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 Jason Arrasmith called the meeting to order. The following trustees were present: Bickers, Gadeken, Harris, Schluter, and Laurent. Clerk Fish, Treasurer Reinhart, and Village Maintenance Employee Wilsey were also present. Trustee Hooker was absent from the meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
The meeting was live streamed from the Village’s Facebook page and public comments were taken in person. Resident Kurt Foster opened the public comments section with his thoughts on how the board had handled the Chicken Ordinance at last month’s meeting. He felt that such an ordinance was not needed and that the board did not give the public enough notice to allow for proper feedback from the community.
Resident Lisa Foster then spoke next regarding the fact that it was brought to the board’s attention that she has chickens but has never had her neighbors complain to her about them. She hopes the board reconsiders the ordinance prohibiting chickens.
Resident Erin Bickers then spoke about how the board did not allow for adequate public input regarding the ordinance. She organized a petition on Facebook that over 100 Sidney residents signed in support of being able to keep chickens. She stated the benefits of keeping chickens include egg production, fertilizer, they eat bugs, and they can also be emotional support animals as well as pets. She also stated that chickens are no noisier than the trains and grain trucks that are constantly going through town. She also did research on the internet and in surrounding towns and found that chickens do not decrease property values. She feels that chickens should be allowed with the proper parameters; such as, no roosters, a maximum of 6 birds, must keep their coop clean and that residents must register the animals with the Village Clerk.
Unity High School FFA member Kailie Wilson spoke next regarding the chicken ordinance. She stated that she has made money withing FFA selling her duck eggs and competing and that she would like all kids to have that same opportunity whether they live in the country or not.
Resident Emily Miller spoke next regarding the chicken ordinance. She has chickens and even a rooster. She stated that she was disabled and taking care of her chickens is what got her out of bed every day. She also stated that she felt that the board was being mean threatening to take her chickens away and that they should reconsider their vote.
Resident Lisa Foster briefly spoke again in reference to the fact that she had spoken to an appraiser who told her that having chickens does not affect property values.
PRESIDENT ARRASMITH’S COMMENTS
President Arrasmith asked for a motion to approve the minutes for the regular session of the October 5th, 2020 meeting. Trustee Schluter moved that the minutes of the regular session of the October 5th meeting be approved. Trustee Laurent seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
President Arrasmith then approached the board with changing the Village Clerk’s hours to everyday from 9am-12pm. Trustee Harris seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
President Arrasmith then had Gerald McClendon approach the board with his wishes to construct a fence on his property at Little Bear Hauling (104 South David) to enclose his equipment. He needed to ask the board’s permission since some of his fence would encroach upon 2 or 3 feet of Village easement. Trustee Laurent made a motion to allow Little Bear Hauling to construct a fence on part of the Village’s easement. Trustee Schluter seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
President Arrasmith then invited Mike Friend with Farnsworth Group to talk about the State of Illinois giving grants for up to 5 million dollars for unsewered communities. Mr. Friend spoke about planning grants, grant application, design and construction grants, the grant approval process, and how long it would take to get approved. The consensus from the board was that there was not enough time to look into the grant process this year as the deadline was fast approaching. Trustee Schluter mused that the original sewer survey was done before he moved here and that he recalled the problem with that was where to put a wastewater collection plant? Mr. Friend said that the grants will cover that and that all the surveys have already been completed so they will not need to do those again. Former Mayor John Finn was in attendance at the meeting and stated that the Village was so close before to obtaining a sewer system and that people’s septic systems are failing all over town. Trustee Harris commented that the Village will have to hire someone to run it and purchase equipment to run it; there are still a lot of costs involved. Resident and former board member Eric Cokely was also in attendance at the meeting and stated that the cost of doing the sewer survey was very expensive and that past the right of way, the property owners would be responsible for absorbing the cost of the sewer line. He also stated that it was very costly to covert from septic to a sewer system.
President Arrasmith then began speaking about the survey and sale of the old village hall building. The original plat survey that was done on the property referenced a boundary line as a building that is no longer there. In order to legally sell the building, the Village will have to have another survey done with the current parameters. The Village received a quote from Farnsworth for $4,650 to complete the survey. Trustees Schluter and Harris thought the Village needed to get another quote as well and suggested Hartke Engineering. Trustee Bickers made a motion to approve hiring a company to do the survey at a price not to exceed $4,650. Trustee Gadeken seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes in a roll call vote.
ATTORNEY MILLER’S COMMENTS
President Arrasmith then had Attorney Miller explain that the timeframe recently expired for the Village to locate the easements that were escrowed for $30,840 at the time of the sale of the water system to Illinois American Water. He then stated that Illinois American Water was prepared to give us an extension due to Covid or we could just write that money off and consider the sale completed. Trustee Bickers made a motion to have President Arrasmith sign the contract as completed. Trustee Gadeken seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
JARIN WILSEY’S COMMENTS
Village Maintenance Employee Wilsey stated that he purchased 49 fifty pound bags of salt for the roads this winter which came to $563.50. He also stated that he had installed the new speed limit sign on Main Street by the Dairy Barn.
FINANCE REPORT
The financial reports were read by President Arrasmith since Trustee Hooker was absent. Trustee Laurent made a motion to pay the bills with the additions of $9.90 to Southern Champaign County Today, $1,200 to Miller and Hendren, and to Premier Coop for $48.62. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
STREETS AND ALLEY
Trustee Gadeken made a motion to approve Ordinance #2020-15 “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 224 Section 5 of the Code of Sidney to Provide for a Four Way Stop at the Intersection of South White and East Victory Street and at the Intersection of North White and Byron Street”. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Gadeken then reported that he had received a bid from Farnsworth of $150,000 to fix Sunset Drive at the curve and where the stop sign used to be. He needs to speak with Premier Cooperative about them paying their half and will add this for approval on next month’s agenda.
Trustee Gadeken then began to speak on the subject of chickens being allowed or not within the Village limits. He felt that the board needs to relook at this ordinance and listen to what the residents are saying. Trustee Laurent added that he felt, if nothing else, the residents who already have chickens should be grandfathered in and be allowed to keep them. After much discussion, Trustee Gadeken made a motion to repeal Ordinance #2020-14 “An Ordinance Amending Article V Section 175 of the Code of Ordinances of the Village of Sidney Illinois in connection with the Regulation of Domestic Chicken Hens within the Village of Sidney”. Trustee Laurent seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote. A new ordinance allowing chickens with certain restrictions will be entertained the next board meeting.
Trustee Gadeken also reported that the speed radar sign has been operating in stealth mode the past couple of weeks and that it has been working. He reported that approximately 2,000 cars come through Sidney per day and that 62% of them were caught speeding in normal mode and 69% were caught speeding in stealth mode.
WATER/SEWER/UTILITY
Trustee Harris made a motion to have Fenter Machinery repair a catch basin on Alley and North David Street at a cost of $2,250. Trustee Laurent seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Harris then stated that the lights at Witt Park will need upgrading this spring and that he will get bids.
Trustee Harris also stated that he is looking into when the last time was that the Trustees received a pay increase and will discuss that at the next meeting.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
Trustee Bickers reported that permit #726 was issued for a garage at 318 South David Street.
Trustee Bickers then reported that he had received quotes from Conlon Outdoor Services for leaf pickup provided by the Village. They would charge the Village $15,400 to pick up bagged or bulk leaves in between the edge of the road and 6 feet into yard within city limits. The second quote was also from Conlon Outdoor Services and would provide bagged leaf pickup only at a cost of $3 per bag. Trustee Bickers said the Village might consider this for next year.
Trustee Bickers then asked the board if they would consider annexing his newly acquired property that he purchased at 2028 CR 2125 E, Sidney into the Village; it is already zoned as residential. Trustee Schluter made a motion to create Resolution #2020-02, “A Resolution Annexing 1018 CR 2125 E”. Trustee Harris seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote with Trustee Bickers abstaining from the vote.
PARKS AND RECREATION
Trustee Laurent made a motion to spend up to $2,700 to purchase a new handicap swing and also to install either a bench or picnic table in Victory Park. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Laurent then stated he had heard that there used to be a sledding hill out at Witt Park but it was overgrown now; he will have Village Maintenance Employee Wilsey create a space for sledding.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Trustee Schluter reported that Trick or Treating went well. He also stated that there will be a lighted Christmas parade through Sidney from 5-6pm and SIG will be providing carriage rides downtown from 6-9pm on Saturday December 5th.
Trustee Bickers made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:00pm; Trustee Laurent seconded the motion. The motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
The meeting was live streamed from the Village’s Facebook page and public comments were taken in person. Resident Kurt Foster opened the public comments section with his thoughts on how the board had handled the Chicken Ordinance at last month’s meeting. He felt that such an ordinance was not needed and that the board did not give the public enough notice to allow for proper feedback from the community.
Resident Lisa Foster then spoke next regarding the fact that it was brought to the board’s attention that she has chickens but has never had her neighbors complain to her about them. She hopes the board reconsiders the ordinance prohibiting chickens.
Resident Erin Bickers then spoke about how the board did not allow for adequate public input regarding the ordinance. She organized a petition on Facebook that over 100 Sidney residents signed in support of being able to keep chickens. She stated the benefits of keeping chickens include egg production, fertilizer, they eat bugs, and they can also be emotional support animals as well as pets. She also stated that chickens are no noisier than the trains and grain trucks that are constantly going through town. She also did research on the internet and in surrounding towns and found that chickens do not decrease property values. She feels that chickens should be allowed with the proper parameters; such as, no roosters, a maximum of 6 birds, must keep their coop clean and that residents must register the animals with the Village Clerk.
Unity High School FFA member Kailie Wilson spoke next regarding the chicken ordinance. She stated that she has made money withing FFA selling her duck eggs and competing and that she would like all kids to have that same opportunity whether they live in the country or not.
Resident Emily Miller spoke next regarding the chicken ordinance. She has chickens and even a rooster. She stated that she was disabled and taking care of her chickens is what got her out of bed every day. She also stated that she felt that the board was being mean threatening to take her chickens away and that they should reconsider their vote.
Resident Lisa Foster briefly spoke again in reference to the fact that she had spoken to an appraiser who told her that having chickens does not affect property values.
PRESIDENT ARRASMITH’S COMMENTS
President Arrasmith asked for a motion to approve the minutes for the regular session of the October 5th, 2020 meeting. Trustee Schluter moved that the minutes of the regular session of the October 5th meeting be approved. Trustee Laurent seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
President Arrasmith then approached the board with changing the Village Clerk’s hours to everyday from 9am-12pm. Trustee Harris seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
President Arrasmith then had Gerald McClendon approach the board with his wishes to construct a fence on his property at Little Bear Hauling (104 South David) to enclose his equipment. He needed to ask the board’s permission since some of his fence would encroach upon 2 or 3 feet of Village easement. Trustee Laurent made a motion to allow Little Bear Hauling to construct a fence on part of the Village’s easement. Trustee Schluter seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
President Arrasmith then invited Mike Friend with Farnsworth Group to talk about the State of Illinois giving grants for up to 5 million dollars for unsewered communities. Mr. Friend spoke about planning grants, grant application, design and construction grants, the grant approval process, and how long it would take to get approved. The consensus from the board was that there was not enough time to look into the grant process this year as the deadline was fast approaching. Trustee Schluter mused that the original sewer survey was done before he moved here and that he recalled the problem with that was where to put a wastewater collection plant? Mr. Friend said that the grants will cover that and that all the surveys have already been completed so they will not need to do those again. Former Mayor John Finn was in attendance at the meeting and stated that the Village was so close before to obtaining a sewer system and that people’s septic systems are failing all over town. Trustee Harris commented that the Village will have to hire someone to run it and purchase equipment to run it; there are still a lot of costs involved. Resident and former board member Eric Cokely was also in attendance at the meeting and stated that the cost of doing the sewer survey was very expensive and that past the right of way, the property owners would be responsible for absorbing the cost of the sewer line. He also stated that it was very costly to covert from septic to a sewer system.
President Arrasmith then began speaking about the survey and sale of the old village hall building. The original plat survey that was done on the property referenced a boundary line as a building that is no longer there. In order to legally sell the building, the Village will have to have another survey done with the current parameters. The Village received a quote from Farnsworth for $4,650 to complete the survey. Trustees Schluter and Harris thought the Village needed to get another quote as well and suggested Hartke Engineering. Trustee Bickers made a motion to approve hiring a company to do the survey at a price not to exceed $4,650. Trustee Gadeken seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes in a roll call vote.
ATTORNEY MILLER’S COMMENTS
President Arrasmith then had Attorney Miller explain that the timeframe recently expired for the Village to locate the easements that were escrowed for $30,840 at the time of the sale of the water system to Illinois American Water. He then stated that Illinois American Water was prepared to give us an extension due to Covid or we could just write that money off and consider the sale completed. Trustee Bickers made a motion to have President Arrasmith sign the contract as completed. Trustee Gadeken seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
JARIN WILSEY’S COMMENTS
Village Maintenance Employee Wilsey stated that he purchased 49 fifty pound bags of salt for the roads this winter which came to $563.50. He also stated that he had installed the new speed limit sign on Main Street by the Dairy Barn.
FINANCE REPORT
The financial reports were read by President Arrasmith since Trustee Hooker was absent. Trustee Laurent made a motion to pay the bills with the additions of $9.90 to Southern Champaign County Today, $1,200 to Miller and Hendren, and to Premier Coop for $48.62. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
STREETS AND ALLEY
Trustee Gadeken made a motion to approve Ordinance #2020-15 “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 224 Section 5 of the Code of Sidney to Provide for a Four Way Stop at the Intersection of South White and East Victory Street and at the Intersection of North White and Byron Street”. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Gadeken then reported that he had received a bid from Farnsworth of $150,000 to fix Sunset Drive at the curve and where the stop sign used to be. He needs to speak with Premier Cooperative about them paying their half and will add this for approval on next month’s agenda.
Trustee Gadeken then began to speak on the subject of chickens being allowed or not within the Village limits. He felt that the board needs to relook at this ordinance and listen to what the residents are saying. Trustee Laurent added that he felt, if nothing else, the residents who already have chickens should be grandfathered in and be allowed to keep them. After much discussion, Trustee Gadeken made a motion to repeal Ordinance #2020-14 “An Ordinance Amending Article V Section 175 of the Code of Ordinances of the Village of Sidney Illinois in connection with the Regulation of Domestic Chicken Hens within the Village of Sidney”. Trustee Laurent seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote. A new ordinance allowing chickens with certain restrictions will be entertained the next board meeting.
Trustee Gadeken also reported that the speed radar sign has been operating in stealth mode the past couple of weeks and that it has been working. He reported that approximately 2,000 cars come through Sidney per day and that 62% of them were caught speeding in normal mode and 69% were caught speeding in stealth mode.
WATER/SEWER/UTILITY
Trustee Harris made a motion to have Fenter Machinery repair a catch basin on Alley and North David Street at a cost of $2,250. Trustee Laurent seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Harris then stated that the lights at Witt Park will need upgrading this spring and that he will get bids.
Trustee Harris also stated that he is looking into when the last time was that the Trustees received a pay increase and will discuss that at the next meeting.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
Trustee Bickers reported that permit #726 was issued for a garage at 318 South David Street.
Trustee Bickers then reported that he had received quotes from Conlon Outdoor Services for leaf pickup provided by the Village. They would charge the Village $15,400 to pick up bagged or bulk leaves in between the edge of the road and 6 feet into yard within city limits. The second quote was also from Conlon Outdoor Services and would provide bagged leaf pickup only at a cost of $3 per bag. Trustee Bickers said the Village might consider this for next year.
Trustee Bickers then asked the board if they would consider annexing his newly acquired property that he purchased at 2028 CR 2125 E, Sidney into the Village; it is already zoned as residential. Trustee Schluter made a motion to create Resolution #2020-02, “A Resolution Annexing 1018 CR 2125 E”. Trustee Harris seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote with Trustee Bickers abstaining from the vote.
PARKS AND RECREATION
Trustee Laurent made a motion to spend up to $2,700 to purchase a new handicap swing and also to install either a bench or picnic table in Victory Park. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Laurent then stated he had heard that there used to be a sledding hill out at Witt Park but it was overgrown now; he will have Village Maintenance Employee Wilsey create a space for sledding.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Trustee Schluter reported that Trick or Treating went well. He also stated that there will be a lighted Christmas parade through Sidney from 5-6pm and SIG will be providing carriage rides downtown from 6-9pm on Saturday December 5th.
Trustee Bickers made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:00pm; Trustee Laurent seconded the motion. The motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
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