September 7, 2022 – Highlights from the September 6 Decatur City Council meeting include a new housing repair program in partnership with Northeast Community Fund and a number of public safety initiatives.
The Small Housing Improvement Program, a partnership with Northeast Community Fund (NECF), was approved to continue neighborhood revitalization efforts in the city’s urban core. This program will allow NECF to provide small repair grants (not exceeding $15,000 per housing unit) to owner-occupied residents in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods. The Council says that such grants are a preventative measure to invest in areas that are not eligible for the City’s owner-occupied rehabilitation program but are areas where City staff are starting to see the first signs of housing decline.
The program is part of the City’s Economic & Community Development Department and is being funded by American Rescue Plan monies. The City Council allocated $450,000 to start and says that they could consider providing additional funds in the future based on popularity and effectiveness. More information about how to apply is forthcoming.
Several resolutions were passed to support the Decatur Police Department and public safety efforts. An authorization for the City Manager to amend the current Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Police Union will help the department combat the challenges of recruiting new officers, says the Council. If agreed upon by both parties, changes would include, but are not limited to, a temporary expansion of the residency rules to 40 miles from DPD headquarters; wage increases in 2023 and 2024; and new language that would give the City more flexibility to hire civilians to perform law enforcement functions.
Additionally, the Council allocated just over $130,000 for DPD to upgrade their body-worn cameras and related equipment, as well as the digital evidence system. Also, an intergovernmental agreement between DPD and the Macon County Sheriff’s Office was approved to form a Street Crimes Task Force, building upon an already-established Narcotics Task Force. According to the Council, this will allow DPD and MSO to benefit from each other through equipment, manpower, knowledge, and experience, thereby enhancing the abilities of both agencies to combat criminal activity in Decatur and Macon County.
Other business items included an approved agreement with Parkland Environmental for the demolition of two more vacant buildings. Demolitions will continue to be a regular item on Council agendas as part of the council’s neighborhood revitalization efforts. An agenda item regarding a potential “Wash & Win” redevelopment on W. Grand and IL Rt. 48 was removed from the agenda due to the business representative being ill.
More information about these topics can be found in the City Council Agenda packet, which can be found here.
