Council approves first reading to allow unincorporated Pleasant Street resident to connect to city water

The DeKalb City Council on May 12 approved on first reading — and waived second reading — an ordinance allowing a water service agreement to provide municipal water to 2581 Pleasant Street, an unincorporated property whose owners currently rely on a private well.

City Manager Nicholas said Tim and Aaron (the property owners) requested connection to the city system and staff recommended approval. "The water is is worth it. And the Martins agree, and we at the staff level support this," Nicholas said. The city noted this would be the first unincorporated property along that stretch of Pleasant Street to receive city water service; the rate for this non-annexed hookup is higher than standard annexed rates (staff said about 50% higher than annexed property rates).

Council members discussed the patchwork of unincorporated parcels near Pleasant Street and other parts of the city where residents receive city services without full annexation. City staff said annexation has been used in other areas but each case involves different factors such as acreage and existing utilities; staff noted a Greenwood Acres group has raised annexation questions and the sanitary district will meet with residents soon.

Council recorded a unanimous vote to waive second reading after first-reading passage; the ordinance passed on the May 12 consent. City staff said the property owner will pay for the connection and city staff will manage construction and billing under the city’s standard service agreement for out-of-area hookups.