Lake County Gazette

City of North Chicago Building/License Committee met April 1

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Alderman January called the meeting to order.

ROLL CALL:

Present: Jackson, Coleman, Evans, Allen, Smith, Murphy, January

Absent: None

I. DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT FOR VACANT AND FORECLOSED PROPERTY REGISTRATION:

Economic & Community Development Director, Taylor Wegrzyn explained the city code required all foreclosed and vacant city property within the Economic & Community Development Department and its cost. It needed to be registered on a semi-annual basis.

He elaborated what had occurred with former Pro-Champs; currently handling manually; the goal was to bring properties in compliance. Registering them would assist with the monitoring. He requested a service agreement with HeraRegistry.

Treasurer, Vance Wyatt questioned the new property registration company. Mr. Wegrzyn explained was an online basis, a competitor and more technical.

Alderman Jackson inquired if City owned former company registry or vice versa. Mr. Wegrzyn explained was no cost.

Alderman Coleman expressed was against charging landlord fees for vacancies and could be discouraging. There should be some mechanism. Mr. Wegrzyn explained preferred moving forward with the new company, had the option of a 60-day notice to terminate the contract. It was more accessible with online components. He was seeking feedback from the users. Alderman Coleman questioned the registry cost and if they could option to pay annually. Mr. Wegrzyn explained ($300) and acknowledged could option on an annual basis.

Alderman Evans asked how the new company was chosen. Mr. Wegrzyn stated had reached out to (2) most notable firms that offered similar service; HeraRegistry was the most responsive, had local municipalities in the City of Waukegan and Rockford IL

The Mayor explained a house that was boarded-up at Martin Luther King Dr. and Lewis Ave. would soon to be demolished in May for a recent purchase from Lake County for additional easements.

Alderman January questioned if comparable cost to former registry. Mr. Wegrzyn acknowledged there was a slight increase in the base; negotiated with the new company reducing late fee. She asked if he had or city employee’s interest with HeraRegistry. Mr. Wegrzyn had no interest and was unaware of any employee. She was ensuring no conflict of interest.

II. PENDING MATTERS:

There were no pending matters previously discussed.

Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Murphy that Building/License Committee Meeting stand adjourned.

ROLL CALL:

Ayes: Jackson, Coleman, Evans, Allen, Smith, Murphy, January

Nays: None

Absent: None

The meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m.

https://www.northchicago.org/vertical/sites/%7B52959CF2-969E-41D9-A9CF-CF0A11D0BEA9%7D/uploads/COMMITTEE_MINUTES.4.1.24.pdf