Marseilles increases fines for ordinance scofflaws
Penalties now range from $150 to $750 per violation
MARSEILLES – Those who flaunt the local zoning ordinance may find they have problems with the city in the future.
By unanimous vote Wednesday evening, the Marseilles City Council approved an update to the zoning ordinance, which raises fines as high as $750.
Mayor Pro Tem Robert Davis indicated the increase in fines may be a shock to those who violate the code.
“Hopefully, those attempting to avoid the regulations may find this increases their desire to conform to city code,” he told the council.
The increase affects any individual or business who violates, neglects, or refuses to comply with the ordinance.
The increase in fines raises the minimum from $25 to $150 per violation, and the maximum from $500 to $750.
Each day the violation continues is a separate offense with separate charge, Davis noted.
This means the previous $175 total for a seven-day zoning violation, at $25 per day, will jump by $875 to $1,050 for seven days under the new fine at $150 per day.
A public hearing regarding the change was conducted Wednesday, March 11.
The council also approved the changes recommended by the Marseilles Planning Commission to the local zoning map.
The annual update is required by state law. Changes to the map this year include a couple annexations and zoning revisions to the 300-foot wide land annexation from the city limits to Interstate 80 north of Marseilles.
“An unfunded mandate,” City Engineer Michael Etschied muttered upon its passage.
In other action, the council:
• Will appoint a special council to represent the city in a foreclosure action on property just west of the former Spicer Gravel Company on East U.S. 6. The appointment is needed because the city’s legal counsel, Hupp, Lanuti, Irion & Burton of Ottawa, has a conflict of interest in the case.
• Learned a private gold-buying company will be at city hall from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday to purchase gold and other valuables from the public.
Part of the proceeds will go to benefit the city’s 175th anniversary celebration in mid-June.
• Was told the aging former foundry building on Commercial Street should be demolished in a couple weeks.
• Will check on complaints of garbage strewn over East Bluff and Orange streets from a residence at the northwest corner.
• Learned the state will rebid the sidewalk project on South Main Street from the South Raceway to the Freedom Wall at the Illinois River. The rebidding is scheduled for April 23.
• Is accepting lifeguard applications for the summer season at the Marseilles Swimming Pool.
Also, the Recreation Board is conducting a baseball-softball clinic on Saturday, March 27, at the Marseilles Elementary School. The clinic is open to the public.
