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Residents raise fence and personal-safety complaints; council votes to enter closed session on litigation
Summary
Public commenters described a neighbor fence and water-damage dispute and a separate resident reported harassment and interference with medical care. Staff said inspections show the fence was built to code. Later the council voted unanimously to enter closed session to discuss litigation under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11).
During the public-comment portion of the May 11 meeting Mr. Rice described a repeated complaint about a neighbor's fence installation and said his lawn had been damaged and was now flooded. "What do I do? Do I hire a contractor and my neighbor do it?" Rice asked the council, summarizing months of attempts to resolve the issue with city staff.
City Manager Newkirk responded that the neighbor applied for a fence permit, the plans were reviewed and the fence was inspected and constructed to code. Newkirk said staff members have met with Mr. Rice multiple times, outlined possible remedies, and offered to have Director Fontaine speak with him after the meeting to clarify available options.
Another speaker, Renee Bova, identified herself and described numerous personal problems and allegations of interference with her access to care and harassment by neighbors; the council acknowledged her comments and extended well wishes.
Later in the meeting the council moved to go into closed session "pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) to discuss litigation." The motion, made and seconded, passed by roll-call with six ayes and no nays, and the council adjourned into closed session.
What happens next
For the fence complaint, staff said they would follow up directly with Mr. Rice and outline options; any formal enforcement or repair course of action will follow the city's code and inspection findings. The closed-session discussion on litigation will be handled in executive session as permitted by the Illinois Open Meetings Act.
Provenance: Public comment and staff response SEG 836–SEG 961; closed-session motion and vote SEG 1156–SEG 1177.
