MINUTES TO THE

CITY OF WILMINGTON

LICENSES AND ORDINANCES COMMITTEE MEETING

SEPTEMBER 12, 2006

CITY OF WILMINGTON ADMINISTRATION CENTER

1165 SOUTH WATER STREET

WILMINGTON, IL 60481

6:00 P.M.

Councilman Marty Orr opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m. Upon roll call, Councilman Orr, Councilwoman Helen Hoppe, Councilman Bob Strong and Councilman Jonathan Mietzner were present. Building Inspector Don Friddle and City Administrator John McIntyre was also present; Administrator McIntyre also served as Recording Secretary.

Councilwoman Hoppe made a motion to approve the minutes to the previous meeting, seconded by Councilman Strong. The motion passed 4-0.

ELEVATION ORDINANCE

Inspector Friddle noted that according to the Ordinance, there are two surveys required relating to measuring elevations. One should be sufficient. In addition, there is some confusion regarding six inches versus three feet elevation requirements. One foot should be sufficient. Councilman Strong explained that BOCA has its own top or foundation ordinance. Councilman Orr said there main focus is to insure that elevation will not adversely affect drainage, and instructed Inspector Friddle to investigate what other communities do regarding elevation/top of foundation ordinances and present his findings at the next Licenses and Ordinances Committee meeting; the ordinance may then be adjusted accordingly.

REPORT FROM BUILDING INSPECTOR

Inspector Friddle described the numerous violations at 209 S. Main Street following a Wilmington Fire protection District call for smoking outlets. Administrator McIntyre noted that Inspector Friddle has recorded almost two pages of various violations, and will make sure that a certified letter is sent to the building owner illustrating the violations. Councilwoman Hoppe explained that the apartment building at this address was near the Marr Theatre, and there are children living in those apartments. Councilman Orr noted that health and safety issues are most important. Councilman Orr and Administrator McIntyre agreed that the residential use (on commercially zoned land) could be a conditional use or a legal nonconforming use. Inspector Friddle is working with City of Wilmington attorneys to investigate what can be done in this and similar situations.

TRAFFIC CONTROL ORDINANCE – DEBBIE & VISTA, KAHLER & BUCHANAN

Administrator McIntyre directed the committee members’ attention to the page in the meeting handouts outlining correspondence sent by Police Chief Evans regarding stop signs at two intersections. Councilmen Orr and Mietzner agreed that stop signs should only be installed on Becky (not Debbie), allowing Vista to stay a through-street, and that Kahler and Buchanan should not be considered until Kankakee Street is improved. Administrator McIntyre will investigate whether stop signs exist on either side of Stough Circle.

OTHER PERTINENT ISSUES

Councilman Orr asked Administrator McIntyre to get with Police Chief Evans on the minimum age for dispatchers. Also, the City of Wilmington passed the state-required prevailing wage ordinance, but the committee will look at a tougher prevailing wage ordinance based on the one provided by Frank Studer.

Councilwoman Hoppe asked if a woman had complained recently about a sign being taken down. Inspector Friddle and Administrator McIntyre had not received recent complaints of this nature. Councilman Orr explained that off-premises signs are still a problem.

There being no further business, Councilwoman Hoppe made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Strong. The motion passed 4-0 and the meeting was adjourned at 7:10 p.m.

Submitted by

John A. McIntyre

City Administrator