Category: Mayor & Council

News about the Mayor or City Council

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 1Emergency Program Pg 2

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 form.

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 evaluation.

Congrats Decatur!

 

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 Application

Honorary Street sign to be unveiled in honor of the late Leslie T. Allen, former City Manager and Community Volunteer

An Honorary Street sign will be unveiled on Monday, July 30 pm at 3:00 pm at the corner of Linden and W. Main for the late Leslie T. Allen.

Mr. Allen was the longest serving City Manager to the City of Decatur, serving from August 1972 until 1988. He was continually committed to the City and volunteered on various boards and organizations including: Decatur Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, Rotary Club, Boy Scouts, Grace United Methodist Church and the Golden K’s. He volunteered at Decatur Memorial Hospital for over 20 years. Mr. Allen received countless awards including: Outstanding City Manager of the Year from the International City Managers Conference, Sertoma Service to Mankind, and the Community Service award from the Golden K’s, accumulating over 10,000 hours of community service. Mr. Allen died on March 27, 2015 at the age of 87.

A committee comprised of one member from the Decatur City Council, city staff, the Decatur Police Department, the affected neighborhood organization and the community at large, unanimously recommended approval of the designation. In May of 2018, the City Council unanimously supported the designation.

For more information contact Richelle Irons, Neighborhood Services Manager, Department of Economic and Community Development @ 217-424-2864.

City Water Quality Report Now Available

The City of Decatur is pleased to report that drinking water delivered to residential, commercial and industrial customers last year either met or exceeded all state and federal drinking water requirements.

The City has issued its 2018 Annual Water Quality Report which details a continued record of compliance with United States Environmental Protection Agency and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency water quality standards. The City met all testing requirements for over 80 substances during the past year, providing high quality water while keeping rates consistent with other Central Illinois water utilities. The City has not received a drinking water violation since 2002 even though water quality requirements have become significantly more stringent since that time.

The City pumps an average of 18.3 million gallons per day from Lake Decatur, providing water to approximately 31,400 service connections and 78,000 area residents.

View the 2018 Annual Water Quality Report

Copies are also available at the South Water Treatment Plant, Decatur Civic Center and the Municipal Services Center.

For further information contact Keith Alexander, Water Production Manager at 424-2863.