At Monday’s Macomb City Council Committee of the Whole meeting, aldermen discussed amending the lease of space to Macomb City Township. Additional space has opened on the second floor of Macomb City Hall with the transition of the city attorney’s office to the building’s first floor.
City Administrator Scott Coker said the additional office would be used as a private interview room for general assistance applicants. The township will pay $900 per month for its city hall office space. Aldermen voted to place the lease agreement on next week’s city council consent agenda. This would allow action to be taken without further discussion.
The committee meeting began with a public hearing on plans for an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency loan of $44 million to help Macomb build a new water plant. Public Works Director Alice Ohrtmann said the public hearing follows a request from the Osage tribe for a cultural assessment study. Ohrtmann said water rates would increase from $60 to $79 per month once the new plant becomes operational in 2028.
Also discussed was an ordinance updating the municipal parking code.
Highlights include establishing no parking areas in the Georgetown subdivision and near Wesley United Methodist Church on West Adams Street.
Coker spoke to council members about the planned city purchase of half the Randolph House at 1 East Side Square for $150,000, as well as a five-year lease agreement with Valerie Nguyen. In addition to the purchase price, Macomb will spend tax increment finance dollars to remodel the older building.
“This is a proactive way to restore this downtown building,” said Alderman Dave Dorsett.
