Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Code Enforcement Committee met April 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

PRESENT: Aldermen Garfield, Miller, Barragree, Cahoe, Marcier, Alderwoman Ulfers, Mayor Allhands

ABSENT: Alderman Rushbrook and Alderwoman Musk

GUESTS: Resident John Martin, Building Inspector Eric Brandt

Alderman Garfield opened the meeting at 7:34 pm. During public comment Resident John Martin asked about the rules for the dumpster at Public Works. He stated he was told landlords can’t use the dumpster and there are no construction materials allowed. The committee stated landlords can use the dumpster for large items but no construction materials are allowed. Furniture and carpeting are ok.

Building Inspector Eric Brand reported on the following properties:

DNR Mitigation Grant: The city received $155,918.16 from the October request just recently. On November 1st $101,821 was submitted, January 21 $219,621.25 was submitted, and on April 4th $167,917.25 was submitted for reimbursement. Eric is waiting on $12,000 for an ICC insurance claim that was approved for 209 W Maple St. There have been 48 demolitions to date, and 109 identified in the grant with an expiration date of December 31, 2022. 4 more contracts have been approved.

Façade Grant: 807 W Lafayette St have applied for a $5,000.00. This building will look a lot like Recharge Coffee building as it is the same owner. Eric stated he told the owner that sign post will need to be painted and the shed in the back needs to be moved to the back of the property. Alderman Garfield makes a motion to recommend to the Council to approve a $5,000 façade grant for 807 W Lafayette St and Alderman Barragree seconded. Roll call carried 7-0. 

Sign Ordinance: Eric stated this was brought up a couple of months ago and it was stated the public and the businesses should be invited. Eric stated all businesses and public are invited to any meeting. Eric would like to move forward with this ordinance by making some changes and committee is ok with it.

Permit Fees: Eric stated this also was brought up a couple of months ago and it didn’t pass. He only wants to increase permit fees nothing for additions to homes etc. Alderman Garfield makes a motion to recommend to the Council to increase permit fees and Alderwoman Ulfers seconded. Roll call carried 7-0. 

Public Works Compensatory Storage: Alderman Garfield spoke with Eric and this was a part of the new public works building project. The city needs to purchase the property on the south side of North St. Mr. & Mrs. John Parks own the property and are willing to sell it to the city for $550. Alderman Garfield makes a motion to purchase the property from the Parks for $550 and Alderman Barragree seconded. Roll call carried 7-0. County Trustee Properties: Eric stated 207 W Maple, 508 N 2nd, 503 W Jackson and 327 W

Park are all properties that have flooded and the owners have walked away from them. Eric believes it would be beneficial for the city to take these properties as they are all in disrepair. He has talked to Lee Excavating and the quote to demolish the properties is $9,000 each for a total of $27,000.00. The cost of the properties from the county is $807 each. Alderman Garfield makes a motion to recommend to the council to move forward with the purchasing and demolition of these properties. Alderman Marcier seconded. Roll call carried 7-0. 

Electronic Recycle: Alderman Garfield stated he had wanted to put a dumpster at public works for electronic recycle but with the flooding the dumpsters would need to be elevated and it would be too costly for the city. Mayor Allhands stated maybe the city should look into doing a document shredding day sometime in the future.

Eric stated the city needs to look into an ordinance regarding overgrown brush. The city has an ordinance for grass but that doesn’t cover a property that has brush that needs to be trimmed. Eric will talk to Attorney Cainkar about a possible ordinance.

Eric also stated he has heard from TPW Railroad concerning the S 4th St crossing. There is an agreement that the Mayor can sign off of and they will then remove the spur. The committee is all in agreement in getting this done.

Bill Stanley Reports:

543 E Walnut: Son has taken over, still in eviction process, continued to next month 513 E Oak St; same owner at 543 E Walnut, most of the debris has been removed 208 N 2nd St: still in eviction process his attorney advised in court the tenant will be removed by the next court date and he is still planning on tearing the house down Ordinance Tows: 2 more towed to impound, more letters sent out, Orange Freightliner that was downtown has been removed at no cost to the city.

Municipal Court: 14 citations issued for April, 11 for junk vehicles, 2 for failing to maintain property, 1 for improper disposal.

Crime Free Rental: the last 2 meetings have been set, anyone who doesn’t attend or turn in paperwork by then will be non-compliant and action will be taken

Alderman Cahoe asked about the Bertrand property on N Kay St, properties on 6th & Ash and some of the Blunk properties, Oak St from N 2nd to N 3rd St on the north side of the road. Eric stated they have all been issued citations. It was stated Lyons has been talked to and they are cleaning up their property.

Alderman Cahoe also stated on W Hickory St where the car repair shop is they are cutting down trees and just leaving them lay. A discussion was had again about regulating how many cars a repair shop can have at one time outside. There was discussion again about the semi tank trailers behind West Scotchmons. Fire Chief Baier will look at this again.

Alderman Miller stated he has been contacted by a resident that is interested in buying the lot next to him on N 2nd St. The cost to the resident will be $500. Alderman Miller will get in contact with him.

400 E Cherry was discussed briefly about the condition of the house and the owner.

Alderman Garfield makes a motion to adjourn at 8:35 and Alderman Miller seconded. Roll call carried 7-0.

http://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/code-enforcement-4-12-22.pdf