City Council OKs Lawn Care Service for Vacant, Abandoned Properties

Oak Forest residents living next to vacant or abandoned properties in the city won't need to worry this year about the landscaping becoming unsightly eyesores.

The city council approved Tuesday a contract with Dutch Valley Inc., to tend to those empty properties in Oak Forest. Under the contract, the city will pay $28-per-cut, $2 less than last year.

In 2012, the city paid $11,800 to its previous contractor to maintain 65 properties, said Building Commissioner Gary Gerdes.

“We spent $30-per-cut last year, so we'll have a slight reduction in price this year,” he said.

A $400 lien is placed against the property for every cut the city pays for, something that should make up for the service's expense, Gerdes added.

When questioned by Aldermen Diane Wolf as to why Dutch Valley, a Monee-based business, was chosen, Gerdes said that cost was the main reason.

“We wanted the most competitive bid," Gerdes said. "We don't have any preference in our bid as to a local vendor."

The contract, which covers the 2013 mowing season, was approved Tuesday, March 26, by the city council in a 4-0 vote.

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