Post by rocket on Oct 9, 2013 5:41:19 GMT -6
10/08/2013, 9:25 pm
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Jerrilyn Zavada, jzavada@mywebtimes.com, 815-673-6371
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Streator officials continue to debate establishing a business registry.
At a committee of the whole meeting on Tuesday, the council debated the necessity of such a registry and if it would cause redundancy after a business is required to get an occupancy permit. Any changes the city makes would affect prospective businesses but not existing businesses.
City Manager Paul Nicholson said the aim of the registry, which would either require businesses to be licensed by the state if statute requires or register basic information with the city, would ensure businesses are compliant with building and zoning codes.
"There are any number of businesses coming in we're catching after the fact, and then the city is the bad guy after finding a building or code issue," Nicholson said.
Councilman William Phelan questioned the redundancy and asked if it would be another hoop for businesses to jump through just to get established.
"In this economic environment it just seems like it's another thing," Phelan said. "If it wasn't already covered by occupancy, I'm not sure it's completely necessary."
Mayor Jimmie Lansford said the idea for a business registry stems from the June 2010 tornado aftermath when numerous businesses were coming from outside the town to offer construction work. The city mandated they register at City Hall.
"It was done to protect citizens," Lansford said. "That was done on the recommendation of the attorney general's office. We asked several to leave. They either didn't have insurance or they weren't going to complete the contract."
Council members Ed Brozak and Tara Iverson-Bedei suggested streamlining the registry process for new businesses by having a packet or checklist available at City Hall for prospective business owners.
"Most people don't know what steps they need, what permits they need," Brozak said.
"How do we make sure we don't become a burden," Iverson-Bedei asked. "(A checklist) in my mind is saying (to the owner) we should be doing this. My thinking is ease. We want to keep it simple."
Councilman Bruce Hart spoke in support of a business registry, saying it would assist fire and rescue personnel in the event of an emergency. He asked Nicholson to report back to the council on the requirements of nearby municipalities.
The council agreed to continue the discussion at next month's committee of the whole meeting.
City updated on demolition bids
The low bid for demolition of eight vacant properties is $62,500, Streator City Engineer Jeremy Palm reported Tuesday.
That cost would be for two properties damaged by fire and six additional properties. However, a property owner for one of the fire-damaged properties has applied for a demolition permit, so the cost would be reduced by $4,500 to $57,500.
The city's attorney's office will send letters to property owners, and the city will not be able to move forward for 30 days.
Mayor Jimmie Lansford said an asbestos check after 30 days may influence how much the city is able to spend on property demolition.
In other discussion, the council:
•Agreed to consider a permit for the Saturday, Oct. 12, Worldwide March Against Monsanto, which produces genetically modified grains. The application is for a march from Anderson Fields to Kroger. Mayor Jimmie Lansford asked City Manager Paul Nicholson to confirm what time it is to ensure safety.
•Councilwoman Tara Iverson-Bedei suggested the city list commercial properties on the La Salle County Economic Development website to enhance economic development opportunities. The site lists two properties in Streator compared to 20 in Ottawa. Lansford explained ways in which the city is strengthening economic development ties with various organizations, particularly with Livingston County, since he said any new development would likely be in the southeast quadrant of the city.
•Councilman William Phelan asked where the council stands with outdoor sales in the downtown business district. He previously brought up the issue with some council discussion but no resolution. Nicholson said the downtown redevelopment plan, which is currently being finalized by Vandewalle and Associates, could address the issue and the council could move from there.
•Lansford reported the city was not awarded a grant by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for the Greenway Trail project. He said he, Palm and Nicholson will call to speak to the reviewer to find out why they were denied and possibly reapply next year.
Imo ,this is a bad time to be thinking to implement this.
The economy is on the brink to a major depression to collapse,and no business would even consider this town if they have to obtain an occupancy permit and register their business to be able to run a business here.