The Sidney Village Board met on the above date for the regular monthly meeting. The meeting was opened at 7:00pm with the Pledge of Allegiance. President Arrasmith called the meeting to order. The following Trustees were present: Leroy Schluter, Tyler Bickers, and Dan Gadeken. Bret Harris would arrive at 7:03pm. Trustees Donna Hooker and Matt Laurent were not present. The Supervisor of Operations, Jeff Wyant, was present. Clerk Reinhart and Attorney Marc Miller were also present.
Public Comments:
A Village resident (Marty Sigler) was present to thank the Village Maintenance staff for their continued effort to keep the community looking good, he has lived here many years and expressed this is the best the Village has looked in years. .
Approve Minutes:
President Arrasmith requested a motion to approve the minutes for the Sidney Village Board meeting October 7, 2024. Trustee Schluter noted there were two grammar errors that needed corrected, Mr. Franzen was spelled incorrectly, and "truck" should have been "trunk". Trustee Schluter made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from October 7, 2024, meeting with the grammar corrections. Trustee Dan Gadeken seconded the motion, and the motion was carried by all ayes on a roll call vote. Trustee Schluter also requested that the meeting minutes be prepared and sent more directly following a meeting. Clerk Reinhart agreed and stated she would get them done in a timelier manner.
President Arrasmith's Comments:
Approve Closure of the ARPA account: All ARPA money has been spent and the account can now be closed. Trustee Bickers made a motion to close the ARPA account. Trustee Dan Gadeken seconded the motion, the motion was carried with au ayes on a roll call vote.
Consideration and approval of the 2024-2025 Tax Levy Ordinance: Attorney Marc Miller prepared and presented the 2024-2025 Tax Levy Ordinance for the Village of Sidney. Mr. Miller advised the Board does not have to vote at this time, but the deadline to approve and file is the last Tuesday in December. He added this is the most cost-effective approach and the Board should pass the Ordinance as presented. Trustee Schluter made a motion to approve the 2024-2025 Tax Levy Ordinance as prepared by Marc Miller's office. Trustee Tyler Bickers seconded the motion, the motion was carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Attorney's Comments:
Nothing to report.
Jeff Wyant's Comments:
Discuss/approve the cost to repair or replace the backhoe: The Village backhoe, a 2006 model, has been experiencing computer problems. Codes thrown are for the EGM Monitor and EGM Module.
The approximate cost to fix these current issues is $5000.00. For $116,000 the Village can trade in their current backhoe and purchase a new one. Trustee Bickers inquired if Jett had shopped around for a better deal. Jeff stated if we were to go with a different brand the Village would also have to purchase new attachments, additionally the older the model is the less of a government incentive, if any, the Village will receive. Trustee Harris made a motion to approve up to $11,000 to repair the current backhoe. Trustee Gadeken seconded the motion, and the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. Following the motion discussion continued regarding the backhoe. President Arrasmith added the Board can have a Special Meeting if they need to approve more money to repair the backhoe or if the discussion needs to be purchasing a new one. Trustee Bickers inquired whether we could get a loan or if there is grant money available. Attorney Miller said it would be better if the Village were to lease a new backhoe. Trustee Bickers closed his comments stating the Village should investigate leasing options and potential grant money if the backhoe needs further repairs. President Arrasmith instructed Jeff to inquire about leasing options.
Finance:
Audit: Auditor was not present to discuss.
Approval of Monthly Bills: Trustee Hooker was not present. Reports were read by President Arrasmith. There were no additions to the bills. Trustee Bickers made a motion to approve the monthly bills with no additions. Trustee Schluter seconded the motion, and the motion was carried by all ayes on a roll call vote.
CD Mature - 12 Month: Trustee Hooker was not present, Trustee Schluter read for her. Last month Trustee Hooker reported that the 12-month CD in the amount of $427,649.27 would mature on November 17, 2024, and the Village Board would need to discuss the renewal. Trustee Hooker recommends that the Board renew as a 5-month CD as Longview is offering a 5% APY for 5 months. Trustee Schluter made a motion to renew the 12-month CD in the amount of $427,649.27 for 5-
months. The motion was seconded by Trustee Harris, the motion then carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Streets and Alleys:
Nothing to report.
Water and Drainage:
Trustee Harris reported flags had been placed by J.U.L.I.E. for the drainage repairs to be done at Victory and White Streets. He is unsure if Fenter has started any work yet.
Public Property:
Permits: Trustee Bickers reported two permits issued. Permit Number795 for a shed at 206 E. Main Street and Permit Number 796 for a yard barn at 501 S. David Street.
Discuss/approve removal of inoperable vehicles, cleanup of private property and sidewalk repair: Discussion will continue in the spring, including tree replacement. President Arrasmith stated Jeff has been working on the sidewalks and will continue as the weather permits.
Discussion was also had about a post online pertaining to the condition of the parks within the Village. The post was about the condition of the swings, lack of an ADA swing and the pavilion in Victory Park and later additional issues with the other parks in town were added to the post. Trustee Schluter said the Village did have an ADA swing, but it had been broken through misuse. The Village has since replaced the swing but has not hung the new swing as there is not anyone currently of age and with a disability that can use it, additionally, it is an expensive piece of park equipment the Village would like to keep nice. Jeff added he has spoken with a family in the community that has a young child with disabilities and when that child becomes of appropriate age to use the swing, he will hang it up. He also added that when the issues were brought to his attention, they were investigated right away. The swings had been wrapped around the bar that holds them and any glass that was reported in the post was no longer on the ground. The swings were returned to their appropriate position.
New and Old Business:
Nothing to report.
Adjourn:
Trustee Schluter made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Gadeken seconded the motion, the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:43pm.
Public Comments:
A Village resident (Marty Sigler) was present to thank the Village Maintenance staff for their continued effort to keep the community looking good, he has lived here many years and expressed this is the best the Village has looked in years. .
Approve Minutes:
President Arrasmith requested a motion to approve the minutes for the Sidney Village Board meeting October 7, 2024. Trustee Schluter noted there were two grammar errors that needed corrected, Mr. Franzen was spelled incorrectly, and "truck" should have been "trunk". Trustee Schluter made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from October 7, 2024, meeting with the grammar corrections. Trustee Dan Gadeken seconded the motion, and the motion was carried by all ayes on a roll call vote. Trustee Schluter also requested that the meeting minutes be prepared and sent more directly following a meeting. Clerk Reinhart agreed and stated she would get them done in a timelier manner.
President Arrasmith's Comments:
Approve Closure of the ARPA account: All ARPA money has been spent and the account can now be closed. Trustee Bickers made a motion to close the ARPA account. Trustee Dan Gadeken seconded the motion, the motion was carried with au ayes on a roll call vote.
Consideration and approval of the 2024-2025 Tax Levy Ordinance: Attorney Marc Miller prepared and presented the 2024-2025 Tax Levy Ordinance for the Village of Sidney. Mr. Miller advised the Board does not have to vote at this time, but the deadline to approve and file is the last Tuesday in December. He added this is the most cost-effective approach and the Board should pass the Ordinance as presented. Trustee Schluter made a motion to approve the 2024-2025 Tax Levy Ordinance as prepared by Marc Miller's office. Trustee Tyler Bickers seconded the motion, the motion was carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Attorney's Comments:
Nothing to report.
Jeff Wyant's Comments:
Discuss/approve the cost to repair or replace the backhoe: The Village backhoe, a 2006 model, has been experiencing computer problems. Codes thrown are for the EGM Monitor and EGM Module.
The approximate cost to fix these current issues is $5000.00. For $116,000 the Village can trade in their current backhoe and purchase a new one. Trustee Bickers inquired if Jett had shopped around for a better deal. Jeff stated if we were to go with a different brand the Village would also have to purchase new attachments, additionally the older the model is the less of a government incentive, if any, the Village will receive. Trustee Harris made a motion to approve up to $11,000 to repair the current backhoe. Trustee Gadeken seconded the motion, and the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. Following the motion discussion continued regarding the backhoe. President Arrasmith added the Board can have a Special Meeting if they need to approve more money to repair the backhoe or if the discussion needs to be purchasing a new one. Trustee Bickers inquired whether we could get a loan or if there is grant money available. Attorney Miller said it would be better if the Village were to lease a new backhoe. Trustee Bickers closed his comments stating the Village should investigate leasing options and potential grant money if the backhoe needs further repairs. President Arrasmith instructed Jeff to inquire about leasing options.
Finance:
Audit: Auditor was not present to discuss.
Approval of Monthly Bills: Trustee Hooker was not present. Reports were read by President Arrasmith. There were no additions to the bills. Trustee Bickers made a motion to approve the monthly bills with no additions. Trustee Schluter seconded the motion, and the motion was carried by all ayes on a roll call vote.
CD Mature - 12 Month: Trustee Hooker was not present, Trustee Schluter read for her. Last month Trustee Hooker reported that the 12-month CD in the amount of $427,649.27 would mature on November 17, 2024, and the Village Board would need to discuss the renewal. Trustee Hooker recommends that the Board renew as a 5-month CD as Longview is offering a 5% APY for 5 months. Trustee Schluter made a motion to renew the 12-month CD in the amount of $427,649.27 for 5-
months. The motion was seconded by Trustee Harris, the motion then carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Streets and Alleys:
Nothing to report.
Water and Drainage:
Trustee Harris reported flags had been placed by J.U.L.I.E. for the drainage repairs to be done at Victory and White Streets. He is unsure if Fenter has started any work yet.
Public Property:
Permits: Trustee Bickers reported two permits issued. Permit Number795 for a shed at 206 E. Main Street and Permit Number 796 for a yard barn at 501 S. David Street.
Discuss/approve removal of inoperable vehicles, cleanup of private property and sidewalk repair: Discussion will continue in the spring, including tree replacement. President Arrasmith stated Jeff has been working on the sidewalks and will continue as the weather permits.
Discussion was also had about a post online pertaining to the condition of the parks within the Village. The post was about the condition of the swings, lack of an ADA swing and the pavilion in Victory Park and later additional issues with the other parks in town were added to the post. Trustee Schluter said the Village did have an ADA swing, but it had been broken through misuse. The Village has since replaced the swing but has not hung the new swing as there is not anyone currently of age and with a disability that can use it, additionally, it is an expensive piece of park equipment the Village would like to keep nice. Jeff added he has spoken with a family in the community that has a young child with disabilities and when that child becomes of appropriate age to use the swing, he will hang it up. He also added that when the issues were brought to his attention, they were investigated right away. The swings had been wrapped around the bar that holds them and any glass that was reported in the post was no longer on the ground. The swings were returned to their appropriate position.
New and Old Business:
Nothing to report.
Adjourn:
Trustee Schluter made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Gadeken seconded the motion, the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:43pm.
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