Peoria Standard

City of Eureka City Council and Planning Commission met April 19.

Here is the minutes provided by the Commission:

The Eureka City Council and the Eureka Planning Commission convened in a special combined session at the City Building on April 19, 2018, at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Scott Zimmer called the meeting to order and, after a moment of silence, led The Pledge of Allegiance. The Mayor then directed the City Clerk to call the roll. Present were Aldermen L. Klaus, Getz, Rossetti, Lind and Teegarden. Planning Commission persons present were Al Hinnen, Chambliss, Wertz, Lorenz. Prather, Germann, M. Hinnen, and Cuffe were absent. Also in attendance were Lynn Hinnen, Treasurer; Marilyn Walter, City Clerk; and Melissa Brown, City Administrator. Melody Mounts and Craig Maynard represented Eureka College. Tony Dowiatt and Neal McAllister, City engineers, were present. Uriah Monday of MSA, Erik Hasselbacher and Don Nixon of Enchanted Gardens were present.

The Mayor stated some guidelines for the meeting stating that the City was only playing the role of facilitator. Mayor Zimmer asked that each one speaking stay within a five- minute limit.

Erik Hasselbacher, part owner of Enchanted Gardens, spoke of the damage to his property. Tony Dowiatt, City engineer, spoke as his firm designed the College plan for the Football Field. He stated that the College moved too fast on the Football Field project. Mr. Maynard of the College had no comments. MSA representative Uriah Monday looked at the project and checked the work done by each party. He noted his findings. His firm wrote the City’s stormwater ordinance. Pictures of the water runoff were viewed by all. Uriah had a couple of solutions to handling the discharge of the water from the College Football Field. Some discussion was held about the feasibility and legality of these options.

The Mayor noted that this was good discussion and thanked each party for attended. He hopes this discussion continues among those parties to reach a resolution.

Discussion of input from legal counsel regarding Yoder-Rood-Burris agreement. The Mayor noted that discussion was held at Council on Monday night. Direction was given to revise the agreement so that Roods’ could build. It was requested that the agreement be terminated. The City Attorney was concerned about this. There is no benefit to the City to terminate the agreement. There is 50 plus acres in the County for further development. The three-inch water line at the Knolls leading to this property may not be large enough to withstand additional development. Current city code requires an eight inch water main. Options at this time are to not allow the Roods’ to build, allow for one build through a revision/amendment to the current agreement, or to terminate the agreement entirely. Melissa had talked to the attorney and explained the alternatives, etc. The original agreement was amended in 2015 to allow for another build. It sets a bad precedent to keep amending agreements. Discussion was held with Jamie Rood concerning the permission for them to build. The Mayor suggested moving in the direction of continue with the attorney on an amendment to the agreement allowing Roods’ to build and getting more information about the possible termination of the agreement.

Consideration of minutes from the March 15, 2018 Eureka Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. There is one change: Tim Getz asked that in the fourth paragraph, the seventh sentence be changed from “. and the issue might be when the eight sprinklers at the golf course are turned on.” to “. and there has been no issue when the eight sprinklers at the golf course are turned on.”

Moved by Wertz, second by Lorenz, to the amended minutes of the March 15, 2018 Planning and Zoning Commission minutes. Passed on roll call vote with Wertz, Lorenz, A. Hinnen, and Chambliss all voting Aye.

Discussion of Eureka College unfinished projects including driveway approaches to football field, fencing, and outstanding building permits.

Two persons are in attendance representing Eureka College. There are two curb cuts when only one is allowed going into the football field. Maynard stated that the plan is to pave the main entrance. The College plans to close one curb cut. Erik gave the specifics of closing this curb cut. The Planning Commission, however, voted to allow two curb cuts back in October. Regarding the boundary fence between the trailer park and the College, Marc Pasteris was to provide information about a boundary survey. Mr. Maynard will follow up with any information on ownership of this fence. Hasselbacher pulled a demolition permit to remove part of the fence if he ever gets an answer on whose property the fence is on. By the May Planning Commission the College needs to come and inform the Commission what is going to be done with the fence.

The outstanding building permits from November 10, 2017 for the College are here and haven’t been picked up by the College personnel. This is for the ramp at Jacob’s House for accessibility. Maynard stated work had begun on Jacob House recently. Wertz chastised him that this pattern of starting work without proper permitting has to stop. Other permits need to be obtained by the College for the driveways.

Discussion of Eureka College Football field lights and concerns about nuisance to motorists and residents. The Police Chief acknowledged that this is definitely an issue for motorists. The lights start blinding motorists a mile away. The lights need to be redirected to the football field and not the area around the field. The Planning Commission was told that these lights would only be on for games and not past 8 p.m. This is not the case at this time.

Variance Application Review.

The revised application was briefly discussed. The $75fee was determined to be adequate.

The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

http://www.eurekaillinois.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/2018-04-19-Eureka-IL-Planning-Zoning-Comm-Minutes.pdf