Trustee Arrasmith moved that the minutes of the December 7, 2015, Board of Trustees meeting be approved. Trustee Finn seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Two engineers from Farnsworth, Dennis Cummins and Mr. Patel, were present to observe the meeting and answer any questions about the sewer project. Nothing more has been done with this. Trustee Schluter asked about Philo's progress. Philo has different engineers but it was thought no more had been done there.
Keith Kropp was present to ask about the liquor license that he has requested. Trustee Finn moved that the Board amend the liquor ordinance to increase the number of C licenses to two. Trustee Cokley seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes with Trustee Arrasmith abstaining and President White voting aye. The amendment to the ordinance will be voted on at the February meeting.
PRESIDENT WHITE'S COMMENTS
President White reported that the Village of Sidney had been awarded the bronze Smoke-Free Park Designation from the Champaign County Tobacco Prevention Coalition for making its parks smoke free.
President White had talked further with a Verizon representative about a cell tower being placed on top of the water tower. The representative is just checking possible sites out presently.
ATTORNEY HENDREN'S COMMENTS:
Ed Clancy from Berns, Clancy and Associates was present to explain the request from the owners of a parcel of land in Sidney Township to replat the tracts into two lots for the de Pasquali subdivision. The land is within the mile and a half limit of Sidney's subdivision jurisdiction. The owners had done all the paperwork, a copy of which is attached to these minutes.
Attorney Hendren explained the process further. The Board can exercise their subdivision jurisdiction but the subdivision would remain under county zoning. The Village does not have zoning authority over the property. There would be some costs to the Village for engineer and lawyer fees. The Board could ask that the owners reimburse the Village for those fees. Mr. Clancy pointed out that they had already paid $300 for the plat fee. There will be no engineering plans because nothing will change. Attorney Hendren pointed out that there is no pre-annexation agreement with this proposal.
Marc Miller, Attorney Hendren's partner, is the attorney for the de Pasqualis, but he will not be their attorney if this goes forward. Attorney Hendren has to disclose this.
Because there is no plan committee, the Board of Trustees acts as the plan committee. Trustee Finn moved that the Board of Trustees meet at 6:30 p.m. on February 1, 2016, for a plan commission hearing before the regular Board of Trustees meeting. Trustee Schluter seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. There will be a posted agenda for both the plan commission meeting and the regular Board meeting.
EARL BENNETT'S REPORT
Supervisor Bennett reported that Donahue and Associates, engineer for the water tower project, has begun the bidding process for the work to be done.
There will be no help from FEMA for the recent flooding because Champaign County is not a designated flood county.
Supervisor Bennett will meet with Dennis Cummins, Farnsworth engineer, next month to assess the damage on North Scarborough due to the flooding. MFT funds can be used for the repair.
FINANCE REPORT
The financial reports were read by Trustee Finn. After reading them, Trustee Finn moved that the bills be paid with the addition of $1,300 to Sanderson Tree Service (already approved) and $400 to Bryant Service. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
A question was asked by a member of the public about what the disaster fund covered and whether it could be used to help people who were affected by the recent flooding. Clerk Moore will look this up and report at the next meeting.
STREETS AND ALLEY
Nothing to report except what Supervisor Bennett had already reported on
WATER/SEWER/UTILITY
2,772,634 gallons of water were pumped in December with a daily average of 89,439 gallons.
$27,074.88 was received in December with $9,248.69 in sewer planning money. 100 penalty bills were sent.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
No building permits were issued in December.
Both trees on East Main Street have been removed. One more at Scarborough and Byron is yet to be taken down.
Nothing more on the proposed building or on ESDA.
PARKS AND RECREATION
Nothing to report
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Trustee Schluter urged everyone to use his/her new e-mail account to conduct Village business.
OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
None
Trustee Arrasmith moved that the meeting be adjourned. Trustee Finn seconded the motion; motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. Meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
__________________________ _________________________
Carol Moore, Village Clerk Date Approved