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, Bickers, and Schluter. Supervisor of Operations Bennett, Treasurer Reinhart, and Clerk Moore were also present. Trustees Finn and Roberts and Attorney Miller were absent. Trustee McCloud came in at 8:00 p.m.
Trustee Schluter moved that the minutes of the March 5, 2018, meeting of the Board of Trustees be approved. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes including President White on a roll call vote.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Ted Hartke spoke about the proposed solar farm south of Sidney. He has had experience with wind farms and the noise they generate. He is concerned about the noise level of solar farms. He has been to the zoning committee meeting of the Champaign County Board and expressed his concern there. The solar farm is within the mile and a half limit of the Village of Sidney. He said the County Board will consider the Village's input but that they are not obligated to follow it. Mr. Hartke said he is at the meeting to portect the public's health and safety. The noise limits need to be lower than the 45 dba that the developer says the solar farm will have. The solar farm will have a seven foot chain link fence surrounding the property. It is the largest solar farm in the State of Illinois. The map of the proposed site is on BayWa's web site. Mr. Hartke would like to slow this project down so that everyone has time to think and plan. He has concerns about the project, but it is feasible if the County puts in enough protection.
There were many people present who presented their concerns. There is to be a fifty-foot buffer zone from a property line and a 100 foot from a home. Both need to be bigger. Some communities have required a 500 foot setback.
A person questioned what happens when the solar farm is no longer in use. President White said that the County is requiring the company to put up money to cover that cost. The company wants to have a line of credit instead. This has not been resolved.
Other questions: What benefit is this to Sidney or the Township?
Does the Village of Sidney support this?
Why here on the richest farm ground in the country?
Will this be a flooding problem with Sidney already having a water problem?
Do you know how much noise this is? (Man blew a goose call to demonstrate the noise level.)
Does the developer know the drainage system and the field tiles in the farms? Will they work with the drainage districts?
Other Comments: One person said his drainage district is doing an assessment of drainage in his district. They will need space to do digging if necessary. How will they fix tiles when they are damaged?
8-10 landowners are leasing their land for this project.
Taking land out of production will affect local businesses such as Premier Cooperative, seed companies, banks, etc.
There are 25-30 reasons against this project. A representative should go to the zoning meeting. Let the lawyer write a letter.
Sidney Township Supervisor Tim Osterbur said that the Village or Township cannot oppose the project at this time.
Property values will go down for those people living near the solar farm.
BayWa company representative only wants to meet with one family at a time.
The length of time for the leases and the process of decommissioning really needs to be considered.
The solar farm is projected to be functional in the fall of 2018.
There was a straw vote of the Board of Trustees and no one was in favor of the solar farm. Trustee Schluter will attend the Zoning Board Authority of the Champaign County Board on Thursday, April 5, at 7:00 p.m.
On another matter, Scoutmaster Corey Willard said his troop would like to earn service points by volunteering to clean up the area across from Keller Automotive by doing some trimming and landscaping. The Board gave its approval. This was an area originally planted by the Sidney Garden Club.
PRESIDENT WHITE'S COMMENTS
President White presented the calendar of meeting dates for the 2018-2019 fiscal year for approval. It was approved on a voice vote.
The County electronics collection registration will begin Monday, April 9. Sidney residents are eligible to apply for a spot because the Board voted last month to pay to allow Sidney residents to participate.
The owner of the apartments on North Scarborough responded to the letter sent by the Village asking him to clean up the creek by his property. He will do this whenever the ground dries.
President White reported that he met with Shari Lannon of the United States Rural Development to see if there are any grants for a new municipal building. There are not, just low cost loans. There are grants for furnishing new buildings.
ATTORNEY MILLER'S COMMENTS:
Attorney Miller was absent.
EARL BENNETT'S REPORT
Engineer Mike Friend said the new maps would be done this month.
No applications for summer help had been received.
Supervisor Bennett also reported that dumpsters for Dumpster Day would be $515 apiece and that he needed six. Trustee Bickers moved that Supervisor Bennett be authorized to spend up to $3,100 for dumpsters. Trustee Schluter seconded the motion; it passed with all ayes on a roll call vote including President White. Dumpster Day will be April 28 at Witt Park from 7-11 a.m., rain or shine. No tires, oil, paints, and electronics will be accepted.
The Sidney Christian Church wants to close Washington Street from Main Street north to the alley on May 19 for an event at the church. No houses are on this portion of the street. The Board okayed the request.
Limb pickup will be April 30-May 4. Limbs cannot be longer than six feet or bigger in diameter than six inches.
Hydrant flushing will probably be the first week of May.
FINANCE REPORT
The financial reports were read by President White. Trustee Arrasmith moved that the bills be paid with the addition of $18727 to Martin Equipment. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes including President White on a roll call vote.
Trustee McCloud has chosen the colors, burgundy and silver, for the hard copies of the books of the codification project. Everything has now been submitted.
STREETS AND ALLEY
Engineer Dennis Cummins presented Resolution 2018-R-01 for consideration. Trustee Arrasmith moved that Resolution 2018-R-01, Resolution for Maintenance under the Illinois Highway Code, be adopted. Trustee McCloud seconded the motion; motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. Trustee Arrasmith moved that the Maintenance Engineering Agreement with Farnsworth be approved. Trustee McCloud seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. Trustee Arrasmith moved that the Material Proposal or Deliver and Install Proposal with the cost to be paid out of Motor Fuel Tax funds be approved. Trustee Schluter seconded the motion; motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
WATER/SEWER/UTILITY
2,637,695 gallons of water were pumped in March with a daily average of 85,086 gallons.
$33,164.28 was received in March. 97 penalty bills were sent. $25,095.07 has been billed to 536 customers in April.
Engineer Mike Friend reported that bill to renew incentives for water companies to buy local systems is in committee at the state right now.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
Two building permits were issued in March. 607 Folsom Ct., fence, $50, #706, and 103 South Scarborough, storage shed, $50, #707.
A property owner requested that he be reimbursed for a tree planting under the Village's new tree ordinance. The tree removed was on the Village property at his neighbor's, and the neighbor has no room to plant a tree. The homeowner would plant the tree near the property line so it would be close to where the tree was removed. The Board decided against the request.
Nothing on ESDA
There are about fifteen junk cars in the Village. Supervisor Bennett will tag them. If they are not removed, letters will be sent and finally they will be towed at the homeowner's expense. Junk cars are defined as cars that are not currently licensed.
PARKS AND RECREATION
The Sidney Community Library will take over the concession stand at the ball park.
There are ten teams to be fielded this year.
New based and pitching mounds have been ordered.
There will be a community park cleanup day set in the future. When the date is set, it will be on the message board. Hopefully, many townspeople will come out to help.
20-30 tickets are left to be sold on the fundraiser.
Signs are being made that state that no animals can be on either ball park. The gates are being fixed.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Trustee Schluter has added the ball game schedules to the web site calendar.
NEW BUSINESS
Trustee Schluter asked what he should say at the County Zoning meeting. It was agreed that he could say five of the seven Village Board members, including the President, were against the solar farm.
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 8:40 p.m.
Trustee Schluter moved that the minutes of the March 5, 2018, meeting of the Board of Trustees be approved. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes including President White on a roll call vote.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Ted Hartke spoke about the proposed solar farm south of Sidney. He has had experience with wind farms and the noise they generate. He is concerned about the noise level of solar farms. He has been to the zoning committee meeting of the Champaign County Board and expressed his concern there. The solar farm is within the mile and a half limit of the Village of Sidney. He said the County Board will consider the Village's input but that they are not obligated to follow it. Mr. Hartke said he is at the meeting to portect the public's health and safety. The noise limits need to be lower than the 45 dba that the developer says the solar farm will have. The solar farm will have a seven foot chain link fence surrounding the property. It is the largest solar farm in the State of Illinois. The map of the proposed site is on BayWa's web site. Mr. Hartke would like to slow this project down so that everyone has time to think and plan. He has concerns about the project, but it is feasible if the County puts in enough protection.
There were many people present who presented their concerns. There is to be a fifty-foot buffer zone from a property line and a 100 foot from a home. Both need to be bigger. Some communities have required a 500 foot setback.
A person questioned what happens when the solar farm is no longer in use. President White said that the County is requiring the company to put up money to cover that cost. The company wants to have a line of credit instead. This has not been resolved.
Other questions: What benefit is this to Sidney or the Township?
Does the Village of Sidney support this?
Why here on the richest farm ground in the country?
Will this be a flooding problem with Sidney already having a water problem?
Do you know how much noise this is? (Man blew a goose call to demonstrate the noise level.)
Does the developer know the drainage system and the field tiles in the farms? Will they work with the drainage districts?
Other Comments: One person said his drainage district is doing an assessment of drainage in his district. They will need space to do digging if necessary. How will they fix tiles when they are damaged?
8-10 landowners are leasing their land for this project.
Taking land out of production will affect local businesses such as Premier Cooperative, seed companies, banks, etc.
There are 25-30 reasons against this project. A representative should go to the zoning meeting. Let the lawyer write a letter.
Sidney Township Supervisor Tim Osterbur said that the Village or Township cannot oppose the project at this time.
Property values will go down for those people living near the solar farm.
BayWa company representative only wants to meet with one family at a time.
The length of time for the leases and the process of decommissioning really needs to be considered.
The solar farm is projected to be functional in the fall of 2018.
There was a straw vote of the Board of Trustees and no one was in favor of the solar farm. Trustee Schluter will attend the Zoning Board Authority of the Champaign County Board on Thursday, April 5, at 7:00 p.m.
On another matter, Scoutmaster Corey Willard said his troop would like to earn service points by volunteering to clean up the area across from Keller Automotive by doing some trimming and landscaping. The Board gave its approval. This was an area originally planted by the Sidney Garden Club.
PRESIDENT WHITE'S COMMENTS
President White presented the calendar of meeting dates for the 2018-2019 fiscal year for approval. It was approved on a voice vote.
The County electronics collection registration will begin Monday, April 9. Sidney residents are eligible to apply for a spot because the Board voted last month to pay to allow Sidney residents to participate.
The owner of the apartments on North Scarborough responded to the letter sent by the Village asking him to clean up the creek by his property. He will do this whenever the ground dries.
President White reported that he met with Shari Lannon of the United States Rural Development to see if there are any grants for a new municipal building. There are not, just low cost loans. There are grants for furnishing new buildings.
ATTORNEY MILLER'S COMMENTS:
Attorney Miller was absent.
EARL BENNETT'S REPORT
Engineer Mike Friend said the new maps would be done this month.
No applications for summer help had been received.
Supervisor Bennett also reported that dumpsters for Dumpster Day would be $515 apiece and that he needed six. Trustee Bickers moved that Supervisor Bennett be authorized to spend up to $3,100 for dumpsters. Trustee Schluter seconded the motion; it passed with all ayes on a roll call vote including President White. Dumpster Day will be April 28 at Witt Park from 7-11 a.m., rain or shine. No tires, oil, paints, and electronics will be accepted.
The Sidney Christian Church wants to close Washington Street from Main Street north to the alley on May 19 for an event at the church. No houses are on this portion of the street. The Board okayed the request.
Limb pickup will be April 30-May 4. Limbs cannot be longer than six feet or bigger in diameter than six inches.
Hydrant flushing will probably be the first week of May.
FINANCE REPORT
The financial reports were read by President White. Trustee Arrasmith moved that the bills be paid with the addition of $18727 to Martin Equipment. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes including President White on a roll call vote.
Trustee McCloud has chosen the colors, burgundy and silver, for the hard copies of the books of the codification project. Everything has now been submitted.
STREETS AND ALLEY
Engineer Dennis Cummins presented Resolution 2018-R-01 for consideration. Trustee Arrasmith moved that Resolution 2018-R-01, Resolution for Maintenance under the Illinois Highway Code, be adopted. Trustee McCloud seconded the motion; motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. Trustee Arrasmith moved that the Maintenance Engineering Agreement with Farnsworth be approved. Trustee McCloud seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. Trustee Arrasmith moved that the Material Proposal or Deliver and Install Proposal with the cost to be paid out of Motor Fuel Tax funds be approved. Trustee Schluter seconded the motion; motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
WATER/SEWER/UTILITY
2,637,695 gallons of water were pumped in March with a daily average of 85,086 gallons.
$33,164.28 was received in March. 97 penalty bills were sent. $25,095.07 has been billed to 536 customers in April.
Engineer Mike Friend reported that bill to renew incentives for water companies to buy local systems is in committee at the state right now.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
Two building permits were issued in March. 607 Folsom Ct., fence, $50, #706, and 103 South Scarborough, storage shed, $50, #707.
A property owner requested that he be reimbursed for a tree planting under the Village's new tree ordinance. The tree removed was on the Village property at his neighbor's, and the neighbor has no room to plant a tree. The homeowner would plant the tree near the property line so it would be close to where the tree was removed. The Board decided against the request.
Nothing on ESDA
There are about fifteen junk cars in the Village. Supervisor Bennett will tag them. If they are not removed, letters will be sent and finally they will be towed at the homeowner's expense. Junk cars are defined as cars that are not currently licensed.
PARKS AND RECREATION
The Sidney Community Library will take over the concession stand at the ball park.
There are ten teams to be fielded this year.
New based and pitching mounds have been ordered.
There will be a community park cleanup day set in the future. When the date is set, it will be on the message board. Hopefully, many townspeople will come out to help.
20-30 tickets are left to be sold on the fundraiser.
Signs are being made that state that no animals can be on either ball park. The gates are being fixed.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Trustee Schluter has added the ball game schedules to the web site calendar.
NEW BUSINESS
Trustee Schluter asked what he should say at the County Zoning meeting. It was agreed that he could say five of the seven Village Board members, including the President, were against the solar farm.
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 8:40 p.m.
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