Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Code Enforcement Committee Met June 15.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

PRESENT: Aldermen Garfield, Miller, Barragree, Cahoe, Marcier, Rushbrook, Alderwomen Ulfers and Musk and Mayor Allhands

GUEST: Building Inspector Eric Brandt

Alderman Garfield opened the meeting at 7:47 pm. There was no public comment. Building Inspector Eric Brandt reported on the following properties:

DNR Grant: The current agreement expires June 30, 2021. Attorney Cainkar is working on a new resolution that will expire December 2022. Eric stated he has checked on line and there is payment of $169,008 waiting to be sent, this is the 3rd round of houses there is a reimbursement of $323,075 that is still out there to be reimbursed. Eric will submit another $319,646 when the house on N 4th St is down and the city gets the invoice. This 516 N 4th was demolished today. He has 10 more contracts ready to go out. There are 4 closings scheduled for July 22 at 515 E Ash, 316 N 6th, 421 W Park and 214 E Elm St.

904 N Chicago St.: The house has been demolished, and water and sewer are capped. The garage is still standing and has been painted a bright pink with rainbow stripes. There no ordinances about paint color in the City of Watseka. There is some debris to be picked up yet. Eric stated he gave a list to the homeowner requesting what needs to happen at the property. 445 E Walnut St.: This house will be demolished yet this week

544 E Locust St.: Still waiting on the demo contractor to take this house down. He is about 2 weeks out

303 S Yount Ave: Eric stated this house has a hole in the roof and is City property he is asking about putting it out for bid to tear down when they do the next DNR demos. Alderman Garfield makes a motion to put 303 S Yount Ave out for bid to demolish and Alderman Marcier seconded. Roll call carried 9-0.

100 N Laird Lane: This property is owned by All American Athletics and they have moved pre fab buildings on skids onto their property without a permit. Eric stated he told them they needed a paved parking lot. This led into a lengthy discussion about the hard surface parking lot ordinance and whether or not the city is enforcing it with everyone or just a certain few. It was discussed to maybe do away with the ordinance all together. This will be put on the agenda for full council to discuss again.

Façade Grant: Nothing to report

Community Rating System: Eric stated the city finished with a class 8 which will give homeowners a 10% discount on their flood insurance. This will not take effect until April 2022. Eric stated this is an on-going project that he puts many hours into a month. If Eric could get the rating down to a 7 the residents could save 15%. Alderwoman Ulfers thanked Eric for all the time he has put into this on-going project.

Business Licenses: No discussion was had, Eric stated he didn’t think a business license would have prevented the problem on N. Jefferson St.

JC Penney Building: Another lengthy discussion was had about the condition of the building. There are cables that are inside that are taunt and they are holding the walls in place. The building owner is not being cooperative about the condition of the building and trying to fix it. He was given an application for the façade grant but has done nothing with it. Alderman Garfield asked Alderman Marcier to put his drone over the top to see the condition of the roof. Alderman Garfield would like to take this building by eminent domain. The committee feels this is a public hazard. More discussion will be had at full council.

413 N Kay St.: Alderman Cahoe stated he has talked to the executor of the estate and she is willing to sign this property over to the city. He will have more information next month. 135 E Walnut (Lamplighter): Alderman Garfield asked Alderman Marcier to put his drone over this building to because he feels it’s a public hazard.

203 E Walnut St. (Derek Zilligen): He is sent citations on a weekly basis but no work is being done and he is ignoring the citations and municipal court.

209 E Walnut St. (Garcia): This is also a building that needs to be taken care of

There was general discussion of all of the grass clippings that are being put into the streets, temporary storage pod on E Ash St., and the campers that are moving into the city that people could be living in. The house on N 7th & Ash St. that is being raised was discussed as was the one next to that needs to be raised. It was also stated a camper has now been moved into 602 E Elm. Pool permits were also discussed, seems lots of residents are getting pools without permits.

Bill Stanley report:

a) 3 Property complaints: 908 E Cherry, 811 W Franklin, and 801 N Chicago-they have been sent citations

b) 1st notice of intent to tow was sent and Bill was contacted by the family that lives in Florida that asked for more time. It was granted for now.

c) Some properties have been cited several times and have not appeared in court, so they have been turned over to collections but the problems are still there so the city may have to clean them up at some time.

Alderman Garfield makes a motion to adjourn at 8:55 pm and Alderman Cahoe seconded. Roll call carried 9-0.

http://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/code-enforcement-6-15-21.pdf