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, Bickers, Roberts, and Schluter. Attorney Miller, Clerk Moore, and new hire Margaret Fish were also present. Supervisor of Operations Bennett and Treasurer Reinhart were absent.
Trustee Catron moved that the minutes of the March 4, 2019, regular meeting and the March 20 and 27 special and closed meetings of the Board of Trustees be approved. Trustee Schluter seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Resident Mallory Seidlitz asked the Board if they had any objections to having town-wide garage sales the first weekend of May (2,3,4). She would like to start having spring and fall sales, the fall one possibly being the first weekend of October. She would be making maps of all the participants, charging a $5 fee. Salt and Light Ministry would bring a truck to pick up all leftovers that people could take to the truck that would be parked in the parking area next to the railroad track on South David. There were no objections, and President Finn said that they could advertise on the Village sign.
Rosemary McCarrey, Sidney Community Library director, reported that the budget will be ready a little later. She wanted to know who would get the budget. Attorney Miller said she could turn it in to the Village.
PRESIDENT FINN'S COMMENTS
Attorney Miller said a letter had been sent to the owner of the abandoned property but had received no response. The Trustees told him to take the next step. He said the cost could be $1,000-3,000 if it goes all the way through the court. He would turn it over to an attorney who specializes in this area. The owner of the property who has garbage stacked in her yard was also sent a letter from the attorney and again no response. The Board, by consensus, said to go ahead with the next step, the same as the abandoned property.
President Finn announced that Jarin Wilsey had been hired for the Maintenance Assistant position and Margaret Fish as the Village Clerk. It had been reported to him that the information about the clerk's hiring had been on Twitter before 9:00 p.m. The trustees responded that that was incorrect, that the meeting was not over until 9:15 and Trustee McCloud notified all the applicants after that. Trustee Schluter reported that he put it on Twitter at 9:47 p.m. when he received word from Trustee McCloud that all applicants had been notified. Trustee Schluter thought that the setting might be wrong on Ann Rhoton's phone and volunteered to check it out after the meeting.
ATTORNEY MILLER'S COMMENTS:
Attorney Miller reported that the ordinances were not ready of the water sale and asked that the Board move to continue the meeting to another night to adopt the three ordinances. The meeting continuation was set for April 4, 2019, at 6:30 p.m. Trustee Catron suggested that the new members of the Board (to take office May 6) be invited to the meeting.
Engineer Mike Friend gave an update on the water report. There are three different areas covered in the report passed out previously to all Board members: water distribution system, size of the elevated tank, and operating recommendations including upgrading of the hydrants. This includes the tank recirculation system, flushing of the hydrants on a 2-year cycle, valve mains, watching for chlorine residuals, and monitoring lead and copper.
Trustee Catron had some concerns, first to replace any main smaller than four inches., also that there be no fees to the residents for upgrades. He wanted to know what the engineering work contained. Engineer Friend said it was an evaluation, not specifications. Who would let people know of a boil order. The company owns the system so Illinois American Water would be responsible for that. There were also questions about damages during construction, state laws, IEPA. Attorney Miller said that Supervisor Bennett would be an employee of the Village halftime and Illinois American Water halftime for three years.
EARL BENNETT'S REPORT
President Finn read Supervisor Bennett's report. Dumpster Day is planned for April 27 from 8-11 a.m. at Witt Park. There will be six dumpsters at a cost of $515 a dumpster. Several people volunteered to help Supervisor including Jim Nonman and Township Supervisor Tim Osterbur, who said he would bring a backhoe and loader. Limb pickup will be the following week. The two new hires, Jarin Wilsey and Logan Jones, will be there to help. Trustee Bickers will ask Aaron Fenter for his backhoe and trailer for the metal.
FINANCE REPORT
The financial reports were read by Trustee McCloud. There was a question about the Avast charge. It is the anti-virus that Supervisor Bennett has on his computer. It was suggested that Dan Moisson of Simplified Computers set up that computer with the ffice computer so that they use the same anti-virus. Trustee McCloud moved that the bills be paid with the addition of $9,056.25 to Miller and Hendren. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
It was suggested that the money in the Victory Park account be spent on Victory Park and then have that account closed, the ball park/concession account just be for anything to do with ball, and an appropriations be made for the parks.
Trustee McCloud moved that there be a town cleanup before the July 19 WCIA visit to Sidney. It should also be put on the message board. The Board will talk to Supervisor Bennett about a cleanup and set expectations.
Trustee McCloud brought a cake in celebration of Clerk Moore's retirement. Clerk Moore has worked for the Village for 10 years, first part-time and then full-time since May 2013. Trustee McCloud also read other people's length of service: Supervisor Bennett, almost 30 years; President Finn, 14 years; Trustee Roberts, 10 years; Trustee Catron, 8 years previously; Trustee Arrasmith, 6 years; Trustee McCloud, almost 5 years; Treasurer Reinhart, 5 years; Trustee Schluter, 4 years, and Trustee Bickers, 2 years.
STREETS AND ALLEY
Trustee Catron reported the MFT meeting had been put off and that he is waiting on direction before anything more is done with a new community building.
WATER/SEWER/UTILITY
Trustee Roberts read the water reports. 2,727,257 gallons of water were pumped in March with a daily average of 87,976 gallons.
$30,165.94 was received in March. 101 penalty bills were sent. $27,102.12 was billed in April to 533 customers.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
One permit was issued in March: 207 Wilsey, fence, #712, $50.00
PARKS AND RECREATION
Trustee Bickers said that numbers were down for the ball teams, and that this is a trend because other communities are experiencing the same thing. The small ball diamond is being used as a dog park/bathroom and the Village needs to get signs put up.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Trustee Schluter said that he would add the dumpster day and limb pickup to the calendar on the web page. He will also advertise it on social media.
Mike Roy will be the contact person for the Our Town WCIA event.
Trustee Arrasmith moved that the Board continue tonight's meeting until 6:30 p.m. on April 4, 2019. Trustee McCloud seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. Time was 8:40 p.m.
The Board reconvened on April 4, 2019, at 6:30 p.m. All the same people were in attendance.
Attorney Miller had given all the Trustees copies of the three ordinances to be considered but he had one change. In the prior version Supervisor Bennett was to be hired by Illinois American Water half-time and the Village half-time. The new version has Supervisor Bennett being employed full-time by the Village and Illinois American Water would reimburse his salary for two years. Attorney Miller answered some questions about when the final sale would take place and what would the utility tax mean. He said that the sale would have to go through the Illinois Commerce Commission, which might take 3-6 months, perhaps up to 11 months. The sale cannot be finalized until the ICC's approval. As for the tax, Illinois American Water would collect the tax and then give it back to the Village. The tax is proposed to be 3% of the customer's bill, but the bills are expected to be lower than they are now.
There were some questions about the maintenance supervisor position. Trustee Roberts 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 5ILCS 120/2 (c) (1). Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. Bret Harris, Engineer Friend, and Margaret Fish were asked to stay. The Board went into closed session at 6:45 p.m.
The Board came out of the closed session at 7:15 p.m.
Trustee McCloud moved that Ordinance 2019-02, an Ordinance Approving an Agreement to Sell and Convey Real Property, Tangible and Intangible Assets, Accounts and All Other Items Relating to Water System in a Sale to Illinois American Water, be approved. Trustee Roberts seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Roberts moved that Ordinance 2019-03, An Ordinance for the Village of Sidney Code of Ordinances to Provide for a Utility Tax on Water, be approved. Trustee McCloud seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Schluter moved that Ordinance 2019-04, An Ordinance Authorizing Execution of a Franchise Agreement with Illinois American Water Comp[any, be approved. Trustee Roberts seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Attorney Miller said that it was a pleasure to work with a Board that looks at and questions proposals and ideas. He said that it makes his job easier.
The Trustees asked Illinois Water Representative Dave Farrar questions about what happens next. Trustee Schluter wanted to be sure that the water company would repair anything that they break. Trustee Catron wanted to be sure that residents will not have additional costs because of any changes or upgrades. Mr. Farrar said that Illinois American Water takes care of any problems, such as leaks from new pressure. The company has a public relations group and works with the Salvation Army to help people pay their bills. There was a question about a new tank because the engineering study data showed that the tank needs to be repaired or replaced. Mr. Farrar said that the company would do a study to see if and where the new tank should be built.
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 7:30 p.m.
Trustee Catron moved that the minutes of the March 4, 2019, regular meeting and the March 20 and 27 special and closed meetings of the Board of Trustees be approved. Trustee Schluter seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Resident Mallory Seidlitz asked the Board if they had any objections to having town-wide garage sales the first weekend of May (2,3,4). She would like to start having spring and fall sales, the fall one possibly being the first weekend of October. She would be making maps of all the participants, charging a $5 fee. Salt and Light Ministry would bring a truck to pick up all leftovers that people could take to the truck that would be parked in the parking area next to the railroad track on South David. There were no objections, and President Finn said that they could advertise on the Village sign.
Rosemary McCarrey, Sidney Community Library director, reported that the budget will be ready a little later. She wanted to know who would get the budget. Attorney Miller said she could turn it in to the Village.
PRESIDENT FINN'S COMMENTS
Attorney Miller said a letter had been sent to the owner of the abandoned property but had received no response. The Trustees told him to take the next step. He said the cost could be $1,000-3,000 if it goes all the way through the court. He would turn it over to an attorney who specializes in this area. The owner of the property who has garbage stacked in her yard was also sent a letter from the attorney and again no response. The Board, by consensus, said to go ahead with the next step, the same as the abandoned property.
President Finn announced that Jarin Wilsey had been hired for the Maintenance Assistant position and Margaret Fish as the Village Clerk. It had been reported to him that the information about the clerk's hiring had been on Twitter before 9:00 p.m. The trustees responded that that was incorrect, that the meeting was not over until 9:15 and Trustee McCloud notified all the applicants after that. Trustee Schluter reported that he put it on Twitter at 9:47 p.m. when he received word from Trustee McCloud that all applicants had been notified. Trustee Schluter thought that the setting might be wrong on Ann Rhoton's phone and volunteered to check it out after the meeting.
ATTORNEY MILLER'S COMMENTS:
Attorney Miller reported that the ordinances were not ready of the water sale and asked that the Board move to continue the meeting to another night to adopt the three ordinances. The meeting continuation was set for April 4, 2019, at 6:30 p.m. Trustee Catron suggested that the new members of the Board (to take office May 6) be invited to the meeting.
Engineer Mike Friend gave an update on the water report. There are three different areas covered in the report passed out previously to all Board members: water distribution system, size of the elevated tank, and operating recommendations including upgrading of the hydrants. This includes the tank recirculation system, flushing of the hydrants on a 2-year cycle, valve mains, watching for chlorine residuals, and monitoring lead and copper.
Trustee Catron had some concerns, first to replace any main smaller than four inches., also that there be no fees to the residents for upgrades. He wanted to know what the engineering work contained. Engineer Friend said it was an evaluation, not specifications. Who would let people know of a boil order. The company owns the system so Illinois American Water would be responsible for that. There were also questions about damages during construction, state laws, IEPA. Attorney Miller said that Supervisor Bennett would be an employee of the Village halftime and Illinois American Water halftime for three years.
EARL BENNETT'S REPORT
President Finn read Supervisor Bennett's report. Dumpster Day is planned for April 27 from 8-11 a.m. at Witt Park. There will be six dumpsters at a cost of $515 a dumpster. Several people volunteered to help Supervisor including Jim Nonman and Township Supervisor Tim Osterbur, who said he would bring a backhoe and loader. Limb pickup will be the following week. The two new hires, Jarin Wilsey and Logan Jones, will be there to help. Trustee Bickers will ask Aaron Fenter for his backhoe and trailer for the metal.
FINANCE REPORT
The financial reports were read by Trustee McCloud. There was a question about the Avast charge. It is the anti-virus that Supervisor Bennett has on his computer. It was suggested that Dan Moisson of Simplified Computers set up that computer with the ffice computer so that they use the same anti-virus. Trustee McCloud moved that the bills be paid with the addition of $9,056.25 to Miller and Hendren. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
It was suggested that the money in the Victory Park account be spent on Victory Park and then have that account closed, the ball park/concession account just be for anything to do with ball, and an appropriations be made for the parks.
Trustee McCloud moved that there be a town cleanup before the July 19 WCIA visit to Sidney. It should also be put on the message board. The Board will talk to Supervisor Bennett about a cleanup and set expectations.
Trustee McCloud brought a cake in celebration of Clerk Moore's retirement. Clerk Moore has worked for the Village for 10 years, first part-time and then full-time since May 2013. Trustee McCloud also read other people's length of service: Supervisor Bennett, almost 30 years; President Finn, 14 years; Trustee Roberts, 10 years; Trustee Catron, 8 years previously; Trustee Arrasmith, 6 years; Trustee McCloud, almost 5 years; Treasurer Reinhart, 5 years; Trustee Schluter, 4 years, and Trustee Bickers, 2 years.
STREETS AND ALLEY
Trustee Catron reported the MFT meeting had been put off and that he is waiting on direction before anything more is done with a new community building.
WATER/SEWER/UTILITY
Trustee Roberts read the water reports. 2,727,257 gallons of water were pumped in March with a daily average of 87,976 gallons.
$30,165.94 was received in March. 101 penalty bills were sent. $27,102.12 was billed in April to 533 customers.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
One permit was issued in March: 207 Wilsey, fence, #712, $50.00
PARKS AND RECREATION
Trustee Bickers said that numbers were down for the ball teams, and that this is a trend because other communities are experiencing the same thing. The small ball diamond is being used as a dog park/bathroom and the Village needs to get signs put up.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Trustee Schluter said that he would add the dumpster day and limb pickup to the calendar on the web page. He will also advertise it on social media.
Mike Roy will be the contact person for the Our Town WCIA event.
Trustee Arrasmith moved that the Board continue tonight's meeting until 6:30 p.m. on April 4, 2019. Trustee McCloud seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. Time was 8:40 p.m.
The Board reconvened on April 4, 2019, at 6:30 p.m. All the same people were in attendance.
Attorney Miller had given all the Trustees copies of the three ordinances to be considered but he had one change. In the prior version Supervisor Bennett was to be hired by Illinois American Water half-time and the Village half-time. The new version has Supervisor Bennett being employed full-time by the Village and Illinois American Water would reimburse his salary for two years. Attorney Miller answered some questions about when the final sale would take place and what would the utility tax mean. He said that the sale would have to go through the Illinois Commerce Commission, which might take 3-6 months, perhaps up to 11 months. The sale cannot be finalized until the ICC's approval. As for the tax, Illinois American Water would collect the tax and then give it back to the Village. The tax is proposed to be 3% of the customer's bill, but the bills are expected to be lower than they are now.
There were some questions about the maintenance supervisor position. Trustee Roberts 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 5ILCS 120/2 (c) (1). Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. Bret Harris, Engineer Friend, and Margaret Fish were asked to stay. The Board went into closed session at 6:45 p.m.
The Board came out of the closed session at 7:15 p.m.
Trustee McCloud moved that Ordinance 2019-02, an Ordinance Approving an Agreement to Sell and Convey Real Property, Tangible and Intangible Assets, Accounts and All Other Items Relating to Water System in a Sale to Illinois American Water, be approved. Trustee Roberts seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Roberts moved that Ordinance 2019-03, An Ordinance for the Village of Sidney Code of Ordinances to Provide for a Utility Tax on Water, be approved. Trustee McCloud seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Schluter moved that Ordinance 2019-04, An Ordinance Authorizing Execution of a Franchise Agreement with Illinois American Water Comp[any, be approved. Trustee Roberts seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Attorney Miller said that it was a pleasure to work with a Board that looks at and questions proposals and ideas. He said that it makes his job easier.
The Trustees asked Illinois Water Representative Dave Farrar questions about what happens next. Trustee Schluter wanted to be sure that the water company would repair anything that they break. Trustee Catron wanted to be sure that residents will not have additional costs because of any changes or upgrades. Mr. Farrar said that Illinois American Water takes care of any problems, such as leaks from new pressure. The company has a public relations group and works with the Salvation Army to help people pay their bills. There was a question about a new tank because the engineering study data showed that the tank needs to be repaired or replaced. Mr. Farrar said that the company would do a study to see if and where the new tank should be built.
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 7:30 p.m.
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