Public Health & Housing Committee

City of Belleville Residential and Commercial Development Services Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, September 16, 2020 Belleville City Hall City Council Chambers 101 South Illinois Street SOCIAL DISTANCING AND FACE COVERINGS MAINTAINED In Attendance: Members: Alderwoman Joe Hazel (Chairman), Ward 1 Present Alderman Carmen Duco, Ward 2 Present Alderman Scott Ferguson, Ward 3 Present Alderman Raffi Ovian, Ward 4 Present Alderman Roger Barfield, Ward 8 Present Citizen Member Tricia Tialdo Present Staff: Mayor Mark W. Eckert Annissa McCaskill, Director of Residential and Commercial Development Services Matt Eiskant, Assistant Chief of Police Guests: Alderman Kent Randle I. Call to Order Chairman Hazel called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. II. Roll Call of Members/Staff Roll Call of members was taken. Attendance was noted as provided above. III. Approval of the Minutes Motion was made by Alderman Ferguson and seconded by Citizen Member Tialdo to approve the minutes from the August 5, 2020. The motion was carried and the minutes were approved unanimously. IV. Emergency Procedures Alderman Hazel provided the emergency procedures, if necessary, for those present. Additionally, he stressed maintaining of social distancing and utilization of face masks. V. Public Participation None VI. Old Business Alderman Ovian referenced a vacant property of the old Hull Drug. Mayor Eckert advised that staff is looking at this property. The City has a demolition order for the property, but because a roof has been placed on the property, the demolition order may not be enforced by the court. It was also referenced that 9615 West Main Street has been pulled from the demolition list as the owner is actively working on renovation in order to live on site. Alderman Ovian provided comments regarding the vacant housing ordinance. VII. Demolition List RCDS Director provided a list of 21 properties that will be submitted for bid for demolition. The timeline was as follows: • Demolition advertisement on the September 22, 2020 • Bid Opening on October 6, 2020 • Bid Results to RCDS Committee October 7, 2020 • Finance Committee October 12, 2020 • City Council October 19, 2020 It has been a collaborative effort to of staff to get the list to Council by the end of October. Alderman Randall inquired 115 N. 33rd or 3532 Lorraine Street; staff advised that a declaration of demolition has not been issued for either. Staff advised that they would look into the status of each property and follow up with the aldermen of the ward. Chair Hazel asked if it was possible to have the Assistant City Attorney provide a report of properties to the Committee. Mayor Eckert stated we could look into this. VIII. New Business Update regarding RCDS Department including recent adjustments due to the COVID pandemic and adjustments in staffing Mayor Eckert updated the Committee on the status of staffing within the RCDS Department. Specifically, he addressed that the department no longer has a full-time Electrical/Mechanical Inspector. We have retained a part-time mechanical inspector and are actively recruiting for an additional part-time inspector. The Mayor also referenced that the housing inspectors were out almost two months due to the pandemic and have worked to overcome a backlog of close to 300 temporary inspections. One was out due to a medical issue. In terms of the Electrical Commission, the Mayor read a statement responding to a social media post that would placed on the City’s website, the following day. He also referenced changes to Fire Department representation on the Electrical Commission and inspection participation. Alderman Randal asked if the changes made to the Electrical Code were only for commercial properties. It was clarified that it was for residential and commercial properties. The Mayor advised that recommendations for new Electrical Commission members were forthcoming. IX. Other business to come before the Committee Alderman Ovian asked if architectural plans had been submitted for the former Elder Cadillac property. Ms. McCaskill clarified that they have applied for the property owner has applied for their building permit and are working with the Building Commissioner toward approval. There is no approval necessary by City Council. Alderman Ovian made inquiry regarding the Round Table restaurant and construction on the property. Mayor Eckert stated that the Building Commissioner has been on site several times and will ask him to be provide an update. With no further comment, the meeting adjourned at 6:45 pm _________________________________________________ Joe Hazel, Chairman Date Alderman, Ward 1