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, Hooker, Harris, Schluter, and Laurent. Clerk Fish, Treasurer Reinhart, Attorney Miller and Village Maintenance Employee Wilsey were also present.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
There were no public comments.
PRESIDENT ARRASMITH’S COMMENTS
President Arrasmith asked for a motion to approve the minutes for the December 7th, 2020 Board of Trustees meeting. Trustee Schluter moved that the minutes of the December 7th, 2020 Board of Trustees meetings be approved. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
President Arrasmith then said there had been concern raised over having public access to the lights at the Witt Park ball diamonds. He asked the board’s opinion as to whether or not there should be a lock put on the lights. Trustee Schluter did not think it was fair that outside organizations should be able to use them for free. Trustee Bickers stated that Sidney teams always get priority. The board members decided to leave it alone.
President Arrasmith then brought up the fact that we can no longer use the old community building to plug in the Village’s Christmas decorations downtown. He said the library was willing to let us plug them in there which works perfectly since the Village pays the library’s electric bills anyway.
President Arrasmith then brought up the fact that we need an enclosed bulletin board outside of the new community building so the village clerk can post notices, minutes, ordinances and agendas. Trustee Bickers made a motion not to exceed $300 to purchase a bulletin board. Trustee Gadeken seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
ATTORNEY MILLER’S COMMENTS
Attorney Miller stated that he had the paperwork completed for the sale of the old village hall to the American Legion. Susan McLane from the American Legion stated that they had not received any title work yet and would also like to see the deed. Attorney Miller stated that he would get that information to them and that it was okay for President Arrasmith to go ahead and sign the paperwork tonight.
JARIN WILSEY’S COMMENTS
Village Maintenance Employee Wilsey reminded residents to put out their Christmas trees this week for limb pickup.
FINANCE REPORT
The financial reports were read by Trustee Hooker. Trustee Laurent moved that the bills be paid with the additions of 4 bills from Illinois American Water totaling $159.17, Orkin for $92.28, IPWMA for $100, and Royal Bookkeeping Services for $492. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
STREETS AND ALLEY
Trustee Gadeken reported on the radar sign that was installed by the Dairy Barn. 48,731 cars came through Sidney last month with 32,696 caught speeding by the radar.
WATER/SEWER/UTILITY
Trustee Harris then had Trustee Bickers report on how much it would cost to replace the light bulbs at Witt Park lights. Trustee Bickers stated it would cost $19,500 to replace the bulbs head for head. He then stated that to replace everything (lights, scoreboard, getting power to the shed, and purchasing camera software) with LED lights would cost around $30,000. The trustees will think about it and it will be on next month’s agenda.
Trustee Harris then stated that the trustees have not had a raise since 2012. Attorney Miller advised that raises for trustees need to be done per term and cannot be done annually. Trustee Bickers stated that no one becomes a trustee for the money, however, it is very time consuming and a lot of time is spent away from the family. Trustee Harris stated that he would check with similar small towns and find out what their trustees make; it will be added to next month’s agenda.
Trustee Harris also reported that Aaron Fenter is still going to be repairing the catch basin.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
Trustee Bickers reported that permit #728 was issued for a portable shed at 208 North White Street.
.
PARKS AND RECREATION
Trustee Laurent stated that three vehicles had gone to Witt Park over the weekend and did doughnuts all over the park. The culprits were caught on camera and charges will be pressed against them.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Trustee Schluter recommended that that the Village pays for website backup per Dan Moisson. Trustee Laurent made a motion to spend $81.58 for three years of website backup. Trustee Gadeken seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Bickers made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:36pm; Trustee Gadeken seconded the motion. The motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
__________________________ __________________________
Maggie Fish, Village Clerk Date approved
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
There were no public comments.
PRESIDENT ARRASMITH’S COMMENTS
President Arrasmith asked for a motion to approve the minutes for the December 7th, 2020 Board of Trustees meeting. Trustee Schluter moved that the minutes of the December 7th, 2020 Board of Trustees meetings be approved. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
President Arrasmith then said there had been concern raised over having public access to the lights at the Witt Park ball diamonds. He asked the board’s opinion as to whether or not there should be a lock put on the lights. Trustee Schluter did not think it was fair that outside organizations should be able to use them for free. Trustee Bickers stated that Sidney teams always get priority. The board members decided to leave it alone.
President Arrasmith then brought up the fact that we can no longer use the old community building to plug in the Village’s Christmas decorations downtown. He said the library was willing to let us plug them in there which works perfectly since the Village pays the library’s electric bills anyway.
President Arrasmith then brought up the fact that we need an enclosed bulletin board outside of the new community building so the village clerk can post notices, minutes, ordinances and agendas. Trustee Bickers made a motion not to exceed $300 to purchase a bulletin board. Trustee Gadeken seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
ATTORNEY MILLER’S COMMENTS
Attorney Miller stated that he had the paperwork completed for the sale of the old village hall to the American Legion. Susan McLane from the American Legion stated that they had not received any title work yet and would also like to see the deed. Attorney Miller stated that he would get that information to them and that it was okay for President Arrasmith to go ahead and sign the paperwork tonight.
JARIN WILSEY’S COMMENTS
Village Maintenance Employee Wilsey reminded residents to put out their Christmas trees this week for limb pickup.
FINANCE REPORT
The financial reports were read by Trustee Hooker. Trustee Laurent moved that the bills be paid with the additions of 4 bills from Illinois American Water totaling $159.17, Orkin for $92.28, IPWMA for $100, and Royal Bookkeeping Services for $492. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
STREETS AND ALLEY
Trustee Gadeken reported on the radar sign that was installed by the Dairy Barn. 48,731 cars came through Sidney last month with 32,696 caught speeding by the radar.
WATER/SEWER/UTILITY
Trustee Harris then had Trustee Bickers report on how much it would cost to replace the light bulbs at Witt Park lights. Trustee Bickers stated it would cost $19,500 to replace the bulbs head for head. He then stated that to replace everything (lights, scoreboard, getting power to the shed, and purchasing camera software) with LED lights would cost around $30,000. The trustees will think about it and it will be on next month’s agenda.
Trustee Harris then stated that the trustees have not had a raise since 2012. Attorney Miller advised that raises for trustees need to be done per term and cannot be done annually. Trustee Bickers stated that no one becomes a trustee for the money, however, it is very time consuming and a lot of time is spent away from the family. Trustee Harris stated that he would check with similar small towns and find out what their trustees make; it will be added to next month’s agenda.
Trustee Harris also reported that Aaron Fenter is still going to be repairing the catch basin.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
Trustee Bickers reported that permit #728 was issued for a portable shed at 208 North White Street.
.
PARKS AND RECREATION
Trustee Laurent stated that three vehicles had gone to Witt Park over the weekend and did doughnuts all over the park. The culprits were caught on camera and charges will be pressed against them.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Trustee Schluter recommended that that the Village pays for website backup per Dan Moisson. Trustee Laurent made a motion to spend $81.58 for three years of website backup. Trustee Gadeken seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Bickers made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:36pm; Trustee Gadeken seconded the motion. The motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
__________________________ __________________________
Maggie Fish, Village Clerk Date approved
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