PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Wally Hoffman was present from the Sidney Library. The Library Board has set a date of May 1 for the wine tasting event at the library and wanted to know the procedure for getting a special event license from the Village and from the state. The Board stated that this event will be treated the same as Fun Days. Trustee McCloud moved that the Board approve the Library having Wyldewood Cellars put on the special event on May 1, 2015. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Tim Osterbur, Sidney Township Supervisor, reported that there will be an informational meeting about the future of the Town Hall on April 21 at the Sidney United Church. He said the Township Board would like to meet with the Village Board about the building of a multi-use building. The Trustees were agreeable.
Larry Johnson, Farnsworth Group, said that he had met with the Urbana-Champaign Sanitary District about a joint venture of Sidney with the Village of Philo to run a line from the Villages to UCSD's sewage treatment center. This would be cheaper than each village having its own treatment center even though there are no grants available now. The UCSD is interested in someone petitioning to join then but is not interested in subsidizing the project.
Mr. Johnson then passed out a map or time line of what would be involved. The Village has already done I-VI from the previous sewer planning. Odor concerns would be gone as the treatment center would not be in the Village. The engineer's study will basically be the same as the last time with a little updating. The report to the IEPA will need to be reworked to show that the UCSD is interested in taking in the Village of Sidney whereas six years ago it was not. The big hurdles are starting up the project, getting the easements, and the cost of $10,000,000, which is less $2,500,000 because of not having to have a treatment plant. The IEPA does have loans available for 2% interest for 30 years fixed. The UCSD would do all the billing but would use the water bills to do the figures. Currently there is a connection fee. Mr. Johnson said that the project would take at least three years.
Leroy Schluter was present to introduce himself. He is running unopposed for a four-year term as Trustee in the election tomorrow.
PRESIDENT WHITE'S COMMENTS
President White announced that the election tomorrow will be at the Sidney United Church on Bryan Street.
IMLRMA, the Village's insurance carrier, asked what level of coverage the Village wanted for the Library. The Trustees wanted figures on the costs of each of the three levels before making a decision. Clerk Moore will get the amounts.
President White had talked to Ron Ray about a retirement plan for the new employee, Brett Bennett. It will probably be an IRA. President White said that if a retirement plan is offered to one employee, it has to be offered to all full-time employees. The same plan will be offered to Earl Bennett.
Constellation will be supplying the electricity for the Village at a rate of .579 and going from June 2015 to June 2017. The signed contract has been sent in.
ATTORNEY HENDREN'S COMMENTS:
Mark Miller, Attorney Hendren's partner, was present representing Attorney Hendren.
EARL BENNETT'S REPORT
Supervisor Bennett reported that he had hired Captain Hook to supply five dumpsters for Dumpster Day on April 25 from 7-11 a.m. At Witt Park if the Village wanted to hold the event again. The cost would be $460 per dumpster for a cost or $2,300. The rules would be the same as last year: no tires, liquid chemicals, oil, batteries, paint, or electronics, including computers, printers, and TVs. Sidney residents can bring one load at no charge. Others will be charged $20.00 a load. Trustee McCloud moved that the Village hire Captain Hook for Dumpster Day to supply five dumpsters at $460 each for a total of $2,300. Trustee Catron seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Limb pickup will be the week of April 27-May 1. Limbs 6-8 feet in length and up to six inches in diameter and left at the front of the resident's property (not in the street) will be picked up.
There was a water leak under the highway at Washington and Main that has been fixed.
Work on the water tower is scheduled to begin April 13. The tower will be drained, and then the interior will be repaired and painted. It will take approximately four days but will be closed the rest of the month because the Village has to send in two separate water samples to the IEPA and they have to clear. Residents might see a pressure variation during the time the water tower is out of service. Twenty pounds of pressure must be kept or the Village will go on a boil order.
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 $875 for Bryant Services, $85 for Denny's Door Service, and $125 for Sanderson Tree Service. Trustee McCloud seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
STREETS AND ALLEY
Trustee Catron reported that the striping of the basketball court would be $500-600. Trustee Cokley moved that the Village spend $600 maximum for the striping of the basketball court to be taken out of the ball park fund. Trustee Catron seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Catron reported that $38,804.39 would be the cost for the next phase of the Village's street plan and $44,870.39 if Sunset to County Road 900 were added. Trustee Catron suggested waiting on the Sunset project until Ameren was done with their project. Trustee Catron moved that the Village spend $38,804.39 to repair the streets using the motor fuel tax fund. Trustee Finn seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
WATER/SEWER/UTILITY
2,924,784 gallons of water were pumped in March with a daily average of 94,347 gallons.
$29,444.21 was received in March with $9,668.60 in sewer planning money. 109 penalty bills were sent.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
One building permit for March: 410 W. Bryan, storage shed, permit #681, $50.00.
A bid for removal of a tree at 111 W. Byron from Sanderson Tree Service was presented: $525 with the Village removing some material or $725 for Sanderson to do all the work. Trustee McCloud moved that the Village have Sanderson Tree Service remove the tree and do all cleanup work for $725.00. Trustee Finn seconded the motion; motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee McCloud moved that the Village have Redneck Apparel fix the sign at the corner of S. David and Main for $1,345.00. Trustee Catron seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee McCloud will look into a replacement tree plan for the Village.
PARKS AND RECREATION
Trustee Cokley reported that the letters for the ball park signs had gone out that day. Bill Bryant is going to run the concession stand again. April 15 is the start of the ball programs. Uniforms had been ordered and should be in the end of the week. On the big diamond, the batter's box needs repair. Supervisor Bennett said they had done some work on the batter's box.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Trustee Arrasmith reported that ESDA was looking into a different person to take down the siren because Cler's had never come through. Trustee Cokley has a friend who will donate his time and crane. It will cost $500-700 for Reynolds towing to haul the crane here and $90 for a permit. Trustee Finn will check with another company. Trustee Arrasmith moved that the Village continue with its pledge of $3,000 toward the project with no date set. Trustee Finn seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
President White asked that discussion about a Village building be put on the agenda for the May meeting.
Trustee McCloud moved that the meeting be adjourned. Trustee Catron seconded the motion; motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. Meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.