Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Code Enforcement Committee met Aug. 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

PRESENT: Aldermen Miller, Anderson, Muench, Barragree, Cahoe, Marcier, Alderwomen Rohlfs and DeLahr

ABSENT: Mayor Allhands

GUESTS: Building Inspector Eric Brandt, Code Enforcement Bill Walwer, Justin Nichols

Alderman Miller opened the meeting at 6:43 pm. There was no public comment. Building Inspector Eric Brandt reported on the following:

IDNR Flood Mitigation: Eric stated Phase XIV went out for bids and the only bid received was from Lee Farms at $59,200 for 538 E Oak, 301 N 2nd, 210, 214 & 216 W Ash St. Alderman Marcier makes a motion to recommend to the council to accept the bid for Phase XIV for $59,200 and Alderman Anderson seconded. Roll call carried 8-0. Eric stated of the 120 homes on the list, 57 have been demolished by DNR funds, 6 have been demolished by the owner, 4 demolished by the city, 3 have been elevated, 5 are out to bid, 4 have contracts, 2 are in the process of contracts, and 7 are on alternate contracts, leaving 32 remaining.

Ordinance Citations: 11 warnings and 2 citations

212-300 N Market St: the squatters have been evicted, the doors are boarded up and the decks removed. The owner was at municipal court and stated she will be removing the trailer but didn’t give a date.

Watseka Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Yearly Maintenance Meeting: September 12th at 6:00, Eric reported this needs to be done for the CRS program and shows IEMA that the city is working on a plan. The grant for the cost of this plan is a work in progress.

Code Enforcement Bill Walver reported on the following:

Crime Free Rental: 6 inspections were done in July

Inoperable Vehicles: 3 letters of intent to tow were sent, 7 vehicles removed or now in compliance, sold 4 junk vehicles, received 1 junking certificate, sent 2 tow notifications and 3 owner notifications were sent.

Other interactions for July: 10 warnings for miscellaneous violations

Justin Nichols spoke next. He stated he is having trouble finding a contractor to do his ADA ramp and he and Building Inspector Eric Brandt are having a communication issue. Alderman Marcier stated that the ADA issues are a federal requirement that the city is required to follow. Alderman Marcier stated the city is happy that he is here even through his business is outside of the city limits. There was some discussion of a possible buzzer until he can get his ramp in. Alderman Anderson suggested maybe a wooden or aluminum ramp. After more discussion it was stated this would probably work but Mr. Nichols and Eric need to meet to discuss.

Alderman Miller makes a motion to adjourn at 7:10 and Alderman Anderson seconded. Roll call carried 8-0.

https://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/code-enforcement-8-8-23.pdf