Public Health & Housing Committee

APPROVED PUBLIC HEALTH and HOUSING COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY May 7th . 2014 Members: Alderman Gabby Rujawitz – Chairman Alderman Ken Kinsella Alderman Jim Musgrove Alderman Joe Hayden Alderman Bob White Tricia Tialdo Mayor Eckert Staff: Robert Sabo Guests: Mike Buettner Joy Schreiber Michael Hagberg Chairman Rujawitz called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. On roll call all members were present. Alderman Kinsella made a motion to approve the minutes from the February 5, 2014 meeting, second by Tricia Tialdo. Motion carried. Public participation: Joy Schreiber mentioned that in the area of S 10th St a neighbor is still feeding stray cats and has an opening in the garage that allows animals to enter. There are some derelict cars in the neighborhood and Knipp roofing building has debris that needs to be cleaned up. Ms. Schreiber also inquired as to the delay in the chicken ordinance relating that citizens can apply to having chickens by requesting a variance. Housing Director Sabo related that he would look into those neighborhood issues. To his knowledge he is not aware of a variance that would permit chickens. Mayor Eckert commented that he knew of none himself. Joy Schreiber also asked if there was an expiration on the petition signatures for the chicken ordinance since there is a delay in its proposal. Mayor Eckert stated that he would have to check with the City Attorney. Michael Hagberg believes that we do have a variance for animals citing that a variance was issued in the past allowing for a person to have more than three dogs. Mike Buettner opposes the chicken ordinance stating that the Housing Inspectors are busy enough without having to deal with this type of ordinance. He added that if the City does consider a chicken ordinance he hope it would be as restrictive as Carbondale’s ordinance which allows only twenty coups in the city. Mayor Eckert went on record saying that he too is concerned but is open minded on the idea. He agrees that it would put a further burden on the Housing department who is short staffed as well as other departments. Alderman Rujawitz advised that residents in his ward are in strong opposition a chicken ordinance. Alderman Hayden related that his constituents are against the ordinance. He reiterated that there seems to be an influx already of other wild animals into the City and allowing chickens may enhance that problem. Alderman Hayden asked if the delay in the proposal was in writing and inquired to the reasoning. Director Sabo stated that per conversation with Alderman Schmidt she requested the delay due to the fact that Alex Enyart is busy opening a new law firm and wanted the ordinance proposal delayed until September. Alderman White made a motion on removing the chicken ordinance discussion from the agenda until contact is made for its formal presentation to the committee. This motion was second by Alderman Kinsella. All members present voted AYE motion carried. On new business Director Sabo related that bids were advertised for the demolition of the old Loflin Furniture building 10610 W Main St which is owned by the City of Belleville. There were a total of five bids with Shafer Excavating out of Pontoon Beach being the low bidder at $26,000. On Mayor Eckert’s inquiry Shafer Excavating has not been used before by the City but did provide job references. Alderman Hayden asked if there was a performance bond on this project and it was stated that there was. The bid provided included the demolition of the building, asbestos removal and the asphalt parking lot. Alderman White asked where the money was coming from and it was noted that it would be paid from TIF three funds. Chairman Rujawitz asked for a motion to accept the low bid of $26,000 from Shafer excavating. Motion made by Alderman Kinsella second by Alderman Musgrove. On further discussion Alderman Hayden advised that he is basically voting no not against Shafer Excavating but because the City is building a new police station and the budget is tight. It is his opinion that the City should not be buying buildings and tearing them down, instead there could be a better use. Mayor Eckert commented that he had received numerous complaints from west end residents and business owners complaining about this property. While it was open complaints were received at the Housing department on the inappropriate business operations it was conducting. He has heard recently from many people who were asking when the building would be torn down and green space added to the City entrance way. The Mayor stated that TIF money needs to be used throughout the City and this is the right thing to do. Alderman Hayden asked how far we should go and the Mayor replied that it should be on a case by case bases. Alderman Hayden inquired if the Mayor honestly believes that buying this building and tearing it down will enhance property values. The Mayor advised that having it in green space will have a positive affect in the area. Alderman White commented that regardless of the past history there is a building sitting there empty that is going to be a challenge. He agrees with some of Alderman Hayden’s views however this debate is not for here but for another time. The building is vacate and should be taken down, that is the value. Chairman Rujawitz called for a roll call vote on the motion: Alderman Musgrove voted AYE Alderman Kinsella voted AYE Alderman Hayden voted NO Alderman White voted AYE Tricia Tialdo voted AYE Alderman Rujawitz voted AYE Mayor Eckert voted AYE Motion carried. With no other business Alderman made a motion to adjourn second by Alderman Kinsella.