The Sidney Village Board met on the above date for a special public meeting held at the Sidney Fire Department.  President White called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. After the Pledge of Allegiance.  The following trustees were present:  Arrasmith, Bickers, McCloud, Schluter, and Roberts.  Supervisor of Operations Bennett, Attorney Miller, and Clerk Moore were also present.  Trustees Finn was absent.
 
            The special meeting was held so that the public could ask questions about the proposed solar farm close to Sidney.  Patrick Brown, a representative from BayWa r.e., the company proposing to build the solar farm, and Patrick Fitzgerald, attorney for the company, were present.
 
            President White explained the procedure for the meeting:  the questioner would come in front and present his/her question and then one of the BayWa representatives would respond.
 
            Patrick Brown presented a media presentation of the project, Prairie Solar, and passed out literature.  An act for renewable energy was passed by the State of Illinois in June 2017.  BayWa has changed the plan as previously presented and has pulled acreage away from the Village and the houses within the proposed development.  He posted a map of the new plan.  They will start the process in 2020 and it will be operational in June 2021.  It is a $200 million project.  Attorney Fitzgerald passed out sheets with the anticipated taxes.
 
Question:        
Have you dropped the west part of the planned acreage?
Answer:  Yes
Q:  Are there any assurances that you will not include this acreage at a later date?
A;; No guarantees but this is one project, no phases.
Q:  Will you sell it to some business?
A:  We stay and operate.  We sell it as an equity investment.
Q:  How many feet are the setbacks for the houses?
A:  Several hundred feet.  Can provide this information later
Q:  Will the noise be less than 35 dbi as suggested.
A:  I  can't say that.  A noise study was done and there were no noise problems.  Won't agree to an arbitrary number
Q:  Can the Village tie in for solar energy?
A:  Wholesale buyers might, like the University of Illinois or Frito-Lay.
Q:  Will there be locals hired for construction?
A:  Yes, if qualified
Q:  Afterwards, will local people be hired?
A:  Yes, if qualified
Q:  How did the taxes get figured?
A:  We expect that the state will have similar laws as for windmills.
 
Q:  To clarify, all the acreage on the west side of the Longview-Sidney road has been deleted?
A:  Yes
 
Q:  Is there any help for people who are surrounded?
A:  There will be an investment in Sidney and the township will receive more taxes.
Q:  Might you not used cheaper products to save costs, which means more noise?
A:  Have to use all tier one products because this has to last 35 years.
Q:  What if the company goes bankrupt?
A:  Other companies will be happy to buy it at a low cost.  The decommissioning is taken care of.
Q:  Won't we lost a tax base?
A:  The property owners whose property is leased will still pay a property tax so no loss.
 
Q:  How will this affect our property value?
A:  Haven't found any evidence that there is any effect.
Q:  Has there been any feedback from others?
A:  This information has been provided to the county.
Q:  Will the real estate taxes by affected?
A:  No
Q:  Will the Village of Sidney be affected?
A:  No
 
Q:  What is the largest BayWa project?
A:  45 megawatts.  Eight of these are in development.
Q:  BayWa:  How long has it been in the United States?
A:  Four years in solar, eight years in wind
Q:  The tiles are mostly clay and are being upgraded to plastic.  Are we going to be blocked off from replacing them?
A:  There will be easements to the drainage districts.
Q:  At the Zoning Board Authority, you said that the project has a life of 35 years but there is a 40 year lease.
A:  We will lease for 25 years and then have options every five years for the next 15.
Q:  Solar production:  how does Illinois compare to the desert?
A:  Desert has a value of 10, Illinois, 6. 
Q:  How did you make the breakdown of taxes?
A:  We took middle of the road.
 
Q:  What do you do if you hit old tile?
A:  We will use radar and find them first.  We have a legal obligation to maintain the tiles.
 
Q:  Isn't there more efficiency for the panels to face south?
A:  Here there is more efficiency from east to west.
 
Q:  Are you sure valuations won't go down?
A:  I can't say for certain.  We do have studies showing no problem.  Since 2007 we have not seen any devaluation.
 
Q:  If there is no noise, why resist a limit?
A:  Don't want arbitrary numbers.  There will be a complaint process.
Q:  Class A is a big truck.
A:  I should have said no oversized trucks.
 
Q:  How many solar farms are pending in Illinois?
A:  The SICA web site will tell you but there is a lot.  That doesn't mean that they will all be built.
Q:  Who sponsors the bills?
A:  One has been sent back to Rules.  Attorney Fitzgerald will get the information on this.
 
Q:  You said that the school district would not gain any children.
A:  I meant that there are no children on the solar farm site.
Q:  Are the homeowners satisfied ;with the increased setbacks that are three times as big?
A:  They just heard of it tonight.
Q:  What is the solar farm tax?
A:  Amortized over 25 years.  4% CPI adjustment.  Low inflationary, higher CPI
 
Q:  Explain more about the taxes.
A:  At the state level, can never go beyond 30%.  Same for solar farms.   Will pay by the megahertz
 
Q:  How many acres are in this option?
A:  1200 plus 300 more for a total of 1500
Q:  How much FIJA money?
A:  Fully funded by BayWa r.e.
Q:  Will there be a shield if there's a glare?
A:  There will be a glare analysis.  A person will come out and look at points of interest.
Q:  How many panels per megawatt?
A:  599,292.  350 watt modules
Q:  What is the weight of a panel?
A:  It's a tier one panel.
Q:  Will the panels be recycled or go to a landfill?
A:  Recycled at salvage value
Q:  Is there any recycling company that will accept them?
A:  No answer
Q:  How far is the setback from the first inverter?
A:  Doesn't know yet but will let you know later
Q:  Will you be willing to pay these amounts even if the State of Illinois doesn't tax you?
A:  I would have to nail this down for investors.
Q:  How long will you be here, Mr. Brown?
A:  Until construction is done and operating unless I'm no  longer with the company.
 
            President White closed the meeting at 9:35 p.m., 35 minutes beyond its posted  ending time.

Call to Order
 
President White:  Opening Statement with Guidelines for the Meeting
 
Public:  Questions about the Solar Farm
 
8:50 p.m.:  BayWa Representative Statement
 
8:55 p.m.:  Closing Statement from the Board of Trustees
 

PLEDGE
 
APPROVE MINUTES                                   March 5, 2018, meeting
                                                                       
PUBLIC COMMENTS                                  Ted Hartke, Solar Plant
                                   
PRESIDENT WHITE'S COMMENTS          Solar Plant
                                                                        Residential Electronics Collection
                                                                        5/1/18-4/30/19 Meeting Dates
                                                                       
ATTORNEY'S COMMENTS
                       
REPORTS:                                                                                                                                                                            
Earl Bennett’s Comments                               *Maps
                                                                        *Dumpster Days
                                                                        *Summer Help
                                                                        *Closing of Washington for Church Event                                       
Finance                                                            *Approval of Monthly bills
                                                                        *Library Audit
                                                                        *Codification
                                                                       
Street and Alley                                              *Motor Fuel Project/Tax
                                                                        *Building                                                                                           
Water and Drainage                                        *Monthly Report
                                                                        *Water Sale    
                                                                       
Public Property                                               *ESDA
                                                                        *Permits
                                                                       
Parks and Recreation                                                                                     
                                                                       
Community Development                                                                 
                                                                                   
New & Old Business 
 
Adjourn

            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, Bickers, and Schluter.  Supervisor of Operations Bennett,  Treasurer Reinhart,  and Clerk Moore were also present.  Trustees Finn and Roberts and Attorney Miller were absent. Trustee McCloud came in at 8:00 p.m.
 
            Trustee Schluter moved that the minutes of the March 5, 2018, meeting of the Board of Trustees be approved.  Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes including President White on a roll call vote. 
           
            PUBLIC COMMENTS:
 
            Ted Hartke spoke about the proposed solar farm south of Sidney.  He has had experience with wind farms and the noise they generate.  He is concerned about the noise level of solar farms.  He has been to the zoning committee meeting of the Champaign County Board and expressed his concern there.  The solar farm is within the mile and a half limit of the Village of Sidney.  He said the County Board will consider the Village's input but that they are not obligated to follow it.  Mr. Hartke said he is at the meeting to portect the public's health and safety.  The noise limits need to be lower than the 45 dba that the developer says the solar farm will have.  The solar farm will have a seven foot chain link fence surrounding the property.  It is the largest solar farm in the State of Illinois.  The map of the proposed site is on BayWa's web site.  Mr. Hartke would like to slow this project down so that everyone has time to think and plan.  He has concerns about the project, but it is feasible if the County puts in enough protection.
            There were many people present who presented their concerns.  There is to be a fifty-foot buffer zone from a property line and a 100 foot from a home.  Both need to be bigger.  Some communities have required a 500 foot setback.
            A person questioned what happens when the solar farm is no longer in use.  President White said that the County is requiring the company to put up money to cover that cost.  The company wants to have a line of credit instead.  This has not been resolved.
            Other questions:  What benefit is this to Sidney or the Township?
                                        Does the Village of Sidney support this?
                                        Why here on the richest farm ground in the country?
                                        Will this be a flooding problem with Sidney already having a                                                      water problem?
                                        Do you know how much noise this is?  (Man blew a goose call                                                    to demonstrate the noise level.)
                                        Does the developer know the drainage system  and the field tiles                                                 in the farms?  Will they work with the drainage districts?
            Other Comments:  One person said his drainage district is doing an assessment of drainage in his district.  They will need space to do digging if necessary.  How will they fix tiles when they are damaged?
            8-10 landowners are leasing their land for this project.
            Taking land out of production will affect local businesses such as Premier Cooperative, seed companies, banks, etc.
            There are 25-30 reasons against this project.  A representative should go to the zoning meeting.  Let the lawyer write a letter.
            Sidney Township Supervisor Tim Osterbur said that the Village or Township cannot oppose the project at this time.
            Property values will go down for those people living near the solar farm.
            BayWa company representative only wants to meet with one family at a time.
            The length of time for the leases and the process of decommissioning really needs to be considered.
            The solar farm is projected to be functional in the fall of 2018.
            There was a straw vote of the Board of Trustees and no one was in favor of the solar farm.  Trustee Schluter will attend the Zoning Board Authority of the Champaign County Board on Thursday, April 5, at 7:00 p.m.
 
            On another matter, Scoutmaster Corey Willard said his troop would like to earn service points by volunteering to clean up the area across from Keller Automotive by doing some trimming and landscaping.  The Board gave its approval.  This was an area originally planted by the Sidney Garden Club.
 
            PRESIDENT WHITE'S COMMENTS
 
            President White presented the calendar of meeting dates for the 2018-2019 fiscal year for approval.  It was approved on a voice vote.
            The County electronics collection registration will begin Monday, April 9.  Sidney residents are eligible to apply for a spot because the Board voted last month to pay to allow Sidney residents to participate.
            The owner of the apartments on North Scarborough responded to the letter sent by the Village asking him to clean up the creek by his property.  He will do this whenever the ground dries.
            President White reported that he met with Shari Lannon of the United States Rural Development to see if there are any grants for a new municipal building.  There are not, just low cost loans.  There are grants for furnishing new buildings. 
           
            ATTORNEY MILLER'S COMMENTS:
 
            Attorney Miller was absent.
           
             EARL BENNETT'S REPORT
 
            Engineer Mike Friend said the new maps would be done this month.
            No applications for summer help had been received.
            Supervisor Bennett also reported that dumpsters for Dumpster Day would be $515 apiece and that he needed six.  Trustee Bickers moved that Supervisor Bennett be authorized to spend up to $3,100 for dumpsters.  Trustee Schluter seconded the motion;  it passed with all ayes on a roll call vote including President White.  Dumpster Day will be April 28 at Witt Park from 7-11 a.m., rain or shine.  No tires, oil, paints, and electronics will be accepted.
            The Sidney Christian Church wants to close Washington Street from Main Street north to the alley on May 19 for an event at the church.  No houses are on this portion of the street.  The Board okayed the request.
            Limb pickup will be April 30-May 4.  Limbs cannot be longer than six feet or bigger in diameter than six inches.
            Hydrant flushing will probably be the first week of May.
 
            FINANCE REPORT
 
            The financial reports were read by President White.  Trustee Arrasmith moved that the bills be paid with the addition of $18727 to Martin Equipment. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion.  The motion carried with all ayes including President White  on a roll call vote.
            Trustee McCloud has chosen the colors, burgundy and silver, for the hard copies of the books of the codification project.  Everything has now been submitted.
 
             STREETS AND ALLEY
 
            Engineer Dennis Cummins presented Resolution 2018-R-01  for consideration.  Trustee Arrasmith moved that  Resolution 2018-R-01, Resolution for Maintenance under the Illinois Highway Code, be adopted.  Trustee McCloud seconded the motion; motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.  Trustee Arrasmith moved that the Maintenance Engineering Agreement with Farnsworth be approved.  Trustee McCloud seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.  Trustee Arrasmith moved that the Material Proposal or Deliver and Install Proposal with the cost to be paid out of Motor Fuel Tax funds be approved.  Trustee Schluter seconded the motion; motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
           
            WATER/SEWER/UTILITY
 
            2,637,695 gallons of water were pumped in March with a daily average of 85,086 gallons.
            $33,164.28 was received in March. 97 penalty bills were sent. $25,095.07 has been billed to 536 customers in April.
            Engineer Mike Friend reported that bill to renew incentives for water companies to buy local systems is in committee at the state right now.   
           
            PUBLIC PROPERTY
 
            Two building permits were issued in March.  607 Folsom Ct., fence, $50, #706, and 103 South Scarborough, storage shed, $50, #707.
            A property owner requested that he be reimbursed for a tree planting under the Village's new tree ordinance.  The tree removed was on the Village property at his neighbor's, and the neighbor has no room to plant a tree.  The homeowner would plant the tree near the property line so it would be close to where the tree was removed.  The Board decided against the request.
            Nothing on ESDA
            There are about fifteen junk cars in the Village.  Supervisor Bennett will tag them.  If they are not removed, letters will be sent and finally they will be towed at the homeowner's expense.  Junk cars are defined as cars that are not currently licensed.
 
           
            PARKS AND RECREATION
 
            The Sidney Community Library will take over the concession stand at the ball park.
            There are ten teams to be fielded this year.
            New based and pitching mounds have been ordered.
            There will be a community park cleanup day set in the future.  When the date is set, it will be on the message board.  Hopefully, many townspeople will come out to help.
            20-30 tickets are left to be sold on the fundraiser.
            Signs are being made that state that no animals can be on either ball park.   The gates are being fixed.
           
            COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
 
            Trustee Schluter has added the ball game schedules to the web site calendar.
 
            NEW BUSINESS
 
            Trustee Schluter asked what he should say at the County Zoning meeting.  It was agreed that he could say five of the seven Village Board members, including the President, were against the solar farm.
 
            Trustee Arrasmith moved that the meeting be adjourned.  Trustee Bickers seconded the motion; motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. Meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.