MINUTES TO THE
BUSINESS LICENSES AND ORDINANCES COMMITTEE MEETING
TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2006
6:30 P.M.
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. Upon roll call, Marti Orr, Jonathan Mietzner, Helen Hoppe and Bob Strong were present and a quorum declared. Also in attendance were City Administrator John A. McIntyre, Building inspector Gary Tate and Pam Monson from the press.
City council member Mietzner made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 14, 2006 Business Licenses and Ordinances Committee meeting, seconded by City council member Hoppe. The motion passed 4-0.
City council member Orr requested that minutes to the Business Licenses and Ordinances Committee meetings be e-mailed to committee members prior to the meeting so that the minutes may be reviewed ahead of time.
Under Subdivision Ordinance City council member Mietzner referred to Section 11, 157.03, item “f” and asked of there was a state statute prohibiting the City of Wilmington from implementing a fine in excess of $50. He felt that the fine was not steep enough to act as a deterrent for violating the ordinance. His concern is not so much with small projects as much as it is with large-scale projects.
City council member Strong noted that in some communities the fine can double, and all developers must follow the rules.
City council member Orr felt that the $50 fine was adequate but escalating the fines by 50% would be appropriate. He asked Inspector Tate if the stipulations in item “f” had become a problem.
Inspector Tate stated that it is not a widepr4ead problem now but could become an issue in the future.
Administrator McIntyre will research the issue of increasing the fine. Even if the fine can be increased substantially, the Wilmington City Council would have the final say in the matter.
Under Section 11, 157.11 it was concluded that this section only applies to new subdivisions and was geared toward large-scale developers rather than do-it-yourselfers.
City council member Orr emphasized the nee to enforce the current ordinances. At the4 last meeting Gary Van Duyne and Ken Jefferies were going to review and suggest changes to this section.
Administrator McIntyre explained that neither had submitted anything up to that point.
City council member Hoppe made a motion to move this subdivision ordinance to the next Wilmington City Council meeting for first reading, seconded by City council member Strong. The motion was approved 4-0.
Under Street Name Ordinance City council member Orr noted that six inch high letters on some streets were too high, considering they are about three inches high now.
Administrator McIntyre will get with Gary van Duyne to make sure that the Illinois Department of transportation does in fact require six inch letters. Gary Van Duyne should contact Mr. Bedinger regarding this issue.
City council member Strong said the ordinance looks like it was more oriented toward rural areas.
City council member Orr noted that a better way of insuring that emergency and other vehicles could find the correct address was to stencil the address number on the curb in front of the building. Some communities require this technique.
City council member Hoppe felt that curb stencils was a good idea.
Under Park Land Cash Survey Administrator McIntyre emphasized that the information contained in the survey shows that the City of Wilmington is average in terms of park land-cash donations and acreage valuations.
City council member Hoppe asked about impact fees outside of land-cash donations.
City council member Orr asked if studies has been done regarding municipal impact fees in the area.
Administrator McIntyre will survey nearby communities to ascertain if $300 is adequate.
Under Fire Protection Lock Box Ordinance Inspector Tate said it would be a good idea to amend the City of Wilmington code to comply with the International Fire Code.
City council member Hoppe felt it would be a good idea if all businesses were required to install lock boxes.
City council member Strong agreed; it would reduce unnecessary damage in minor incidents.
City council member Mietzner suggested that Administrator McIntyre and Inspector Tate review the process for amending the ordinance and provide a report at the next Business Licenses and Ordinances Committee meeting.
Under Façade Improvement Grant Program Administrator gave an overview of the program and distributed the attached sheet titled, “The Basics of the City of Wilmington’s Façade Improvement Program”. McIntyre stressed that the program was for all businesses, not just those in the downtown area.
City council member Orr stated that the program should apply to all commercial and industrial zoning classifications except I-2 and I-3 since businesses in those classifications do not rely on visual appeal as much as businesses in the other classifications do.
City council member Mietzner asked about insuring that the historic integrity of the downtown buildings is maintained by any business using grant funds.
Administrator McIntyre explained that the City would first have to set standards for downtown buildings. Most communities with historic downtowns form a heritage and architecture committee to review and advise on renovations in historic districts. Will County recently re-hired a planner specializing in historic preservation. She would be able to assist the City of Wilmington in forming a heritage and architecture committee as well as setting standards for downtown buildings.
Administrator McIntyre mentioned that he had inquired of the Rotary Club regarding contributions toward installing decorative lights downtown. Specifications are needed to get the process in play.
City council member Hoppe described the piped in music that downtown Morris enjoys and asked if it was something Wilmington could include in the downtown area.
City council member Orr said that he saw no reason for anyone else but Administrator McIntyre and Inspector Tate to do the physical inspections insuring that the grant applications are complied with.
Under Other pertinent Issues City council member Strong stated that the shooting range within the Local 150 site may need a modification of the ordinances, and may become a legal issue soon.
City council member Mietzner said that for the Wilmington Police to begin using the truck weigh scales, the City of Wilmington should adopt existing state statutes regarding the use of such scales.
Administrator McIntyre will get with the Police Chief Wally Evans for clarification on what is necessary to begin to use the scales.
City council member Mietzner requested that inspector Tate follow-up on the Lombardi trailer – it needs to be removed.
City council member Mietzner also requested that the Business Licenses and Ordinances Committee meet at 6:00 p.m. instead of 6:30 p.m. City council members Hoppe, Orr and Strong agreed to change the meeting date for the Business Licenses and Ordinances Committee to 6:00 p.m. beginning at the March 2006 meeting.
There being no further business, City council member Hoppe made a motion to adjourn, seconded by City council member Orr. The motion to adjourn was approved 4-0 and the meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Submitted by
John A. McIntyre, CEcD, AICP
City Administrator