A standing-room-only crowd packed the council chambers in City Hall Monday to seek information about possible privatization of Kewanee’s water and sewer systems.

None of those people appeared to favor the idea.

The city advertised for bids from companies interested in operating the wastewater treatment plant and the two reverse-osmosis water treatment plants.

The bid advertisement also sought proposals from any company interested in purchasing the city’s entire water and sewer infrastructure and operating those systems independently. A company called Illinois American Water bid $34 million to purchase and operate the water and sewer systems.

Mayor Gary Moore said any decision on the matter is far in the future.

“Our only goal at this point is to explore all our options,” Moore said. “There is no way this is going to be done in just a few meetings.”

The mayor said many communities have privatized their utility operations, and he plans to speak with officials in those communities about their experiences.

The council plans to “make the best choice that we possibly can for the people of this community,” Moore said. He added, “We will not accept any offer unless it is in the best interests of the entire community, plain and simple.”

The mayor opened the meeting to comments from the audience, and selling the utilities was unpopular, to say the least, with the crowd.

While no one expressed support for selling the water and sewer systems, they did ask for details about the process.

The audience was cordial, for the most part, applauding speakers who made points about the proposed sale. One woman was asked to leave the room after she interrupted Moore several times from the audience.

Audience member Jim Ensley said that the council can’t compare Kewanee with other cities, because “We’re not those residents.”

Ensley added, “If we do get to comparisons, we can compare how it went with the garbage.”

Mike Rapczak, who retired several years ago as the city’s public-works director, said, “There’s no reason to farm it out.”

Rapczak noted the high level of training and experience the city crew has, saying, “You’ve got an excellent staff.”

He said the city of Bolingbrook is now trying to buy back its utility system after selling it.

“When you sell out, you have no control,” Rapczak said.

Tom Ratlff noted that the city is facing a requirement from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to remove chlorides from the water discharged from the wastewater treatment plant, and suggested that solving that problem “many be cheaper if we do them in house.”

Kewaneeans, Ratliff said, are “interested in total transparency,” and want to see the details of any proposals before the council makes a decision.

Moore replied that those details will be on the city’s website. He also urged people to contact council members with their questions and concerns.

Audience members wanted to know if there could be a referendum in which Kewaneeans could vote on whether or not to privatize the systems.

Obrey Blumenshine, a candidate for City Council, said state law does provide a mechanism for holding such a referendum.

Kewanee resident Jill Bartelt said she appreciated that so many people attended the meeting to ask questions and express their views, and added, “We wouldn’t have that opportunity with a private company.”