R2022-11 Resolution Authorizing the Grant of Ownership and Permanent Easement with Park Decatur Limited Partner

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Public Works DATE: 1/7/2022 MEMO: 2022-01 TO: Honorable Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe and City Council Members FROM: Scot Wrighton, City Manager Matthew C. Newell, P.E., Public Works Director SUBJECT: Resolution Authorizing the Grant of Ownership and Permanent Easement with Park Decatur Limited Partner SUMMARY RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council approve the attached Resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign the documents granting the ownership of a sewer main extending through the Park City Manufactured Housing property along with a permanent easement for the sewer. BACKGROUND: Woodford Homes Inc. proposes to construct a 20 unit building on the vacant property located on the northwest corner of Carrie Lane and North Charles Street (see the Staff Report to the Decatur City Plan Commission attached). Access to an acceptable sewer system is a requirement for the project to move forward. As shown on the attached location map, the City sewers currently serving the Beth Boulevard area discharge into the private sewer system owned by Park City which conveys the sewage west to the City main next to the Illinois Central railroad right of way. This odd setup was arranged back in 1978 when the apartments along Beth Boulevard were developed and the developer had a written correspondence with the owner of Park City to allow the public sewer to discharge into the private system. This arrangement has led to difficulties over the years with both City and Park City maintenance. When Woodford Homes began looking to connect their sewer to the current system that ran through Park City, the current Park City owner, The Choice Group, raised concerns with the added flow and would not agree to additional connections. In reviewing the current situation of having a public sewer discharging into private sewers, the cleaner approach (if there is a cleaner approach to sewer maintenance) is for the City to own and maintain the sewer main through Park City that feeds the sewers to the east along Beth Boulevard. This approach was presented to The Choice Group who agreed to the arrangement whereby the City would take over ownership of the sewer main connecting the two City sewer mains. This will allow Woodford Homes to connect to the sewer and resolve what has been a complicated sewer Page 53 of 163