COMMISSIONER THOMAS MILLER
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Thomas Miller
Phone 732-7027
Phone 732-7027City of Oregon Commissioner
Public Health and Safety
Appointed to city council by the Oregon City Council upon the recommendation of Oregon Mayor Thomas Stone Sr. on 01/08/2007. Appointed as Public Health and Safety commissioner to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Nick Johnson.
Duties of public health and safety commissioner as assigned in City Code of the City of Oregon, Illinois are:
·Supervise and control the public health department (currently there is no city health department)
Supervise and control the public health department (currently there is no city health department)·Issue all permits and licenses as required by city code.
Issue all permits and licenses as required by city code.·Inspect, regulate, and control all places, businesses, trades and occupations required to be licensed by city code
Inspect, regulate, and control all places, businesses, trades and occupations required to be licensed by city code·Supervise and control all solid and landscaping wastes, recyclable materials an composting in the city
Supervise and control all solid and landscaping wastes, recyclable materials an composting in the cityThe public health and safety commissioner is also a member of the city planning commission by city code definition. See planning commission page.
City of Oregon Planning Commission
By city code the planning commission is made up by the following members: mayor, (who shall be an ex officio member without power to vote); the commissioner of public health and safety; and six at large members appointed by the mayor (four must be within the city limits and two from the area within 1 ½ miles of the city limits). One alternate member is also appointed.
Duties of the planning commission are:
·Prepare a comprehensive plan for the guidance, direction, and control of the growth and development of the city.
Prepare a comprehensive plan for the guidance, direction, and control of the growth and development of the city.·Establish reasonable standards of design for subdivisions.
Establish reasonable standards of design for subdivisions.·Evaluate and recommend (positive or negative) to city council any variations to city code.
Evaluate and recommend (positive or negative) to city council any variations to city code.·May designate land suitable for annexation to the city and the recommended zoning classification for such land upon annexation.
May designate land suitable for annexation to the city and the recommended zoning classification for such land upon annexation.·Recommend changes, from time to time, in the official comprehensive plan.
Recommend changes, from time to time, in the official comprehensive plan.·Exercise such other powers germane to the powers granted under authority of the Illinois Revised Statutes as may be conferred by the council.
Exercise such other powers germane to the powers granted under authority of the Illinois Revised Statutes as may be conferred by the council.Public Health and Safety
After reviewing the city code book ordinances there were several areas that needed updating and/or additions to keep up with the times. The health and safety of the citizens of Oregon are of great concern to all the officials of the city. Continued examination and action to ensure the health and safety of residents in and around Oregon are performed on an ongoing basis.
Some changes over the past two years include:
·A pool fence ordinance was enacted to ensure the safety of neighborhood toddlers.
A pool fence ordinance was enacted to ensure the safety of neighborhood toddlers.·Implementation of a West Nile Virus prevention program was initiated.
Implementation of a West Nile Virus prevention program was initiated.·An adult business ordinance was instituted.
An adult business ordinance was instituted.·Strengthening of the stray animal and nuisance ordinance was enacted.
Strengthening of the stray animal and nuisance ordinance was enacted.·Leash use requirement for pets was added.
Leash use requirement for pets was added.More changes will be made as time progresses to keep the city of Oregon healthy and safe. Some situations were never considered OR were never an issue before and as city officials become aware of them, action will be taken. If at any time a citizen becomes aware of an omission or a need for correction, city officials will be happy to take action if deemed appropriate and always appreciate their input.
Planning Commission
The planning commission has been very active over the past two years. After several years of work, the Comprehensive Plan for the City of Oregon was approved by the city council in April 2003. This document is a tremendous asset to the city in that it is a “cookbook” for the advancement in the development of the city of Oregon. It helps the planning and implementation of the kind of growth the city desires. Having a comprehensive plan also opens the door for possible opportunities in obtaining federal and state funding.
A major undertaking, that involved several months of dedicated service by the members of the planning commission, was the revamping of the subdivision ordinance. After many months, a “state of the art” subdivision ordinance was achieved and presented to the city council for approval. The city council unanimously voted to enact it knowing that it would be a great asset for controlling the growth of Oregon in a way most advantageous to the city.
On going processes are:
·evaluating variances to city code and making recommendations to the city council.
evaluating variances to city code and making recommendations to the city council.· investigating and updating city codes.
investigating and updating city codes. ·use the Comprehensive Plan for the City of Oregon as a tool in planning for the future growth of the city of Oregon.
use the Comprehensive Plan for the City of Oregon as a tool in planning for the future growth of the city of Oregon. ·continually monitor and adopt changes to the Comprehensive Plan for the City of Oregon as necessary when warranted.
continually monitor and adopt changes to the Comprehensive Plan for the City of Oregon as necessary when warranted.
