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, Roberts, McCloud, Bickers, and Finn. Supervisor of Operations Bennett, Treasurer Reinhart, Attorney Miller, and Clerk Moore were also present. Trustees Schluter was absent.
Trustee McCloud moved that the minutes of the September 4, 2018, regular meeting of the Board of Trustees be approved with one correction: On page 2 Shapland is the correct spelling, not Shaplan. Trustee Finn seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Rosemary McCarrey of the Sidney Community Library said that she had talked to Royal Bookkeeping and they can do the Library's payroll and all related tax forms and payments for $30 a month. This was tabled until next month. The Library is having a fund raiser October 20, a wine-beer craft tasting event.
PRESIDENT WHITE'S COMMENTS
President White asked that trick or treat hours be set. Trustee McCloud moved that the hours for trick or treating be 5-8 p.m., October 31. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
A letter from the Village was sent to the owner of an abandoned property next to the railroad tracks at 301 Water Tower Place. There has been no response so President White will have the attorney send the next letter.
The County electronics collection will be October 10. Sign-ups are going on now.
President White updated the Board on the abandoned property at 301 Water Tower Place. The letter sent by the Village was returned with and incorrect address even though it was the one on the tax list. President White will try to get a good address
Nothing more on the truck route
WCIA would like to feature Sidney next summer on one of its broadcasts and had given some dates to choose. President White suggested July 19 as the first choice and July 5 as the second, allowing the Village to promote its Fun Daze July 26-27. The Board agreed and President White will contact WCIA.
The CIMOA meeting will be at Ogden October 18 at the Pink Pig at 6:00 p.m. President White will try to go and any other trustees are welcome. The cost is $19.00.
President White had been contacted by several people about replacing the sidewalk railing at 207 S. David that was taken out due to a water leak and poor condition. Trustee Finn moved the Board approve up to $300.00 for a new railing. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
President White has been attending the Champaign County Zoning Board of Appeals. At one, he was given a proposal for the proposed solar farm northeast of Sidney. One part of the proposal had the Village monitoring the installation and running of it and also being in charge of the decommissioning money that would be required. President White met with Attorney Miller and they drafted a letter that President White presented to the Zoning Board explaining that the Village did not have the staff, knowledge, or money to do all that. He was told that the language was not final and could be changed. He will keep going to the meetings to monitor this.
President White gave a report on the Illinois Municipal League conference that he attended in Chicago. He attended sessions on solar farms, financing options for rural entities, social media/privacy/First amendment issues, media 2.0, and water and sewer utility. He also attended the general session and a candidate forum. The cost for President White to attend was $511.75.
ATTORNEY MILLER'S COMMENTS:
Attorney Miller presented the ordinance revising and consolidating the rules and regulations of the water department. With the addition of a reconnection fee of $25, deletion of a clause, and the addition of !5 calendar days' limit past the due date for payment of the bill, all on page 11, the bill was approved. Trustee Roberts moved that Ordinance No. 2018-06, An Ordinance Revising the Rules and Regulations of the Municipal Waterworks System of the Village of Sidney, Champaign County, Illinois, and Clarifying the Termination of Service, be approved with the changes as discussed. Trustee Finn seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Roberts moved the the Board hire Hartman Consultants to assist in the Water Utility RFP process, to evaluate any proposals, and to provide Asset Purchase Agreement consultation and assistance pursuant to his letter/proposal dated September 13, 2018, as presented and to authorize the Village Board of Trustees President to execute it. Trustee McCloud seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Attorney Miller presented items for discussion as related to the proposal to sell the water system. His first recommendation was to hire Engineer Mike Friend to describe all our property so that it is clear what the Village is selling. Also, he would make a title search for the property. Supervisor Bennett is asked to make an inventory of everything the Village will sell. A decision needs to be made about the real estate that would be sold. The consensus among the Trustees is to sell the water tower, the land it is on, and the building beside it with an easement for the siren. The Village can ask the buyer to employ a present Village employee, but that might affect the price offered. The Trustees expressed concern over the time it would take to respond to emergencies if an employee did not live in the village. It was agreed to go forward with the proposal for the sale and with the recommendation of having Engineer Friend provide us with information requested.
EARL BENNETT'S REPORT
Supervisor Bennett presented two bids for a new furnace for the maintenance building/his office. Trustee McCloud suggested he get a third bid from John Mannen, All Pro Heating and Air Conditioning.
FINANCE REPORT
The financial reports were read by Trustee McCloud. Trustee McCloud moved that the bills be paid with the addition of $30.75 to President White and $13.61 to Premier Cooperative. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
The audit is done and everything was good. All Trustees have a copy.
The codification books are in. One will be in the library, one in the Clerk's office, and one in the maintenance office. It will also be put on line.
STREETS AND ALLEY
Engineer Mike Friend had been asked to do a cost study for the four options for a new building. The Board ruled out by consensus the present site and the Bues building because of the sewage disposal system requirements, not being enough room at either place. He said he would do a study of the one structure, the former hardware store, and its remodeling as compared to a new building on the old school site. The building would have to be ADA compliant. He asked for some idea of the scope of the work: to have a meeting place for 100 people, 3-4 offices, at least two bathrooms, a full kitchen, and storage. He will proceed with this information.
WATER/SEWER/UTILITY
2,337,982 gallons of water were pumped in September with a daily average of 77,932 gallons.
$31,911.75 was received in September. 103 penalty bills were sent.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
No building permits were issued in September.
Nothing on ESDA
The abandoned cars that are left are on private property. One has to have a court order to go on private property to remove a vehicle. The next step will be a letter from the attorney, to be followed with the court action.
PARKS AND RECREATION
A ball commissioner is still needed. Trustee Bickers stated that the fund raiser money was for the ball leagues and the diamonds and that is the way it was advertised.
The handicapped swing needs to be replaced at Victory Park.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Trustee Schluter was absent.
NEW BUSINESS
None
Trustee McCloud 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 8:47 p.m.
Trustee McCloud moved that the minutes of the September 4, 2018, regular meeting of the Board of Trustees be approved with one correction: On page 2 Shapland is the correct spelling, not Shaplan. Trustee Finn seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Rosemary McCarrey of the Sidney Community Library said that she had talked to Royal Bookkeeping and they can do the Library's payroll and all related tax forms and payments for $30 a month. This was tabled until next month. The Library is having a fund raiser October 20, a wine-beer craft tasting event.
PRESIDENT WHITE'S COMMENTS
President White asked that trick or treat hours be set. Trustee McCloud moved that the hours for trick or treating be 5-8 p.m., October 31. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
A letter from the Village was sent to the owner of an abandoned property next to the railroad tracks at 301 Water Tower Place. There has been no response so President White will have the attorney send the next letter.
The County electronics collection will be October 10. Sign-ups are going on now.
President White updated the Board on the abandoned property at 301 Water Tower Place. The letter sent by the Village was returned with and incorrect address even though it was the one on the tax list. President White will try to get a good address
Nothing more on the truck route
WCIA would like to feature Sidney next summer on one of its broadcasts and had given some dates to choose. President White suggested July 19 as the first choice and July 5 as the second, allowing the Village to promote its Fun Daze July 26-27. The Board agreed and President White will contact WCIA.
The CIMOA meeting will be at Ogden October 18 at the Pink Pig at 6:00 p.m. President White will try to go and any other trustees are welcome. The cost is $19.00.
President White had been contacted by several people about replacing the sidewalk railing at 207 S. David that was taken out due to a water leak and poor condition. Trustee Finn moved the Board approve up to $300.00 for a new railing. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
President White has been attending the Champaign County Zoning Board of Appeals. At one, he was given a proposal for the proposed solar farm northeast of Sidney. One part of the proposal had the Village monitoring the installation and running of it and also being in charge of the decommissioning money that would be required. President White met with Attorney Miller and they drafted a letter that President White presented to the Zoning Board explaining that the Village did not have the staff, knowledge, or money to do all that. He was told that the language was not final and could be changed. He will keep going to the meetings to monitor this.
President White gave a report on the Illinois Municipal League conference that he attended in Chicago. He attended sessions on solar farms, financing options for rural entities, social media/privacy/First amendment issues, media 2.0, and water and sewer utility. He also attended the general session and a candidate forum. The cost for President White to attend was $511.75.
ATTORNEY MILLER'S COMMENTS:
Attorney Miller presented the ordinance revising and consolidating the rules and regulations of the water department. With the addition of a reconnection fee of $25, deletion of a clause, and the addition of !5 calendar days' limit past the due date for payment of the bill, all on page 11, the bill was approved. Trustee Roberts moved that Ordinance No. 2018-06, An Ordinance Revising the Rules and Regulations of the Municipal Waterworks System of the Village of Sidney, Champaign County, Illinois, and Clarifying the Termination of Service, be approved with the changes as discussed. Trustee Finn seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Roberts moved the the Board hire Hartman Consultants to assist in the Water Utility RFP process, to evaluate any proposals, and to provide Asset Purchase Agreement consultation and assistance pursuant to his letter/proposal dated September 13, 2018, as presented and to authorize the Village Board of Trustees President to execute it. Trustee McCloud seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Attorney Miller presented items for discussion as related to the proposal to sell the water system. His first recommendation was to hire Engineer Mike Friend to describe all our property so that it is clear what the Village is selling. Also, he would make a title search for the property. Supervisor Bennett is asked to make an inventory of everything the Village will sell. A decision needs to be made about the real estate that would be sold. The consensus among the Trustees is to sell the water tower, the land it is on, and the building beside it with an easement for the siren. The Village can ask the buyer to employ a present Village employee, but that might affect the price offered. The Trustees expressed concern over the time it would take to respond to emergencies if an employee did not live in the village. It was agreed to go forward with the proposal for the sale and with the recommendation of having Engineer Friend provide us with information requested.
EARL BENNETT'S REPORT
Supervisor Bennett presented two bids for a new furnace for the maintenance building/his office. Trustee McCloud suggested he get a third bid from John Mannen, All Pro Heating and Air Conditioning.
FINANCE REPORT
The financial reports were read by Trustee McCloud. Trustee McCloud moved that the bills be paid with the addition of $30.75 to President White and $13.61 to Premier Cooperative. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
The audit is done and everything was good. All Trustees have a copy.
The codification books are in. One will be in the library, one in the Clerk's office, and one in the maintenance office. It will also be put on line.
STREETS AND ALLEY
Engineer Mike Friend had been asked to do a cost study for the four options for a new building. The Board ruled out by consensus the present site and the Bues building because of the sewage disposal system requirements, not being enough room at either place. He said he would do a study of the one structure, the former hardware store, and its remodeling as compared to a new building on the old school site. The building would have to be ADA compliant. He asked for some idea of the scope of the work: to have a meeting place for 100 people, 3-4 offices, at least two bathrooms, a full kitchen, and storage. He will proceed with this information.
WATER/SEWER/UTILITY
2,337,982 gallons of water were pumped in September with a daily average of 77,932 gallons.
$31,911.75 was received in September. 103 penalty bills were sent.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
No building permits were issued in September.
Nothing on ESDA
The abandoned cars that are left are on private property. One has to have a court order to go on private property to remove a vehicle. The next step will be a letter from the attorney, to be followed with the court action.
PARKS AND RECREATION
A ball commissioner is still needed. Trustee Bickers stated that the fund raiser money was for the ball leagues and the diamonds and that is the way it was advertised.
The handicapped swing needs to be replaced at Victory Park.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Trustee Schluter was absent.
NEW BUSINESS
None
Trustee McCloud 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 8:47 p.m.
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