Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Code Enforcement Committee met Sept. 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

PRESENT: Aldermen Miller, Anderson, Muench, Barragree, Cahoe, Marcier, Alderwoman DeLahr

ABSENT: Alderwoman Rohlfs and Mayor Allhands

GUEST: Building Inspector Eric Brandt

Alderman Miller opened the meeting at 7:06 pm. There was no public comment. Building inspector Eric Brandt reported on the following properties:

IDNR Flood Mitigation: Still no funds from the state, 306 W Oak and 345 W North St should be demolished next week.

Ordinance Citations: 2 warnings and 1 citation

Solar Farm: Eric sated the company applying for the permit will need to do a variance because the ordinance states 40 acres minimum.

Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan: Eric stated it was discussed in an earlier meeting about joining the county mitigation plan also. He contacted Andrea Bostwick-Campbell, and she suggested since the city already has a plan there really is no need to join the county, it would be double work. If the city would drop their plan, then they could join the county’s plan. The city uses their current plan to help with CRS ratings. The city has also already applied for the grant for the 5-year plan. The committee is ok with just keeping to the city’s plan for now.

Façade Grant: 131 E Walnut is a new business, and they are requesting $5,000 for renovation of the building. Alderman Cahoe makes a motion to recommend to the council to give Elizabeth McTaggart at 131 E Walnut a façade grant of $5,000 and Alderman Barragree seconded. Roll call carried 7-0. Dale Strough owns the building at 212-216 E Walnut St., and he is requesting $5,000 for repairing front windows, and masonry and tuck pointing on his building. Alderman Cahoe makes a motion to recommend to the council to give Dale Strough at 212-216 E Walnut St a façade grant for $5,000 and Alderman Barragree seconded. Roll call carried 7-0.

St. Peters Body Shop: The building has been sold and all the violations have been corrected (repainted, repaired roof, and repaired glass)

Alderman Miller makes a motion to adjourn at 7:15 pm, and Alderman Barragree seconded. Roll call carried 7-0.

https://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/code-enforcement-9-10-24.pdf