Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Code Enforcement Committee met May 12.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

PRESENT: Aldermen Garfield, Mayotte, Miller, Barragree (Via Phone), Cahoe, Marcier, Rushbrook, Alderwoman Ulfers, Mayor Allhands 

GUESTS: Building Inspector Eric Brandt, Code Enforcement Bill Stanley

Alderman Garfield opened the meeting at 7:00 pm. There was no public comment. Building Inspector Eric Brandt reported on the following properties: 

O’Reilly Auto Parts: The building is done on the inside and they are working on signage. There was a small issue with the sidewalk in the front. The agreement was that Public Works would fix it and bill O’Reilly $500.00. That is being done at this time. 

Gas Depot: The site plan is still in the review process. The fire Marshall was on site today and the owners have been given an extension till 7/8/20. 

510 E Walnut St: There were 2 bids returned: JNH for $10,840.00 and Lee Farms for $10,975.00. Alderman Garfield makes a motion to recommend to the Council to accept the bid from Lee Farms for $10,975.00 to demolish 510 E Walnut St and Alderman Cahoe seconded. Roll call carried 9-0. 

DNR Grant: JNH is working on demolishing 809 S 2nd and will be moving on to the others after he is finished with that. The City has received the money from the state for the houses that were demolished in January. Any more money that is requested from the state now is on hold until covid 19 is over. There will be another closing on May 28th for 124 W Herron Ct, 209 W Locust, 544 N 5th and 548 N 5th St. The aggregate bid from JNH was $32,500 and Lee Farms was $34,450.00. Alderman Garfield makes a motion to recommend to the Council to accept the aggregate bid from Lee Farms for $34,450.00 and Alderman Cahoe seconded. Roll call carried 9-0. 

Accessory Buildings: Eric stated the 60ft set back has been removed, no more than 1 accessory building shall be permitted with an attached garage, with no garage 2 accessory buildings are allowed, when a demo is done all buildings will be taken down unless it can be combined with the adjoining property or rebuilt within 1 year. 

Crime Free Rental Ordinance: There was general discussion concerning this ordinance that was passed in 2017. It was stated that the training is in Arizona and Eric and Bill should both be trained and they then would be the instructors for the landlords. It was discussed to set up a small committee to review the ordinance and then come back to the committee. It was also discussed that the Police and Fire Chiefs should be involved.

Code Enforcement Bill Stanley stated he has gotten rid of 4 of Sleepy’s cars. When the junk yard is in the area they call Bill and he is getting $150.00 per car. Mowing was discussed as there are places that are getting out of control. It was stated landlords always say they are not responsible for their properties and refuse to clean them up. If the City were to clean up properties a lien could be put on the property. It was also discussed about raising the fines and publishing the citations in the paper.

Mayor Allhands stated he attended the County board meeting via phone and the county has decided at this time to not reopen. Mayor Allhands stated he has also has talked to State Representative Tom Bennett. Mayor Allhands reported there are some grants that he is looking in to. Mayor Allhands read a letter of praise from Pat Sharify regarding how Eric handles the DNR process. Mayor Allhands stated its time to renew the line of credit at First Trust and the committee is ok with this. Mayor Allhands is still looking into information regarding the request from Rolfe Jaremus.

Alderman Marcier asked about the list the committee had been given to them regarding empty houses. A short discussion followed.

Alderman Cahoe stated he has been contacted by a resident regarding purchasing the property at 424 W North St. They agreed on a $250.00 price plus the resident paying legal fees. The committee is ok with this and Alderman Cahoe will get back to the resident. Alderman Cahoe stated 524 N 2nd is also a property that a resident is wanting to purchase but the City needs to clean up some tree debris before the resident buys the property and as of right now the City is not cleaning up the debris.

Alderman Garfield makes a motion to adjourn at 7:30 and Alderman Mayotte seconded. Roll call carried 9-0.

http://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/code-enforcement-5-12-20.pdf