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. The following trustees were present: Arrasmith, McCloud, Catron, and Schluter. Supervisor of Operations Bennett, Treasurer Reinhart, Attorney Miller, and Clerk Moore were also present. Trustees Roberts and Bickers were absent.
Trustee Schluter moved that the minutes of the February 4, 2019, regular meeting and the February 9 and 13 public meetings of the Board of Trustees be approved. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Brad Holbrook, Sidney's state representative, was present to introduce himself and to tell a little about himself. He is from Shelbyville and serves on the Counties and Townships and the Cities and Villages committees. He said so far this session only the $15 minimum wage bill had been passed. He has a program for fifth and sixth grades called page for a day. If interested, the student just has to contact his office. He has a joint office with the district's state senator Chapin Rose of Mahomet. There are also internships available and the sign-ups end March 31. He had handouts available and also a chance to sign up to receive his e-mails.
President Finn then presented Charles White a plaque for serving as President of the Board of Trustees as appreciation for his service.
David Pistorius, First Midstate, Inc., presented information on ways to finance the new village hall. His company underwrites bond sales. They hire bond attorneys and take care of audits and legal papers and guide the customer through the process. The Village is required to go the voters if we choose General Obligation Bonds. There are other options outlined in the folders that he passed out to all the trustees. The costs are between 3-4%, which can be built into the bonds. His firm has many local clients including Sidney Township, Unity School District, and Parkland College.
PRESIDENT FINN'S COMMENTS
President Finn asked about the letters being sent to the owners of the abandoned property and the owner of the house with garbage bags all over the property. Attorney Miller said that he had not written the letters yet but would do so.
President Finn had an e-mail from the Village of St. Joseph asking Sidney to join with them in protesting solar farms. Everyone seemed to think that that fight for Sidney was over and that they had no power to change anything because the 1 ½ mile limit had been changed to ½ mile.
The job applications will be dealt with in closed session.
Champaign County had asked if the Village wanted to participate in the bi-annual residential electronics collection. Everyone thought that the residents appreciated being a part of the collection and had participated. Trustee Schluter moved that the Village of Sidney participate in the residential electronics collection at a cost of $180.00. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion; the motion carried on a roll call vote.
ATTORNEY MILLER'S COMMENTS:
Attorney Miller will present the RFPs during the closed session at the end of the meeting.
EARL BENNETT'S REPORT
Supervisor Bennett presented tow bids for a snow plow for the new truck. After some discussion about the need for a new snow plow, Trustee Arrasmith moved that the Village purchase the snow plow from Chambana Sales Company for $6,360. Trustee McCloud seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
There had been a leak at 101 S. Scarborough that has been repaired.
Dumpster Day is planned for April 27. Last year there were six dumpsters at a cost of $515 a dumpster. Supervisor Bennett will get prices for next month's meeting.
Supervisor Bennett reported that he and Clerk Moore needed to have papers shredded on a major basis, more than the office shredders can handle. Clerk Moore had checked with UPS and they have a big shredder. The cost is $1 a pound. Other suggestions were made, and Attorney Miller said his office uses a company that will come to you. He will get that information to Clerk Moore.
FINANCE REPORT
The financial reports were read by Trustee McCloud. Trustee McCloud moved that the bills be paid with the addition of $8,093.75 to Miller and Hendren, $183.06 to Premier Cooperative, and $1,188 to Locis. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
STREETS AND ALLEY
Trustee Catron said he had received the drawing of the proposed village hall. He asked about the rotation of streets for resurfacing. Supervisor Bennett said there is a 5-year rotation.
WATER/SEWER/UTILITY
Supervisor Bennett read the reports in the absence of Trustee Roberts. 2,535,959 gallons of water were pumped in February with a daily average of 90,569 gallons.
$32,167.01 was received in February. 102 penalty bills were sent. $20,055.78 was billed in March to 535 customers.
A discussion was held on the effect of the public meetings on the sale of the water system. Trustee Schluter expressed his disappointment at the turnout (38 altogether) when the Board had gone to the trouble of having the meetings for the public. All the trustees were present at the one meeting, four plus the President at the other, plus Attorney Miller, Engineer Friend, and Supervisor Bennett at both. The people who did attend were responsive and asked good questions, and everyone was given the opportunity to participate in the discussion.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
Trustee Arrasmith is preparing a tree list for bid.
No permits issued for February.
PARKS AND RECREATION
Trustee Bickers was absent. Ball sign-ups had been held.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Trustee Schluter reported that he has been trying to get a Facebook page established for the Village.
The community committee for the WCIA Hometown Sidney project had met with WCIA, and Trustee Schluter is the contact person for WCIA. The Village will be featured the week of July 14-19 on the WCIA, and it will culminate on Friday evening from 4-7 p.m.
Trustee Arrasmith moved that the Board enter into Executive Session for the limited purpose of discussing the setting of a price for the sale of property owned by the Village of Sidney related to the Village water system pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (6) and to discuss the appointment, employment, and /or compensation of one or more Village employees pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (1). Trustee McCloud seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. The Board went into closed session at 8:20 p.m.
The Board came out of the closed session at 10:20 p.m.
Trustee Arrasmith made the motion to select Illinois American Water Company as the preferred bidder on the sale of the Village Water System pursuant to the previously adopted Request of Proposals. Trustee Catron seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. Attorney asked if the Trustees support a franchise fee. It would be a steady stream of income for the Village. All trustees said that they would. A 3% fee would be fine.
Trustee Arrasmith moved that the meeting be adjourned. Trustee McCloud seconded the motion; motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. Meeting was adjourned at 10:25 p.m.
Trustee Schluter moved that the minutes of the February 4, 2019, regular meeting and the February 9 and 13 public meetings of the Board of Trustees be approved. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Brad Holbrook, Sidney's state representative, was present to introduce himself and to tell a little about himself. He is from Shelbyville and serves on the Counties and Townships and the Cities and Villages committees. He said so far this session only the $15 minimum wage bill had been passed. He has a program for fifth and sixth grades called page for a day. If interested, the student just has to contact his office. He has a joint office with the district's state senator Chapin Rose of Mahomet. There are also internships available and the sign-ups end March 31. He had handouts available and also a chance to sign up to receive his e-mails.
President Finn then presented Charles White a plaque for serving as President of the Board of Trustees as appreciation for his service.
David Pistorius, First Midstate, Inc., presented information on ways to finance the new village hall. His company underwrites bond sales. They hire bond attorneys and take care of audits and legal papers and guide the customer through the process. The Village is required to go the voters if we choose General Obligation Bonds. There are other options outlined in the folders that he passed out to all the trustees. The costs are between 3-4%, which can be built into the bonds. His firm has many local clients including Sidney Township, Unity School District, and Parkland College.
PRESIDENT FINN'S COMMENTS
President Finn asked about the letters being sent to the owners of the abandoned property and the owner of the house with garbage bags all over the property. Attorney Miller said that he had not written the letters yet but would do so.
President Finn had an e-mail from the Village of St. Joseph asking Sidney to join with them in protesting solar farms. Everyone seemed to think that that fight for Sidney was over and that they had no power to change anything because the 1 ½ mile limit had been changed to ½ mile.
The job applications will be dealt with in closed session.
Champaign County had asked if the Village wanted to participate in the bi-annual residential electronics collection. Everyone thought that the residents appreciated being a part of the collection and had participated. Trustee Schluter moved that the Village of Sidney participate in the residential electronics collection at a cost of $180.00. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion; the motion carried on a roll call vote.
ATTORNEY MILLER'S COMMENTS:
Attorney Miller will present the RFPs during the closed session at the end of the meeting.
EARL BENNETT'S REPORT
Supervisor Bennett presented tow bids for a snow plow for the new truck. After some discussion about the need for a new snow plow, Trustee Arrasmith moved that the Village purchase the snow plow from Chambana Sales Company for $6,360. Trustee McCloud seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
There had been a leak at 101 S. Scarborough that has been repaired.
Dumpster Day is planned for April 27. Last year there were six dumpsters at a cost of $515 a dumpster. Supervisor Bennett will get prices for next month's meeting.
Supervisor Bennett reported that he and Clerk Moore needed to have papers shredded on a major basis, more than the office shredders can handle. Clerk Moore had checked with UPS and they have a big shredder. The cost is $1 a pound. Other suggestions were made, and Attorney Miller said his office uses a company that will come to you. He will get that information to Clerk Moore.
FINANCE REPORT
The financial reports were read by Trustee McCloud. Trustee McCloud moved that the bills be paid with the addition of $8,093.75 to Miller and Hendren, $183.06 to Premier Cooperative, and $1,188 to Locis. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
STREETS AND ALLEY
Trustee Catron said he had received the drawing of the proposed village hall. He asked about the rotation of streets for resurfacing. Supervisor Bennett said there is a 5-year rotation.
WATER/SEWER/UTILITY
Supervisor Bennett read the reports in the absence of Trustee Roberts. 2,535,959 gallons of water were pumped in February with a daily average of 90,569 gallons.
$32,167.01 was received in February. 102 penalty bills were sent. $20,055.78 was billed in March to 535 customers.
A discussion was held on the effect of the public meetings on the sale of the water system. Trustee Schluter expressed his disappointment at the turnout (38 altogether) when the Board had gone to the trouble of having the meetings for the public. All the trustees were present at the one meeting, four plus the President at the other, plus Attorney Miller, Engineer Friend, and Supervisor Bennett at both. The people who did attend were responsive and asked good questions, and everyone was given the opportunity to participate in the discussion.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
Trustee Arrasmith is preparing a tree list for bid.
No permits issued for February.
PARKS AND RECREATION
Trustee Bickers was absent. Ball sign-ups had been held.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Trustee Schluter reported that he has been trying to get a Facebook page established for the Village.
The community committee for the WCIA Hometown Sidney project had met with WCIA, and Trustee Schluter is the contact person for WCIA. The Village will be featured the week of July 14-19 on the WCIA, and it will culminate on Friday evening from 4-7 p.m.
Trustee Arrasmith moved that the Board enter into Executive Session for the limited purpose of discussing the setting of a price for the sale of property owned by the Village of Sidney related to the Village water system pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (6) and to discuss the appointment, employment, and /or compensation of one or more Village employees pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (1). Trustee McCloud seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. The Board went into closed session at 8:20 p.m.
The Board came out of the closed session at 10:20 p.m.
Trustee Arrasmith made the motion to select Illinois American Water Company as the preferred bidder on the sale of the Village Water System pursuant to the previously adopted Request of Proposals. Trustee Catron seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. Attorney asked if the Trustees support a franchise fee. It would be a steady stream of income for the Village. All trustees said that they would. A 3% fee would be fine.
Trustee Arrasmith moved that the meeting be adjourned. Trustee McCloud seconded the motion; motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. Meeting was adjourned at 10:25 p.m.
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