov.  The class size is limited.

Findings of Fact and Order Regarding Arrow Ambulance LLC License Application

August 27, 2018

NOTICE OF FINDINGS OF FACT AND ORDER

IN RE: THE APPLICATION OF ARROW AMBULANCE LLC

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that on August 27, 2018, Hearing Officer Steven D. Mahrt filed his Findings of Fact and Order Regarding Arrow Ambulance LLC License Application with the Decatur City Clerk. A copy of the Findings and Order may be viewed at: Findings of Fact and Order Regarding Arrow Ambulance LLC License Applicationopens PDF file

Expired: Notice of Decatur City Council Election Petitions Available

August 21, 2018

DECATUR CITY COUNCIL

 Petitions Available

August 28, 2018

DECATUR – Petitions for persons interested in running for Mayor of the City of Decatur or one of the three seats on Decatur City Council up for election in 2019 will be available beginning, Tuesday, August 28, 2018.

The petitions will be available beginning at 8:00 a.m. in the office of the City Clerk, located on the 3rd floor of the Decatur Civic Center, 1 Gary K. Anderson Plaza. Petitions must contain the signatures of 115 registered voters.

Council candidates must be United States citizens, registered voters, age 18 or older and must reside within the city limits for one year preceding the election. Nominating petitions may be filed in the office of the City Clerk beginning at 8:00 a.m., Monday, November 19, 2018 through 5:00 p.m., Monday, November 26, 2018.

Contact the City Clerk’s Office at 424-2708 for more information.