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Council committee approves extending city water to 1923 Western Avenue without annexation
Summary
The committee authorized an ordinance to allow municipal water service to be extended to 1923 Western Avenue while leaving the property outside Geneva’s corporate limits; the committee noted the city cannot currently provide sanitary sewer service to that property and that sanitary extension costs would likely fall to property owners.
The Geneva City Council’s committee of the whole on April 7 approved a draft ordinance authorizing extension of municipal water service to the property at 1923 Western Avenue without annexation.
City Administrator Stephanie Dawkins told the committee that Josh and Mary Lather petitioned to connect to Geneva’s water service even though their property lies outside corporate limits. Dawkins cited the Illinois Municipal Code authority that allows a municipality’s corporate authorities to extend water service outside corporate limits by ordinance and said the proposed renewal would permit service without requiring annexation.
Committee members asked about sanitation and the practical consequences of annexation. Staff and Director De Groot said the city can provide potable water to the Western Avenue properties but currently cannot provide sanitary sewer service to those parcels; extending sanitary sewer would be a “sizable expense” and likely borne by property owners unless negotiated otherwise. Dawkins noted a 2015 policy had not required annexation for similar extensions but that the policy could be revisited.
The motion to approve the draft ordinance was moved by Mark and seconded by Paschke; the committee voted to pass the ordinance by unanimous voice vote. Dawkins noted that when the item goes to full city council, the mayor will have the opportunity to vote because the vote will be taken by the corporate authorities.
Ending Committee members suggested staff might survey affected residents about annexation interest in the future, but the current action before the committee was limited to whether to allow water service without annexation; no annexation was approved in this vote.
