Tagged: macomb

It could soon cost more if you violate certain ordinances in Macomb.

City staff researched the fines charged in other college towns in Illinois and drafted a proposal for aldermen to review.

“We're not trying to target anybody unless they target us,” said Seventh Ward Alderman Clay Hinderliter. “If they choose to do the right thing, everything will be fine.”

Aldermen will hold first reading of the changes on Tuesday, September 4.

For the most part, the fines will increase $50 if aldermen approve the changes.

Aldermen are reviewing whether to alter the Facade Forgivable Loan Program based on recommendations from the City Council's Community Development Committee.

One proposal is to increase the city's share of the costs for facade improvements from 50% to 66%.

“That would mean if somebody had a $30,000 project, they could get $20,000 of that from us and $10,00 of their own money. If that's not incentive enough to put on their best face, I don't know what else we can do,” said Seventh Ward Alderman Clay Hinderliter.

Other recommendations include:

The City of Macomb has taken steps to ensure the water continues to flow this summer despite the drought.

Mayor Mike Inman said water from one of the city's deep wells is being pumped into Spring Lake, which is the city's water source.

“The water manager started pumping from one of our deep wells the first week of July,” Inman said.

“We're pumping roughly 800 gallons a minute from that deep well into the lake, trying to maintain the water level there.”

The city has two deep wells. Both are at Spring Lake.

Macomb is in talks with BNSF that could help the city expand. The plan is to annex the railroad's right-of-way westward to the future site of the Macomb bypass.

“Our primary goal is to take advantage of those folks willing to come in that are businesses -- commercial developments -- that bring sales tax revenue in to the city,” said Mayor Mike Inman.

He said the annexation might also increase the city's population base, though he feels that would be “icing on the cake.”

Inman said Macomb and BNSF have been in negotiations for the better part of a year.