Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Code Enforcement Committee met Aug. 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

PRESENT: Aldermen Brault, Pence, Petersen, Dewitt, Garfield, Miller, Muench, Alderwoman Rohlfs, and Mayor Marcier

GUESTS: Kyle Nevls with Unit 9 Schools, Building Inspector Eric Brandt, Amy Antoniolli and Gabriel Araiza with Reactivate an Invenergy Company, Keith Mulholland with Robinson Engineering and Code Enforcement Shane Eades

Alderman Brault opened the meeting at 6:41 pm. There was no public comment. Kyle Nevls with Unit 9 Schools introduced himself to the committee and stated he is looking forward to working with the city.

Building Inspector Eric Brandt reported on the following projects:

Reactive Solar Project: Amy Antoniolli and Gabriel Araiza with Reactivate an Invenergy Company spoke next. Their company is interested in putting in a 2.85-megawatt solar field in the city. They are looking at 2 parcels, 1 in an unincorporated area and the other would need to be annexed into the city. They have already applied for a variance request, and a special use permit. Gabriel Araiza gave a presentation of the background of their company and the proposed site. He did state there would be about $6,000/year additional tax revenue for city for 35 years. Aldermen Miller asked about if they would put in an entrance to the cemetery with a culvert and gravel and if they would extend the sidewalk on the east side of Walmart. Mr. Araiza will look into this and get back to the city. Alderman Brault asked if there would be any batteries on site and Mr. Araiza stated no batteries and no storage of batteries the solar panels will rotate. The committee is asking for more time to do some research and this will be discussed again at an upcoming meeting. 1213 & 1215 Sugar Creek Ct: Eric has the demolition orders and has talked to Loren at Public Works and they can do the demolition. Alderman Rohlfs makes a motion to recommend to the council to demolish 1213 & 1215 Sugar Creek Ct with Public Works doing the demolition and Alderman Miller seconded. Roll call carried 9-0. 400 N Jefferson St: Eric stated the trusses are damaged and the property needs an engineer and the owner is having trouble finding one, at municipal court the hearing officer gave the owners 90 days to get an engineer.

113 S Loveridge Ln: the homeowners have applied for a variance the setback states 20- foot rear yard setback and they are asking for a variance of 10 foot to add on to their home.

Keith Mulholland with Robinson Engineering gave everyone an update on the projects on Belmont Ave Road and sidewalks, the road extension on Martin Ave, the project on S 5th to S 8th St has been sent into IDOT, the S 2nd St and Cherry St water main project has also been sent off, Lakeview Park workout station has been started and the watermain for the splash pad has been submitted, and the new well on Virginia St has been started also.

Code Enforcement Shane Eades stated he and Chief Starkey are still working on the updated ordinance so that he can remove junk vehicles.

Alderman Miller asked Mr. Nevls about the timeline for Nettie Davis School being demolished and he stated the school maybe able to get some assistance from the state so it might be spring before that happens. Alderman Miller also stated the grass needs to be mowed and some brush needs removed also; Mr. Nevls will pass this information along.

Alderman Brault makes a motion to adjourn at 7:33 and Alderman Miller seconded. Roll call carried 9-0.

https://www.watsekacity.org/media/4366