This structure at 345 1/2 Rice St. is one of three buildings that will be demolished, following City Council action Monday. [Photo by Mike Berry]

Three more derelict houses in Kewanee will be demolished, following action by the Kewanee City Council Monday.

The council approved bids to tear down structures at 331 W. Oak St., 345 1/2 Rice St. and 704 Wilbur St. Earlier this spring, the council had approved tearing down three other abandoned buildings in the city.

The Oak Street house will be demolished by Ratliff Brothers, who had the low bid of $11,500 for the work.

Martin Brothers had the low bids of $6,450 for the Wilbur Street work and $2,800 for the structure on Rice Street.

In a report to the council, Community Development Director Keith Edwards wrote that the cost of the demolitions will be reimbursed from a state grant.

The City Council approved a $25,000 TIF payment to put a new roof on this building at 104 E. First St. [Photo by Mike Berry]

Also Monday:

-The council approved a $25,000 payment to property owners Todd and Diane Reeser for a new roof on their building at 104 W. First St.

The money will be from the city’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) fund, and will cover most of the $29,348 cost of the roof.

-Two recommendations from the Zoning Board of Appeals were approved.

-A variance allowing Frank Mannon’s privacy fence at his property at 610 W. Fourth St. was approved. The variance was needed because the fence is made of steel pieces that are normally used in building trailers.

“I wouldn’t want it in my neighborhood,” Mayor Gary Moore said before voting “no” on the variance, which was approved on a 3-1 vote.

-The other variance allows Eduardo Benitez to remove a rear porch from his home at 114 E. Ninth St. and add a dining room. Without the variance, the dining room would be too close to the rear property line.

Moore said he had spoken to neighbors who “applauded what he is doing with that house.”