Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the City Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Kewanee council approves TIF deal, demolition contracts and code change; one fence variance denied
Summary
At its April 22 meeting the Kewanee City Council approved a TIF redevelopment agreement with 104 W First, LLC, awarded three demolition contracts, and updated the city's door-to-door solicitation code; a fence variance for 610 W Fourth St was denied 3-1 with Mayor Moore opposed.
The Kewanee City Council on April 22 approved a redevelopment agreement under the city's tax-increment financing district with 104 W First, LLC, awarded several demolition contracts, and amended the municipal code on door-to-door solicitations, while narrowly denying one fence variance.
The council voted 4-0 to approve the TIF agreement (Bill 24-30), with Councilmember Faber saying the city should "keep these buildings up and running" and Mayor Moore expressing confidence in the owners' past investments in the property. The council also approved payment of bills totaling $609,649.42 and payroll for the pay period ending April 6 for $219,181.84, both by 4-0 votes.
On land-use items, the council approved a variance request for 114 E Ninth St (Bill 24-29) for property owner Eduardo Benitez unanimously. By contrast, the council approved a variance for 610 W Fourth St (Bill 24-28) on a 3-1 vote; Councilmember Faber said he "thought it was a nice-looking fence," while Mayor Moore said he "would not want it in his neighborhood" and noted neighbors had mixed feelings. Adam Cernovich questioned whether allowing the variance creates a precedent that would travel with the land; Mayor Moore replied the council was not considering a code change at this time. The motion carried 3-1 with Mayor Moore voting Nay.
The council awarded demolition contracts by resolution to Ratliff Bros. & Co. for work at 331 W Oak St and to Martin Bros Co. Inc. for work at 704 Wilbur St and 345 1/2 Rice St; each resolution passed 4-0 with no discussion recorded. The council also affirmed mayoral appointments to various commissions and boards by unanimous vote (Bill 24-34).
City Clerk Kasey Mitchell described changes in Bill 24-35 to Sections 116.05, 116.06 and 116.11 and the addition of a new Section 116.12 to modernize the door-to-door solicitation code. Mitchell said the update reflects that many door-to-door sales now include rebates and incentives and that solicitors should hold a city permit; the mayor encouraged residents to ask to see the license or call City Hall to verify approval. The ordinance was approved 4-0.
No public comments were recorded during the formal public comment period. The council adjourned at 7:24 p.m.
The council's next procedural steps include implementing the approved TIF agreement per its terms and scheduling any follow-ups related to demolition and code enforcement; no additional hearings on these items were announced at the meeting.
