The city of Streator"s preliminary tax levy proposal is a 12.97-percent increase over the 2008 levy extension.

The request for this year"s levy is $3,737,706, which includes $249,029 for the Streator Public Library"s requested levy. Last year"s total extension was $3,308,667, when the library"s extension was $240,050.

As required by law, the city will hold a hearing at its December city council meeting regarding the proposed tax levy increase.

Paul Nicholson, city manager, indicated Streator would review the levy line items and reduce what can be reduced.

"Once the levy is passed in December, we can"t increase it, we can only decrease it." he said. "It"s a sound levy and an accurate reflection of the preliminary costs we expect to incur for the city"s obligations and expenses."

As part of the proposed increase, the council approved a resolution authorizing and approving a 0.02-percent increase for the library"s maintenance purposes. Nicholson said that as an extension of the city, the library is required to ask the city for the proposed levy. The additional library tax is subject to a back-door referendum which allows the public 30 days to formulate a petition contesting the increase. If there is an adequate petition, the matter would need to be added to the February general election ballot in the form of a referendum.

Steve Myers, city attorney, reported on the Intergovernmental agreement between the city and Reading Township. The agreement is in order, but there are some language issues to be clarified, according to Myers.

An item of consideration is whether a Streator resident in close proximity of the city"s sewer and Reading Township"s proposed sewer should have the choice to hook up to either the city or the township.

According to Mayor Ray Schmitt, there is a decades-old ordinance requiring Streator residents to hook up to the city sewer. Schmitt said he would verify the ordinance today.

The city tabled the agreement while final reviews are made.

In other business:

• The city authorized one part-time Inspector position, which would be responsible for building, zoning and code enforcement. The full-time position replaces two part-time positions and would primarily report to the City Engineer/Director of Community Development.
• The council accepted public right-of way and improvements in connection with the Streator Onized Credit Union parking lot at 120 E. Northpoint Drive.
• The city heard from Jim Monterastelli, chairman of the La Salle County Transportation Group, requesting Streator"s support of an application for grants to provide public transportation to the county. Monterastelli emphasized there would be no commitment on the part of the city at this point. In the future, the group may approach the city for further participation.
• The council received and placed on file the audit report for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2009.
• Nicholson asked for a special meeting tentatively to be held 1 p.m. Tuesday to authorize an amendment to the enterprise zone as related to Livingston County. The meeting is dependent on similar actions expected from La Salle and Livingston counties this week.
• The council learned from Jeremy Palm, city engineer, that the Kerr Clock replica is expected to be installed today, with the power expected to be turned on Friday or Monday.
• Councilman Willy Williamson reiterated that the city cannot regulate Mediacom in any way. Williamson received an anonymous letter referring to Councilman Ed Benner"s previous comments on the matter at last month"s meeting. Williamson told those who are not happy with Mediacom that they can choose to switch to another satellite or cable provider.
• Schmitt asked for a resolution on next month"s meeting to place no parking signs on West Shabbona Street from the railroad south to Morrell Street.