Carbondale Reporter

The village of DeSoto Board of Trustees met Sept. 28 to discuss residential weed problem.

Here is the meeting's agenda, as provided by the village:

STATE OF ILLINOIS)

COUNTY OF JACKSON)

VILLAGE OF DESOTO)

Minutes

Nuisance Committee

September 28, 2016

The Special Nuisance Committee met on September 28, 2016 at 5 PM. The purpose of the meeting was to meet with Carl and Cathy Payne and their attorney to discuss Mr. and Mrs. Payne’s appeal of the notice of a weed violation and to try to come to a resolution of any issues with their residence. Chairperson Paulette Johnson called the meeting to order.

Present:

Paulette Johnson, Trustee

Eric Schuler, Trustee

Tim Cochran, Trustee

Tony Rushing, Trustee

Patricia Hoke, Village Attorney

Carl Payne

Cathy Payne

Tyson Tanner, Attorney for the Paynes

Mr. Tanner stated that he had spoken with Attorney Hoke. The meeting was set up to try to get an understanding of how to resolve this situation. He stated the following.

1. His clients were unclear as to what the Village was saying was at issue.

2. This has been an ongoing issue, so why now? What has changed?

3. They want to understand what needs to be done.

Attorney Hoke stated that even though the pictures included trees, the notice was for unlawful weed growth. Trustee Eric Schuler explained that the Village wants Mr. and Mrs. Payne to clear the underbrush and weeds that are under the trees.

Mr. Payne stated that culverts that drain onto his property had been installed without his permission. He said this drainage keeps the ground wet in the area in question. The Paynes said they have tried to maintain this area, but it is impossible because the area is always wet. Mrs. Payne feels they should be an exception to the rule because of the drainage on their property caused by the culverts.

It was suggested that the Village could look at the culvert drainage and possibilities for correcting any problems. The committee and the Paynes will meet again after looking into the culverts to discuss abating the weeds.

The Nuisance Committee recommends that within a three-month time frame, the Village investigate the drainage issue on the Payne property; develop a plan to resolve it or determine that there is no issue; get an estimate of the cost, then go back to the Paynes’ attorney with a proposal that includes the Village’s obligation and the Paynes’ obligation.

The meeting ended at 6:05 PM.