A stormwater utility could become a reality in Urbana as City Council is scheduled to hear the first reading of an ordinance aimed at creating such a utility during its 6 p.m. meeting today in municipal court chambers.
In July, council passed a measure establishing the Stormwater Advisory Committee to take an in-depth look at the city’s storm sewer system and to recommend a way to address its current condition and future improvements.
As outlined in the ordinance, the committee is recommending a flat-rate fee of $5 per month per water meter be added to all utility bills, regardless of location.
The ordinance states, “This charge is deemed reasonable and necessary to pay for repair, replacement, improvement, operation, regulation, and maintenance of existing and future city stormwater infrastructure.”
In addition, the ordinance calls for the establishment of a Stormwater Utility Review Committee to convene every five years to look over the utility structure and rates.
City pool, roundabout
Since its opening in 1969, the Wendell Stokes Municipal Pool at Melvin Miller Park has been operated and staffed by seasonal employees hired by the city. Administration, however, is scheduled to seek council’s approval to turn over management of the city-owned pool to the Champaign Family YMCA at a cost of $78,239.46 for 2017.
According to the administrative request, capital improvements and general grounds maintenance would continue to be the city’s responsibility.
As for U.S. Route 36/U.S. Route 68 intersection at Monument Square, the city has been working toward the next evolution of the roundabout in hopes of making it safer for drivers and pedestrians, while ensuring it’s used correctly by those passing through on a daily basis.
During a public forum in February, Burgess and Niple, Inc., a Columbus-based engineering and architectural firm, presented a conceptual design of the proposed improvements for the roundabout.
To move forward with the Monument Square Roundabout Improvements Project, administration is seeking council’s approval to enter into a contract with Burgess and Niple for preliminary engineering work at a cost not to exceed $24,796.61.
Administration requests
Administration will seek council’s approval on the following items:
•The purchase of a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 from Trenor Motors Inc. at a cost of $10,000. If approved, the truck would be used at Oak Dale Cemetery.
•A purchase order to EJP in the amount of $7,673.49 for heating cable and fiberglass insulation for the repair of digester sludge feed lines.
•A purchase order to CMI in the amount of $13,877.00 for the Urbana Police Division’s annual software fees.
•A unit price contract with J&J Schlaegl Inc. of Urbana for concrete work based on need in 2017.
In other business:
•Council will hear the second reading of an ordinance amending the city’s zoning map by rezoning a 34,543-square-foot, triangular-shaped parcel on the north end of Urbana (behind 207 Bloomfield Ave.) from R-2 Medium Density Residential to M-1 Manufacturing.
A public hearing addressing the matter will lead off today’s meeting at 6 p.m.
•A resolution adopting an enterprise zone agreement between the city (municipality), Urbana MOB LLC (property owner) and Memorial Health of Union County (lessee) will undergo a second reading.
•Council will hear the first reading of a resolution (suspension of the three-readings rule requested) authorizing commitment of city funds as a match for grant funding for the cleanup and redevelopment of the former Q3/JMC property on Miami Street.
