The Sidney Village Board met on the above date for the regular monthly meeting. President White called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm with the following trustees present: Arrasmith, Cokley, Catron, Roberts, and Osterbur. Village Clerk Moore, Attorney Hendren, and Supervisor of Operations Bennett were also present. Trustee Burr and Treasurer Riley were absent.
A motion was made by Trustee Arrasmith and seconded by Trustee Roberts to approve the minutes of the February 3, 2014, meeting. Motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None
PRESIDENT WHITE'S COMMENTS
Rep. John Shimkus's representative, Kate Holloway, will be meeting with the public on March 31, 2014, from 1:00-2:30 p.m. at the Community building.
Complaints had been received about a property on the St. Joe road having trash on it for two months. A letter was sent to him on February 18, giving him 30 days to clean up his propertty.
Tracy Wingler, County Highway Supervisor, contacted President White and expressed his displeasure at being asked to close the highway (Main Street) through Sidney because of the flooding; and when he sent three men here, the street did not need closing. From now on, authority to close the road will only come from President White or Supervisor Bennett.
It was discussed at February's Board meeting that perhaps a substitute treasurer was needed when the treasurer was gone for an extended period. Trustee Catron said that it would be difficult to have a substitute with the requirements for journal entries and the audit. The question was brought up whether the treasurer planned to be gone for extended periods of time in the future. It was decided to present Mary Riley, Treasurer, with these questions and concerns when she is at the April Board meeting.
ATTORNEY HENDREN'S COMMENTS:
Attorney Hendren reported that he had been in contact with Julia Reynolds, representative for Illinois Risk Management insurance, about the library. She said that the library is covered for liability and workman's compensation through the Village insurance. One of the items she wanted was an audited library payroll. Clerk Moore had talked to Jeanne Daly, the librarian, and she reported that they had never had an audited payroll. Trustee Catron or Treasurer Riley will talk to Julia Reynolds to make clear what is required.
May 1 will be the start of the new fiscal year, and the Board members need to start thinking about appropriations.
EARL BENNETT'S REPORT
Supervisor Bennett confirmed the two estimates on replacing the hinges on the front door of the Community Building: Bacon and Van Buskirk, $835, and Arrow, $702.75. No one else had been found who was willing to do this. This was tabled until next month.
There had been a leak at Witt Park Road and South Harrison that was repaired.
Dumpster Days will be the last Saturday in April, April 26, from 7:00-11:00 a.m.
The Insurance Services Office had informed Supervisor Bennett that Sidney needs an updated map, showing the corporate limits, the water main sizes, and the hydrant connection size. The last map was done seven years ago. Sidney had been a 6 and is now a 5; one is the best rating. For Sidney's size, a 5 is a very good rating. Trustee Roberts moved that the Village spend $900.00 on a new map, made by Donahue and Associates. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. The ISO rating determines the homeowner's insurance cost.
Supervisor Bennett will be going on vacation March 22-26. He will have a key made for the building that he will give to President White.
FINANCE REPORT
Trustee Catron read account balances in each account. Trustee Catron made a motion to pay bills from the proper accounts as presented with the additions of $48.92 to Carol Moore for a router for the library, $290 to Miller and Hendren, and $75 to Computer Solutions for hooking up the new wireless internet. Trustee Roberts seconded the motion. Motion carried as all trustees voted aye on a roll call vote. Frontier is the new provider and everything has been hooked up successfully. Comcast will be cancelled.
STREETS AND ALLEY
Someone had complained to Trustee Osterbur about the condition of the alley at Washington and Harrison because of garbage trucks using the alley to pick up garbage, which tears up the alley. This is not the only alley to be so used. There is no ordinance against this, so Trustee Osterbur will talk to the garbage haulers to see if they would use the streets instead. Supervisor Bennett said that the alleys are graded and rocked every year after the winter.
WATER/SEWER/UTILITY
2,506,727 gallons of water were pumped in February with a daily average of 89,525 gallons.
$28,097.17 was received in February with $9,806.29 in sewer planning money. 88 penalty bills were sent and 20 shutoffs.
Trustee Roberts said that he had not heard back from the man he was talking with about the water plant wireless, so it was tabled until next month.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
No permits were issued in February.
Trustee Burr was absent but sent her report the BillBrix Concrete had submitted a bid of $1,935.00 to pour the steps on South David, downtown, that were torn up to get to a water leak. It was decided to wait until next month to see if there were any more bids.
There is a tree by the water plant that is split and dangerous to the siren, but it is on private property. No action was taken.
PARKS AND RECREATION
Trustee Cokley had fliers made up to pass out to Sidney children. He thanked Clerk Moore for her help. Unity East passed them out to all their students, but the junior high just put them in the office for students to be picked up. Trustee Cokley said the first day of sign up was mediocre. He said the number of children participating has been dwindling.
Keith Kropp has volunteered to take care of the signs in the outfield, sending letters to contributors.
Trustee Cokley will talk to Leroy Schluter to see if he would be in charge of scheduling the umpires. He was to be paid $400 for this, but he waived his check last year.
Trustee Cokley presented his idea for a fundraiser, the raffle of a gun. He proposed that there be $500 tickets sold at $20 a ticket, which would bring in $10,000 for the ball program, minus the costs. The prize would be either a gun, AR15, at $1,000 or $500 cash. The gun would be bought from the Homer gun store, and the winner could choose another gun if he/she did not want a AR15. There are 200 children in the program who could sell tickets, plus any adults who wanted to. The person who won would have to show their FOID card, no exceptions. There was discussion as to whether the Village would have to have a license to do this or what the rules are. Clerk Moore will look into this.
The ball equipment is in good shape, perhaps just need to buy some helmets. The same is true for the uniforms, just adding smaller items, like belts. Two new pieces of equipment for the ball diamond are needed. Trustee Cokley moved that the Village buy an infield chalker ($350) and a drag ($1,450) to do the fields, not to exceed $2,500 in total costs. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Cokley reported that Donna Hooker is not going to run the concession stand anymore. Trustee Cokley moved that the Village buy a Visa gift certificate in the amount of $100 and a plaque in appreciation of her many years of service to the ball program. Trustee Osterbur seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustees Catron and Cokley have been discussing the concession stand. Trustee Catron told of the difficulties of keeping track of all the expenditures and revenue for the audit. The paperwork is that someone has to journal entry everything each night. Trustee Cokley proposed that the concession be leased out and run by a private entity, perhaps for $500 a season. The paperwork would be much easier for the Village. There was discussion about privatizing the concession stand. The umpires are usually paid from the concession proceeds, and $500 is not enough to cover this cost. The Village would still have to provide public health certification for the building. Trustee Arrasmith suggested that the charge be $750, which would be $250 a month. Trustee Cokley will advertise this, with him being the contact person. If there is more than one applicant, the Board will hold a special meeting on March 17 to interview the applicants and make their choice.
There will be a problem with getting to the scoreboard controls, which are in the concession stand, but Trustee Cokley said he would talk to everyone to come to an understanding. It would help to get lights and electricity to the shed.
Trustee Catron moved that he and Trustee Cokley be put on the ball park account and Donna Hooker be taken off and that the Sam's card in her name be canceled. Trustee Osterbur seconded the motion, and the motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. Trustee Catron then moved that Trustee Cokley be issued a debit card on the ball park account. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Supervisor Bennett will order 25 bags of lime for the ball field.
White's Roofing has re-roofed the pavilion at the Lions Club Park. Clerk Moore will send them a thank-you letter.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
President White announced that is a free countywide residential electronics collection on Saturday, April 12, from 8:00 a.m. until noon at Parkland College. There are two old computers in the ESDA office that could be given.
Clerk Moore announced that she will have her surgery on March 10, and Judy Branson will be handling her duties for at least a month, beginning March 10.
A motion was made by Trustee Catron and seconded by Trustee Arrasmith to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 p.m. Motion carried
A motion was made by Trustee Arrasmith and seconded by Trustee Roberts to approve the minutes of the February 3, 2014, meeting. Motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None
PRESIDENT WHITE'S COMMENTS
Rep. John Shimkus's representative, Kate Holloway, will be meeting with the public on March 31, 2014, from 1:00-2:30 p.m. at the Community building.
Complaints had been received about a property on the St. Joe road having trash on it for two months. A letter was sent to him on February 18, giving him 30 days to clean up his propertty.
Tracy Wingler, County Highway Supervisor, contacted President White and expressed his displeasure at being asked to close the highway (Main Street) through Sidney because of the flooding; and when he sent three men here, the street did not need closing. From now on, authority to close the road will only come from President White or Supervisor Bennett.
It was discussed at February's Board meeting that perhaps a substitute treasurer was needed when the treasurer was gone for an extended period. Trustee Catron said that it would be difficult to have a substitute with the requirements for journal entries and the audit. The question was brought up whether the treasurer planned to be gone for extended periods of time in the future. It was decided to present Mary Riley, Treasurer, with these questions and concerns when she is at the April Board meeting.
ATTORNEY HENDREN'S COMMENTS:
Attorney Hendren reported that he had been in contact with Julia Reynolds, representative for Illinois Risk Management insurance, about the library. She said that the library is covered for liability and workman's compensation through the Village insurance. One of the items she wanted was an audited library payroll. Clerk Moore had talked to Jeanne Daly, the librarian, and she reported that they had never had an audited payroll. Trustee Catron or Treasurer Riley will talk to Julia Reynolds to make clear what is required.
May 1 will be the start of the new fiscal year, and the Board members need to start thinking about appropriations.
EARL BENNETT'S REPORT
Supervisor Bennett confirmed the two estimates on replacing the hinges on the front door of the Community Building: Bacon and Van Buskirk, $835, and Arrow, $702.75. No one else had been found who was willing to do this. This was tabled until next month.
There had been a leak at Witt Park Road and South Harrison that was repaired.
Dumpster Days will be the last Saturday in April, April 26, from 7:00-11:00 a.m.
The Insurance Services Office had informed Supervisor Bennett that Sidney needs an updated map, showing the corporate limits, the water main sizes, and the hydrant connection size. The last map was done seven years ago. Sidney had been a 6 and is now a 5; one is the best rating. For Sidney's size, a 5 is a very good rating. Trustee Roberts moved that the Village spend $900.00 on a new map, made by Donahue and Associates. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. The ISO rating determines the homeowner's insurance cost.
Supervisor Bennett will be going on vacation March 22-26. He will have a key made for the building that he will give to President White.
FINANCE REPORT
Trustee Catron read account balances in each account. Trustee Catron made a motion to pay bills from the proper accounts as presented with the additions of $48.92 to Carol Moore for a router for the library, $290 to Miller and Hendren, and $75 to Computer Solutions for hooking up the new wireless internet. Trustee Roberts seconded the motion. Motion carried as all trustees voted aye on a roll call vote. Frontier is the new provider and everything has been hooked up successfully. Comcast will be cancelled.
STREETS AND ALLEY
Someone had complained to Trustee Osterbur about the condition of the alley at Washington and Harrison because of garbage trucks using the alley to pick up garbage, which tears up the alley. This is not the only alley to be so used. There is no ordinance against this, so Trustee Osterbur will talk to the garbage haulers to see if they would use the streets instead. Supervisor Bennett said that the alleys are graded and rocked every year after the winter.
WATER/SEWER/UTILITY
2,506,727 gallons of water were pumped in February with a daily average of 89,525 gallons.
$28,097.17 was received in February with $9,806.29 in sewer planning money. 88 penalty bills were sent and 20 shutoffs.
Trustee Roberts said that he had not heard back from the man he was talking with about the water plant wireless, so it was tabled until next month.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
No permits were issued in February.
Trustee Burr was absent but sent her report the BillBrix Concrete had submitted a bid of $1,935.00 to pour the steps on South David, downtown, that were torn up to get to a water leak. It was decided to wait until next month to see if there were any more bids.
There is a tree by the water plant that is split and dangerous to the siren, but it is on private property. No action was taken.
PARKS AND RECREATION
Trustee Cokley had fliers made up to pass out to Sidney children. He thanked Clerk Moore for her help. Unity East passed them out to all their students, but the junior high just put them in the office for students to be picked up. Trustee Cokley said the first day of sign up was mediocre. He said the number of children participating has been dwindling.
Keith Kropp has volunteered to take care of the signs in the outfield, sending letters to contributors.
Trustee Cokley will talk to Leroy Schluter to see if he would be in charge of scheduling the umpires. He was to be paid $400 for this, but he waived his check last year.
Trustee Cokley presented his idea for a fundraiser, the raffle of a gun. He proposed that there be $500 tickets sold at $20 a ticket, which would bring in $10,000 for the ball program, minus the costs. The prize would be either a gun, AR15, at $1,000 or $500 cash. The gun would be bought from the Homer gun store, and the winner could choose another gun if he/she did not want a AR15. There are 200 children in the program who could sell tickets, plus any adults who wanted to. The person who won would have to show their FOID card, no exceptions. There was discussion as to whether the Village would have to have a license to do this or what the rules are. Clerk Moore will look into this.
The ball equipment is in good shape, perhaps just need to buy some helmets. The same is true for the uniforms, just adding smaller items, like belts. Two new pieces of equipment for the ball diamond are needed. Trustee Cokley moved that the Village buy an infield chalker ($350) and a drag ($1,450) to do the fields, not to exceed $2,500 in total costs. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Cokley reported that Donna Hooker is not going to run the concession stand anymore. Trustee Cokley moved that the Village buy a Visa gift certificate in the amount of $100 and a plaque in appreciation of her many years of service to the ball program. Trustee Osterbur seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustees Catron and Cokley have been discussing the concession stand. Trustee Catron told of the difficulties of keeping track of all the expenditures and revenue for the audit. The paperwork is that someone has to journal entry everything each night. Trustee Cokley proposed that the concession be leased out and run by a private entity, perhaps for $500 a season. The paperwork would be much easier for the Village. There was discussion about privatizing the concession stand. The umpires are usually paid from the concession proceeds, and $500 is not enough to cover this cost. The Village would still have to provide public health certification for the building. Trustee Arrasmith suggested that the charge be $750, which would be $250 a month. Trustee Cokley will advertise this, with him being the contact person. If there is more than one applicant, the Board will hold a special meeting on March 17 to interview the applicants and make their choice.
There will be a problem with getting to the scoreboard controls, which are in the concession stand, but Trustee Cokley said he would talk to everyone to come to an understanding. It would help to get lights and electricity to the shed.
Trustee Catron moved that he and Trustee Cokley be put on the ball park account and Donna Hooker be taken off and that the Sam's card in her name be canceled. Trustee Osterbur seconded the motion, and the motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. Trustee Catron then moved that Trustee Cokley be issued a debit card on the ball park account. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Supervisor Bennett will order 25 bags of lime for the ball field.
White's Roofing has re-roofed the pavilion at the Lions Club Park. Clerk Moore will send them a thank-you letter.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
President White announced that is a free countywide residential electronics collection on Saturday, April 12, from 8:00 a.m. until noon at Parkland College. There are two old computers in the ESDA office that could be given.
Clerk Moore announced that she will have her surgery on March 10, and Judy Branson will be handling her duties for at least a month, beginning March 10.
A motion was made by Trustee Catron and seconded by Trustee Arrasmith to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 p.m. Motion carried
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