Streator City Hall has received requests to waive liens on pieces of land the city cleaned up. If the city mows the grass and tears down an abandoned home, it wants to be paid back for those costs. Putting a lien on the property means someone has to pay the city before the property can be sold.
City Manager David Plyman says some people are proposing that the city waive the liens so the land can be sold and the city adds up no further bills for the maintenance. He says maybe some liens can be waived, but he thinks it should be case by case.
Commissioner Brian Crouch says only the liens where the city got grant money to cover demolition should be considered. If the city spent its own money on the work, Crouch feels it should get the money back.
Commissioner Tara Bedei says maybe neighbors who want to buy the cleared lots should be given a break from the city liens.
The City Council talked about it Tuesday.