Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Code Enforcement Committee met Aug. 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

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

GUESTS: Building Inspector Eric Brandt, Code Enforcement Bill Walver, Bob Tincher on behalf of Heritage FS, Resident Juanita Muller, Nicole with the Community Foundation of Kankakee & Iroquois County, Residents John Whitman, and Pat Warren

Alderman Miller opened the meeting at 6:50 pm. There was no public comment. Building Inspector Eric Brandt reported on the following:

City of Watseka Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan: the yearly maintenance meeting will be scheduled for September 10th @ 6:30. Eric stated he is working on a couple of grants that will help this plan. Alderman Anderson asked about the city joining the county mitigation plan next year. Eric thought it would be a good idea, but Mayor Allhands stated he also wants to keep the city’s mitigation plan. It was decided the city could do both.

Bob Tincher spoke next on behalf of Heritage FS. He stated the city has an ordinance against metal buildings in the downtown area, he thought that meant from the tracks to 5th St. Heritage has purchased a building from Cleary to replace the brick building that will be demolished this week. Bob passed around several pictures that showed how the building will be dressed up, with different windows and landscaping. The committee was ok with this.

IDNR Flood Mitigation: Eric stated the city is still waiting on the last reimbursement of $245,000 and he has sent in another $12,563 for miscellaneous bills. So far the city has spent $3,343,331. Eric also reported 345 W North has been donated to the city and can now be included in the DNR grant. He asked if it was ok to put out for bids and the committee stated yes.

Ordinance Citations: 10 warnings and 5 citations issued

306 W Oak St: 1 bid was received from Lee Excavating for $11,900. Alderman Cahoe makes a motion to recommend to council to accept the bid from Lee Excavating for $11,900 and Alderman Marcier seconded. Roll call carried 9-0.

400 E Cherry St; demolition is completed, and it has been seeded

100 W Walnut St: There was a lengthy discussion about this building: Eric went through: to design the bracing $5855, bid from Solid Rock Masonry for tuck pointing, bid 1= $148,378, bid 2=$109,451, and bid 3= $93,041, discussion of bids from Lee Excavating of $295,400.

Juanita Muller then spoke about the possibility of raising funds to save the building, she invited Nicole from the Community Foundation of Kankakee and Iroquois County who stated the foundation could help fiscally by creating a sponsorship for the building and the people could donate and it would be a tax deduction for them, although her board would have to approve the project.

Alderman Anderson stated he doesn’t want to demolish the building but believes it’s a huge liability to the city and it needs to come down quickly. He also suggested the city could give the building to a group and then the city could help them. He also stated several months ago the committee agreed to demolish the building.

Eric then reported to stabilize the building Carlie would charge to prepare a report to stabilize the building would cost $4,000 and another $22,000 to put out to bid. It was discussed if a group would take the project, it might be cheaper to do because of prevailing wage. It was discussed these prices are all only for the outside, there is still the inside to deal with.

Alderwoman DeLahr stated she would rather demolish the building and preserve the memories in a different way and the cost would be less and there would be no liability to the taxpayers. It was stated the city should be spending money on streets that need attention and infrastructure that is bad instead of the building.

Alderman Marcier stated he supports restoring the outside of the building, so it doesn’t get in worse shape. He stated that last month Carlile stated it was a strong building and it’s not going to fall.

Alderwoman Rohlfs stated she is in support of putting money into the building to stabilize it. Demolishing the building is not much less, so she would like to save it. Resident John Whitman spoke next, he is the owner of the Rohlf house, and he understands everyone’s concerns. When he bought his house, he had the same issues, and he worked through all of them and was able to save it. He stated it takes belief to get it done and to get the right contractors to do the job. He went on to say to worry about the use of the building later just restore the outside now. He invited everyone to his house to look at the restoration he did.

Alderman Miller stated there will be a special code enforcement meeting Thursday at 6:30 meet at city hall and go to Chatsworth to look at 2 buildings that they restored. Resident Pat Warren stated if the city is looking at creating a historical district, then why tear down this building? The city needs to work together with the residents to restore it.

Alderman Muench stated look at all these people here in support of saving the building if there are people that are not interested in saving it why are they not here?

Sign Ordinance: Eric stated there will be a public hearing before full council and the ordinance will be passed at full council

433 S 6th St Variance: Zoning committee approved this variance of demolishing the house and saving the garage, this is on full council

506 E Cherry St: Zoning committee also approved this variance of allowing another shed on the property, this is on full council

813 W Franklin St: this property is now with the county agent and the city could purchase it and get it demolished through the DNR grant. It will cost $797 to buy from the county. Alderman Marcier makes a motion to recommend to the council to purchase 813 W Franklin St. from the county agent for $797 and Alderman Miller seconded. Roll call carried 9-0.

617 S 5th St: Eric stated there are 3 parcels with this property and 2 houses. He has already condemned the front house as there is no wiring, plumbing, or windows and he would like to get a demolition order to demolish both houses. The committee is ok with this. Solar Farm: Eric stated he has had someone pay the application fee but has not turned in the application yet. It will be coming soon. There was a short discussion about the ordinance that was passed a couple of months ago.

It was stated the steam locomotive will be coming to Watseka September 9th at 5:00 pm

Alderman Cahoe asked about the Dralle’s building on N Jefferson and Eric stated he was served the demolition notice and now wants to come to next months code enforcement meeting.

Alderman Cahoe also asked about Nettie Davis school and Eric stated nothing new there.

Code Enforcement Bill Walver reported on the following:

Crime Free Rental: 1 inspection was done

Inoperable Vehicles: 6 town notifications sent out, 15 vehicles removed or now in compliance.

Other interactions for June: 60 warnings for miscellaneous violations

Alderman Barragree stated he is ok with saving the Opera House he just doesn’t want the city to have to spend the money on it.

Alderman Miller makes a motion to adjourn at 8:37 and Alderman Muench seconded. Roll call carried 9-0.

https://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/code-enforcement-8-13-24.pdf