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City council discusses nuisances, water line issue
By Connie Michelich
The Auburn City Council met for an hour and 22 minutes Monday evening before entering into executive session to discuss
personnel and land acquisition.
In its first order of business, city clerk Myra Sample announced that two sealed bids were received regarding the farming of park
land during the 2009 season. One was from BAB Grain for $245.83 per acre and the other from RTS Farms for $280 per acre.
The council accepted the latter bid
City attorney Alfred “Pete” LaBarre presented the council with two ordinances - 1283-08, concerning employee personal days
and 1284-08, concerning a federal government requirement mandating the city have an identity theft program in place. Both
ordinances will be considered and voted on at the next council meeting.
An item that was revisited concerns an “illegal” water line to the south which is not in the city limits. The line was originally
allowed by the city as a private service line but additional taps were added by Larry McClelland unbeknownst to the city.
LaBarre proposed three resolutions: 1) a main extension could be run to the four homes in question from a main on West
Divernon Road; 2) the owners of the four added taps could disconnect from the service line and dig wells to provide themselves
with water or 3) the city could simply disconnect the 2” service line at 11th and Van Buren streets where the line leaves the city
limits.
The city further proposes to give owners until April 1, 2009 to obtain easements through county land for the purpose of installing
an adequate main at the owners expense and to submit the application to the IEPA for line construction. The city would allow
owners to tap onto the city’s line and would assume ownership and future maintenance of the line.
If the timeline and conditions are not met by the owners or is rejected by the IEPA, the city would terminate the line’s origin at
11th and Van Buren.
Also discussed were three residences cited for nuisance violations: 910 W. Van Buren (Seth Molen), 927 W. Jackson (Larry
McClelland) and 916 W. North (Devening).
The McClelland property contains a structure consisting of a basement and two exterior walls that are propped up with lumber,
A teardown was started but has not been finished. In addition to the structure being dangerous, there is a vermin problem.
On a motion by Marc Landers, the council voted 7-0 (Gillock absent) to require McClelland to correct the vermin problem, get in
compliance with all city ordinances and appear at the next city council meeting. If he does not appear he will be fined $100 per
day.
The Devenings are being given until Monday to clean up their property or a $50 per day fine will be imposed until the nuisance
is abated.
A meeting was held with property owner, Beth Sheff, whose property was previously declared a nuisance. It has since been
cleaned up and she needs to start fixing it to have a place to live. A $4,500 fine imposed by the city has prevented her from getting
a building permit.
Mayor Joe Powell explained that he did not think she understood the process once her property was declared a nuisance. Mark
Kessler added that she thought the problem was corrected a long time ago but she did not ask the city to reinspect the property.
On a 7-0 vote the council reduced the fine to $100 for administrative costs. Once the fine is paid, Sheff will be allowed to obtain
a building permit.
Powell informed the council that the Otter Lake Water Commission bill for September already included a rate increase that was
supposed to be effective October 1.
Some months ago the council voted to increase water rates to cover the Otter Lake increase. However, the increase came a
month premature, leaving the city with a bill that was $1,400 over what was anticipated. Powell will contact the commission about
the discrepancy.
In other matters the council:
-- set Trick or Treat hours for Thursday, October 30 and Friday, October 31 from 5 to 8 p.m.;
-- will consider a possible pay increase for the city’s elected officials;
-- was told Rod Brandt has been with the city for nine years.
The next city council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, November 3 at city hall.
By Connie Michelich
The Auburn City Council met for an hour and 22 minutes Monday evening before entering into executive session to discuss
personnel and land acquisition.
In its first order of business, city clerk Myra Sample announced that two sealed bids were received regarding the farming of park
land during the 2009 season. One was from BAB Grain for $245.83 per acre and the other from RTS Farms for $280 per acre.
The council accepted the latter bid
City attorney Alfred “Pete” LaBarre presented the council with two ordinances - 1283-08, concerning employee personal days
and 1284-08, concerning a federal government requirement mandating the city have an identity theft program in place. Both
ordinances will be considered and voted on at the next council meeting.
An item that was revisited concerns an “illegal” water line to the south which is not in the city limits. The line was originally
allowed by the city as a private service line but additional taps were added by Larry McClelland unbeknownst to the city.
LaBarre proposed three resolutions: 1) a main extension could be run to the four homes in question from a main on West
Divernon Road; 2) the owners of the four added taps could disconnect from the service line and dig wells to provide themselves
with water or 3) the city could simply disconnect the 2” service line at 11th and Van Buren streets where the line leaves the city
limits.
The city further proposes to give owners until April 1, 2009 to obtain easements through county land for the purpose of installing
an adequate main at the owners expense and to submit the application to the IEPA for line construction. The city would allow
owners to tap onto the city’s line and would assume ownership and future maintenance of the line.
If the timeline and conditions are not met by the owners or is rejected by the IEPA, the city would terminate the line’s origin at
11th and Van Buren.
Also discussed were three residences cited for nuisance violations: 910 W. Van Buren (Seth Molen), 927 W. Jackson (Larry
McClelland) and 916 W. North (Devening).
The McClelland property contains a structure consisting of a basement and two exterior walls that are propped up with lumber,
A teardown was started but has not been finished. In addition to the structure being dangerous, there is a vermin problem.
On a motion by Marc Landers, the council voted 7-0 (Gillock absent) to require McClelland to correct the vermin problem, get in
compliance with all city ordinances and appear at the next city council meeting. If he does not appear he will be fined $100 per
day.
The Devenings are being given until Monday to clean up their property or a $50 per day fine will be imposed until the nuisance
is abated.
A meeting was held with property owner, Beth Sheff, whose property was previously declared a nuisance. It has since been
cleaned up and she needs to start fixing it to have a place to live. A $4,500 fine imposed by the city has prevented her from getting
a building permit.
Mayor Joe Powell explained that he did not think she understood the process once her property was declared a nuisance. Mark
Kessler added that she thought the problem was corrected a long time ago but she did not ask the city to reinspect the property.
On a 7-0 vote the council reduced the fine to $100 for administrative costs. Once the fine is paid, Sheff will be allowed to obtain
a building permit.
Powell informed the council that the Otter Lake Water Commission bill for September already included a rate increase that was
supposed to be effective October 1.
Some months ago the council voted to increase water rates to cover the Otter Lake increase. However, the increase came a
month premature, leaving the city with a bill that was $1,400 over what was anticipated. Powell will contact the commission about
the discrepancy.
In other matters the council:
-- set Trick or Treat hours for Thursday, October 30 and Friday, October 31 from 5 to 8 p.m.;
-- will consider a possible pay increase for the city’s elected officials;
-- was told Rod Brandt has been with the city for nine years.
The next city council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, November 3 at city hall.
Issue Date: Oct. 23, 2008
