Council to explore deal for cheaper natural gas

DECATUR - The Decatur City Council could approve a deal with an energy firm for significantly cheaper natural gas at its meeting Tuesday, Feb. 22.

City staff members have recommended the council enter into a deal with Integrys Energy Service to provide natural gas at a floating index rate. The company expects to be able to save the city 25 percent on its natural gas costs compared to what the city would be paying through Ameren, Finance Director Ron Neufeld told the council in a memo last week.

In other business, the council will consider approving the purchase of a $10,000 neighborhood surveillance camera. The federal government would reimburse the city for the price of the camera.

The camera is the latest step in the city's ongoing use of Weed and Seed grant money. The grants fund a concerted effort between neighborhood groups and local police to stymie crime in a neighborhood and work toward local improvements.

According to a memo from Interim Police Chief Todd Walker and Deputy Chief James Chervinko, the department continues to work with the U.S. Attorney's office to use the grant money, which includes the $10,000 camera system and an additional $26,000 for police equipment.

Former Chief James A. Anderson and members of the Coalition of Neighborhood Organizations have said residents like the overt presence of the cameras, which each feature a flashing blue light. Residents have said the cameras appear to deter bad behavior nearby.

(Source: http://www.herald-review.com/news/local/d5450082-3e3d-11e0-a9be-001cc4c03286.html)