Urbana City Council members unanimously approved agreements with Mervis Industries, Inc. and the Illinois Department of Transportation, allowing for the construction of a public drop-off and buy-back recycling center at their rescheduled council meeting on Tuesday.
The $1,500,000 project, to be located at 3008 N. Cunningham Ave., “would serve Urbana and the surrounding area,” according to the ordinance. The 10-acre property will also have room to expand to property located immediately to the north. The project is expected to create at least 10 full-time jobs over five years.
In order for the project to be feasible, the Illinois Department of Transportation, or IDOT, has required Mervis to improve the section of Cunningham Avenue next to the property. Following Tuesday’s council meeting, Mervis now has complete approval from both Urbana and IDOT to move forward with the project.
Council members also voted to approve an intergovernmental agreement — and the resulting budget change — to intervene in a rate increase by water utility company, Illinois American Water. The proposed rate increase will raise water rates by a statewide average of 15 percent. This agreement is in conjunction with Savoy, St. Joseph, Sidney, Philo and Champaign, who will lead the challenge, said Mike Monson, chief of staff. The challenge is anticipated to cost the city $8,000, with a maximum limit of $25,000.
Council members noted that the rate increase is in response to water conservation efforts. They generally agreed that this is something that should be commended, not punished. Brandon Bowersox, Ward 4, voted in support of the agreement because the rate increase would be “a burden on people.” Charlie Smyth, Ward 1, agreed with the sentiment.
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“It really bothers me that people who have conserved — have cut their costs — are going to be punished via this rate increase,” he said. “I think that’s totally inappropriate.”
Heather Stevenson, Ward 6, was the lone vote against the agreement.
“The city is in financial straits to begin with, and that $8,000 — that’s not a guarantee,” she said. “I think it would be more wise to spend the $8,000 in another way.”
