Will County Gazette

Braidwood City Council met Nov. 27.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Call to Order

Mayor Vehrs called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.

The Mayor said before saying the Pledge of Allegiance, he would like to remember Gloria Robilotta who worked in city hall for many years and she was also the city clerk for 4 yrs. Gloria passed away in Florida and is being waked tonight. The Mayor then asked for a moment of silence in honor of Gloria Robilotta.

Pledge of Allegiance

Mayor Vehrs asked Don, City Administrator to lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call

Elected Officials present: Commissioner Hibler, Commissioner Smith, Commissioner Tessler and Mayor Vehrs were present. Commissioner Hutton was absent

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

Public Comment

Opened at 7:02pm.

Bill Rulien, 187 E. Main St. Bill said lately we’ve heard a lot about fake news, can you believe what’s written in the Braidwood Journal, is it true? Bill commented that the Braidwood Journal prints what the Mayor says. If the Mayor stretches the truth it then seems real to the reader. He said he’s here to set the record straight. He said the Mayor said, that he said the Police Department bounced checks, which is not true. Bill said he commented that the city bounced (9) checks. Bill said the Mayor said the city had (40) permits for new homes this year. The FOIA Bill requested on building permits shows (11).

Mayor Vehrs then closed Public Comment.

Approval of Minutes

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

REPORTS BY CITY OFFICIALS

Mayor

Mayor Vehrs asked Joyce to come up to the microphone, thanking her for the beautiful Christmas tree she donated to the city. The Mayor then asked Joyce to join the city this coming Saturday for our Annual Tree Lighting Event, where she can see her tree all lit up. The Mayor reminded everyone that the Tree Lighting will be at 5:00 and the Lighted Christmas Parade will be at 5:30 starting at Mitchell and Main, and heading West on Main Street to the Elementary School, with activities at the school for the children.

Administrator

Don advised that the city council needs to reschedule the 2nd Council Meeting, Regularly Scheduled on December 25th due to the Holiday and because there is some business that the city has to attend to. Don then asked the city council to make a motion with that change.

Comm. Smith made a motion to Cancel the Regularly Scheduled meeting on December 25th and Reschedule the meeting to December 19th at 5:30pm, seconded by Comm. Tessler. Motion approved

4 ayes, 0 nays (Smith, Tessler, Hibler & Mayor Vehrs) 1 absent (Hutton).

City Clerk

City Clerk Grygiel was absent.

Engineer

Nothing to Report.

City Attorney

Nothing to Report.

REPORTS BY CITY COMMISSIONERS

Accounts & Finances

Comm. Hibler made a motion to pay the total bills due on our Check Register in the amount of

$131,156.05, seconded by Comm. Smith. Motion approved with 4 ayes, 0 nays (Hibler, Smith, Tessler & Mayor Vehrs) 1 absent (Hutton).

Comm. Hibler made a motion to approve the Payroll Expenses in the amount of $150,102.69 seconded by Comm. Smith. Motion approved 4 ayes, 0 nays (Hibler, Smith, Tessler & Mayor Vehrs) 1 absent (Hutton).

Comm. Hibler made a motion to approve Resolution 18-23, Approving the 2018 Tax Levy Estimate. Comm. Hibler said our total Estimated Tax Levy which will be paid to us in 2019 is $1,675,100.00. Comm. Smith seconded the motion. Motion approved 4 ayes, 0 nays (Hibler, Smith, Tessler & Mayor Vehrs)

1 absent (Hutton).

Streets & Public Improvements

Comm. Smith said everything is going good. The guys had to go out a little earlier with the roads recently at 9:00pm and the roads got worse about 3:00am, so they were out all night, so cost us a little more.

Public Property

Comm. Hutton was absent.

Public Health & Safety

Comm. Tessler gave the numbers report provided by the Chief for the period from 11/13/18- 11/27/18. Their total calls for service for this period were 197.

Planning & Zoning

Zoning Chair Michelle Serena approached the council with their recommendations from the November 5th Public Hearing for Jason Briscoe. Jason Briscoe requested the Hearing for the Front Street Plaza. He’s requesting a Special Use to allow Mixed Zoning and RMF on the top floor of the building. The Zoning Board motioned to approve the request for the Special Use to allow them Mixed Zoning along with Residential Multi Family, family living quarters on top floor of this building. Their vote was 5 ayes, 1 nay and 1absent. Everyone should have a copy of the diagrams of what he’s wanting to do. One shows the Flow Traffic Layout, how he wants to change the rear of the building by putting in dormers and then putting stairs in the back, having (2) apartments upstairs. There will be an emergency exit on each end with a fire escape on the sides. The Traffic Flow will go around the building and on the one end he is wanting to put in a drive-thru. This property is currently owned by Grundy Bank and Jason is under Contract so if this passes he will pursue with purchasing the property.

The Zoning Board is meeting on December 10 because there are (2) Public Hearings scheduled.

The previous owner Tony Altiery had an Archery Range up there so it is very solid. Jason said he would build it out following the Safety Requirements for the top apartments.

Comm. Smith then asked what makes this so different from the property at Walker & Main where that was surrounded by residential and this is commercial. He asked if someone could explain the safety. He said why would we approve one Special Use and not the other? The Mayor said the property at Walker & Main was that we were trying to put a commercial building in the middle of residential where this property is already zoned commercial but wants residential on the upper floor. Comm. Smith asked if there were kids living in the apartments where are they going to play-front parking lot or in the back? Don then said that Jason Briscoe was in attendance to answer questions and came forward to address questions by the council. Jason said yes you are correct there is not a playground at that facility but going to clean up around the dumpsters in that area. There will be designated parking spots for people living upstairs. Other than single family homes you really don’t find designated areas for children to play such as a playground. The dormers in the back were simply to allow for the ingress and egress that each bedroom has to have a window also they allow for the fire and safety that’s required by any zoning. Comm. Tessler asked about a speed bump on the North side of the building. Jason said that’s easily marketable if that would help make things better. He’s looking to bring in good business to the city. He also said he would be looking at Tennant use, will there be kids moving into the apartments on the top floor.

Comm. Tessler made a motion to approve the Special Use for Mixed Use & RMF for Jason Briscoe at the Front Street Plaza on the top floor, seconded by Comm. Hibler. Motion approved 3 ayes (Tessler, Hibler, Mayor Vehrs), 1 nay (Smith) and 1 absent (Hutton).

Closed Session

No request for Closed Session.

Old Business

Nothing to Report.

New Business

Comm. Tessler said he’s not sure how true this is, then asked the city plows and salts city property only correct? He asked more for businesses, stores? Comm. Smith said we don’t get on private property. Comm. Tessler said someone contacted him and mentioned that they might of seen a city vehicle on a business property and he said he told them as he’s aware that we don’t do that. Comm. Smith said for the fire department or in an emergency we would go and assist them.

Adjournment

Comm. Tessler made motion to adjourn the Regular Meeting at 7:26pm, seconded by Comm. Hibler. Motion approved with 4 ayes, 0 nays (Tessler, Smith, Hibler & Mayor Vehrs) 1 absent (Hutton).

https://braidwood.us/government/