A special meeting the Sidney Village Board of Trustees was held on June 10, 2015, in the Community Building.

President White called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. with the following members present: Arrasmith, Schluter, Roberts, McCloud, Cokley, and Finn. Clerk Moore and Supervisor Bennett were also present.

No public comments

Trustee Schluter reported that he had talked to the three residents who lived along the west side of James Court, and none of them had any objection to No Parking signs being put on their properties. Trustee Schluter moved that Attorney Hendren be directed to draw up an ordinance to put up No Parking signs along the west side of James Street. Trustee Finn seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.

Supervisor has ordered three No Parking signs.

There was no building report. The Board needs to pass the Appropriations Ordinance first to see how much money is available to spend on a building.

Supervisor Bennett reported that he had an estimate from the engineer for the repair and painting of the outside of the water tower for $200,000.

The Board looked over the health insurance plans presented by President White. The best plan seemed to be a POS 5250 Bronze plan from Health Alliance for $235.45 a month, an 80-20 plan. Supervisor Bennett reported that Maintenance Assistant Brett Bennett is willing to waive the health insurance for an increase in salary.

Changes made to the Appropriation Amounts in the proposed 2014-2016 Appropriation Ordinance of the Village of Sidney were as follows:

                    I. A. Clerk's Salary: $17,400

                           Treasurer's Salary: $8,000

                           Police Protection: $19,100

                           Add Employee Insurance: $2,900

                       B. Village Hall & Building Maintenance/Costs: $63,300

                           Sidewalks – Installation and Repair: $6,000

                           Storm Sewer Drainage – Installation and Repair: $10,000

                           Garbage and Recycling: $5,000

                           Superintendent of Operations/Maintenance Assistant Salaries: $70,200

                           Summer Help: $3,000

                           Animal Control: $1,500

                           New Equipment: $10,000

(Superintendent's Salary under Streets and Alleys was added in elsewhere.)

                        D. Recreation

                            Park and Recreation Expenses: $10,000

                            Park Programs and Events: $4,000

                         E. Miscellaneous

                            Contingent Fund for Incidental Expenses: $86,500

                IV B. Superintendent of Operations/Maintenance Assistant Salaries: $39,800

                            Supplies, Expenses, Chemicals, Lab Fees, and Uniforms: $5,000
   
                            Water Purchase: $152,000

                            Extensions: $200

                            Building and Elevated Tank Repair: $98,500

                    V.  Liability Insurance Premiums: $16,000

Trustee Arrasmith moved that the Board go into closed session for purposes of employee evaluation and compensation at 8:58 p.m.. Trustee McCloud seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.

The Board came out of closed session at 9:32 p.m. Trustee Finn moved that the following salaries be approved: Supervisor of Operations, $30/hr; Maintenance Assistant, $15/hr; Village Clerk, $1,400/mo; Deputy Village Clerk, $15/hr; Janitor, $12/hr; and Treasurer, $350/mo with $50 for each Board meeting attended. Trustee Roberts seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.

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 9:35 p.m.

The Sidney Village Board met on the above date for the regular monthly meeting. President White called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

President White called a short recess so that Trustee McCloud could attend in order to have a quorum. When she arrived, the following trustees were present: Arrasmith, McCloud, and Schluter. Village Clerk Moore, Supervisor of Operations Bennett, and Attorney Hendren were also present. Trustee Roberts was absent. President White appointed John Finn to the open four-year term. Trustee Arrasmith moved that the Board approve the appointment, and Trustee McCloud seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. President White then appointed Eric Cokley to the two-year unexpired term. Trustee Arrasmith moved that the Board approve the appointment, and Trustee McCloud seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. Clerk Moore then administered the oath of office to Trustee Finn and then to Trustee Cokley. Trustee McCloud then left to go back to the ball game.

Trustee Arrasmith moved that the minutes of the May 4 Board of Trustees meeting be approved. Trustee Schluter seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Alex Graber, a representative of Telepharm, told about the business he represents. They open pharmacies in small towns with pharmacy tecnicians employed and pharmacists available by telephone. They would like to rent 500-800 square feet for the business. They ask that the community or community members pay them $50,000 upfront to start the business and then the investor(s) would earn 25% of the proceeds.

Matt Evans spoke about the parking problem on James Street. People park on both sides of the street to go to the Dairy Barn, and it is hard for the residents of James Street and James Court to get in and out of the subdivision. The parking is also a problem when parents are waiting to pick up their children from the school bus. He suggested that no-parking signs be put along the west side of James Street, that a crosswalk be painted on Main Street from James Street to the opposite side, and that maybe even have a flashing light there. Main Street is a county highway so the latter two suggestions would be under their control. The Board was agreeable to look at the no-parking signs, and Trustee Schluter will talk to the residents affected by the signs and will report back at the July meeting.

Trustee Finn read a letter that he had received from Linda Bennett. The septic and leach system of her home had failed and she told of the problems there are to correct this and to have a septic system. The cost will be $15,000 to install a multi-flow system with leach field. She wrote the letter with the hope of raising the Village residents' awareness of the cost of not having a sewer system. She asked that the Village continute talks with Philo to get a sewage system for Sidney as soon as possible. Following the reading of the letter, the Trustees discussed where the Village should go from here and what the discussions with Philo are. It was agreed that the first thing to be looked at is the financial part. Trustee Finn will look into this and report back. It seems that low-interest loans, rather than grants, are what available to help communities.

PRESIDENT WHITE'S COMMENTS

Clerk Moore reported on the options for insurance on the Library: replacement cost new ($700,489), functional replacement ($450,000), or actual cash value ($265,067).

The premium were, respectively, $2,240, $1,440, and $848. Trustee Schluter moved that the Village insure the Library for replacement cost new for a premium of $2,240. Trustee Finn seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. Clerk Moore had also received a coverage list for all other buildings that the Village owns. Discussion followed on whether the valuations were accurate. Clerk Moore will talk to IMLRMA on some questions raised and then will work with Trustee Cokley and Supervisor Bennett on updating the valuations.

President White reported on the progress of the building plans with the Township. The Village needs two offices, a storage room, conference room, ESDA room, meeting room, and a kitchen that meets Peace Meal requirements. The meeting and conference rooms could be shared with the Township. The Trustees will discuss at the special meeting on June 10 what the Village can afford to spend. The old school property is the optimum site.

A discussion followed on golf carts. The main question was if the Village should allow them at all. The consensus was that the Trustees were willing to do so but with restrictions. To allow them would require an ordinance. The Trustees had the golf cart ordinances of Sidney and Fisher to look at and instructed Attorney Hendren to bring a working ordinance to the July meeting.

The Sidney Fun Daze plans were being made. There is a raffle for a John Deere riding lawn mower in progress. Trustee Finn moved that the Village contribute $4,000 to the SIG Fun Daze; Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.

ATTORNEY HENDREN'S COMMENTS:

Attorney Hendren presented the Prevailing Wage Ordinance for a vote. Trustee Schluter moved that the 2015 Prevailing Wage Ordinance in the Village of Sidney, Illinois, No. 2015-3, be approved. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.

EARL BENNETT'S REPORT

Supervisor Bennett reported that he had had the bid opening today on the street work.

The Consumer Confidence Report was done and will be published.

The message board is done. The post needed to be replaced and that added about $300 to the original bill.

The water tower is done, and Supervisor Bennett is waiting on some lien waivers to submit the rest of the bill to be paid.

There were two leaks, and the downtown sidewalk has been repaired.

FINANCE REPORT

The financial reports were read by Trustee Finn. After reading them, Trustee Arrasmith moved that the bills be paid with the addition of $837.80 to Donahue and Associates, $2,095 to Red Neck Apparel, and $725 to Sanderson Tree Service. Trustee Finn seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.

STREETS AND ALLEY

No report

WATER/SEWER/UTILITY

3,101,320 gallons of water were pumped in May with a daily average of 97,107 gallons.

$30,746.45 was received in May with $9,829.64 in sewer planning money. 108 penalty bills were sent.

PUBLIC PROPERTY

Two building permits for May: 208 N. White, deck, permit #683, $50.00, and #1 Dunlap Woods, fence, permit #684, $50.00

Trustee Arrasmith had received an estimate of $1,125 to remove a tree on West Byron. The Village will wait on this until after the June 10 appropriations meeting.

Trustee Arrasmith had proposals for a replacement tree plan for the Village. Country Arbors would provide 10-12 foot trees, 30 inches around, for $200-300 each. Ingram's Nursery for the same size was $400-425, and Schueren's was $190-230. The price depended upon the type of tree. Planting was not included. Trustee Arrasmith had just received information about Ameren helping with the costs of tree and tree removal that he will look into.

PARKS AND RECREATION

Trustee Cokley had nothing to report.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Trustee Arrasmith will be keeping ESDA in his new responsibility as Public Property chairperson. He reported that the siren is ready to go except for one part. They are waiting on that.

Trustee Schluter has requested a copy of his duties as the Community Development Committee chairperson. He will be contacting Chris Sims about the web site.

OLD AND NEW BUSINESS

Nothing has been heard from Crop Production.

Trustee Arrasmith moved that the meeting be adjourned. Trustee Cokley seconded the motion; motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. Meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.