Braidwood City Council

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.

City presents barber’s family with memorial plaque

Published by admin on Tue, 09/04/2018 - 6:27pm

Braidwood’s long-time barber may have passed away, but his legacy lives on.

On Aug. 28, members of the Braidwood City Council made a special tribute to Joseph “Muzzy” Muzzarelli, who passed away in June.

Muzzy began working as a barber in Braidwood in 1959, and opened his own Main Street barber shop in 1962.

Muzzy’s children have since taken over the business, and earlier this summer the city placed a bench in front of his shop for folks to stop, rest and chat.

On Aug. 28, the council presented Muzzy’s family with a special plaque to honor their father.

Council shoots down business proposal

Published by admin on Tue, 09/04/2018 - 6:25pm

A vacant property at Main and Walker Streets in Braidwood will stay vacant, at least for now.

Last week, the City Council shut down a proposal by local builder Tony Altiery to build a commercial building at the site, amid heated objections from local residents.

Altiery brought his plans to build a 2,200-square foot, one-story office building at the site, along with a 17-space parking lot.

This Towne no longer our Towne

Published by admin on Tue, 08/21/2018 - 6:08pm

Dozens of vacant lots in a once up-and-coming development on Braidwood’s northwest side have sat vacant for years, under control of the city and adding no tax dollars into local coffers.

Now, the city has finally washed its hands of the remaining lots at the site, signing off on real estate agreements that could finally lead to development.

On Aug. 14, the City Council approved two agreements to sell a total of 46 lots inside the Townes of Braidwood, for a total of $242,000.

City to pay its share of WESCOM debt

Published by admin on Tue, 08/21/2018 - 6:06pm

Braidwood’s police department no longer uses the Western Will County Communication Center (WESCOM) as its dispatching service for emergency calls. But the city still must pay up on an agreement held with the old dispatch service from when it joined in 2007.

On Aug. 14, the City Council approved an intergovernmental agreement with WESCOM to pay a total of $201,318 in money due. That cash will be paid in monthly installments of $1,157, with the obligation set to expire on May 1, 2032.