Braidwood City Council

Election packet mix up blamed on county

Published by admin on Tue, 11/20/2018 - 6:12pm

City officials are blaming misinformation from the county level for a mistake regarding the distribution of candidate packets for those looking to run for office during the spring election cycle.

On Nov. 13, city attorney Bryan Kopman said that packets circulated by the city for candidates were supplied with the wrong deadline and the wrong election date information. But, Kopman said, the incorrect info came directly from the county.

Seized vehicles to be sold

Published by admin on Tue, 11/20/2018 - 6:06pm

Crime doesn’t pay. But the city of Braidwood will still work to cash in on the bad actions of criminals apprehended by the Braidwood Police Department.

On Nov. 13, Mayor Jim Vehrs announced that several vehicles, seized by the police and declared surplus property, will go up for sale to the general public.

“We have nine vehicles going out for a sealed bid,” Vehrs said. “We will have the guidelines posted… All the vehicles are located across the street at the city parking lot.”

The cars range from pickup trucks to sedans, from model years 1999 through 2005.

City audit delayed 60 days

Published by admin on Tue, 11/06/2018 - 7:23pm

Six months after the end of the fiscal year, Braidwood’s audit has yet to be revealed. But, Mayor Jim Vehrs said things are still under control in the city’s financial offices.

Per state law, a municipal audit is due to the state Comptroller’s office within 180 days of the close of the fiscal year. Braidwood’s fiscal year ends on April 30, which means the audit was due by the end of October.

Commissioners argue over budget issues

Published by admin on Tue, 10/30/2018 - 6:56pm

Tensions were running high at the most recent meeting of the Braidwood City Council, as commissioners lost their tempers regarding some budget issues.

On Oct. 23, the council approved a motion to hire an additional police officer, to act as the city’s second school resource officer (SRO) to the Reed-Custer School District. The hire was actually made over the summer, with the new officer taking up his post at Reed-Custer Elementary School at the start of the school year.

Former mayor questions city’s finances

Published by admin on Tue, 10/09/2018 - 6:09pm

Braidwood’s previous mayor has some questions for the current administration, looking for clarity on the state of the city’s finances.

In late September, former mayor Bill Rulien approached the city council, asking about funds over a variety of accounts, and seeking transparency for how the city pays its bills.

Of note to Rulien is the Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) fund. MFT is a tax that is paid at the pump and sent to the state, then redistributed to municipalities and earmarked for road projects.

Commissioner pushes public safety, awareness

Published by admin on Tue, 10/02/2018 - 6:39pm

Braidwood’s Public Health and Safety Commissioner says he’s ready to step up efforts to keep residents safe.

On Sept. 25, Commissioner Eric Tessler told members of the City Council that he and the Braidwood Police Department are taking seriously some perceived threats around town, including reports of people being watched or followed, and are worried for their safety.

Tessler said he was first alerted to the issue by way of social media.

“The chief and I have discussed this, but I think that we need to shed a lot more light on it,” Tessler said.

Public works projects on agenda for fall

Published by admin on Tue, 10/02/2018 - 6:33pm

The city of Braidwood has several public works tasks on the horizon.

On Sept. 25, Commissioner Jim Hutton gave a rundown of projects to the members of the City Council.

Hutton said the city was able to complete some needed repairs at the water plant in September.

“We had rescue welding come out to the plant… and they welded up the number two clarifier. The number one broke, so we finally got the number two down, cleaned up, and welded up with the brackets on it,” Hutton said. “We got that done and it’s taken care of, so it’s in good shape.”

Council approves zoning change

Published by admin on Tue, 09/18/2018 - 6:58pm

Braidwood has changed the way that some properties change hands, with an amendment to the city’s zoning code regarding nonconforming uses and buildings.

On Sept. 11, the City Council approved an amendment to the city’s code of ordinances regarding Chapter 23, which regulates zoning.

Plan Commissioners get new terms

Published by admin on Tue, 09/18/2018 - 6:57pm

Two of the commissioners on Braidwood’s planning and zoning board have had their terms reupped for the next several years.

On Sept. 11, the Braidwood City Council approved two re-appointments to the city’s planning and zoning board. Commissioners Jim Canup and Charlie Hart will continue to serve.

“They’ve been on the board for many years, and they still want to be on the board and still continue to do good work for the city of Braidwood,” Mayor Jim Vehrs said.
Planning and zoning commissioners serve five-year terms.

Former mayor disputes TIF plan

Published by admin on Tue, 09/04/2018 - 6:28pm

Braidwood’s previous mayor has raised some concerns over a plan to sell city owned properties and utilize tax funds inside the city’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) III district.

The city of Braidwood recently rid itself of dozens of city-owned lots in the Townes of Braidwood, which also sits inside TIF III.

Earlier in August, city administrator Don Labriola announced the sale of the remaining 46 subdivision lots. That sale means that all 58 previously city-owned lots will now go back on the tax rolls, bringing in more tax dollars once homes are built on them.