Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Code Enforcement Committee met May 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

PRESENT: Aldermen Miller, Anderson, Muench, Cahoe, Barragree, Marcier, Alderwoman Rohlfs and Mayor Allhands

ABSENT: Alderwoman Musk

GUESTS: Building Inspector Eric Brandt and Code Enforcement Bill Walver

Alderman Miller opened the meeting at 6:40 pm. There was no public comment. Building Inspector Eric Brandt reported on the following:

IDNR Flood Mitigation: Eric stated he put out a bid packet for 7 more properties and they are due back on Friday. This will be put on the finance agenda for next week. Ordinance Citations: 16 warnings, 1 citation sent out

Façade Grant: 120 W Walnut St (Pellegrins) is getting new signage and paint and are asking for $4835.00. Alderman Marcier makes a motion to recommend to the Council to give 120 W Walnut (Pelligrins) a façade grant in the amount of $4835 and Alderman Barragree seconded. Roll call carried 8-0. Eric also stated he has a façade grant application from Faith Lutheran Church for the max of $5,000.00. They would like to clean and repair cracks and asphalt the north parking lot in front of the church. Paint handicap parking spaces and stripe, paint steel posts and replace some outdoor lighting. Eric reported they have applied before but never turned anything in. There was some discussion about having this open to the non profit businesses. It was originally designed for businesses that pay taxes. The committee stated to approve this but going forward it will be only for businesses that pay taxes. Alderman Marcier makes a motion to recommend to the Council to give Faith Lutheran Church a façade grant of $5,000 and from now on façade grants will only be eligible to businesses that pay taxes. Alderman Anderson seconded. Roll call carried 8-0.

904 N Chicago St: Eric stated this is still a work in progress and the contract owner was sent a ticket for not mowing grass. There was some discussion about the city tearing down the garage and cleaning up the property.

345 W North St: Eric stated there is scraping being done in the back yard and there’s a cargo container there also. Eric reported this property is not eligible for the DNR flood grant because there was a transfer of deed after the flood. The residence is not occupied at this time. The committee instructed Eric to get a demolition order started.

400 E Cherry St: Eric reported the previous owner has passed away and the neighbors were wanting to buy the property off the tax sale but they missed the deadline. The committee instructed Eric to get a demolition order started and Mayor Allhands suggested to get in touch with the county trustee and maybe the city could get the property from him. 309 W Hickory St: Eric received one bid from Lee Excavating for $8250.00. Alderman Miller makes a motion to recommend to the Council to accept the bid from Lee Excavating for $8250 and Alderman Anderson seconded. Roll call carried 8-0. 212 & 300 N Market St: Eric stated that Attorney Cainkar is working on the demolition order. Eric stated he has sent the owner citations for having no water and the decks are falling off the houses. He also stated the owner is taking out the trash and is mowing and has removed a dead tree. A demolition order is being done by Attorney Cainkar.

1121 N Jefferson St: Eric stated the deadline is May 17th and there is a status hearing scheduled for May 25th. The owner picked up the demolition permit today. 506 E Grant St: Lula B. Fox is requesting to adopt this lot. Her backyard backs up to this property. At the current time the city is taking care of this property. Alderman Marcier makes a motion to allow Lula B. Fox to adopt the lot at 506 E Grant St. and Alderwoman Rolfs seconded. Roll call carried 8-0.

Bill Walver reported on the following:

Crime Free Rentals: 4 inspections have been done for rental that people moved out of. Inoperable Vehicles: 3 letters of intent to tow were sent out, 8 vehicles removed or now in compliance, sent 1 junking certification to the state.

Other interactions for April: 11 warnings for miscellaneous violations.

Eric and Bill are both working on grass. It was state the old KFC property needs to be mowed. Alderman Cahoe asked about his 2 page list progress and they guys stated they are working on it. There was some discussion about the wood carving business on Walnut St.

Alderman Miller makes a motion to adjourn at 7:14 pm and Alderman Anderson seconded. Roll call carried 8-0.

 https://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/code-enforcement-5-9-23.pdf