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 Finn called the meeting to order. The following trustees were present: Arrasmith, Harris, Catron, Gadeken, and Schluter. Attorney Miller, Clerk Fish, Supervisor of Operations Bennett and Treasurer Reinhart were also present.
Trustee Schluter moved that the minutes of the April 1, 2019, regular meeting of the Board of Trustees be approved. Trustee Catron seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. Clerk Fish administered the Oaths of Office to Leroy Schluter, Bret Harris, Mark Catron, and Daniel Gadeken as new or returning trustees. Jarin Wilsey and Logan Jones were introduced as new hires for the maintenance department for the Village. President Finn then dictated the Commitee members for the next term as follows:
Water/Sewer/Utility *Bret Harris
Streets and Alleys *Dan Gadeken
Public Property *Jason Arrasmith
Community Development *Leroy Schluter
Finance and Awards *Mark Catron
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Resident Kurt Foster inquired about street tile maintenance; he's having a septic system installed and asked if the village was going to fix the storm tile at that location. Supervisor Bennett responded by telling him he could not answer that question at that time because it wasn't known whether or not there was storm tile located at the residence. Resident Matthew Laurent asked about updating or installing new playground equipment at Victory Park. Resident Mike Roy announced that the Sidney Improvement Group received an award for outstanding dedication to public education for their involvement with Unity East Elementary School's rocket pack program. They were presented with a plaque to be hung in the Village hall.
PRESIDENT FINN'S COMMENTS
Attorney Miller said a letter had been sent to the owner of the abandoned property, as well as the property owner who has garbage stacked in her yard but had received no response. The Trustees told him to take the next step. Attorney Miller advised he will be sending a letter to both property owners stating the Village is authorizing him to proceed with taking them to court. Earl Bennet will get additional pictures of the property with garbage stacked in the yard.
President Finn announced that acquiring a bounce house from 4-7 on Friday July 19th for the WCIA Our Town event will cost $450. Casey's will also be there with activities for the kids, Lou Dibello will be performing, and the Sidney Saloon will be providing a cookout. Mark Catron brought up the idea of having an outdoor movie night that evening; Rosemarry McCarrey said the library has a licensing permit the village can use to show the movie. Board member Catron asked for a motion not to exceed $1,000 for activities for this event, Board member Arrasmith seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Board member Catron suggested the village provide the new maintenance employees with some sort of uniform or shirt that identifies them as village employees.
The tree in the alley issue was discussed and was decided that it was not on village property and that it needed to be resolved as a private issue between the residents.
There have been complaints of excessive noise coming from On the Go Autobody regarding music being played too loudly. It was decided that it was a mute point since he will be relocating to Champaign in the near future.
How to enforce the leash law was discussed. There has been an increase in the number of dogs running at large. As it stands, if residents call the sheriff, the sheriff calls animal control, then animal control calls Earl. If it's an emergency they will come out, if it's not, they won't. If residents call Earl Bennet or John Finn, they will call animal control and animal control will come out right away. Board member Schluter will post this information on the village website.
ATTORNEY MILLER'S COMMENTS:
Attorney Miller reported that the contracts for the sale of the Village of Sidney water system had been signed by Illinois American Water Company and that he will provide and update when there is more to report.
EARL BENNETT'S REPORT
Supervisor Bennett reported that Dumpster Day was a huge success and it was the biggest one they've ever had. President Finn asked that we send thank you cards to Jim Nonman and Aaron Fenter as well as the township for their assistance with that.
Clerk Fish advised that she will call Triad Shredding in Rantoul to get an estimate for shredding old documents.
Supervisor Bennett asked for a motion to approve the cost of $1500 of having Farnsworth Group take care of getting the US EPA Consumer Confidence Report completed. Trustee Schluter made the motion to approve; trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
FINANCE REPORT
The financial reports were read by Trustee Catron. Trustee Catron moved that the bills be paid with the addition of $5,500 to Miller and Hendren, Hartman Consultants for $323 and Caseys for $188.78 for fuel. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Catron stated that the town cleanup before the July 19 WCIA visit to Sidney is taken care of.
Garett Kerr from Martin, Hood and Associates will be coming in and doing the Village audit on June 5th, 2019.
Trustee Catron also asked if he could speak with Village Treasurer Ashley Reinhart about simplifying the finance sheets supplied to the board. Board members and President Finn said that was fine.
STREETS AND ALLEY
Trustee Catron reported for Dan Gadeken since it was Dan's first meeting. Trustee Catron reported that there is nothing new going on with new village hall building. He also stated that the MFT meeting took place. Trustee Catron made a motion to approve $33,500 in additional funding to repair a 600 ft section at Sunset and Prairie, and also 160 ft section on David street by the stop sign. Trustee Harris seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. President Finn inquired if the grain elevator could help with some of the cost of repairs since their trucks are a major factor in the cause of the deterioration of these roadways. Converting Prairie and Sunset into a “No Truck Route” will be added to next month's agenda to be discussed. Trustee Schluter asked if road filler could be added in front of a resident's mailbox and Supervisor Bennett stated that the village does not do that.
Trustee Catron motioned to approved the engineering contract with Farnsworth Group for the MFT program for the Resolution for Maintenance of the Highway Code at a cost of $32, 700; and an estimated maintenance cost which lists the total amount for construction at $29, 729. Trustee Harris seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. It was assigned as 2019-R-01.
WATER/SEWER/UTILITY
Trustee Harris read the water reports. 2,809,108 gallons of water were pumped in April with a daily average of 87,976 gallons.
$27,403.94 was received in April. 96 penalty bills were sent. $28,965.75 was billed in May to 537 customers.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
One permit was issued in April for a shed, #713, $50.00. Trustee Arrasmith stated there was no report for ESDA and that he was holding off on vehicles for now. He also wanted any reports of any dead or dying trees on village property for removal.
PARKS AND RECREATION
Trustee Bickers was not in attendance at the meeting. Trustee Harris reported that the “No dogs Allowed” and “Rules of the Park” signs have been purchased. Trustee Harris would also like signs posted to stay off the ball fields once they have been lined for games.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Trustee Schluter said that he updated the village website with the current board members and their contact information. He asked the board members for their permission to post their cell phone numbers and it was granted. Trustee Catron asked if it can be posted on the website as to who is in charge of what committee; Trustee Schluter said he would include that. He also stated that the Facebook page that he created for the Village was going well and that commenting was not allowed on those posts.
Trustee Schluter also reported that Simplified Computers had been sold, but that they were keeping all employees and things would stay the same. He also stated that the Village's webmaster's contract will need to be renewed as of 8/1/2019 and that he would like that added to next month's agenda.
Trustee Catron moved that the meeting be adjourned. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion; motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. Meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Trustee Schluter moved that the minutes of the April 1, 2019, regular meeting of the Board of Trustees be approved. Trustee Catron seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. Clerk Fish administered the Oaths of Office to Leroy Schluter, Bret Harris, Mark Catron, and Daniel Gadeken as new or returning trustees. Jarin Wilsey and Logan Jones were introduced as new hires for the maintenance department for the Village. President Finn then dictated the Commitee members for the next term as follows:
Water/Sewer/Utility *Bret Harris
Streets and Alleys *Dan Gadeken
Public Property *Jason Arrasmith
Community Development *Leroy Schluter
Finance and Awards *Mark Catron
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Resident Kurt Foster inquired about street tile maintenance; he's having a septic system installed and asked if the village was going to fix the storm tile at that location. Supervisor Bennett responded by telling him he could not answer that question at that time because it wasn't known whether or not there was storm tile located at the residence. Resident Matthew Laurent asked about updating or installing new playground equipment at Victory Park. Resident Mike Roy announced that the Sidney Improvement Group received an award for outstanding dedication to public education for their involvement with Unity East Elementary School's rocket pack program. They were presented with a plaque to be hung in the Village hall.
PRESIDENT FINN'S COMMENTS
Attorney Miller said a letter had been sent to the owner of the abandoned property, as well as the property owner who has garbage stacked in her yard but had received no response. The Trustees told him to take the next step. Attorney Miller advised he will be sending a letter to both property owners stating the Village is authorizing him to proceed with taking them to court. Earl Bennet will get additional pictures of the property with garbage stacked in the yard.
President Finn announced that acquiring a bounce house from 4-7 on Friday July 19th for the WCIA Our Town event will cost $450. Casey's will also be there with activities for the kids, Lou Dibello will be performing, and the Sidney Saloon will be providing a cookout. Mark Catron brought up the idea of having an outdoor movie night that evening; Rosemarry McCarrey said the library has a licensing permit the village can use to show the movie. Board member Catron asked for a motion not to exceed $1,000 for activities for this event, Board member Arrasmith seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Board member Catron suggested the village provide the new maintenance employees with some sort of uniform or shirt that identifies them as village employees.
The tree in the alley issue was discussed and was decided that it was not on village property and that it needed to be resolved as a private issue between the residents.
There have been complaints of excessive noise coming from On the Go Autobody regarding music being played too loudly. It was decided that it was a mute point since he will be relocating to Champaign in the near future.
How to enforce the leash law was discussed. There has been an increase in the number of dogs running at large. As it stands, if residents call the sheriff, the sheriff calls animal control, then animal control calls Earl. If it's an emergency they will come out, if it's not, they won't. If residents call Earl Bennet or John Finn, they will call animal control and animal control will come out right away. Board member Schluter will post this information on the village website.
ATTORNEY MILLER'S COMMENTS:
Attorney Miller reported that the contracts for the sale of the Village of Sidney water system had been signed by Illinois American Water Company and that he will provide and update when there is more to report.
EARL BENNETT'S REPORT
Supervisor Bennett reported that Dumpster Day was a huge success and it was the biggest one they've ever had. President Finn asked that we send thank you cards to Jim Nonman and Aaron Fenter as well as the township for their assistance with that.
Clerk Fish advised that she will call Triad Shredding in Rantoul to get an estimate for shredding old documents.
Supervisor Bennett asked for a motion to approve the cost of $1500 of having Farnsworth Group take care of getting the US EPA Consumer Confidence Report completed. Trustee Schluter made the motion to approve; trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
FINANCE REPORT
The financial reports were read by Trustee Catron. Trustee Catron moved that the bills be paid with the addition of $5,500 to Miller and Hendren, Hartman Consultants for $323 and Caseys for $188.78 for fuel. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Catron stated that the town cleanup before the July 19 WCIA visit to Sidney is taken care of.
Garett Kerr from Martin, Hood and Associates will be coming in and doing the Village audit on June 5th, 2019.
Trustee Catron also asked if he could speak with Village Treasurer Ashley Reinhart about simplifying the finance sheets supplied to the board. Board members and President Finn said that was fine.
STREETS AND ALLEY
Trustee Catron reported for Dan Gadeken since it was Dan's first meeting. Trustee Catron reported that there is nothing new going on with new village hall building. He also stated that the MFT meeting took place. Trustee Catron made a motion to approve $33,500 in additional funding to repair a 600 ft section at Sunset and Prairie, and also 160 ft section on David street by the stop sign. Trustee Harris seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. President Finn inquired if the grain elevator could help with some of the cost of repairs since their trucks are a major factor in the cause of the deterioration of these roadways. Converting Prairie and Sunset into a “No Truck Route” will be added to next month's agenda to be discussed. Trustee Schluter asked if road filler could be added in front of a resident's mailbox and Supervisor Bennett stated that the village does not do that.
Trustee Catron motioned to approved the engineering contract with Farnsworth Group for the MFT program for the Resolution for Maintenance of the Highway Code at a cost of $32, 700; and an estimated maintenance cost which lists the total amount for construction at $29, 729. Trustee Harris seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. It was assigned as 2019-R-01.
WATER/SEWER/UTILITY
Trustee Harris read the water reports. 2,809,108 gallons of water were pumped in April with a daily average of 87,976 gallons.
$27,403.94 was received in April. 96 penalty bills were sent. $28,965.75 was billed in May to 537 customers.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
One permit was issued in April for a shed, #713, $50.00. Trustee Arrasmith stated there was no report for ESDA and that he was holding off on vehicles for now. He also wanted any reports of any dead or dying trees on village property for removal.
PARKS AND RECREATION
Trustee Bickers was not in attendance at the meeting. Trustee Harris reported that the “No dogs Allowed” and “Rules of the Park” signs have been purchased. Trustee Harris would also like signs posted to stay off the ball fields once they have been lined for games.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Trustee Schluter said that he updated the village website with the current board members and their contact information. He asked the board members for their permission to post their cell phone numbers and it was granted. Trustee Catron asked if it can be posted on the website as to who is in charge of what committee; Trustee Schluter said he would include that. He also stated that the Facebook page that he created for the Village was going well and that commenting was not allowed on those posts.
Trustee Schluter also reported that Simplified Computers had been sold, but that they were keeping all employees and things would stay the same. He also stated that the Village's webmaster's contract will need to be renewed as of 8/1/2019 and that he would like that added to next month's agenda.
Trustee Catron moved that the meeting be adjourned. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion; motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. Meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
RSS Feed