June 3, 2024 -Highlights from the June 3 Decatur City Council meeting include an agreement with Decatur Public Schools District-61 to assign Decatur Police officers as School Resource Officers, and continued planning for the Oakland & Grand sewer separation project.
School Resource Officer agreement
On Monday night the Decatur City Council approved an agreement to assign Decatur Police officers to DPS-61 as School Resource Officers (SROs). The intergovernmental agreement is for the 2024-25 school year and increases the number of SROs to five – up from four the previous year. Both parties agreed that the increase best serves the community and school district. DPS-61 will cover 75% of the total cost of the five officers.
An SRO will be at Eisenhower High School, MacArthur High School, Stephen Decatur Middle School, Hope Academy, and Johns Hill Magnet School. With an SRO in these schools, we are increasing positive interactions with the community, specifically between youth and the Decatur Police Department. We hope this SRO expansion will not only increase safety within our schools, but also inspire the next generation of police officers.
Oakland & Grand Sewer Separation
Council also continued preparations for the Oakland & Grand sewer separation project. The combined storm & sanitary sewer that serves the area results in frequent backups during heavy rains. The City is preparing to separate the sewers. Monday night’s action allows the City to cross under the railroad with the new sewer, and they also approved a funding source for the project. The City is authorized to borrow up to $16.5 million from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s State Revolving Loan Fund. These low-interest loans have a rate of 1.81% and can be paid back over a 30-year time period. Construction is anticipated to start late 2024.
Other business
In other business…Council approved temporary liquor licenses to support local charitable events in Central Park. The Rotary Club of Decatur is hosting “The Wurst Cornhole Tournament Ever” on June 22, 2024, and Donnie’s Homespun Pizza is hosting a “Music in the Park” series on June 14, July 12, July 26, August 9, September 13, and September 27, 2024.
