The Streator City Council voted Wednesday to allow Streator National Bank to move into the former Streator Medical Services building at 409 E. Bridge St.

The council approved and authorized a tax increment funding district II redevelopment agreement with the bank, known as First National Bank of Ottawa/Streator National Bank.

Larry Gretz, a West Bridge Street resident, expressed concern about parking limitations in front of his house, which formerly operated as his business. When a berm was placed in front of his residence, he said an Illinois Department of Transportation engineer told him there would be parking available for his business. Gretz said six months later the council approved a no parking zone in that area. He's concerned the no parking zone is not being enforced fairly by the Streator Police Department. He expressed concern about sidewalks in the vicinity not being handicapped-accessible.

Gretz also has concerns the police department is violating residents' civil rights by having a requirement that the police witness an infraction, such as a motorist cutting off another motorist and causing them to swerve, before issuing a citation.

Gretz said his next move is to file a class-action lawsuit against the city on both issues.

Mayor Jimmie Lansford asked City Manager Paul Nicholson to check into the situation and report back to the council.

Gretz also expressed concerns about a streetlight he said the city promised to post in the vicinity. Nicholson said the public works department has filed a request for an additional light from ComEd and the timeline for the installation of the streetlight is now in the hands of ComEd.

In other business, the council:

• Approved an agreement with J. Rudny of Batavia in connection with Web site redevelopment. J. Rudny is the same firm behind the Streator Tourism Web site, which recently won a governor's award for community organizations with budgets less than $750,000.
• Heard from Councilman Ed Benner recommending the James Street Recreational Center or Southside Diamonds be renamed in honor of the late Mayor Ray Schmitt. The council agreed one of these options seemed appropriate and action will be taken at April's council meeting.
• Nicholson reported he is working with Lansford to establish workshops for the budget process and is in discussions for the possible extension of a contract with Waste Management, the city's waste collection service. Nicholson expects to have a proposal within the next week to 10 days.