Public Property Update

July 14, 2009

The City Council passed an ordinance to review the rate charged for water and sewer services on a yearly basis to insure that such rates being charged are sufficient to cover costs associated with producing and supplying such services, including any out-standing dept.  Such rates shall be increased by a percentage equal to or greater than the preceding years rate of inflation.

The city has replaced three shutoff valves with the third street reconstruction.  These valves are 100 years old and we have many that no longer function.  We will make repairs as our budget can afford.  The City also replaced an ancient fire hydrant at 6th and Jefferson with new shut-off valve.

The city has replaced the water meters at the Oregon schools, which will be a win-win for everyone.  The meter removed from the High School was the original when the school was built about 1936.   We will now be able to monitor the readings without entering the building. 

We have received test results from Lane and Western for our City wells, and all are operating satisfactorily.  Wells 3 and 4 indicate that maintenance can be expected in 2010.

On June 24th the City received word that the wastewater upgrade has been approved by the IEPA.  The City advertised for bids July 1st and the bid opening will be August 24th.  The need for the project was recognized in 2002 when the City experienced problems with sludge handling and combined wastewater discharges into the Rock River during heavy rain events.  A plan has been formulated to upgrade our fifty-year-old sewer-plant to modern specifications.  The delay in getting approval from the IEPA has been fortuitous in saving the City of Oregon $2 million dollars on the project.  The timing has coincided with the stimulus bill for ready to go EPA infrastructure projects.  The project is planned for completion in 2010.

GPS mapping has begun and the crew could be in your neighborhood soon.  MDES has also started jetting and root cutting in many areas of Oregon.

The City has been informed that IDOT intends to advertise for bids for the Route 2 North Project on July 31st.  Only site preparation will be conducted in 2009.  MDES plans to advertise our sewer line extension for January and the project will be coordinated with the IDOT reconstruction in 2010.