Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Code Enforcement Committee met Nov. 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

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

GUESTS: Building Inspector Eric Brandt, Resident John Donohue

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

IDNR Flood Mitigation: the city has received the last payment in October of $12,562.00, all payments are up to date currently

Ordinance Citations: 6 warnings and 10 citations have been issued

Façade Grants: TNS Developments have applied for $2860 for repainting the front of 129 E Walnut St. Alderman Miller makes a motion to recommend to the council to give TNS Developments a façade grant for $2860 and Alderwoman Rohlfs seconded. Roll call carried 9-0.

1213 & 1215 Sugar Creek Ct: Eric stated this property has garbage, debris, and a lot of brush along with 2 small modular homes that are in bad shape, the roof has collapsed on one and the flooring has collapsed on the other. There are some homeless people staying on the property and bringing in the debris. The city has started the foreclosure process. Eric asks if the committee is ok with cleaning up the debris and brush and then go for a demolition order for the 2 structures. Alderman Marcier makes a motion to recommend to the council to clean up the property and start the demolition process. Alderwoman Rohlfs seconded. Roll call carried 9-0.

Adopt A Street: Eric gave the committee an agreement that Attorney Cainkar has drawn up, its not specific to Elm St. in case another group would like to adopt a street. The agreement does state the city will supply the garbage bags and signage. This will be discussed more in public works committee.

Software Package: Quicket Solutions. Eric stated Det. Marcotte brought this to his attention. This is the package that the police department will be using soon, the county will be paying for it through the court systems. This program can be used with a tablet that he would use in his car, he could issue citations, or warnings and it would be tracked and would also alert the timing if a 2nd notice or another citation would need to be issued. There is no timeline yet, but Eric would like the city to consider it. More information will be coming.

Santa Claus House: John Donohue with the Community Renewal group was in attendance, he stated the downtown has been decorated and in doing so it was noticed the Santa Claus house has some broken spindles, the roof is bad, and the siding is not much better. The group has investigated purchasing a new building from Marten Homes. The total cost is $5919.00, the renewal group has $3,000 they will put towards the purchase, and they are asking the city to pay the balance of $2919.00. The company will deliver and set up the new building and this will be done before Christmas. There is a 5-year warranty, and the building will be red with white trim and a black roof. Alderman Marcier makes a motion to recommend to the Council to pay the remaining balance of $2919.00 out of the promotions line item and Alderman Muench seconded. Roll call carried 9-0. 209, 217 & 223 E Walnut St: Mayor Allhands stated he listed the properties with a realtor and set the price at $19,000, there has been an offer made of $1500, and Mayor Allhands would like to counter with $10,000 and put a clause in that the work must be substantially completed within 2 years or it comes back to the city. Alderman Anderson stated he doesn’t remember a contract coming before the committee or any more discussion on the properties so how did a contract get signed. He went on to say the procedure was not correct. Mayor Allhands stated he will pull the contract from Smith Realty and Alderman Anderson and DeLahr can move forward with finding a realtor and bring back to the committee.

Mayor Allhands gave a quick update on reinstating the TIF’s. He would like to move forward with having legal get a resolution to proceed with TIF 1 & 2 through Teska. Alderman Marcier makes a motion to recommend to the council to move forward with a resolution and Alderman Barragree seconded. Roll call carried 9-0.

Building Inspector Eric Brandt stated there is a FEMA course in Springfield December 3rd- 6th that he would like to attend. The committee is ok with this.

Alderman Miller makes a motion to adjourn at 7:35 and Alderman Anderson seconded. Roll call carried 9-0.

https://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/code-enforcement-11-12-24.pdf