After taking a hiatus last week, Champaign City Council will convene Tuesday to discuss multiple bills which will amend the municipal code and a bill that will accept a bid for routine sanitary sewer maintenance in areas all over Champaign.
The bid up for approval for the sanitary sewer project was the cheapest among 8 bids, and the estimated cost for the project is 40 percent cheaper than the council had originally expected, said said Michael LaDue, council member, District 2.
There is also a bill on the agenda that proposes raising the tax on sanitary sewer fees by 3 percent, which would amount to about $2 more per year for the average family, said Jerry Schweighart, Mayor of Champaign.
Schweighart said that if the council doesn’t vote to approve the tax increase, sewer maintenance will be reduced.
He said that the city hasn’t experienced sewer back-ups recently, which is something he expects Champaign residents are happy about. He added that he doesn’t foresee residents wanting the city to forgo maintenance.
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The council will also vote on appointing Alejandra Coronel to the Human Relations Commission, which is a currently vacant position. Coronel previously sat on the commission but removed herself when it was discovered that she was not a US citizen. Since then, she has received the appropriate paperwork, and is a great candidate for the position, Schweighart added.
The study session will include a presentation on housing for the homeless presented by University Group.
Thomas Bruno, council member-at large. said that there ought to be housing for everyone, and there may not be enough housing for the homeless in Champaign. He said it is the job of those who are able to ensure they are providing for those who do not have adequate housing.
LaDue added that he would like to see information for single-occupancy housing in Champaign provided in the presentation because there has been a lack of housing for single individuals in Champaign for some time now.
The council will convene at 7 pm at the City Building, 102 N. Neil St.
