WNIJ host Jason Cregier is joined by Shaw Media reporter Brandon Clark to discuss recent news in the Sauk Valley.
This conversation has been edited for clarity.
Jason Cregier: Recently the Sterling City Council approved an ordinance to establish a new residential rental housing code. Brandon, what can you tell us about this?
Brandon Clark: This has been a highly contested issue in the area. What it really revolves around is the city trying to bring negligent landowners and property owners to heel. Now, this isn’t to say there isn’t any responsibility on the tenant’s side. What this essentially has done is it’s created a rental property registration and inspection program.
These inspections are slated to begin after June 1 and rental property owners will need to register their properties with the city of Sterling.
Before this, there wasn’t an exhaustive list of rental properties.When continued complaints came up people didn’t know who to contact. Owners will now have to provide contact information for themselves or a designated agent who lives within 50 miles of the city.
The Sterling Public School District has some projects on their plate this summer. What are the projects, and what are some of the costs associated with the projects?
Phase 3, the final phase of the high school’s boiler system work, was estimated to cost $2.5 million, and the final bid for the project came in at $4.45 million. Before the [Covid-19] pandemic the overall cost was projected at $9.7 million. Since then, costs have gone up, and the overall cost of the work is now estimated at $13.8 million.
A good portion of the work was paid for with Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds, or ESSER funds. These funds are given to schools by the federal government to improve ventilation and mitigate against the spread of airborne diseases.
It kind of blows my mind. I don’t think people realize how much some of this work costs.
Let’s end our conversation on a happy note. With summer right around the corner, where can people swim in the Sauk Valley area?
The good news is that the Sauk Valley offers plenty of public pools and splash pads for everyone to enjoy.
In Dixon, you can head over to the free splash pad at Vaile Park. The Dixon Park District has also added a Waterland splash pad, which is free. The Dixon YMCA also offers indoor fun.
In Rock Falls, Crystal Lake has been a staple in the community for years.
Sterling offers the Central Park splash pad and Ruffit Park Campground will be reopening their pool.
That’s Brandon Clark, he covers news in the Sauk Valley for Shaw Media. Brandon, thanks for chatting.
Always a pleasure, thanks for having me.
