The DeKalb City Council Monday approved the first of two ordinances to establish a special service area taxing district for street reconstruction in the Greek Row area.

The first ordinance established a maximum bond-financing limit on the money to be borrowed at $117,000 anually, Assistant City Manager Gary Boden said. The entire project cost is estimated at $750,000 with a 10-year bond term and a 9 percent interest rate, he said.

However, several variables might lower the actual cost to $90,000 to $100,000, Boden said.

If passed, the second ordinance, up for consideration Feb. 22, will create the taxing district in which Greek Row residents would pay half the project’s cost in the form of higher property taxes, Boden said. The district will include multi-dwelling units served by the No. 3 bus on the Huskie Bus Line, he said. Single-family units and businesses served by the route are not included, he said.

In other business, the council passed an amendment to DeKalb’s alcohol ordinance allowing restaurants to serve alcohol before noon on Sundays.

The ordinance change allows Class E establishments (restaurants) to serve champagne or wine in conjunction with meals at 10 a.m. on Sundays, DeKalb Mayor Greg Sparrow said.

Gene Collin, owner of The Jungle, 1027 W. Hillcrest Drive, said he wanted the Liquor Commission to apply the ordinance to other license classifications. The ordinance change would be good for Class E businesses, and it would be better for all businesses, also, he said.

Collin said he and other Class A establishments (taverns) wanted the council to change the ordinance to include all business classifications.

“I just wanted to have an input in this issue before a final decision is made,” he said.

Collin said he knew of several private homes that like to have Sunday brunches but do not make plans the night before and cannot buy champagne or wine for the meal because liquor stores do not open until noon.

Fourth Ward Alderwoman Rita Tewksbury said the champagne brunch issue and Collin’s issue were entirely different and should not be connected.

“This ordinance is strictly for brunches. You (DeKalb taverns) do not serve breakfasts to families; you just want longer tavern hours,” she said.

Tewksbury said if the issue was for longer tavern hours, she would not approve the ordinance because she believes taverns already are open enough.

Sparrow said the opening of Class A establishments before noon on Sundays was a seperate issue that might be brought up for council consideration at another time.

The five establishments the ordinance will affect are The Crystal Pistol Beach Club, 1312 W. Lincoln Hwy; Eduardo’s Mexican Restaurant, 214 E. Lincoln; J.P. Hannagan’s Restaurant and Banquet Hall, 1215 Blackhawk Road; Matthew Boone’s Restaurant & Lounge, 122 S. First St.; and The Stadium Club, 1311 W. Lincoln, Sparrow said.