Braidwood City Council

New eateries headed to town

Published by admin on Tue, 03/26/2019 - 6:10pm

Two new restaurants are set to open their doors in Braidwood this spring.

During the regular meeting of the City Council on March 12, city administrator Don Labriola issued a development report announcing that residents will soon have some additional choices when headed out for a bite to eat.

“We’ve issued permits to two new restaurants coming into town, both of them on Front Street,” Labriola said.

Audit report delivered, questions remain

Published by admin on Tue, 02/19/2019 - 7:00pm

With just two months left in the current fiscal year, the city of Braidwood has finally given a public breakdown of finances. But the audit report, presented to the public at the Feb. 12 regular meeting of the City Council, only covered the city’s financial state where it stood on May 1, 2018, with little additional information over what was already publicly available.

Last week, Jim Savio, a CPA with the city’s audit firm Sikich of Naperville, presented the findings of the fiscal year 2018 (FY18) audit to the mayor and commissioners.

City seeks crime lab solutions

Published by admin on Tue, 02/19/2019 - 6:56pm

The city of Braidwood has made a move aimed at speeding up the process when it comes to processing evidence in criminal cases.

On Feb. 12, the City Council approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Northeastern Illinois Regional Crime Laboratory.

Public Health and Safety Commissioner Eric Tessler said the agreement would help the police department speed up the process for criminal investigation that utilizes forensic specialty services.

Council approves TIF payment for auto business

Published by admin on Tue, 02/19/2019 - 6:52pm

The city of Braidwood has signed off on an agreement to assist with development in its industrial/business park along Route 113.

On Feb. 12, the City Council approved a measure to execute a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) redevelopment agreement with Warren Wietting, president of Warren’s Collision Center.

The agreement will provide Warren’s Collision Center with dollars from the city’s TIF III fund as reimbursement for costs related to development of the property at 860 EZ Street.

City: PACE program successful so far

Published by admin on Tue, 01/22/2019 - 7:13pm

After a half year of offering rides to folks who need a lift around Braidwood and beyond, the city is reporting that the program is showing signs of success.

Earlier this month, city officials announced that rides have increased to near-daily use on Braidwood’s PACE bus, a passenger van leased to the city for public transportation use.

“It’s been six months since we got the PACE bus running, and it’s been terrific,” said city administrator Don Labriola. “We give rides every day, the wheel chair lift is working fine. It’s been a great success.”

Braidwood finances deep in the red

Published by admin on Tue, 01/15/2019 - 7:38pm

The city of Braidwood is facing a dire financial situation, despite the mayor’s reassurance earlier this month that things are moving along well. And, it appears, at least part of the problem stems from a previous audit that was off by hundreds of thousands of dollars for some funds.

Ballot set for spring election

Published by admin on Tue, 01/15/2019 - 7:34pm

After a handful of challenges to candidate petitions, the races for mayor and commissioners are now official for the April 2, 2019 consolidated election.

Objections were filed to the nominating papers of three candidates by Braidwood resident Bruce Keller.

Those objections went before the city of Braidwood Municipal Officers Electoral Board for a determination. By state law, the local electoral board is made up of the mayor, the clerk, and the longest serving member of the City Council.

Mayor looks ahead - Infrastructure key in 2019

Published by admin on Tue, 01/08/2019 - 6:16pm

While the election this spring could mean a new leader at the helm in Braidwood, that possibility isn’t stopping the seated mayor from planning ahead.

As 2019 gets into gear, Mayor Jim Vehrs said he has plans for the city this year, including work to improve roads and infrastructure.

“We’ll see where we’re at with our MFT funds, we’ll pave some more roads,” Vehrs said of his plans for 2019. “I’d like to finish Walker Street. We’ve got a brand-new school, but we’ve got a road that’s all patched together, so we’d like to finish that.”

Zoning change could help revamp biz park

Published by admin on Tue, 12/18/2018 - 7:25pm

A developer is looking to breathe new life into the business park on Braidwood’s south side.

On Dec. 10, the planning and zoning board held a public hearing for the Route 66 Business Park, which sits along Route 53 just north of Division Street. The property is owned by local businessman Bob Jones, but is currently under contract to be sold to Mike Guinta.

Guinta wants to rezone the property from outlying business to industrial.

Qualifications for chief, deputy chief amended

Published by admin on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 6:30pm

The city of Braidwood has established some new rules for anyone looking to serve as the city’s top cop.

Earlier this month, the City Council approved an amendment to the city’s code of ordinances changing the eligibility requirements to be appointed as police chief. The change added two specific qualifications for anyone in the role of police chief or deputy police chief.

“Right now, it’s pretty vague,” Public Health and Safety Commissioner Eric Tessler said of the amendment.