Homewood trustees will consider two measures at their regular meeting Tuesday, July 28, regarding the switch to Hammond, Indiana, and Chicago Heights as the village’s water source.
Prior to the regular meeting, the board will hold a public hearing on a proposal to issue about $2 million in general obligation bonds to pay for public infrastructure improvements and capital equipment costs. The bonds will be about half of one percent of the village’s equalized assessed value. Municipalities are authorized by state law to incur debt up to 8.62 percent of equalized assessed valuation (EAV).
After the hearing, the board will consider an ordinance spelling out the agreement between Homewood and Chicago Heights for Lake Michigan water. Hammond, Indiana draws the water and sells it to Chicago Heights.
Homewood currently obtains lake water from Chicago via Harvey, but concerns about Harvey’s ability to maintain its system and reliably deliver water caused Homewood village officials to seek another source.
A related measure is an intergovernmental agreement for conducting a corrosion control study in partnership with Flossmoor. The study is part of the switch to a new water source.
Flossmoor trustees approved the agreement at their July 20 meeting.
The board will also be asked to approve a budget amendment of $205,819 to account for additional costs of the joint corrosion study and for water sample lab fees.
In other business, trustees will consider:
- A budget amendment of $26,000 to cover costs of firefighter/paramedic and police officer testing.
- A $21,400 bid award for a water distribution system leak survey.
- A $50,000 bid award for fire hydrant sandblasting and painting.
- A liquor license request from Vida Tacos for a beer and wine only license.
- A resolution authorizing the sale of surplus property, a buildable lot at 18462 Dixie Highway.
The meeting will be conducted remotely via Zoom, a video conferencing application. Members of the public can monitor the meeting by dialing 312-626-6799. The meeting ID is 961 6038 1330. The password is 292 310.
Anyone who wishes to comment on agenda items or subjects related to village business can send email to [email protected] or place written comments in the drop box outside village hall, 2020 Chestnut Road. Comments received by 4 p.m. on Tuesday will be read into the record of the meeting.