City Council recognizes Decatur Lake Patrol, invests in infrastructure

Highlights from the July 18, 2022 Decatur City Council meeting include a recognition of Lake Patrol officers for life-saving efforts, and approval of three major infrastructure projects.

Decatur Lake Patrol Officers Allison McCoy and Ethan Greene were recognized Monday night by the Mayor and City Council for their dedication to public service and courageous actions that potentially saved a citizen’s life on July 4, 2022.

On July 4 around 5:30 p.m., Lake Patrol received a report of a man swimming near the dam buoys and the Rt. 51 bridge. Officers arrived and found the man to be disoriented and combative. At one point, the man swam away from officers and towards the dam. Fearful for the victim’s safety since there is a water current created by the release of water over the dam, Officers McCoy and Greene jumped into the water to intervene. The officers were able to lead the man away from the dam and back to a patrol boat, where he was transported to shore and received further medical attention. City staff believe without the quick thinking and actions of Officers McCoy and Greene, the man could have been swept over the dam.

Also on Monday, the Council took action to improve City infrastructure with approval of three separate projects. The first item the Council approved is an agreement with Crawford, Murphy, and Tilly for final design engineering services for upgrades to the chemical systems at the South Water Treatment Plant. This project will support the Council’s goal of improving the City’s water quality.

The Council also acted to increase the City’s water supply by approving an agreement with INTERA Inc. for professional engineering services for improvements to the DeWitt County Wellfield. INTERA will study the wellfield and make recommendations for repairs to the wells and pumps. The wellfield has only been used during extremely dry or drought conditions. The last time it was utilized to increase Lake Decatur water supply was in 2012 for 75 days. If all the wellfield improvements recommended by INTERA are implemented, it is estimated to reduce the City’s supplemental water

shortage by about 20 percent.

The third infrastructure item approved was an agreement with Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc. for preliminary engineering services for the Broadway and Jasper Street Sewer Rehabilitation Project. This sewer system is one of the five critical sanitary sewer systems in the City of Decatur. The other four critical sewer systems have already been rehabilitated by the City. The Broadway (now MLK) and Jasper Street sewer was not included in that 2013 rehabilitation plan. However, recent inspection has shown additional deterioration and initiates the need for a review in greater detail. Failure of a critical sewer system would have dire consequences, so the Council is taking necessary actions to ensure rehabilitation of that system occurs proactively.

More information about these topics can be found in the City Council Agenda packet, downloadable/viewable here: www.decaturil.gov/mayor-and-council/council-meetings/