The Sidney Village Board met on the above date for the regular monthly meeting. The meeting was opened at 7:00p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance by President Arrasmith. The following trustees were present: Bickers, Hooker, Harris, Gadeken and Laurent. Trustee Schluter was absent. Clerk Fish, Attorney Miller, Treasurer Reinhart and Village Maintenance Supervisor Wyant were also present.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
President Arrasmith began by stating that people should hold their questions and comments regarding the issue with the trees until they discuss it during the meeting. Resident Kurt Foster spoke regarding Scott’s Law and reminded everyone to slow down for emergency vehicles in lieu of what happened with the tow truck driver and the student from Unity High School this past weekend. He then spoke on behalf of the library passing out a new budget sheet for them and asked for an increase in their appropriations allowance. He then commented that he hopes the Village will hire a disinterested arborist to assess the trees.
Resident Doug Hamilton then asked about the possibility of a dog park. Trustee Laurent stated that when he brought up the subject before the only interest he received was from residents who did not want a dog park. Resident Scott Rhoton then spoke up that it would not be feasible for a village of this size to have and maintain a dog park. He stated that are many requirements that have to be met, such as, it has to have a 6 foot fence, handicap accessible parking, waste bag dispensers, there has to be a water source on the premises for the dogs and the fact that we have no officer in town to enforce the rules of the dog park. Trustee Laurent also stated that the Village has nowhere to put a dog park.
Resident Jim Rector then stated that when he was a board member, they replanted trees every year. He would like to see the Village hire an arborist and assess the trees.
PRESIDENT ARRASMITH’S COMMENTS
President Arrasmith asked for a motion to approve the minutes for the February 7th, Board of Trustees regular meeting. Trustee Harris moved that the minutes of the February 7th, Board of Trustees regular meeting be approved. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
President Arrasmith then began by stating that they did hire an independent arborist to assess the trees that are currently marked. He stated that there are definitely 11 trees that need to be removed. President Arrasmith then went over the bid prices that the Village received for the removal. The bid price from JT’s Tree Service was $78,900 for tree removal and $8,500 for stump removal. We received one other bid from Leaf It To Us for $58,205 for tree removal and $4,490.75 for stump removal. The consensus from public comment from residents was that the Village hire an arborist to assess all the trees; table this discussion for now, and put out for rebid at the appropriate time. The board was in agreement.
President Arrasmith then reviewed the bids we received for a new firm to perform our annual audits. The only bid we received was from Feller and Kuester Certified Public Accountants for $16,000 for the 2021-2022 fiscal year. Trustee Laurent made a motion to accept Feller and Kuester’s proposal. Trustee Gadeken seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
ATTORNEY MILLER’S COMMENTS
Attorney Miller did not have any comments.
JEFF WYANT’S COMMENTS
Village Maintenance Supervisor Wyant reported that a snowplow had hit the radar sign on the East side of the Village and damaged it. The cost to replace the sign is $2,599 plus $200 for shipping. Either he or Trustee Gadeken will look into having the County pay for the cost or see if insurance will cover the cost to replace it. He then reported that he took out the benches that were at the American Legion building because they were falling apart. He then reported that 3 storm drains had been jetted and that there is flooding on South White street across from Victory park due to collapsed culverts. The owner of the property has been sent a letter to get those fixed as soon as possible. He also stated that Duece construction has torn down the building at 203 South David; he was able to save the plaque that was on the building and has it in his shop. He also stated that someone had crashed into the barrier down by the curve on Harrison Street by President Arrasmith’s house and that has been temporarily fixed.
FINANCE REPORT
The financial reports were read by Trustee Hooker. Trustee Hooker made a motion to pay the bills; there were no additions. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
STREETS AND ALLEY
Trustee Gadeken did not have any comments.
WATER/SEWER/UTILITY
Trustee Harris stated that they had jetted the drain in Dunlap Woods and that it had caused a sinkhole at the intersection where the drain hooks into our system. They are currently illegally hooked into our drainage system. If the Village decides to allow them to stay hooked into that line, then they have to get a good tap connection on it and maintain it. Attorney Miller stated that if we decided to allow it, then we would have to survey the drains and put it into the Village Easement; either way, the Homeowner’s Association should be covering any cost.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
Trustee Bickers reported that there were no permits issued. He then stated that he had spoken to the owners of the trailer parked at 305 South White street. The owners have stated that they are not living in it, but that they do work out of it. The owners have asked for six months to remove it, however, Trustee Bickers stated that they have 30 days to get it taken care of or the attorney will become involved.
PARKS AND RECREATION
Trustee Laurent stated that they signed up enough players to have 1 tball team, however, they are short kids on other teams so they will need to do something or some kids won’t get to play.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Trustee Schluter was absent.
NEW BUSINESS
Dumpster Day has been tentatively set for Saturday, April 30th. Village Maintenance Supervisor Wyant will check on pricing and availability.
Trustee Harris made a motion at 8:18pm to go into Executive Session for the limited purposes of discussing the employment, performance and/or compensation of one or more village employees pursuant to 5ILCS 120/2(c)(1). Trustee Laurent seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Bickers made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Laurent seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote. The meeting was adjourned at 8:47pm.
__________________________ __________________________
Maggie Fish, Village Clerk Date approved
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
President Arrasmith began by stating that people should hold their questions and comments regarding the issue with the trees until they discuss it during the meeting. Resident Kurt Foster spoke regarding Scott’s Law and reminded everyone to slow down for emergency vehicles in lieu of what happened with the tow truck driver and the student from Unity High School this past weekend. He then spoke on behalf of the library passing out a new budget sheet for them and asked for an increase in their appropriations allowance. He then commented that he hopes the Village will hire a disinterested arborist to assess the trees.
Resident Doug Hamilton then asked about the possibility of a dog park. Trustee Laurent stated that when he brought up the subject before the only interest he received was from residents who did not want a dog park. Resident Scott Rhoton then spoke up that it would not be feasible for a village of this size to have and maintain a dog park. He stated that are many requirements that have to be met, such as, it has to have a 6 foot fence, handicap accessible parking, waste bag dispensers, there has to be a water source on the premises for the dogs and the fact that we have no officer in town to enforce the rules of the dog park. Trustee Laurent also stated that the Village has nowhere to put a dog park.
Resident Jim Rector then stated that when he was a board member, they replanted trees every year. He would like to see the Village hire an arborist and assess the trees.
PRESIDENT ARRASMITH’S COMMENTS
President Arrasmith asked for a motion to approve the minutes for the February 7th, Board of Trustees regular meeting. Trustee Harris moved that the minutes of the February 7th, Board of Trustees regular meeting be approved. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
President Arrasmith then began by stating that they did hire an independent arborist to assess the trees that are currently marked. He stated that there are definitely 11 trees that need to be removed. President Arrasmith then went over the bid prices that the Village received for the removal. The bid price from JT’s Tree Service was $78,900 for tree removal and $8,500 for stump removal. We received one other bid from Leaf It To Us for $58,205 for tree removal and $4,490.75 for stump removal. The consensus from public comment from residents was that the Village hire an arborist to assess all the trees; table this discussion for now, and put out for rebid at the appropriate time. The board was in agreement.
President Arrasmith then reviewed the bids we received for a new firm to perform our annual audits. The only bid we received was from Feller and Kuester Certified Public Accountants for $16,000 for the 2021-2022 fiscal year. Trustee Laurent made a motion to accept Feller and Kuester’s proposal. Trustee Gadeken seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
ATTORNEY MILLER’S COMMENTS
Attorney Miller did not have any comments.
JEFF WYANT’S COMMENTS
Village Maintenance Supervisor Wyant reported that a snowplow had hit the radar sign on the East side of the Village and damaged it. The cost to replace the sign is $2,599 plus $200 for shipping. Either he or Trustee Gadeken will look into having the County pay for the cost or see if insurance will cover the cost to replace it. He then reported that he took out the benches that were at the American Legion building because they were falling apart. He then reported that 3 storm drains had been jetted and that there is flooding on South White street across from Victory park due to collapsed culverts. The owner of the property has been sent a letter to get those fixed as soon as possible. He also stated that Duece construction has torn down the building at 203 South David; he was able to save the plaque that was on the building and has it in his shop. He also stated that someone had crashed into the barrier down by the curve on Harrison Street by President Arrasmith’s house and that has been temporarily fixed.
FINANCE REPORT
The financial reports were read by Trustee Hooker. Trustee Hooker made a motion to pay the bills; there were no additions. Trustee Bickers seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
STREETS AND ALLEY
Trustee Gadeken did not have any comments.
WATER/SEWER/UTILITY
Trustee Harris stated that they had jetted the drain in Dunlap Woods and that it had caused a sinkhole at the intersection where the drain hooks into our system. They are currently illegally hooked into our drainage system. If the Village decides to allow them to stay hooked into that line, then they have to get a good tap connection on it and maintain it. Attorney Miller stated that if we decided to allow it, then we would have to survey the drains and put it into the Village Easement; either way, the Homeowner’s Association should be covering any cost.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
Trustee Bickers reported that there were no permits issued. He then stated that he had spoken to the owners of the trailer parked at 305 South White street. The owners have stated that they are not living in it, but that they do work out of it. The owners have asked for six months to remove it, however, Trustee Bickers stated that they have 30 days to get it taken care of or the attorney will become involved.
PARKS AND RECREATION
Trustee Laurent stated that they signed up enough players to have 1 tball team, however, they are short kids on other teams so they will need to do something or some kids won’t get to play.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Trustee Schluter was absent.
NEW BUSINESS
Dumpster Day has been tentatively set for Saturday, April 30th. Village Maintenance Supervisor Wyant will check on pricing and availability.
Trustee Harris made a motion at 8:18pm to go into Executive Session for the limited purposes of discussing the employment, performance and/or compensation of one or more village employees pursuant to 5ILCS 120/2(c)(1). Trustee Laurent seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Bickers made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Laurent seconded the motion; the motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote. The meeting was adjourned at 8:47pm.
__________________________ __________________________
Maggie Fish, Village Clerk Date approved
RSS Feed