Urbana City Council members are finding that a sewage problem in a low-income neighborhood is less related to infrastructure and more related to a need for financial assistance for residents having difficulties paying for repairs.
After city staff gave a presentation on the city’s sewer system at the meeting Monday, council members shifted conversation to finding ways to provide more financial aid.
Alderman Dennis Roberts, Ward 5, said the only difference he saw with the situation in Ellis Subdivision seemed to be a difference in resident income levels.
“This neighborhood is dealing with infrastructure aging, and we need to look for a program to give assistance,” he said.
Many residents of the west Urbana neighborhood are retired senior citizens and have expressed concerns about paying unexpected costs for road removal to access the sewer lines. Many also think the sewer lines are supposed to run down the middle of the street.
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But Brad Bennett, senior civil engineer of Urbana public works, who gave the presentation, said even new subdivisions have sewer lines on one side of the road.
“They have just as many backups and root problems as areas built during the same time period,” Bennett said. “Everything has a finite life. It is no different from putting a roof on your house. At some point in the future, it will fail and will have to be replaced.”
Renee Renfro, resident of Tremont Street in Ellis Subdivision, said she was bothered by the assumption that residents should pay for their sewer repairs upfront, even though they will be reimbursed by the city after construction.
“I think there should be some work with the homeowner and the contractor so the money can be paid upon completion of the road,” Renfro said. “Not every resident has $3,500 in their pockets.”
City council members discussed the possibility of offering information to residents of sewer insurance programs, which would cost residents around $10 a month and would take care of repair fees.
Alderman Charlie Smyth, Ward 1, suggested either raising the cap amount of money the reimbursement program offers or having the city work directly with the contractor.
The city council will continue to explore options for the situation, which will be discussed at the next council meeting on Feb. 4.
Corinne can be reached at [email protected].
