EAST DUBUQUE, Ill. -- The city of East Dubuque and Carter Newt, president of Sunflower Enterprises Inc., have come to an agreement.
The city carried through on its decision to not issue a stop-work order, which would have kick-started a hefty fine schedule, and Newt agreed to remove the barge from the harbor property.
At the Monday council session, Newt announced his intention to move the barge the week of Nov. 9, adding that the effort will take several days.
Citing miscommunication as the core of the dispute, City Council members and Newt agreed to keep lines of communication open in the future.
Mayor Geoff Barklow noted that Newt's crews had encountered a number of delays in their efforts.
"They are working hard to get the barge out of the harbor," Barklow said.
"We want to work with you with whatever business venture is going to be (next)," said Alderman James Hanley.
"I appreciate your willingness to work with us," Newt said. "I am sorry about the miscommunications. When we have real proposals, I'll come back to the council."
Early in 2009, Barklow told council members that he had given Newt permission to do some short-term "work" in the harbor. Some time later, a dredge was anchored in the harbor and work on what looked to be a barge was undertaken. Questions and rumors regarding the work began surfacing soon after.
The harbor and surrounding land is zoned commercial/business. A zoning designation of industrial is usually associated with barge building.
At numerous City Council sessions, attorney Bob Busch repeatedly asked why the city was not enforcing its zoning ordinance, particularly as the harbor had been listed recreational/residential in the city's comprehensive plan.
Two weeks ago, City Manager Al Griffiths announced that he had issued a violation of ordinance notice on Sept. 17. As of the Oct. 19 meeting, he had no communication from Newt and the city was facing the option of issuing a stop-work order. Under the city's ordinance, once a stop-work order is issued, an automatic fine kicks in. The fine, starting at $75, doubles daily. In 30 days, the fine could have amounted to more than $40 billion.
The council decided not to issue the stop-work order at that time and instructed Griffiths to contact Newt to work out an agreement to get the barge out of the harbor.
Newt informed the board that the boat formerly used as the Diamond Jo Casino will be moved into the East Dubuque harbor for several weeks, but will return to the Dubuque side of the river.
