Will County Gazette

Braidwood City Council met March 27.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

Call to Order

Mayor Pro Tem Hibler called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.

Pledge of Allegiance

Mayor Pro Tem Hibler asked everyone to please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call

Elected Officials present: Mayor Pro Tem Hibler, Commissioner Hutton, Commissioner Smith, Commissioner Tessler. Mayor Vehrs was absent.

Appointed officials present: City Attorney Kopman, City Clerk Sue Grygiel, Chief Nick Ficarello and City Engineer Todd Gereaux were present. City Administrator Don Labriola was absent.

Public Comment

Opened at 7:01pm.

Chuck Galbraith, 347 Ridge St. He said he feels that ever since he started picketing out front of city hall, he’s waiving a white flag so people will leave him alone for a while. He said his water bill has been going up and up and he was told it’s been estimated because his meter is not working. He said he was paying about $70 a month, $140 for the two months. He said the last 5-6 water bills have been over $200 and the last one was $300. He said the city was under his home putting in a new meter, checked and there were no leaks. He said when he came into the office to pay his bill he said his sewer bill was outrageous. The clerk told him that everyone’s sewer rate went up; it should be $62.28 every two months for sewer. He said his sewer portion of his bill was $129 and said he’s paying more than double of everyone else. He said this was because he was picketing. He’s not out there anymore; he’s waiving his white flag. He said if the city is going to estimate his bill because meter isn’t working then they should be estimating what he’s been paying.

Public Comment Closed at 7:04pm.

Approval of Minutes

Comm. Smith made a motion to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of March 13, 2018 as written, seconded by Comm. Hutton. Motion approved 4 ayes, 0 nays (Smith, Hutton, Tessler and Mayor Pro Tem Hibler) 1 absent (Mayor Vehrs).

REPORTS BY CITY OFFICIALS

Mayor

Absent

Administrator

Absent

City Clerk

Nothing to Report.

Engineer

Nothing to Report.

City Attorney

The Attorney said at the last meeting there was some discussion about the lots that the city still owns in Townes of Braidwood. It was suggested that we advertise those lots again seeking Request for Proposals relative to the remaining lots. He’s recommending a motion from the council to publish a Legal Notice Seeking Request for Proposal to Purchase the Remaining Lots in Townes of Braidwood.

Comm. Tessler asked there’s no minimum Bid that we’re requesting and attorney advised that’s correct. Comm. Tessler said then whatever anyone wants to entertain us with a price they can and attorney said that’s correct. The attorney then said it will be up to the council to accept that offer or not. Comm. Hutton questioned are we going to publish in the Joliet, Kankakee paper or what? The consensus was to publish in the Joliet Herald, Kankakee Paper, Morris Paper and the Braidwood Journal.

Comm. Tessler made a motion to Publish a Legal Notice Request for Proposal to Purchase the Remaining Lots in Townes of Braidwood, seconded by Comm. Smith. Motion approved 4 ayes,

0 nays (Tessler, Smith, Hutton & Mayor Pro Tem Hibler) 1 absent (Mayor Vehrs).

REPORTS BY CITY COMMISSIONERS

Accounts & Finances

Mayor Pro Tem Hibler entertained a motion to pay the total bills due on our Check Register in the amount of $122,066.46. Comm. Smith made a motion to approve payment of bills in amount of $122,066.46, seconded by Comm. Hutton. Motion approved with 4 ayes, 0 nays (Smith, Hutton, Tessler & Mayor Pro Tem) 1 absent (Mayor Vehrs).

Mayor Pro Tem Hibler entertained a motion that we approve the Payroll Expenses in the amount of $103,328.45. Comm. Smith made a motion to approve the Payroll Expenses due in the amount of $103,328.45, seconded by Comm. Hutton. Motion approved 4 ayes, 0 nays (Smith, Hutton, Tessler & Mayor Pro Tem Hibler) 1 absent (Mayor Vehrs).

Streets & Public Improvements

Comm. Smith said he has nothing at this time.

Public Property

Comm. Hutton read the Outside Crew Report; 28 locates, 45 shutoff tags, 2 water repairs, 3 meter repairs, 45 shutoff’s, worked on VacCon and did some online classes that were signed up this winter. Read Plant Crews Report; ordered parts to repair Well #2 heater, Cummins was out to service the generators-tested and put batteries in them, went to Solid Waste Class through Illinois Government League, guys are at 150 training site for certification on digger truck.

At this time the attorney addressed the council. The Mayor called him this afternoon knowing he was sick and not able to attend meeting tonight and also let him know City Administrator was sick as well. The Mayor asked the attorney to contact the City Administrator for an update on the water billing collections. Since the Administrator has taken over the past due collections, the city has collected just over $50,000 on past due accounts since February 23, 2018. Comm. Hutton then said they’re tagging 55 homes tomorrow.

Public Health & Safety

Comm. Tessler said he just had the numbers for tonight. He then gave his numbers provided by the Chief from 3/13-3/27, with total calls for service 193, down a little bit which is good to see.

Planning & Zoning

No Report.

Closed Session

No request for Closed Session.

Old Business

Mayor Pro Tem Hibler had one question, asking about the house on 402 S. Division. Is it getting cleaned up, what’s the status of it? The Police Chief commented that from what they could tell they’ve hired an Attorney and their court date is coming up in June. They were advised to contact us prior to moving back in so our City Building Inspector could go in and inspect. They’ve moved back in and never contacted us as far as having the Building Inspector do his inspection. There hasn’t been any form of a dumpster outside their home. The city hasn’t asked to go back in their home and could technically be fining them every day but we are holding off until their Hearing in June.

Comm. Tessler questioned McPherson’s old home on Hickory St. that was hit by the tornado years ago and it seems that nothing is being done about it. Not sure who has to handle it, Code Enforcement to start tagging. Need it to get cleaned up or if condemned need to get it down. City clerk believes somebody is working on it, not sure if somebody been in there regarding it being structurally sound. The clerk said she will check with the Building Clerk to see what’s going on and she can let you know. Comm. Tessler questioned another house that sits off the corner at Main & Kenard a little blue house, believes Fitzpatrick owns it now. He said he thought that Jack Fitzpatrick was going to wait until warmer weather to tear it down. City clerk thought he came in for demolition permit but wasn’t sure. She will ask Building Clerk on this as well. Comm. Tessler then questioned at Office & Main, Northeast corner, home with a ramp. Clerk said Fox’s old house and he said yes. The clerk said she have Donna look into all of these and have her get back to you on their status.

New Business

Nothing to Report.

Adjournment

Comm. Tessler made motion to adjourn the Regular Meeting at 7:56pm, seconded by Comm. Hutton. Motion approved with 5 ayes, 0 nays (Tessler, Hutton, Hibler, Smith & Mayor Vehrs).

http://braidwood.us/government/