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 Roberts. Supervisor of Operations Bennett, Treasurer Reinhart, Attorney Miller, and Clerk Moore were also present. Trustee Finn arrived at 7:10 p.m. Trustees McCloud and Schluter were absent.
Trustee Arrasmith moved that the minutes of the January 2, 2018, meeting of the Board of Trustees be approved. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes plus the affirmative vote of President White.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Mike Roy of the Sidney Improvement Group presented the plans made so far for the Sidney Fun Daze to be held July 27-28. The car show will be held with the Sidney Fire Department. The carnival will be both Saturday and Sunday, and SIG has made sure that all rides will be here those two days. The tent will be put on the Sidney Township property again. SIG is planning on having a gun/cash raffle in order to generate money to put on the Fun Daze. Discussion was held about what is involved with a raffle.
Trustee Arrasmith moved that the Village of Sidney hereby by reference incorporates the authority and requirements of the Illinois Raffles and Poker Runs Act 230 ILCS 15 and pursuant to the authority contained therein hereby issues a Raffle License to the Sidney Improvement Group to sponsor a raffle to benefit the Sidney Fun Daze, selling raffle tickets between February 18, 2018, and May 5, 2018, with winners to be announced by June 30, 2018, all pursuant to the Application for Raffle License on file and by reference incorporated herein. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
PRESIDENT WHITE'S COMMENTS
President White had heard from Susan Monte, Champaign County Zoning Authority, about an electronics collection to be held at Parkland in the spring and in the fall. It would cost the Village $260 in order for Sidney residents to be able to participate. He suggested putting the word out on social media and by word of mouth to see if there is enough interest to justify spending the money. This will be on next month's agenda.
President White had been contacted by Bay Ware about a solar plant, some of which would be within the one and a half mile limit of the Village. The company has met with the county once and will be meeting with them again. He will know more by the next Board meeting.
President White went to a grant overview meeting hosted by Farnsworth. There is a 50/50 grant available to upgrade truck routes. South David Street is a truck route and will need major repairs in two years or so. There are low cost loans for building of community buildings, no grants.
ATTORNEY MILLER'S COMMENTS:
Attorney Miller opened the discussion on the report, Analysis of Water Utility Ownership Options for the Village of Sidney, Illinois, as prepared by Hartman Consultants, LLC. The report was to explore the possibility of selling the water system. Attorney Miller gave a summary of the points of the analysis. The Village has some looming major capital expenditures for the water system, for which it has no money without borrowing. There are two good companies interested in the purchase. The Village can solicit bids without committing to a sale. Hartman figured that the system is worth $2,000,000. The Village can negotiate for a price and also for other things, such as new hydrants, new lines, looping, etc. Supervisor Bennett and Engineer Mike Friend said that the safety requirements for water are going to become more stringent, such as lead limits. A corrosion control system might have to be installed, which will add to the cost of operating the system. Attorney Miller suggested that the Trustees think more about the possible sale and its benefits and drawbacks and act on it at the March meeting.
EARL BENNETT'S REPORT
Supervisor Bennett said that there was one more meter to be changed the next day and then the meter reading transfers will be complete.\
ABC Recycling requested a copy of the Village map from Clerk Moore. (They are willing to pay for the map.) The maps are 17 years old and out-of-date. Supervisor Bennett had secured a estimated cost from Farnsworth for three drawings: 1) for the Village corporate limits, streets, Parcels, with PIN numbers and addresses for each parcel in the Village, 2) the water distribution system exclusive of the transmission line – basically the corporate limits only, 3) the known storm sewer system lines, inlets, and manholes in the Village. Also, Farnsworth would provide a PDF conversion and jump drive and the mounting of drawings onto whiteboard. The cost would be $2,100-2,200. Trustee Finn moved that the Village approve the expenditure of up to $2,200 for new maps. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
FINANCE REPORT
The financial reports were read by Trustee Finn. He moved that the bills be paid with the addition of $$83.73 to Premier Cooperative. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Nothing yet on the library audit
Trustee McCloud had asked that the Board set up a special meeting for the purpose of reviewing the material from General Code. The meeting is set for February 15, Thursday, at 6:00 p.m. at the Community Building.
STREETS AND ALLEY
Nothing to report on the streets
Trustee Finn asked about the new building. He and President White will arrange a meeting with Shari Lannon of the USDA Rural Development Department to see what help is available for a new community building.
WATER/SEWER/UTILITY
2,570,583 gallons of water were pumped in January with a daily average of 82,922 gallons.
$31,567.83 was received in January. 139 penalty bills were sent.
Discussion was held on the penalty bills and shutoffs. It was decided to wait to see how the new meter reading system is working before making any more changes.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
No building permits were issued in January.
Trustee Arrasmith passed out a paper with a list of requirements for tree replacement reimbursement. After some discussion and a change to one requirement, it was decided that Attorney Miller will write an ordinance incorporating these requirements for a vote at the March meeting.
It was reported that there was a locust tree on the little ball diamond that is dead and needs to be cut down.
PARKS AND RECREATION
Trustee Bickers reported that two people had called about running the concession stand but nothing was final. A commissioner for next year is still needed. Trustee Bickers will set a clean-up day for next month. Sign-ups for summer ball began last Saturday and there will be two more sign-up days. The fund raiser will be the same as last year's, done in connection with Philo, a raffle for a Kubota.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Nothing to report
NEW BUSINESS
None
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 8:30 p.m.
Trustee Arrasmith moved that the minutes of the January 2, 2018, meeting of the Board of Trustees be approved. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes plus the affirmative vote of President White.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Mike Roy of the Sidney Improvement Group presented the plans made so far for the Sidney Fun Daze to be held July 27-28. The car show will be held with the Sidney Fire Department. The carnival will be both Saturday and Sunday, and SIG has made sure that all rides will be here those two days. The tent will be put on the Sidney Township property again. SIG is planning on having a gun/cash raffle in order to generate money to put on the Fun Daze. Discussion was held about what is involved with a raffle.
Trustee Arrasmith moved that the Village of Sidney hereby by reference incorporates the authority and requirements of the Illinois Raffles and Poker Runs Act 230 ILCS 15 and pursuant to the authority contained therein hereby issues a Raffle License to the Sidney Improvement Group to sponsor a raffle to benefit the Sidney Fun Daze, selling raffle tickets between February 18, 2018, and May 5, 2018, with winners to be announced by June 30, 2018, all pursuant to the Application for Raffle License on file and by reference incorporated herein. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
PRESIDENT WHITE'S COMMENTS
President White had heard from Susan Monte, Champaign County Zoning Authority, about an electronics collection to be held at Parkland in the spring and in the fall. It would cost the Village $260 in order for Sidney residents to be able to participate. He suggested putting the word out on social media and by word of mouth to see if there is enough interest to justify spending the money. This will be on next month's agenda.
President White had been contacted by Bay Ware about a solar plant, some of which would be within the one and a half mile limit of the Village. The company has met with the county once and will be meeting with them again. He will know more by the next Board meeting.
President White went to a grant overview meeting hosted by Farnsworth. There is a 50/50 grant available to upgrade truck routes. South David Street is a truck route and will need major repairs in two years or so. There are low cost loans for building of community buildings, no grants.
ATTORNEY MILLER'S COMMENTS:
Attorney Miller opened the discussion on the report, Analysis of Water Utility Ownership Options for the Village of Sidney, Illinois, as prepared by Hartman Consultants, LLC. The report was to explore the possibility of selling the water system. Attorney Miller gave a summary of the points of the analysis. The Village has some looming major capital expenditures for the water system, for which it has no money without borrowing. There are two good companies interested in the purchase. The Village can solicit bids without committing to a sale. Hartman figured that the system is worth $2,000,000. The Village can negotiate for a price and also for other things, such as new hydrants, new lines, looping, etc. Supervisor Bennett and Engineer Mike Friend said that the safety requirements for water are going to become more stringent, such as lead limits. A corrosion control system might have to be installed, which will add to the cost of operating the system. Attorney Miller suggested that the Trustees think more about the possible sale and its benefits and drawbacks and act on it at the March meeting.
EARL BENNETT'S REPORT
Supervisor Bennett said that there was one more meter to be changed the next day and then the meter reading transfers will be complete.\
ABC Recycling requested a copy of the Village map from Clerk Moore. (They are willing to pay for the map.) The maps are 17 years old and out-of-date. Supervisor Bennett had secured a estimated cost from Farnsworth for three drawings: 1) for the Village corporate limits, streets, Parcels, with PIN numbers and addresses for each parcel in the Village, 2) the water distribution system exclusive of the transmission line – basically the corporate limits only, 3) the known storm sewer system lines, inlets, and manholes in the Village. Also, Farnsworth would provide a PDF conversion and jump drive and the mounting of drawings onto whiteboard. The cost would be $2,100-2,200. Trustee Finn moved that the Village approve the expenditure of up to $2,200 for new maps. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
FINANCE REPORT
The financial reports were read by Trustee Finn. He moved that the bills be paid with the addition of $$83.73 to Premier Cooperative. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Nothing yet on the library audit
Trustee McCloud had asked that the Board set up a special meeting for the purpose of reviewing the material from General Code. The meeting is set for February 15, Thursday, at 6:00 p.m. at the Community Building.
STREETS AND ALLEY
Nothing to report on the streets
Trustee Finn asked about the new building. He and President White will arrange a meeting with Shari Lannon of the USDA Rural Development Department to see what help is available for a new community building.
WATER/SEWER/UTILITY
2,570,583 gallons of water were pumped in January with a daily average of 82,922 gallons.
$31,567.83 was received in January. 139 penalty bills were sent.
Discussion was held on the penalty bills and shutoffs. It was decided to wait to see how the new meter reading system is working before making any more changes.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
No building permits were issued in January.
Trustee Arrasmith passed out a paper with a list of requirements for tree replacement reimbursement. After some discussion and a change to one requirement, it was decided that Attorney Miller will write an ordinance incorporating these requirements for a vote at the March meeting.
It was reported that there was a locust tree on the little ball diamond that is dead and needs to be cut down.
PARKS AND RECREATION
Trustee Bickers reported that two people had called about running the concession stand but nothing was final. A commissioner for next year is still needed. Trustee Bickers will set a clean-up day for next month. Sign-ups for summer ball began last Saturday and there will be two more sign-up days. The fund raiser will be the same as last year's, done in connection with Philo, a raffle for a Kubota.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Nothing to report
NEW BUSINESS
None
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 8:30 p.m.
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