President White read the election results: Cyndi McCloud and Leroy
Schluter were elected to four-year terms. Clerk Moore then administered the oath of office to both of the new Trustees, and they took their seats. Trustee Catron then left the Board as his term was up.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Carol Erb was present and expressed her concern about underage kids on golf carts. The county deputy sees them and does not stop them. President White said that the Board would be discussing golf carts at the June Board meeting and perhaps would enact an ordinance at some time to regulate the use of golf carts in the Village.
Mike Roy spoke of the need for the Township and Village Boards to work together on a new community multi-use building since both the Town Hall and Community Building will need major construction work to bring them up to safety and building codes. President White said that this matter was on the agenda and he would be naming a committee from the Village Board to meet with the Township Board.
PRESIDENT WHITE'S COMMENTS
President White asked if anyone was present to tell of the Library fundraiser. Clerk Moore said that they had received the required letters from the Village and the insurance company, IMLRMA, to get a special liquor license from the State. The wine tasting event will be Saturday, May 16, 4-6 p.m., at the Library. The cost is $10 per person.
President White said he had received questions about the electrical aggregation program from residents after they had received letters. Clerk Moore said she had question and answer sheets that help explain the program, and she would send a copy to President White and each Trustee. Trustee Arrasmith would check to see if this sheet could be put on the web site.
President White said he had received a contract from Champaign County Animal Control. Trustee Arrasmith moved the the Village enter into a contract for three years in the amount of $2,749.59. Trustee McCloud seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
President White appointed the new committees.
Public Property: Arrasmith, Schluter
Finance: McCloud, Finn
Parks and Recreation: Cokley, McCloud
Streets and Alleys: Finn, Roberts
Community Development: Schluter, Arrasmith
Water/Sewer/Utility: Roberts, Cokley
President White also appointed Trustees Arrasmith and Schluter to meet with the Sidney Township Board to explore options for a Community Building. A resident asked what the options are. President White responded that there are three options: remodeling the present building, renting or buying another building and remodeling to meet the Village's needs, or work with the Township to build a new building.
There had been complaints about the sign that Bill Bryant has on Village property. He had permission to have the sign there seven years or so ago but does not have permission now. He will be sent a letter asking him to remove the sign.
President White had a letter from the Champaign-Urbana Health District asking that the Village's parks be designated smoke-free. The general consensus was that the rule about smoking was prohibited within 25 feet of the ball fields and 25 feet of the concession stand was working well and unless there was a problem or complaint, the Village would stay with that.
President White had received two correspondences. The first was from the next-door neighbor to 101 S. Harrison about the junk left around the yard. It is believed that the residents have moved and the property is now vacant. The Village will wait until the property's status can be determined before they do anything. The other letter was from a resident questioning why the Village was working on a sewer system when it had been voted down. President White said that the Village is just exploring the option now because of the opportunity to use UCSD's treatment plant. Any action is a ways off and residents will have an opportunity to express their views before anything is ever done. Someone asked when the loan on the sewer planning would be paid off. $176,910 is left on the loan and it will be paid off early.
ATTORNEY HENDREN'S COMMENTS:
Marc Miller, Attorney Hendren's partner, was present representing Attorney Hendren. He said that the Prevailing Wage Ordinance will be voted on in June. The State provides what the prevailing wage is.
EARL BENNETT'S REPORT
Supervisor Bennett reported that Dumpster Day went well and so did the limb pickup.
The water tower work has been completed. It does need nine days for the paint to cure. Once Supervisor Bennett is sure that the paint has cured, he will start putting water in the tower, probably will be Tuesday or Wednesday. Then he has to send water samples to the EPA. Once they pass, he can fill the tower. One problem is that he cannot get the company to come back to flush. He can do it and if he does, his cost will be deducted from their bill. There were extras from the original bid such as needing angle irons and two inspections at $250 an inspection. Once everything is completed, Supervisor Bennett and Joe Pisula, Donahue engineer, will go over everything for the final bill. Three water leaks were caused by the increased pressure.
FINANCE REPORT
The financial reports were read by Trustee McCloud. After reading them, Trustee Arrasmith moved that the bills be paid with the addition of $2,749.59 for the Champaign County Animal Control. Trustee Roberts seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee McCloud moved that the Village engage Martin, Hood and Friese to perform the annual audit in an amount not to exceed $9,000. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
STREETS AND ALLEY
Supervisor Bennett reported that the plans for street improvements has been submitted to the state. Once the Village receives approval from the state, the plans will be put out for bids.
WATER/SEWER/UTILITY
2,950,610 gallons of water were pumped in April with a daily average of 98,353 gallons.
$32,269.32 was received in April with $10,293.74 in sewer planning money. 94 penalty bills were sent.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
One building permit for April: 407 E. Main, shed, permit #682, $50.00.
Carl Erb sent a letter asking if he could trim a tree on Village property that is encroaching on a tree on his property. Trustee McCloud moved that he be given permission to do so; Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion. The Board approved.
Trustee McCloud had looked into a replacement tree plan for the Village. Country Arbors would provide 10-12 foot trees, 30 inches around, for $190 each. The regular price is $279. This does not include planting. She will check with other nurseries.
PARKS AND RECREATION
Trustee Cokley was absent so no report.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Trustee Arrasmith reported that finally everything had been on the siren, and it is ready to be put back up when we can get the crane again. The crane was also used to change light bulbs at the park while it was here.
OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
Mark Catron reported the that the diesel fuel caused by a leaking train was being cleaned up by a business hired by the railroad, and it was doing a good job.
It was decided to have a special meeting to work on appropriations on June 10 at 6:00 p.m. Last year's appropriation ordinance and a letter from Attorney Hendren were given to all the Board members.
SIG will be sponsoring village-wide garage sales the first weekend in June. The Village agreed to pay for any advertising they chose to do.
President White passed out brochures that he had picked up at other towns and asked if we wanted to do the same thing. A discussion followed about doing the same thing on the web site. Trustee Arrasmith said that would mean expanding the web site, which would cost more. The general consensus was that was the way to go. Trustee Arrasmith will look into the costs of expanding the web site and what could be done.
Trustee McCloud moved that the meeting be adjourned. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion; motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. Meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.