The Sidney Village Board met on the above date for the regular monthly meeting. The meeting was opened at 7:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. President White called the meeting to order. The following trustees were present: Arrasmith, Roberts, McCloud, Bickers, Schluter, and Finn. Supervisor of Operations Bennett, Treasurer Reinhart, Attorney Miller, and Clerk Moore were also present.
Trustee Arrasmith moved that the minutes of the November 5, 2018, regular meeting of the Board of Trustees be approved. Trustee Finn seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Sidney Improvement Group Chairperson Mike Roy said that Shop at Home and Christmas Downtown were a success and another $500 had been given to Unity East.
Rosemary McCarrey thanked the Board for adding the Library to its audit and bookkeeping. The Library had completed its energy conservation project by installing all new LED lights.
Scott Rhoton spoke on the subject of the sale of the water system. He had previously sent an article about municipal water sales. He pointed out some problems with selling a municipal water system to a private utility, such as utilities can pass on to the customers 100% of the cost of buying the system. Peoria made an arrangement that every five years it can decide to buy back the system if unhappy. Mr. Rhoton said that the Village had put itself in a good position to make repairs to the system by raising the water rates. He also asked the Board to hold a referendum if it decided to sell the system.
Mr. Rhoton also spoke about golf carts. State law states that it is illegal to operate golf carts on any street. The Village has to have a study before it can pass an ordinance to allow them.
PRESIDENT WHITE'S COMMENTS
President White said that Attorney Miller will be sending a letter to the owners of the abandoned property as the Village has had no response to its letter.
He reported that the municipal elections will be April 2, 2019, and that Clerk Moore had packets for anyone interested in running. The petitions need to be turned in to Clerk Moore between December 10-17, 2018.
The County Zoning Board approved the solar farm near St. Joseph and the 1,300-acre one near Sidney.
President White brought up year-end compensation for Village employees, but it was decided to consider that at the end of the meeting.
The resident who is letting garbage accumulate on her property had not done much. The next step is a letter from Attorney Miller.
President White will be gone for a week starting December 6.
ATTORNEY MILLER'S COMMENTS:
Attorney Miller presented a timeline for the possible sale of the water system. The Board would approve the Request for Proposals for the Purchase of the Water System and Related Assets at the January 7, 2019, meeting with bids due by February 26. At the March 4 meeting, a consultant would attend to discuss the bids in closed session because the Board can negotiate the bids. The formal contract would be voted on in open session. A public meeting could be held to present information and to receive comments. Attorney Miller had asked the consultant if the state bill allowing water companies to buy bigger systems would affect the price smaller ones, such as Sidney's, would receive. He said that it could by 5-10% but no one really knew. The Board could customize the agreement, like hiring Village staff, cost sharing an employee, or response coverage, but that might affect the sales price. The Village could also specify what capital improvement plans it wanted. The consultant can evaluate the bids, and a closed session is warranted because the Board would be discussing real estate.
After some discussion of postponing this schedule in order to hold one or two public meetings, the Board decided by consensus to stay with this schedule. The public meeting(s) will be set up at the January Board meeting.
Trustee Arrasmith moved that the Board of Trustees approve Ordinance 2018-08, Village of Sidney, 2018-2019 Annual Tax Levy Ordinance. Trustee Roberts seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Attorney Miller presented an ordinance amending the present ordinance on sexual harassment, changing the time to file charges of discrimination with the Illinois Department of Human Rights from 180 days to 300 days. Trustee McCloud moved theat the Board of Trustee approve Ordinance 2018-09, An Ordinance Amending a Policy to Prohibit Sexual Harassment. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes.
EARL BENNETT'S REPORT
Supervisor Bennett reported that the furnace is installed and working.
The Christmas decorations are up and SIG decorated the Christmas tree.
Supervisor Bennett will have truck bids next month,
The snow equipment is ready to go.
There was a water leak at 15 Dunlap Woods that was repaired.
FINANCE REPORT
The financial reports were read by Trustee McCloud. Trustee McCloud moved that the bills be paid with the addition of $56.57 to Supervisor Bennett as reimbursement. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Attorney Miller will send Trustee McCloud a copy of a golf cart ordinance.
STREETS AND ALLEY
Engineer Mike Friend had received a signed copy of Request for Professional Services for a Sidney Village Hall Study and will present the findings at the January meeting.
WATER/SEWER/UTILITY
2,374,452 gallons of water were pumped in November with a daily average of 79,148 gallons.
$30,662.24 was received in November. 112 penalty bills were sent.
Supervisor Bennett had contacted the person that Engineer Friend had recommended for insulation for the riser pipe at the water tower. That person said that he was not interested. Engineer Friend said that he would find another vendor. Because there is a possibility of the riser pipe freezing with the coming cold weather, it was discussed to finance the solution now. Trustee Roberts moved that the Board authorize the expenditure of up to $1,500 for insulation for the base of the water tower. Trustee Finn seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
One building permit was issued in November: #711, 204 Dunlap Woods, fence, $50.
Nothing on ESDA
No letters had gone out on the abandoned cars.
PARKS AND RECREATION
Still no ball commissioner
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Trustee Schluter asked about updating ecode with new ordinances. Clerk Moore sends the ordinances to General Code and they will make the updates.
Clerk Moore had checked on postage if the Village decided to send out informational flyers. The regular charge for mailing is $.50 per letter; the Village's permit is $.34. The postmaster is checking to see if we could use the Village permit.
NEW BUSINESS
None
Trustee Arrasmith moved that the Board enter into Executive Session for the limited purposes of discussing the employment, performance, discipline, and /or compensation of one or more Village employees pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (1). Trustee Bickers seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
The Board came out of the closed session at 9:00 p.m. Trustee McCloud moved that full-time employees as of December 15, 2018, be paid $150 for year-end compensation and part-time employees as of December 15, 2018, be paid $75. Trustee Finn seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
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 9:05 p.m.
Trustee Arrasmith moved that the minutes of the November 5, 2018, regular meeting of the Board of Trustees be approved. Trustee Finn seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Sidney Improvement Group Chairperson Mike Roy said that Shop at Home and Christmas Downtown were a success and another $500 had been given to Unity East.
Rosemary McCarrey thanked the Board for adding the Library to its audit and bookkeeping. The Library had completed its energy conservation project by installing all new LED lights.
Scott Rhoton spoke on the subject of the sale of the water system. He had previously sent an article about municipal water sales. He pointed out some problems with selling a municipal water system to a private utility, such as utilities can pass on to the customers 100% of the cost of buying the system. Peoria made an arrangement that every five years it can decide to buy back the system if unhappy. Mr. Rhoton said that the Village had put itself in a good position to make repairs to the system by raising the water rates. He also asked the Board to hold a referendum if it decided to sell the system.
Mr. Rhoton also spoke about golf carts. State law states that it is illegal to operate golf carts on any street. The Village has to have a study before it can pass an ordinance to allow them.
PRESIDENT WHITE'S COMMENTS
President White said that Attorney Miller will be sending a letter to the owners of the abandoned property as the Village has had no response to its letter.
He reported that the municipal elections will be April 2, 2019, and that Clerk Moore had packets for anyone interested in running. The petitions need to be turned in to Clerk Moore between December 10-17, 2018.
The County Zoning Board approved the solar farm near St. Joseph and the 1,300-acre one near Sidney.
President White brought up year-end compensation for Village employees, but it was decided to consider that at the end of the meeting.
The resident who is letting garbage accumulate on her property had not done much. The next step is a letter from Attorney Miller.
President White will be gone for a week starting December 6.
ATTORNEY MILLER'S COMMENTS:
Attorney Miller presented a timeline for the possible sale of the water system. The Board would approve the Request for Proposals for the Purchase of the Water System and Related Assets at the January 7, 2019, meeting with bids due by February 26. At the March 4 meeting, a consultant would attend to discuss the bids in closed session because the Board can negotiate the bids. The formal contract would be voted on in open session. A public meeting could be held to present information and to receive comments. Attorney Miller had asked the consultant if the state bill allowing water companies to buy bigger systems would affect the price smaller ones, such as Sidney's, would receive. He said that it could by 5-10% but no one really knew. The Board could customize the agreement, like hiring Village staff, cost sharing an employee, or response coverage, but that might affect the sales price. The Village could also specify what capital improvement plans it wanted. The consultant can evaluate the bids, and a closed session is warranted because the Board would be discussing real estate.
After some discussion of postponing this schedule in order to hold one or two public meetings, the Board decided by consensus to stay with this schedule. The public meeting(s) will be set up at the January Board meeting.
Trustee Arrasmith moved that the Board of Trustees approve Ordinance 2018-08, Village of Sidney, 2018-2019 Annual Tax Levy Ordinance. Trustee Roberts seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Attorney Miller presented an ordinance amending the present ordinance on sexual harassment, changing the time to file charges of discrimination with the Illinois Department of Human Rights from 180 days to 300 days. Trustee McCloud moved theat the Board of Trustee approve Ordinance 2018-09, An Ordinance Amending a Policy to Prohibit Sexual Harassment. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes.
EARL BENNETT'S REPORT
Supervisor Bennett reported that the furnace is installed and working.
The Christmas decorations are up and SIG decorated the Christmas tree.
Supervisor Bennett will have truck bids next month,
The snow equipment is ready to go.
There was a water leak at 15 Dunlap Woods that was repaired.
FINANCE REPORT
The financial reports were read by Trustee McCloud. Trustee McCloud moved that the bills be paid with the addition of $56.57 to Supervisor Bennett as reimbursement. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Attorney Miller will send Trustee McCloud a copy of a golf cart ordinance.
STREETS AND ALLEY
Engineer Mike Friend had received a signed copy of Request for Professional Services for a Sidney Village Hall Study and will present the findings at the January meeting.
WATER/SEWER/UTILITY
2,374,452 gallons of water were pumped in November with a daily average of 79,148 gallons.
$30,662.24 was received in November. 112 penalty bills were sent.
Supervisor Bennett had contacted the person that Engineer Friend had recommended for insulation for the riser pipe at the water tower. That person said that he was not interested. Engineer Friend said that he would find another vendor. Because there is a possibility of the riser pipe freezing with the coming cold weather, it was discussed to finance the solution now. Trustee Roberts moved that the Board authorize the expenditure of up to $1,500 for insulation for the base of the water tower. Trustee Finn seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
One building permit was issued in November: #711, 204 Dunlap Woods, fence, $50.
Nothing on ESDA
No letters had gone out on the abandoned cars.
PARKS AND RECREATION
Still no ball commissioner
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Trustee Schluter asked about updating ecode with new ordinances. Clerk Moore sends the ordinances to General Code and they will make the updates.
Clerk Moore had checked on postage if the Village decided to send out informational flyers. The regular charge for mailing is $.50 per letter; the Village's permit is $.34. The postmaster is checking to see if we could use the Village permit.
NEW BUSINESS
None
Trustee Arrasmith moved that the Board enter into Executive Session for the limited purposes of discussing the employment, performance, discipline, and /or compensation of one or more Village employees pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (1). Trustee Bickers seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
The Board came out of the closed session at 9:00 p.m. Trustee McCloud moved that full-time employees as of December 15, 2018, be paid $150 for year-end compensation and part-time employees as of December 15, 2018, be paid $75. Trustee Finn seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
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 9:05 p.m.
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