I just watched the video of last weeks meeting and the discussion regarding the rental property that was damaged by fire last year. This building from my understanding of the property has been a multi unit rental for many years but sometime along the way it became non conforming and it sounds like this type of unit is not longer allowed in the city of Peru.
Most of the discussion seems to center around the current value of the residence and the amount of damage that was done. We do have a building and zoning inspector who was not a part of the discussion, as most of the conversation was between the atty and the alderman. Watching a couple of the other aldermen who seemed a bit peeved that this discussion was taking place, I wondered what was wrong with having an open and honest discussion so other residents would understand the situation and not only the alderman which is what would have happened if most had had their way.
It wasn't mentioned but I wonder if the home owner was in favor of this manner of solving this issue or was it the city alone who wished to send this into the legal system which will be a mostly costly proposition.
Sadly I remember when we had a building, zoning inspector who could have handled this situation.
28 comments:
It DEFINITELY was not the owner that was in favor. All he is doing is trying to rebuild what he had, not reinvent the wheel. All this delay is doing is creating an eyesore in the neighborhood and racking up many dollars in legal fees. If the city gets their way with this fiasco, then there are many homeowners and property owners that better be watching their backs because their property is also "non-conforming" which would lead to the same scenario for them should the same sort of situation arise for them. It's no wonder that businesses are leaving, when property owners cannot rebuild their own property, they may be leaving too. I guess the city wants this property...maybe it would make a good municipal parking lot or park for them. There is more than a good possibility that this issue will cost many dollars in legal fees before it is resolved.
Was the reason that the former building inspector was not retained was that he could do his job therefore showing up the balance of appointments that can't so the easy fix was to dismiss him?
If you notice presently his position has never been filled. Did the past Bldging Insp. have a code enforcer and what has been going on with that position? Wasn't the pay of a code enforcer $10/hr. and the Bldging Insp.'s $28.50/hr. with another pension after 8 years of service which will only be two more years. Could business decisions such as this be the reason for the need of Peru Propeerty Taxes to be potentially raised. Poor government decisions hasve a way of financially snowballing and becoming a hardship to the taxpayers. Remember what Mayor Baker said "Vote with your pocketbook".
Highly paid inefficient appointments are very expensive to any organization and those resposible for these appointments should not be re-elected.
Lois: I too just listened to the video of that meeting and was confused as to why this building was non-conforming now but apparently wasn't before. It seems as though, from my understanding of the conversation, that when the owner tried to fix it up it became non-conforming. A question was asked to the building inspector but you can't hear the responses from those in the audience. Citizens have to fill out cards and come up to the podium but city workers, when asked a question, respond from their seat and cannot be heard in the video.
Anon 9:06 what you explained is simply another work in progress. Work in progress in Peru meaning inefficency!
It sounds like the owner contracted a non union contractor to bid the job. probably because he watches his spending and can't afford Harls contracting firms. Im wondering who the city will hire to give estimates? I would think that owner could file against the city being the city inspector and city hall approved that property in the first place. Again- I picture 3 Monkeys: 1 holding the mouth, the other holding the ears, and other covering the eyes. Shame on the city of Peru. I'm ashamed of this leadership.
Interesting. Did anyone else who watched that meeting have a feeling of shady behavior? I'm familiar with that house and Dave Pothoff is the represenitive of that area. I would think Dave was aware of that house being used as an illegal apartment complex. I know its been like that for at least 14 years. I agree with Rodney when he said to let the owner fix it up since he has the money then inspect the property for violations. according to city attorney that owner has the right to do so if the estimate was lower than a certain percentage, sounds as if it was. This sounds like a case of the city using their power to spend more tax dollars and take peoples property. The only ones getting rich are the attorneys and union contractors. Pay to Play Mayor Harls Way. I appreciated watching the mayor sitting back on the throne as if he was sick of hearing about issues that may make him look bad.Spend spend spend!!!!!!
It is so disheartening to see the mayor act this way, when four years ago he said is was time for Harl in 09. Well I feel it is time for someone else in 13.
We definitely need to get rid of Taylor. He is grossly paid and completely clueless. He definitely shouldn't be getting a pension!
ITS MY OPINION THAT THE MAYOR AND SOME ALDERMAN AND DEPARTMENT HEADS ARE SO FURIOUS WITH TAXPAYERS INVOLVEMENT AND SOCIAL MEDIA SITES SUCH AS THIS. THERE IS ONLY ONE REASON ONE WOULD FEEL THIS WAY. SEVERAL MONTHS AGO A BLOGGER STATED THAT MAYOR HARL TOLD ALOT OF PEOPLE NOT TO PARTAKE IN THIS FORUM IN ANSWERING QUESTIONS FROM BLOGGERS (aka:taxpayers). Who can confirm this for recollection in people minds? If this is true why would a honest person suggest this to others?
Why would any elected official subject themselves to this blog?
They could just stand naked in the middle of Maud Plaza and let you people throw rotten fruit at them. The throwers would of course have to have hoods over their heads in order to remain anonymous in keeping with the theme of the blog.
Yes Sherry and Rodney have participated in the blog. I know, I know. And look at what happens when they do. The nutballs come out of the woodwork and rip them for their effort. No good comes of it. Ever!
Why would you expect anybody to subject themselves to the kind of anonymous abuse that is the hallmark of this blog? Why?
Are you kidding me 9:27. From what I've read on these blogs is that there is mostly positive feedback in regards to alderman Perez and Mayzak participating on blogs. For that being said because of there fearlessness to participating I see them as being honest alderman and working for the taxpayers. No doubt there may be some
negative blogs, but at least they come to the plate and swing. 9:27, you may want to inform yourself and start
Reading all blogs since the existence of them, and you may think differently. Good Luck and Happy Reading and blogging.
Good post 11:52, I agree with you completely. Problem with the rest of the aldermen is you cannot even get them to home plate.
whats goin on with all of the abandoned, half demolished buidings in Peru? I picked up my daughter from the Library yesterday and the Peru Pool is still standing? I have questions and maybe they can get answered on here. I work nights and cant make meetings.
1. Swimming pool- still there after 3 years??
2.Electric Buiding on WaterStreet
I'm sure we will all be seeing that again during next years 4th of July
3.Westclox- whats the deal with that??
Whoever is running against Mayor Harl has some great ammo to win the next election. I will not be voting for Harl again...No WAY!!
4:33 We cannot vote for Mayor Harl either, unless there is a big change with the way he runs the city in the next four months.
4:33 PM The swimming demolition was supposed to have been done this past fall but excuses became what actually happened. First they had no one to haul the debris away and they did not want to use it as fill because they might some day be building another swimming pool in the same location. Asbestos was removed and we waited. We were told Michelini was going to take down FREE but we needed someone to haul the debris away and then if there was rebar in the concrete longer than x number of feet, it would have to go to Ottawa I believe and expenses increased. Then out of the blue the city had another excuse, there might be lead based paint in a structure built in 1929 and now Chamlin is involved. No one could make all this up but it is happening in Peru.
Boehm Bros. have the bid to take down the rest of the power plant on Water St. We'll be watching that one. I believe the city has to pay off some of the other contractors previously involved in that also.
I am betting Westclox will be as if for years to come and that is why a fence is being erected. Out of sight out of mind!
Why would we have to pay some of the other contractors? Didn't we have our attorney go over the contract or whatever we signed to get this project under way? I believe we also had someone to haul the debris away from the pool for a reasonable price but something happened there too. We don't seem to have established or know how to follow a procedure when it comes to getting something done in our town. Its similar to the so called "PORTABLE" pickleball equipment which apparently left bolts sticking up out of the surface so we covered the bolts with boards and bolted the tennis court closed. This led to the bolting and closing of Sunset's Tennis court which I still do not understand. Can anyone explain our reasoning???
Anon 9:12 No, no one can give a sensible explanation of our reasoning. Reason being there is none and I dare any and all to prove me wrong. Recent events occurring in the last number of years have proven us to be great starters but unable to finish just about anything and everything.
As soon as this trend was recognized a program should have been introduced that nothing new would be started, besides emergencies, until all other projects were completed. Presently understanding why there are so many problems is difficult in itself. Do you believe that the possiblity is that those in charge do not realize that the problems themselves are problems , or that they ignore the problems hoping that they will go away on their own, or that they do not have the proper answer for the problems and are too bullheaded to ask for advise from those who have had their their back turned on when the always there, old glad handers appeared after the 2009 elections to ride the current horse in charge. Beware because they will not go away after the 2013 election on their own no matter what the horses name who wins the Mayor election. In a short time period they will go into hiding and than reappear briefly after the election returns are in. The problem bing that this has been working for them for years and it is the only, only thing they are good, good at.
Anon 1:44 P{.M. So happy that others besides myself have noticed the "glad handers". These people are involved in city government for self gain rather than the betterment of Peru. Not as easily recognizable years ago because Mayor Baker was a Mayor whose political associations where council members and successful business people and he was a hands on manager. He had a 7-1 city council vote. The "glad handers" were present but at a much lower status in the power chain. Because the council was 8-0, 7-1 against Mayor Harl the "glad handers" became inportant in this administration. The present Mayor is also more a hands off manager than the former Mayor which has allowed much more input or outside interference depending on which way you want to look at it!
Every incumbent runs again telling the people there was more to do than previously thought and he needs more time to finish but in this specific instance I doubt if there would ever be time to finish what has to be done. I am still waiting for the Change in 2009. Saying that the council would not permit these changes is only a excuse and 2009 was entered with the thought that it would be better to win or lose fighting than to just lose.
9:12
There are any number of reasons why they might need to pay. It could be to settle out of court if the job was mis represented by the city. It could be for issues out of original scope of work, like hazardous waste disposal. It could be that the insurance company is refusing to pay the city based on the original bond conditions.
I am not saying any of these issues are the case, just saying that I believe the City was penny wise and pound foolish when approaching the demolition of a coal power plant. I believe there is a very backward view of environmental compliance in Peru, and a general belief that environmental laws and safeguards only apply in big cities.
Home rule does not meanPeru is an independent country.
9:12 All I know is we have had beautiful weather most of the week, with 65 degrees tomorrow and those courts should have been unlocked. Actually should never have been locked in the first place. Who is behind these decisions? I for one would like to know. Thank you to anyone who could answer this question for me. Jill Bernal BTW...park has been full of KIDS all week. Sure some would have liked to play tennis.
Since the 28th street park is a public park why is there a area inside of it locked? The only reason that would be considered would be a public safety issue or there is someone who does not want others to have a easy access to this court to measure it for further legal purposes. The citizens have not been given false dimensions of the size of the court have they?
Has it been a traditional practice to lock this and other courts up at the end of fall or is there a new development which makes this a necessity?
7:32 This is a brand new development which began with the 28th street court being locked in early June before pickle ball started. Remember that? And no one knew who locked it and the city had to cut the lock???? As a matter of fact the tennis net at 28th street park was never removed before. This pickle ball club, affiliation, committee, whatever they call themselves has virtually taken control of a city facility. How or why the city is allowing this is beyond reason!!
If the 28th street court is locked because of pickle ball bolts sticking up from the surface please explain how that constitutes Sunset courts being locked up. I believe the alderman from that ward said since the courts were resurfaced many play tennis on them now. I wonder how those people feel now that the city said "times up" "no more tennis".
Tennis is like golf it can be played in cool weather. I think the locked up courts in a public park are wrong. Has Grabowski still have the keys to the court on 28th? In this weather we have lately, a lot of tennis could be played on that court and on Sunset.Wake up people, get this taken care of. Its just not right.
This property in question is a normal sized residence that has become a six apartment building. I believe that there are not six toilets, six showers, six anything so residents have to share these personal amenities. I am not sure I would like neighbors living in this kind of tenement structure. These kind of structures were phased out many years ago for good reasons.
9:41: You are INCORRECT!! Each apartment in that building has its' own bathroom. And...there ARE NOT six apartments in it. Your information is WAY OFF BASE.
4:28 Call your aldermen. Call the mayor. Call city hall. Call someone. This matter, no matter how small it seems is wrong, just plain wrong.
One of the hurdles in suing a city is that it generally must be proved the city was not acting in a traditional manner to benefit the general public. Basically showing that they stepped out of bounds and were acting like a private business and need to be held liable. The unique closures and treating the pickleballers like a private sports club will be integral in the case. You all should be rejoicing in those padlocks and removal of access to the courts by the general public. I continue to be shocked that the city attorney let's this happen. He must be daring the neighbors to sue. Maybe they are counting on the public majority to paint them as malcontents and treat them poorly. The city may be surprised at how many people side with the neighbors.
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