A business that needs code compliance work to open in Morton can now apply for a grant specifically created for that work.
At its most recent meeting, the Morton Village Board unanimously approved the code compliance grant, separating it from the business building improvement grant program overseen by the Business District Commission. Each grant is funded by business district sales tax revenue.
Instead of the Business District Commission making recommendations to the Village Board about grants for code work, code compliance grants will be vetted by village staff before going to the board for approval.
Mayor Jeff Kaufman, Village Administrator Julie Smick and Public Works Director Craig Loudermilk urged the board to establish the code compliance grant.
"It's a better fit for the village staff to make the judgment call on these grant requests," Smick said.
Kaufman said the grant should especially help restaurants that need a required grease trap to be installed.
"I keep hearing the No. 1 business people want in town is restaurants," he said. "This should help a restaurant get its grease trap installed sooner than later."
Loudermilk said Morton is as business-friendly as any area community.
"We want to fill empty buildings and bring restaurants to town," he said.
After the code compliance grant program was approved by the board, the first grant was awarded by the board to a Jimmy John's restaurant.
"Talking with them [Jimmy John's restaurant owners] is kind of how the conversation started about the code compliance grant," Smick said.
Code compliance grant amounts are the lesser of $10,000 or 50% of the cost of a project, or the lesser of $5,000 or 50% of the cost of architectural and engineering fees for a project.
Two or more bids for a project are required for grant approval. Grant funds can't be used to improve a property so it can sold, and if the property is vacated or sold in less than five years, a portion of the grant must be repaid.
Flint Avenue project cost: $4M
In other recent Village Board action:
• The board approved a $3.97 million contract with low bidder William Charles Construction of Rockford for a Flint Avenue reconstruction project. Loudermilk said he was happy to see seven companies bid for the project, which will cost less than the engineer's estimate. Most of the work will be done next year.
• At an appeal hearing, the board upheld the denial of a sewer license for Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Peoria. The reason for the village's denial is Mr. Rooter was denied a sewer license by the Greater Peoria Sanitary District. That denial is being contested by Mr. Rooter in court. Mr. Rooter can reapply for a sewer license in Morton if it wins its court case.
• The board approved a special use request so Training Domain, a personal training and fitness business owned by Marnie Dick, can move into a building at 925 Detroit Court that already houses a storage/warehouse/office space facility for REMSHO, a video production company owned by Brian Scheffler.
• The board approved a $10,000 building improvement grant for Lasilla Realty Co. at 612-620 W. Jackson Street. The grant will be used to pay for the refurbishing of the facade of the building. Total cost of the project is $24,775.
• Brian Getz was appointed and Nate Zeller was reappointed to the Business District Commission for three-year terms.
Yard waste disposal
Loudermilk made these announcements last week at the board meeting:
• Morton's popular self-serve yard waste disposal area for village residents will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily from Oct. 18 through Nov. 30 at Sewage Treatment Plant No. 2 at 2625 S. Fourth Ave. The area will be closed Nov. 27 and Nov. 28 for Thanksgiving.
• The treatment plant is Morton's site for Tazewell County's tire collection event from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 17. Village residents can bring up to a dozen tires to the site. An appointment is needed. Call 1-309-671-3068.
