Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Code Enforcement Committee met Aug. 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

PRESENT: Aldermen Miller, Cahoe, Barragree, Marcier, Mayor Allhands

ABSENT: Alderwomen Ulfers and Musk and Aldermen Garfield and Rushbrook

GUEST: Building Inspector Eric Brandt

Alderman Miller opened the meeting at 7:12 pm. Eric Brandt reported on the following: IDNR Flood Mitigation: requests have been submitted on 10/4/21-$155,918.66, 11/1/21- $101,821.00, 1/21/2022-$219,621.25, 4/4/2022-$167,917.25, 08/08/2022-$115,833.16 for a total of $761,111.32 due from the state. Eric stated the city signed the new agreement but the stated had trouble on their end and they didn’t sign their part, so until the problem gets solved at the state there will be no more closings. Eric stated he has submitted an ICC claim for 247 S Yount for $12,000.

904 N Chicago St: the owner had 60 days to demolish and the time is up 8/15/22. Attorney Cainkar is preparing the demolition order

Ordinance Citations: 12 citations issued and 6 warnings issued

502 E Ash St: the elevation is still on going and the current permit is up 8/16. Each time the extension of permit is issued its another $50.00

Photovoltaic System: Eric suggests we follow the Manteno ordinance, there was some discussion about how tall the ground mounts should be. Eric will make sure they are no more than 6 feet; he will get in touch with Attorney Cainkar to get an ordinance. Property Acquisitions: Eric stated he has gotten the contracts from the county agent for 503 W Jackson, 508 N 2nd, and 327 W Park Ave. 503 W Jackson, 508 N 2nd have been flooded and 327 W Park the city needs for drainage. This will be on council agenda

Demolition Ordinance: there was discussion about adding grass seed, and 12 inches of soil, and capping the sewer and water lines. Alderman Miller asked about using bricks for fill, he doesn’t think it’s a good idea if the next person wants to build on it. Eric stated they would have to remove the fill no matter what if the next person would build on it. Eric will get in touch with Attorney Cainkar

207 W Maple St: Eric would like to put this out for bids, it is now city property and has been flooded. The committee is ok with this.

400 E Cherry St: Eric has put a condemned notice on the house, he stated when it comes up on the tax sale on October the neighbors are intending to purchase and demolish the house. Adopt A Lot: Robert Gray lives at 514 N 6th St and wants to adopt the lots at 544 & 536 N 5th St. Alderman Marcier makes a motion to recommend to the Council for Robert Gray to adopt a lot at 544 & 536 N 5th St. Alderman Miller seconded. Roll call carried 5-0. City of Watseka Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Maintenance: Eric stated this is a yearly thing and its time to have a meeting on September 13th at 6:30 to give an update on the plan, Unit 9 and IMH have both been notified about the upcoming meeting.

Façade Grant: The Flower Social on Oak St have applied for a grant for $5,000.00 for a canopy, parking area, signage, sealing and coating the sidewalk. Eric stated the work has already been done. Alderman Cahoe makes a motion to pay the Flower Social a façade grant for $5,000 and Alderman Marcier seconded. Roll call carried 5-0.

Mayor Allhands stated he thinks next month there will be some businesses moving around. General discussion was had about: Garcia building in the downtown and the fact that with the crime free rental ordinance in place they have an individual renting that could/should be evicted, there has been a dumpster fire close to where this person is renting, and the owner of another building in that area is cutting some trees down that are in some wires, the owner of the empty lot on E Walnut that has the concrete barricades has placed a no trespassing sign on the property so the hoarder that lives next door has removed his treasures from that area. Mayor Allhands would like for the city to acquire the brown brick building at the corner of 4th & Walnut if the owner would sign it over and then the liens on the parking lot area would go away that the city has put on it. The committee is ok with Attorney Cainkar sending the owner a letter with the details. Mayor Allhands would also like to purchase the old Hear Hear Lot. Eric stated there is a CRS training class in Salem Oregon September 12-15th that he would like to attend. The committee is ok with him going.

Bill Stanley report:

208 N 2nd St: property is completely cleaned up, has new doors and windows and the fence in the backyard has been taken down.

814 E Walnut St: property had several junk vehicles and scrap piles owner was issued a citation and he cleaned up the property immediately and removed the junk vehicles. Citations: 46 citations issued for Crime Free Rental non-compliance, 7 have complied, 21 other citations issued

More general discussion: Caporale Building in the front looks like something might need repaired, Gas Depot has weeds in retention pond and signage in easements, at the corner of N 2nd & North St, strong order of weed coming from a residence, Awning at the Watseka Theater needs to be repaired, 122 W Oak has high weeds, Nettie Davis School has trash and weeds, and people are there after dark, 807 W Lafayette St needs attention wires hanging from building and signage, Dollar General in the back had pallets and cardboard all over.

A short discussion about using millings for a hard surface and Eric stated the City Engineer is not in favor of that.

N 4th St & Walnut St fire- had no smoke detectors and had not been inspected by the fire department, a short discussion was held about the city purchasing smoke detectors and the fire department installing them in all homes.

Fire on E Mulberry St. a possible ordinance needs to be put in place that it would be unlawful to park, keep or store any bus, (school or other) commuter van, farm tractor, road/truck tractor, tow truck, tanker, livestock carrier, trailer, semi-trailer or truck (having an Illinois Class C or higher classification) on any property located in or on any public street abutting a residential zoning district in the city. The committee thinks this is a good idea, Attorney Cainkar will be notified.

Mayor Allhands stated everyone had a copy of the Lavika proposal for the restoration work along the sidewalks for $16,000. Alderman Marcier makes a motion to recommend to the Council to accept the proposal from Lavicka for $16,000 to do the sidewalk restoration work and Alderman Barragree seconded. Roll call carried 5-0.

Mayor Allhands stated he would like to see if R.P. Lumber would donate the building on S 3rd St to the city and it could be used for a park etc. like the comprehensive plans calls for.

It was stated the city workers need to take a little more time mowing as they are not picking up sticks or doing any weed trimming.

Alderman Miller makes a motion to adjourn at 8:18 pm and Alderman Barragree seconded. Roll call carried 5-0.

http://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/code-enforcement-8-9-22.pdf