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: Harris, Bickers, Gadeken, Schluter, Catron, and Laurent. Clerk Fish, Treasurer Reinhart, Village Attorney Miller and Village Maintenance Employee Wilsey were also present.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
The meeting was live streamed from the Village’s Facebook page and public comments were taken online and in person. Bill Hensch with Sidney Post American Legion Post 433 addressed the board by beginning with how long he has been a resident of Sidney and how many different local groups he is a member of and volunteers for. Mr. Hensch then proceeded to tell the board that he feels that the Township and Village should work together on building a new village hall. He also suggested that the board wait until the COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted to design the building so that the public can provide input into what they would like to see because he feels that the public was not asked. Mr. Hensch went on to say that he feels that the Village Board should be more transparent about what they are doing.
Sidney Improvement Group President Mike Roy then addressed the board in regards to the COVID-19 pandemic and Sidney Fun Daze. Mr. Roy stated that he is waiting on direction from the C-U Public Health Department on whether or not we can proceed with Fun Daze this year on July 24th and 25th. As of right now, it is still in a holding pattern.
Village Clerk Maggie Fish then read resident Cory Willard’s Facebook comment to the board. He stated, “Please do not borrow any money for the new hall; pay it in full”.
Village Clerk Maggie Fish then read resident Kurt Foster’s public comment (sent via email before the meeting) regarding an invasive species of plant known as garlic mustard. He is asking fellow Sidney residents to get of the rid of the plant if they have it in their yard so it doesn’t spread throughout the Village. He also stated that he is willing to eradicate the plant from village owned property with help from volunteers.
Trustees Harris and Schluter then stated under public comment that they didn’t know what resident Bill Hensch was talking about in regards to there being “tension” between the Village and Township. Trustee Schluter also stated that all Village of Sidney agendas and board meeting minutes are posted to the Village’s website each month for any resident to view and that they are also on display at the current community building so he did not feel that the board was not being transparent. He also stated that the Village was also keeping residents informed via the village’s Facebook page now as well.
PRESIDENT ARRASMITH’S COMMENTS
President Arrasmith asked for a motion to approve the minutes for the regular and executive sessions of the April 6th Board of Trustees meeting and the April 16th special meeting. Trustee Schluter moved that the regular and executive session minutes of the April 6th meeting be approved and that the minutes from the April 16th special meeting also be approved. Trustee Catron seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
ATTORNEY MILLER’S COMMENTS
Attorney Miller did not have any comments.
JARIN WILSEY’S COMMENTS
Village Maintenance Employee Wilsey reported that Dumpster Days was another success. Eight dumpsters were filled and the Village collected $30 for extra loads. Clerk Fish put the $30 in the Village’s petty cash. Mr. Wilsey thanked Mayor Arrasmith, Trustee Laurent, and Sidney Township for their help. He also reported that Illinois American Water was almost finished with switching out the meters, they have about 80 or so left. Employee Wilsey also stated that he received information from Tim Osterbur regarding a culvert on North Scarborough Street that is clogged with corn husks.
FINANCE REPORT
The financial reports were read by Trustee Catron. Trustee Catron moved that the bills be paid with the additions of $12,950 and $400 to Miller and Hendren; $36, $636, $51, and $351 to Royal Bookkeeping Services; $172.59 and $176.04 to Caseys; $806.40 and $270 to Aaron Fenter for rock and services provided; and $815 and $345 to Gulliford Septic and Sewer. Trustee Harris seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Catron then stated that the board has been spending a lot of money lately and was wondering if they could space it out a bit.
STREETS AND ALLEY
Trustee Gadeken reported that Dennis Cummins with Farnsworth Group had sent him the MFT agreement for the next financial year. Trustee Gadeken then made a motion to spend up to $50,000 to tar and chip the roads for the MFT Project. Trustee Harris seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Gadeken also stated that he had looked into different options for setting up a speed radar sign to be placed over by the Dairy Barn. Trustee Catron stated that he felt there also needed to be a radar sign placed on the East side of Main street as well. Trustee Laurent suggested that we start with one, see how it goes, then maybe add the second in the future. Trustee Gadeken made a motion to spend up to $3,200 for a radar sign to be placed on West Main street to help control traffic speed through town. Trustee Laurent seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Gadeken then stated that the creek by Freese Funeral Home needs to be cleaned up; it will be put on the next month’s agenda for discussion. Trustee Gadeken also stated that the work in the alley between Scarborough and David needs to be done due to constant flooding.
WATER/SEWER/UTILITY
Trustee Harris reported that he was not ready to discuss or approve putting a gate up at Witt Park as he was still getting prices for them. He asked it to be put on the next month’s agenda.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
Trustee Bickers reported that the Village will need a place to put the backfill of dirt coming from the new village hall construction site. It was decided to store it at Witt Park or to ask if we could store it at the Village Township’s site.
Trustee Bickers then asked for discussion of what to do regarding the American Legion’s lease with the Village to be provided with a space to hold their meetings. It was decided to terminate their lease with the Village. The Village is required to give them one year’s notice. Trustee Bickers made a motion to mail the legion, as well as posting it on their door, a first class letter terminating their lease with the Village of Sidney. Trustee Gadeken seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Bickers then reported that there was a problem with permit #718 being issued for a new outbuilding at 107 South Scarborough. The permit was issued in error with regards to the Village’s zoning requirements. Trustee Bickers stated that he would speak with the property owner.
Trustee Bickers stated that he would like the Village to begin doing a monthly limb pickup between the months of March-November. The first limb pickup will be June 1st-June 5th.
Trustee Bickers then asked Village Clerk Fish to send thank you letters to Cory Willard and his boyscout troop for doing creek maintenance and also to the Township for their help with Dumpster Days. He also stated that Suits Lawncare had contacted him about the Village possibly purchasing 35 trees from them for $4,000; it will be added to next month’s agenda.
Trustee Catron then made a motion to pay for the new Village Hall in full with no financing required. Trustee Laurent seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
PARKS AND RECREATION
Trustee Laurent reported that he had contacted Frontier and Comcast for prices on getting internet out at Witt Park for the new security cameras. Trustee Laurent then stated that Frontier never got back to him and that Comcast was $99 for installation and $90 per month for service with a 24 month contract. Trustee Laurent made a motion to approve having Comcast as the provider for internet out at Witt Park. Trustee Gadeken seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Laurent then stated that there are 3 half dead trees at Victory Park that need to be removed; President Arrasmith suggested waiting and adding them to the Village’s yearly tree removal list.
Trustee Laurent then discussed some improvements for the Village parks; such as, playground equipment for Victory Park, nets between the ball fields at Witt Park, more picnic tables at Witt Park and installing new doors and locks out at Witt Park.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Trustee Schluter reported Winston’s at the Old Bank and Casey’s General Store had both renewed their liquor licenses for the new fiscal year. Trustee Schluter also added that all agendas and meeting minutes are posted to the Village’s website for anyone to view at any time.
NEW & OLD BUSINESS
Trustee Catron stated that he would like the siding on the Village Maintenance Shed to be repaired and repainted. Trustee Catron also inquired as to whether or not we know if Longview Bank would be able to take Illinois American Water Payments. Clerk Fish advised that they were able to with a $1.50 convenience charge added.
Clerk Fish asked to change her vacation days to June 10-15th; her original plans were cancelled due to COVID-19. The new dates were approved by the board.
Trustee Catron made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:27p.m. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
__________________________ __________________________
Maggie Fish, Village Clerk Date approved
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
The meeting was live streamed from the Village’s Facebook page and public comments were taken online and in person. Bill Hensch with Sidney Post American Legion Post 433 addressed the board by beginning with how long he has been a resident of Sidney and how many different local groups he is a member of and volunteers for. Mr. Hensch then proceeded to tell the board that he feels that the Township and Village should work together on building a new village hall. He also suggested that the board wait until the COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted to design the building so that the public can provide input into what they would like to see because he feels that the public was not asked. Mr. Hensch went on to say that he feels that the Village Board should be more transparent about what they are doing.
Sidney Improvement Group President Mike Roy then addressed the board in regards to the COVID-19 pandemic and Sidney Fun Daze. Mr. Roy stated that he is waiting on direction from the C-U Public Health Department on whether or not we can proceed with Fun Daze this year on July 24th and 25th. As of right now, it is still in a holding pattern.
Village Clerk Maggie Fish then read resident Cory Willard’s Facebook comment to the board. He stated, “Please do not borrow any money for the new hall; pay it in full”.
Village Clerk Maggie Fish then read resident Kurt Foster’s public comment (sent via email before the meeting) regarding an invasive species of plant known as garlic mustard. He is asking fellow Sidney residents to get of the rid of the plant if they have it in their yard so it doesn’t spread throughout the Village. He also stated that he is willing to eradicate the plant from village owned property with help from volunteers.
Trustees Harris and Schluter then stated under public comment that they didn’t know what resident Bill Hensch was talking about in regards to there being “tension” between the Village and Township. Trustee Schluter also stated that all Village of Sidney agendas and board meeting minutes are posted to the Village’s website each month for any resident to view and that they are also on display at the current community building so he did not feel that the board was not being transparent. He also stated that the Village was also keeping residents informed via the village’s Facebook page now as well.
PRESIDENT ARRASMITH’S COMMENTS
President Arrasmith asked for a motion to approve the minutes for the regular and executive sessions of the April 6th Board of Trustees meeting and the April 16th special meeting. Trustee Schluter moved that the regular and executive session minutes of the April 6th meeting be approved and that the minutes from the April 16th special meeting also be approved. Trustee Catron seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
ATTORNEY MILLER’S COMMENTS
Attorney Miller did not have any comments.
JARIN WILSEY’S COMMENTS
Village Maintenance Employee Wilsey reported that Dumpster Days was another success. Eight dumpsters were filled and the Village collected $30 for extra loads. Clerk Fish put the $30 in the Village’s petty cash. Mr. Wilsey thanked Mayor Arrasmith, Trustee Laurent, and Sidney Township for their help. He also reported that Illinois American Water was almost finished with switching out the meters, they have about 80 or so left. Employee Wilsey also stated that he received information from Tim Osterbur regarding a culvert on North Scarborough Street that is clogged with corn husks.
FINANCE REPORT
The financial reports were read by Trustee Catron. Trustee Catron moved that the bills be paid with the additions of $12,950 and $400 to Miller and Hendren; $36, $636, $51, and $351 to Royal Bookkeeping Services; $172.59 and $176.04 to Caseys; $806.40 and $270 to Aaron Fenter for rock and services provided; and $815 and $345 to Gulliford Septic and Sewer. Trustee Harris seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Catron then stated that the board has been spending a lot of money lately and was wondering if they could space it out a bit.
STREETS AND ALLEY
Trustee Gadeken reported that Dennis Cummins with Farnsworth Group had sent him the MFT agreement for the next financial year. Trustee Gadeken then made a motion to spend up to $50,000 to tar and chip the roads for the MFT Project. Trustee Harris seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Gadeken also stated that he had looked into different options for setting up a speed radar sign to be placed over by the Dairy Barn. Trustee Catron stated that he felt there also needed to be a radar sign placed on the East side of Main street as well. Trustee Laurent suggested that we start with one, see how it goes, then maybe add the second in the future. Trustee Gadeken made a motion to spend up to $3,200 for a radar sign to be placed on West Main street to help control traffic speed through town. Trustee Laurent seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Gadeken then stated that the creek by Freese Funeral Home needs to be cleaned up; it will be put on the next month’s agenda for discussion. Trustee Gadeken also stated that the work in the alley between Scarborough and David needs to be done due to constant flooding.
WATER/SEWER/UTILITY
Trustee Harris reported that he was not ready to discuss or approve putting a gate up at Witt Park as he was still getting prices for them. He asked it to be put on the next month’s agenda.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
Trustee Bickers reported that the Village will need a place to put the backfill of dirt coming from the new village hall construction site. It was decided to store it at Witt Park or to ask if we could store it at the Village Township’s site.
Trustee Bickers then asked for discussion of what to do regarding the American Legion’s lease with the Village to be provided with a space to hold their meetings. It was decided to terminate their lease with the Village. The Village is required to give them one year’s notice. Trustee Bickers made a motion to mail the legion, as well as posting it on their door, a first class letter terminating their lease with the Village of Sidney. Trustee Gadeken seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Bickers then reported that there was a problem with permit #718 being issued for a new outbuilding at 107 South Scarborough. The permit was issued in error with regards to the Village’s zoning requirements. Trustee Bickers stated that he would speak with the property owner.
Trustee Bickers stated that he would like the Village to begin doing a monthly limb pickup between the months of March-November. The first limb pickup will be June 1st-June 5th.
Trustee Bickers then asked Village Clerk Fish to send thank you letters to Cory Willard and his boyscout troop for doing creek maintenance and also to the Township for their help with Dumpster Days. He also stated that Suits Lawncare had contacted him about the Village possibly purchasing 35 trees from them for $4,000; it will be added to next month’s agenda.
Trustee Catron then made a motion to pay for the new Village Hall in full with no financing required. Trustee Laurent seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
PARKS AND RECREATION
Trustee Laurent reported that he had contacted Frontier and Comcast for prices on getting internet out at Witt Park for the new security cameras. Trustee Laurent then stated that Frontier never got back to him and that Comcast was $99 for installation and $90 per month for service with a 24 month contract. Trustee Laurent made a motion to approve having Comcast as the provider for internet out at Witt Park. Trustee Gadeken seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Laurent then stated that there are 3 half dead trees at Victory Park that need to be removed; President Arrasmith suggested waiting and adding them to the Village’s yearly tree removal list.
Trustee Laurent then discussed some improvements for the Village parks; such as, playground equipment for Victory Park, nets between the ball fields at Witt Park, more picnic tables at Witt Park and installing new doors and locks out at Witt Park.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Trustee Schluter reported Winston’s at the Old Bank and Casey’s General Store had both renewed their liquor licenses for the new fiscal year. Trustee Schluter also added that all agendas and meeting minutes are posted to the Village’s website for anyone to view at any time.
NEW & OLD BUSINESS
Trustee Catron stated that he would like the siding on the Village Maintenance Shed to be repaired and repainted. Trustee Catron also inquired as to whether or not we know if Longview Bank would be able to take Illinois American Water Payments. Clerk Fish advised that they were able to with a $1.50 convenience charge added.
Clerk Fish asked to change her vacation days to June 10-15th; her original plans were cancelled due to COVID-19. The new dates were approved by the board.
Trustee Catron made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:27p.m. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
__________________________ __________________________
Maggie Fish, Village Clerk Date approved
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