Category: Mayor & Council

News about the Mayor or City Council

DECATUR POLICE ADD 10 NEW OFFICERS

Ten new officers were sworn into the Decatur Police Department today at 10am, (Thursday, January 4), during a ceremony in the City Council Chamber at the Decatur Civic Center.

Seven of the ten new officers will attend the new Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center for fourteen weeks. The other three will go right into the department’s field training program because of previous experience.

The new officers are:

Name: Kirstin J. Davis, Age: 26

Hometown: Athens, IL

  • Graduated from University of Illinois at Springfield with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice
  • Completed an internship with the Menard County Sheriff’s Department

Name: Nicholas C. Errett, Age: 22

Hometown: Springfield, IL

  • Graduated from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice
  • Graduated from Lincoln Land Community College with an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice
  • Worked as a Community Service Officer for the Carbondale Police Department
  • Completed an internship with the Springfield Police Department

Name: Philip J. Ganley, Age: 22

Hometown: Decatur, IL

  • Graduated from Millikin University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and a minor in Criminal Justice from Millikin University
  • Completed an internship with the Decatur Police Department

Name: Andrew T. Medina, Age: 26

Hometown: Bartonville, IL

  • Graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Sciences
  • Completed an internship with the East Peoria Police Department

Name: Clay R. Pollmann, Age: 22

Hometown: Bartelso, IL

  • Graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Sciences
  • Graduated from Kaskaskia College with an Associate in Arts degree
  • Completed an internship with the Decatur Police Department
  • Worked as a Correctional Officer with the Illinois Department of Corrections
  • Worked as a Park Ranger with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Name: Samuel R. Robeson, Age: 28

Hometown: Beardstown, IL

  • Worked as a Police Patrol Officer for the Beardstown Police Department
  • Worked as a Correctional Officer for the Illinois Department of Corrections

Name: Jacob P. Stewart, Age: 23

Hometown: Mt. Zion, IL

  • Graduated from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Studies
  • Completed an internship with the Swansea Police Department

Name: Xxaviar D. Warren, Age: 22

Hometown: Mt. Zion, IL

  • Studied Law Enforcement and Justice Administration at Western Illinois University

Name: Judson L. Wienke, Age: 25

Hometown: Tuscola, IL

  • Worked as a Police Patrol Officer for the Sullivan, Arthur and Villa Grove Police Departments
  • Serves in the United States Army Reserves

Name: Jeremy F. Williams, Age: 27

Hometown: Caruthersville, MO

  • Graduated from Bethel University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and a minor in Health
  • Worked as a Police Patrol Officer for the Blytheville, Arkansas Police Department
  • Worked as a Recreation Officer for the Missouri Southeast Correctional Center
  • Served in the United States Marine Corps

City of Decatur Now Offering Electronic Billing

The City of Decatur is now offering Electronic Billing for your Municipal Utilities bill.  This new convenience allows you the option of receiving your bill via e-mail instead of receiving a paper bill through the mail.  Each month you’ll receive an e-mail letting you know your Municipal Utilities Bill is attached and ready to view.  Your paperless bill will be identical to the paper bill you’re currently receiving.

To sign-up you can visit www.decaturil.gov/ebill

If you would like to sign-up in person, please visit Utility Customer Service inside the Decatur Civic Center located at 1 Gary K. Anderson Plaza between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. For more information click on link: ebill_flyer

For more information regarding Electronic Billing please contact Utility Customer Service at 217-424-2841.

 

COUNCIL APPROVES BRUSH COLLEGE ROAD CORRIDOR AGREEMENTS

The Decatur City Council on Monday approved agreements that members hope will strengthen future funding requests for Brush College Road corridor improvements, part of a region where significant travel and access barriers hamper current travel and future growth possibilities.

Members approved an agreement with Crawford, Murphy and Tilly to perform land acquisition services for the project and authorized a second agreement with the State of Illinois to use Illinois Jobs Now grant funds to help pay for the acquisition costs. The Brush College Road project is made up of multiple phases with the acquisition work approved on Monday associated with planned construction of a Fairies Parkway and Norfolk Southern Railroad overpass and interchange.

In April 2016, the City applied for $20 million in funding through the federal TIGER VII Grant program to design and build the Brush College Road/Faries Parkway Grade Separation and Improvement Project. Upon learning that its application was not selected, the City asked for feedback to learn how to improve funding applications going forward. The most significant short-coming listed was that the City was not far enough along on the project and representatives were advised that one of the ways to move forward was through acquisition of needed right away.

Contact Billy Tyus at 217-424-2727 for more information.

Local Officials Participate in Fundraiser for the Coalition of Neighborhood Organizations (CONO)

On Tuesday, August 1st, the City of Decatur is inviting all residents to join us for the 34th Annual National Night Out (NNO) crime and drug prevention event at HESS PARK from 5-8 pm.

As part of the event, local officials will participate in a fund raiser for the Coalition of Neighborhood Organizations.

A dunk tank event will take place throughout the evening where residents and children will have the opportunity to “dunk” some of our favorite community leaders.

5:30-5:45 pm — Jay Scott, Macon County States Attorney

6:00-6:15 pm — Chief Jeff Abbott, Decatur Fire Department

6:30-6:45 pm — Lt. Antonio Brown, NNO Committee/Macon Co. Sheriff’s office

7:00-7:15 pm — Chief Jim Getz, Decatur Police Department

7:30-7:45 pm — Deputy City Manager, Billy Tyus

Tickets can be purchased for kids 12 and under, 2 balls for $1, while adults can purchase 6 balls for $5.

All proceeds go to the Coalition of Neighborhood Organizations for future neighborhood activities and events.

The NNO campaign involves local government officials, not-for-profit organizations, citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses and neighborhood organizations. Over 16,000 cities around the U.S. will host block parties, cookouts, parades, flashlight walks, contests, and youth activities.  In all, over 38.3 million people are expected to participate in “America’s Night Out against Crime”.

For more information contact Richelle D. Irons at 424-2864.

 

City of Decatur Hosts Economic Development Forum

The City of Decatur in conjunction with other community partners will hold its first Economic Development Forum from 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, July 27 in the City Council Chamber of the Decatur Civic Center.

The forum is being held to discuss current economic development activities and opportunities within the Decatur community, to provide information related to job training possibilities and employer needs and to address community questions about local economic development. The goal is to provide a broad overview of the local development process and the state of our local economy and to give residents information about resources that are available to help persons seeking employment.

The Decatur Civic Center is located at 1 Gary K. Anderson Plaza. Contact Billy Tyus at 217-424-2727 for more information.

Water Quality Continues Stellar Track Record

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 2017 Annual Water Quality Report which details an exemplary 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. “I am excited to let our residents know that, once again, our drinking water meets or exceeds the stringent standards required by the EPA at a cost equal to or lower than other area communities,” said Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe. “We are also very proud of the dedicated men and women of the Public Works Department that work tirelessly to make this happen each and every day.

The City pumps an average of 19 million gallons per day from Lake Decatur, providing water to approximately 31,400 service connections and 82,000 area residents.

The report is posted on the City’s website at:

www.decaturil.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-Water-Quality-Report.pdf

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

For further information contact Jerry Stevens, Water Production Operations Supervisor at 424-2833.

More than $4.2 million in City Street Repairs Set to Begin (See Story For Project Map)

2017-mft-street-project-map-for-website
Click Map To Enlarge

Decatur City Council members voted unanimously on Monday, April 17 to fund an agreement with Dunn Company for more than $2.2 million to provide asphalt street reconstruction on streets that have deteriorated over time due to age, freeze-thaw cycles, and traffic loads while a similar agreement with Otto Baum Company for $1.3 million will provide some street reconstruction and other work along the streets paved as part of the aforementioned project with Dunn Co.  An additional $710,000 was authorized to carry out mill and overlay street work to be paid for with state funds. The street work for the most part is to be prioritized based on roadways in the worst condition throughout the community, with much of the work being done on local neighborhood streets. Due to financial constraints, the city did not have an active local road improvement program until last year with much of the work done having to be funded as part of the State of Illinois’ program and on the state’s timetable. A map showing the streets to be reconstructed can be seen by clicking the link above.

Continue reading “More than $4.2 million in City Street Repairs Set to Begin (See Story For Project Map)” →

Council Approves almost $10 Million in Infrastructure, Development Work

Almost $10 million in infrastructure improvements to repair and replace local neighborhood streets, to fix residential sewers back-ups and a development project adding much needed downtown housing and commercial development all received the go-ahead from Decatur City Council Monday night.

Members during a regularly scheduled meeting also approved a new Decatur Public Library contract and voted to go ahead with new community entryway and wayfinding signage.

Council members voted unanimously to fund an agreement with Dunn Company for more than $2.2 million to provide asphalt street reconstruction on streets that have deteriorated over time due to age, freeze-thaw cycles, and traffic loads while a similar agreement with Otto Baum Company for $1.3 million will provide some street reconstruction and other work along the streets paved as part of the aforementioned project with Dunn Co. An additional $710,000 was authorized to carry out mill and overlay street work to be paid for with state funds.

The street work for the most part is to be prioritized based on roadways in the worst condition throughout the community, with much of the work being done on local neighborhood streets. Due to financial constraints, the city did not have an active local road improvement program until last year with much of the work done having to be funded as part of the State of Illinois’ program and on the state’s timetable. In February 2016, the City made the difficult yet necessary decision to implement a Local Motor Fuel Tax of 5 cents per gallon on unleaded fuel and 1 cent per gallon on diesel fuel to address the city’s crumbling roadways and associated infrastructure.

Officials have regularly emphasized an understanding of the fact that any new level of tax is never easy to accept, however this new funding source represented the most feasible way to address this critical need with plans to use funds to attack streets in the worst condition first. The funding is kept separate in a special fund that can only be utilized for this work and – in an effort to limit the public tax burden – the tax will be eliminated in 10 years.

In other business, council approved a redevelopment agreement with MDA properties LLC to add residential units downtown and that will facilitate new commercial development to the city’s central business district. By December 31, 2017 MDA agrees to expend what is estimated to be more than $2 million to redevelop properties and improve sidewalks and other infrastructure in the 100 blocks of West Main and Wood Streets and the 100 and 200 blocks of South Church St. The work will come in exchange for the release of a lien on property located at 101 S. Main St. placed with a previous property owner.

Council members also voted 7-0 Monday to approve a contract with Entler Excavating Co. for $3.5 million to perform the Nelson Park Neighborhood Combined Sewer Separation Project. The Nelson Park area has long been a source of complaints from residents about sewer backups which this project will help to address.

Contact Billy Tyus at 217-424-2727 for more information.

Sanitary Sewer Public Meetings

The City of Decatur along with Crawford Murphy and Tilly, Inc. will hold two public meetings to present information and receive input on the sanitary sewer investigation work for the Lost Bridge North and Florian Neighborhood.

The approximate boundaries for the Lost Bridge North Neighborhood are Country Club Rd (West), Cantrell St (North), 44th Street (East) and Orchard Dr (South).  The meeting will be held from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Tuesday April 4th 2017 at Crosspointe Community Church, 34 South Country Club Road.

The approximate boundaries for the Florian Neighborhood are Hunt St (West), Hoyt Ct (North), Summit Ave (East) and Center St (South).  The meeting will be held from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Wednesday April 5th 2017 at Christ United Methodist Church, 1503 N Summit Ave.

For more information please contact the Public Works Department at 217-424-2747.