Public Comments:
Resident Kurt Foster brought up a drain problem with a catch basin at Main and Harrison. Trustee Harris said that it is a county drain, but we will investigate it. Supervisor of Operations, Jeff Wyant stated he would investigate.
Mr. Foster also brought to the attention of the Board there are still door-to-door salesman who do not have a permit. There have been posts on Facebook regarding the matter. Mr. Foster would like to know what action to take in the future. President Arrasmith directed the question to Attorney Marc Miller to answer: Residents should ask if they have a permit, if they do not tell them to go away, even if they have a permit, you can still tell them to go away; you also do not have to answer your door. In addition, please alert the Village so we may address the issue.
Mr. Foster would also like to know if there is another boring crew in town and if so, what is their name? President Arrasmith stated he was unsure there was a new crew, but there will be more in the future, each with their own lines and boxes. Trustee Harris checked with Illinois American Water regarding the broken line on Bryan and Main and confirmed the current internet crew in town is still Metro and there is no other at this time.
Resident Cory Willard inquired about a Zoning Board and if there was any talk of putting one together. President Arrasmith stated there is not one, but he would like to see one formed, there needs to be people willing to get together to put one together.
Approve Minutes:
Trustee Dan Gadeken made a motion to approve the minutes from the February 5, 2024, meeting. Trustee Matt Laurent seconded the motion. The motion then carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
President Arrasmith's Comments:
2138 C.R. 800 N. -Trustee Schluter made a motion to consent to the plat survey as proposed for the breakout of 3.3 acres for property commonly known as 2138 C.R. 800 N. and suspending Village subdivision ordinances and consenting to the Board President providing a letter of confirmation for the County. Trustee Laurent seconded the motion. The motion then carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. Letter for the County was signed, dated, and handed to property owner at the meeting.
Dumpster Day- Trustee Laurent made a motion to approve up to $5,500 for eight (8) dumpsters from Captain Hook for Dumpster Day. Trustee Harris seconded the motion, the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. Dumpster Day will be held Saturday April 27, 2024, at Witt Park from 7am-llam.
Pete Mantell/ESDA - Mr. Mantell was present to discuss the updates to the Sidney Weather Alert System and announce a Weather Alert Radio Giveaway. Mr. Mantell stated:
"Previously our 3 Village sirens would either activate automatically or manually by me or manually by Champaign County EMA in the event of a tornado warning.
The alert system has now been updated to activate in the event of a destructive weather event in addition to a tornado warning.
The criteria for a destructive weather event are for at least 2 ¾ inch diameter (baseball sized) hail and/or 80mph thunderstorm winds.
This was suggested after the destructive derecho storm of June 29 last year which many will remember. This long-lived severe storm destroyed buildings, brought down powerlines and caused widespread tree destruction in Sidney and surrounding areas.
So, with the system update, our sirens will now be activated automatically when the National Weather Service issue a 'Warning Polygon' for our area or manually by me or manually by Champaign County EMA in the event of:
- Tornado Warning
- Destructive Weather Event
Sidney ESDA in years past has purchased and donated Weather Alert Radios to local businesses and establishments and we will be doing this again this spring.
This time we have purchased extra radios to donate to Sidney Village residents and local businesses. I will mention this availability on the Village electronic notification board outside, online on social media and meetings like this one.
As you all know, having many ways to alert people of upcoming severe weather is critical. Whether it's weather radio, tornado siren, smart phone, TV, or social media.
If a Village resident would like to request a Weather Alert Radio please email, FB message or call me. [email protected] 217-649-7717"
Library and Village Half contracts with J&S Wastewater Systems, Inc. - The Village Library has a yearly contract with J&S Wastewater Systems to maintenance the wastewater system at that property and the Village would like to create a contract for the Village Hall as well. The yearly contract for the library is
$220.00 and the Village Hall will be $195.00. Trustee Harris would like to wait and get additional estimates from other companies. President Arrasmith advised we could do that, but the contract due date is March 11, 2024, and our meeting is post that due date, in addition we have had no issues from them in the past. Trustee Schluter made a motion to approve both the library contract for $220.00 and
the Village Hall contract for $195.00. Trustee Harris seconded and the motion was carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Consideration of entering into an intergovernmental agreement for purposes of supporting the intervention in the Illinois American Water Company Rate Case before the ICC - President Arrasmith requested Attorney Marc Miller address. Attorney Marc Miller stated the water rates are monitored by ICC. The City of Champaign has hired a lawyer to enter a position on behalf of the city and surrounding communities; in the past we have added Sidney to the list. Trustee Laurent inquired if the increase is a high increase. Attorney Miller responded with yes, but it will likely be a lower amount than they have projected. Trustee Harris made a motion to enter into the intergovernmental agreement, Trustee Laurent seconded, Trustees Hooker and Bickers both were a no vote, Trustee Schluter and Gadeken were both yes; the motion carried.
Proposed text amendment by the Champaign County Zoning Administrator to the Champaign County Zoning Ordinance to authorize o Battery Energy Storage System as Special Use, and to amend relevant sections to support this new use. -Attorney Marc Miller outlined what Champaign County would like to change. The County would like to add a category for battery use storage; everyone would be notified if they are within 250 feet if there were to be a hazard. President Arrasmith asked the Board if they had any thoughts on the matter. Resident Jeff Hartke stated he would like to see the 250-foot radius extended to at least one (1) mile and is upset the Board is "rolling over" and not speaking up regarding this issue. Resident Pete Mantell stated if there were to be a fire it would take all crews in the area to help fight and fumes from the batteries could require the Village to evacuate. Mr. Hartke stated the panels should be required to be non-toxic and non-hazardous; MSDS sheets should be required and provided; supplier names should also be known; the County should also check with the EPA regarding what they can and cannot dispose of and how it should be properly handled. Trustee Harris stated as far as he knows the Village cannot do anything. Mr. Hartke responded with we should still ask that they be clean enough for a landfill, residents be far enough away to allow for evacuation as needed and notification be further out than 250 feet. Trustee Bickers made a motion to direct Attorney Marc Miller to prepare a response to the County regarding the amendment. The letters will request extending the 250-foot radius to at least one (1) mile, MSDS sheets be provided, and the materials used to be non toxic and non-hazardous. The motion was seconded by Trustee Gadeken and carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. Letters prepared by Attorney Marc Miller were signed and dated Tuesday March 5, 2024, then mailed and emailed to the Champaign County Zoning Department on Wednesday March 6, 2024.
203 S. David Street-President Arrasmith stated as of 11:30am, Monday March 4, 2024, the Village owns the property located at 203 S. David Street, Sidney, IL. President Arrasmith would like to put out to community what they would like to see happen with the property. Resident Bill McLane was present to express his interest in the Veterans Memorial being placed here. He has spoken with Addams Memorial and most, if not all memorials are not attached to a building and with it just down the block from the Legion Hall, it would be a great location. Addams memorial has also expressed the flexibility of the space is better than at the Village Hall and the cost may also be lower. President Arrasmith would like to conduct a community survey before a decision is made. Trustee Harris inquired as to how much space they would need and whether the area to the South of the Legion Hall would be good. Resident Bill McLane stated he was unsure of how much space was needed and the space to the South is owned by the railroad and they would be unable to put anything there. President Arrasmith will post potential interests online and the matter will be discussed later.
Attorney's Comments:
Nothing to report.
Jeff Wyant's Comments:
Dugout fences are complete, and the roofs should be complete this week if not then by next week. Welcome signs are up.
He has attempted contact with Little Bear regarding the removal of the fence, but the number has
changed, and he has been unable to communicate with anyone. Trustees Gadeken and Bickers think we should just remove the fence ourselves, especially if the owner will not as Little Bear's wife has been through enough and should not be bothered with something we can handle ourselves. Jeff will follow up with the owner to remove the fence and if he is unable to do so the Village will remove it.
Finance:
Trustee Hooker read the finance reports with no additions. Trustee Hooker made a motion that the bills be paid with no additions. Trustee Laurent seconded and the motion was carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Streets and Alleys:
Trustee Gadeken had nothing to report but would like to do a check around town with Jeff when he is free.
Water and Drainage:
The Lanz camera inspection was conducted, Mrs. Roy was present when the camera inspection was done, but she did not receive a report. Trustee Harris received the report which stated Lanz would first JULIE the area to be worked in and then excavate down to the existing 8" storm tile and replace approximately 17' of it. Lanz will bed all pipe in rock and then compact the back fill, grade, and seed the area when done. Lanz will also be disconnecting and capping off the connection for 307 E. Byron at this time. The proposal amount for this project, which does not include the final grading, seeding, or landscape is $6,020.00. Trustee Harris stated he received a second quote from Illinois Excavation, Concrete and Septic in the amount of $4,982.00. Illinois Excavation, Concrete and Septic will conduct the same work and the proposal amount includes back filling and seeding. Trustee Harris made a motion to approve up to $5000.00 for Illinois Excavation, Concrete and Septic to be hired to complete the Underground Proposal work at 307 E. Byron, Trustee Laurent seconded the motion, the motion then carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Public Property:
Permit number 779 was issued to Illinois American Water in the amount of $150.00 for the water tower, driveway, and valve control building. Permit read by Trustee Bickers.
Parks and Recreation:
Nothing to report.
Community Development:Trustee Schluter reported that the website is up to date. He will be adding new photos and Village contact information to the Home Page on the Village website. Trustee Schluter reported during the meeting that the February minutes, upon approval, had been added to the Village website and were available to view.
New and Old Business:Trustee Harris would like to see the continuation of camera inspections throughout the Village.
Adjourn:
Trustee Schluter made a motion to adjourn the meeting, the motion was seconded by Trustee Laurent and carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. The meeting adjourned at 8:04pm.