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 was absent, so Trustee Arrasmith moved that Trustee Schluter serve as President Pro Tem. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. The following trustees were present: Arrasmith, Bickers, Roberts, and Schluter. Supervisor of Operations Bennett, Attorney Miller, and Clerk Moore were also present. Trustees Finn and McCloud and Treasurer Reinhart were absent.
Trustee Arrasmith moved that the minutes of the November 6, 2017, Board of Trustees meeting be approved. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Kerrie Pruitt reported that some people were upset because their comments were deleted from a web site. She encouraged trustees to answer people's questions. She then gave out a handout to all members with some of her concerns. A discussion followed, with members of the public and Board members offering comments. Attorney Miller explained the policy of an official going on a web site with comments (answering questions is fine,i.e.). Trustee Arrasmith said that he is willing to answer a question but will not get into a debate. Trustee Schluter said the Village always posts the agenda on the Village web site and on the bulletin board and door of the Community Building at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting. The minutes are posted on the web site and the bulletin board.
Sale of the water system: Trustee Schluter said that the Village will get input from the residents before a sale. Attorney Miller said that the Village does not have to have a public meeting about a sale but that it is a good idea. A resident said that the world is using social media now and that the Village should get involved. Another resident said that all a person has to do to know what is going on is to come to the Board meetings, which are always open to the public. He said a facebook page is just a way to snipe at officials. He also said that people should appreciate the job that the Trustees are doing. Attorney Miller said that if the Village sponsored a facebook page, it could not restrict the speech that goes on it.
PRESIDENT WHITE'S COMMENTS
President Pro Tem Schluter presented the items under President White's Comments. President suggests that the Illinois Municipal League membership fee and insurance premium be approved as an annual ongoing expense so that it does not have to be approved every time. Trustee Arrasmith moved that the bill for the Illinois Municipal League fee and Village insurance through it be approved as an annual expense to be paid when received. Trustee Roberts seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Arrasmith moved that Carol Moore, Earl Bennett, and Brett Bennett as full-time employees be paid $150 for year-end compensation and that part-time emplyees Ashley Reinhart and Margaret Carlson be paid $75. Trustee Schluter seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Arrasmith moved that the Village put the audit on the Village web site. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Concerning the rezoning variance for 202 Austin Drive, the Board of Trustees noted that notice of a hearing was duly made in the News-Gazette with notices duly made to property owners within 250 feet of the property. It was noted that there was no negative comment from the public.
The petition of Damon Jamison is on file and by reference incorporated herein. Additional comment from the public was solicited. There was none.
The Board of Trustees reviewed the materials, considered public comment and then made the following findings:
ATTORNEY MILLER'S COMMENTS:
Attorney Miller presented an ordinance for the hiring of Hartman Consultants for $5,000. Its consideration had been postponed from last month because Trustee Roberts was not present. Hartman is a water appraiser – what system is worth, expenses in future, and how to get the best price in a sale. Trustee Roberts moved that Ordinance No. 2017-08, An Ordinance Authorizing Execution of an Agreement with Hartman Consultants, LLC, be approved. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Attorney Miller will have an ordinance concerning sexual harassment at the January meeting. It has to be adopted by January 15, 2018.
EARL BENNETT'S REPORT
There was a water leak at 14 Dunlap Woods that was repaired.
All letters requesting access to homes that have an inside meter have been sent out. Approximately 40 meters still need to be modified or changed.
All equipment is ready for snow. There is enough salt to start the winter season.
FINANCE REPORT
The financial reports were read by Trustee Schluter. Trustee Arrasmith moved that the bills be paid with the addition of $1,530 to Bloom Water Products, $610.08 to Locis, $86.40 to Rogard's, $74.73 to Premier Cooperative, and $9,415.72 to Illinois American Water. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
STREETS AND ALLEY
No report as Trustee Finn was absent
WATER/SEWER/UTILITY
2,264,877 gallons of water were pumped in November with a daily average of 75,495 gallons.
$29,342.50 was received in November. 115 penalty bills were sent.
Bills were going out late this month because of a meter reading problem with the new system. The due date will be December 22, penalty date December 23. Trustee Schluter will put this information on the Village web site.
Supervisor Bennett gave a report on compliance with accessing houses with inside meters. Letters will again be sent to the residents not in compliance. The old meter reading system is not working so there is no way to read those meters. The users who do not reply will likely have the water service terminated. Also, Supervisor Bennett would like to stop using hang tags. Trustee Roberts moved that the next penalty bills have SHUT OFF in big letters and that no hang tags will be used beginning with the February bills. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
Two building permits were issued in Novemer: Damon Jamison, 202 Austin Drive, fence, #705, $50 and Andy Schum, 18 Dunlap Woods, shed, #706, $50.
No report on ESDA.
Trustee Arrasmith reported that all the stumps have been ground and ground leveled. For new tree planting, he would like to pursue reimbursing homeowners for planting trees instead of the Village planting trees on its right-of-ways because sometimes there is not enough room for a tree to grow and sometimes utilities are underground there. The Trustees were agreeable to the possibility, and Trustee Arrasmith will make some recommendations later.
PARKS AND RECREATION
The Unity Little League will play January 8 and 22 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. All 8-12 year old boys in the Unity school district are eligible to play in this league.
A fund raiser with Philo to raise money for summer ball is in the works.
A commissioner is still needed. Trustee Bickers will be commissioner one more year, and he would like to have someone in training to take over. Someone to run the concession stand is still needed. That person needs to have a food handler's certificate.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Nothing to report
NEW BUSINESS
Clerk Moore had heard from General Code. They are currently preparing a manuscript that will be sent early in 2018.
The Bicenntennial flag was raised at noon today by Supervisor Bennett.
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 8:45 p.m.
Trustee Arrasmith moved that the minutes of the November 6, 2017, Board of Trustees meeting be approved. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Kerrie Pruitt reported that some people were upset because their comments were deleted from a web site. She encouraged trustees to answer people's questions. She then gave out a handout to all members with some of her concerns. A discussion followed, with members of the public and Board members offering comments. Attorney Miller explained the policy of an official going on a web site with comments (answering questions is fine,i.e.). Trustee Arrasmith said that he is willing to answer a question but will not get into a debate. Trustee Schluter said the Village always posts the agenda on the Village web site and on the bulletin board and door of the Community Building at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting. The minutes are posted on the web site and the bulletin board.
Sale of the water system: Trustee Schluter said that the Village will get input from the residents before a sale. Attorney Miller said that the Village does not have to have a public meeting about a sale but that it is a good idea. A resident said that the world is using social media now and that the Village should get involved. Another resident said that all a person has to do to know what is going on is to come to the Board meetings, which are always open to the public. He said a facebook page is just a way to snipe at officials. He also said that people should appreciate the job that the Trustees are doing. Attorney Miller said that if the Village sponsored a facebook page, it could not restrict the speech that goes on it.
PRESIDENT WHITE'S COMMENTS
President Pro Tem Schluter presented the items under President White's Comments. President suggests that the Illinois Municipal League membership fee and insurance premium be approved as an annual ongoing expense so that it does not have to be approved every time. Trustee Arrasmith moved that the bill for the Illinois Municipal League fee and Village insurance through it be approved as an annual expense to be paid when received. Trustee Roberts seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Arrasmith moved that Carol Moore, Earl Bennett, and Brett Bennett as full-time employees be paid $150 for year-end compensation and that part-time emplyees Ashley Reinhart and Margaret Carlson be paid $75. Trustee Schluter seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Arrasmith moved that the Village put the audit on the Village web site. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Concerning the rezoning variance for 202 Austin Drive, the Board of Trustees noted that notice of a hearing was duly made in the News-Gazette with notices duly made to property owners within 250 feet of the property. It was noted that there was no negative comment from the public.
The petition of Damon Jamison is on file and by reference incorporated herein. Additional comment from the public was solicited. There was none.
The Board of Trustees reviewed the materials, considered public comment and then made the following findings:
- Approval of the variance requested by the petioner would not have any negative impact upon the surrounding community in that the height difference of 6 foot versus 5 foot is negligible and would be consistent with the local area.
- The needs of the parcel are unique in that due to its configuration, the existing improvements and its proximity to other properties, and the privacy needs of the property all justify a 6 foot fence instead of a 5 foot fence.
- Approval of the variance as requested is necessary for the property owner to have the economic use of the property because the unique aspects of the property justify the added privacy of a 6 foot fence versus a 5 foot fence and thehardship was not self imposed.
ATTORNEY MILLER'S COMMENTS:
Attorney Miller presented an ordinance for the hiring of Hartman Consultants for $5,000. Its consideration had been postponed from last month because Trustee Roberts was not present. Hartman is a water appraiser – what system is worth, expenses in future, and how to get the best price in a sale. Trustee Roberts moved that Ordinance No. 2017-08, An Ordinance Authorizing Execution of an Agreement with Hartman Consultants, LLC, be approved. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Attorney Miller will have an ordinance concerning sexual harassment at the January meeting. It has to be adopted by January 15, 2018.
EARL BENNETT'S REPORT
There was a water leak at 14 Dunlap Woods that was repaired.
All letters requesting access to homes that have an inside meter have been sent out. Approximately 40 meters still need to be modified or changed.
All equipment is ready for snow. There is enough salt to start the winter season.
FINANCE REPORT
The financial reports were read by Trustee Schluter. Trustee Arrasmith moved that the bills be paid with the addition of $1,530 to Bloom Water Products, $610.08 to Locis, $86.40 to Rogard's, $74.73 to Premier Cooperative, and $9,415.72 to Illinois American Water. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
STREETS AND ALLEY
No report as Trustee Finn was absent
WATER/SEWER/UTILITY
2,264,877 gallons of water were pumped in November with a daily average of 75,495 gallons.
$29,342.50 was received in November. 115 penalty bills were sent.
Bills were going out late this month because of a meter reading problem with the new system. The due date will be December 22, penalty date December 23. Trustee Schluter will put this information on the Village web site.
Supervisor Bennett gave a report on compliance with accessing houses with inside meters. Letters will again be sent to the residents not in compliance. The old meter reading system is not working so there is no way to read those meters. The users who do not reply will likely have the water service terminated. Also, Supervisor Bennett would like to stop using hang tags. Trustee Roberts moved that the next penalty bills have SHUT OFF in big letters and that no hang tags will be used beginning with the February bills. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
Two building permits were issued in Novemer: Damon Jamison, 202 Austin Drive, fence, #705, $50 and Andy Schum, 18 Dunlap Woods, shed, #706, $50.
No report on ESDA.
Trustee Arrasmith reported that all the stumps have been ground and ground leveled. For new tree planting, he would like to pursue reimbursing homeowners for planting trees instead of the Village planting trees on its right-of-ways because sometimes there is not enough room for a tree to grow and sometimes utilities are underground there. The Trustees were agreeable to the possibility, and Trustee Arrasmith will make some recommendations later.
PARKS AND RECREATION
The Unity Little League will play January 8 and 22 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. All 8-12 year old boys in the Unity school district are eligible to play in this league.
A fund raiser with Philo to raise money for summer ball is in the works.
A commissioner is still needed. Trustee Bickers will be commissioner one more year, and he would like to have someone in training to take over. Someone to run the concession stand is still needed. That person needs to have a food handler's certificate.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Nothing to report
NEW BUSINESS
Clerk Moore had heard from General Code. They are currently preparing a manuscript that will be sent early in 2018.
The Bicenntennial flag was raised at noon today by Supervisor Bennett.
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 8:45 p.m.
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