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, Roberts, McCloud, Bickers, Schluter, and Finn. Supervisor of Operations Bennett, Treasurer Reinhart, and Clerk Moore were also present. Attorney Miller was absent.
Trustee Arrasmith moved that the minutes of the October 1, 2018, regular meeting of the Board of Trustees be approved. Trustee McCloud seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Sidney Improvement Group Chairperson Mike Roy planned to be at the meeting but was setting up for the election. SIG wanted to know if they could put up a community Christmas tree in front of the Community Building. It was okayed, and they will work with Supervisor Bennett on the proper spot.
PRESIDENT WHITE'S COMMENTS
President White reported that the date of July 19, 2019, was set for WCIA to visit Sidney. There was some discussion if Fun Daze could be moved to that weekend. Trustee Arrasmith will talk to Mike Roy to see if that is feasible.
The midterm election is tomorrow, and President White urged everyone to go vote. Also, he reported that the municipal elections will be April 2, 2019, and that Clerk Moore had packets for anyone interested in running. The petitions need to be turned in to Clerk Moore between December 10-17, 2018.
The Village could not make the deadline for the truck route match program but will try for next year.
President White updated the Board on the abandoned property at 301 Water Tower Place. Another letter has been sent to the owners at another address. So far, it has not been returned. President White will talk to Attorney Miller about the next step.
Two thank yous were read, one from Troy Roberts thanking the Board for its expression of sympathy on his father's death and another from the Village of Homer thanking Sidney for the loan of barricades.
President White reported on the electronic signs that tell a driver how fast he/she is going. The cost is $5,500 for two signs.
President White has been attending the Champaign County Zoning Board of Appeals. At the last one, the two solar farms near St. Joe and the smaller one east of Sidney were approved. At the next meeting, November 15, the Board will be voting on the bigger one southeast of Sidney. There was discussion of why changes were being allowed after all the discussion and hashing out of the requirements.
A letter had been sent to a resident who is letting garbage accumulate on her property. The next step is a letter from Attorney Miller.
President White was in one of the pictures of the IML conference in the latest issue of the IML magazine.
President White will be gone for a week.
ATTORNEY MILLER'S COMMENTS:
Attorney Miller was absent because he had to attend a meeting of another village he represents that has a solar farm proposed near it.
The possible sale of the water system will be discussed at the regular December meeting or before.
EARL BENNETT'S REPORT
Supervisor Bennett reported that the sidewalk railing by the beauty shop is installed
Supervisor Bennett had received three bids for replacing the furnace in the maintenance building and presented the two lowest: Kelso Heating & Cooling bid $2,150 for an 80% efficient 100,000 BTU furnace with warranties of 2 years for labor, 5 years for commercial parts, and 10 years for the commercial heat exchanger and All Pro Heating, AC, & Plumbing a bid of $2,150 for an 80% efficient 80,000 BTU furnace with a one-year service agreement. Trustee Finn moved that the Board accept the Kelso Heating and Cooling bid of $2,150. Trustee Schluter seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Supervisor Bennett had received a phone call about a possible truck for the Village, but it was more than the Village needed. Bids will be solicited in January for a new truck to replace the old one.
FINANCE REPORT
The codification is complete and the three books compiled. Trustee Schluter reported that the link to the code is on the village website. It is listed as Village Code. Trustee McCloud moved that Ordinance 2018-07, An Ordinance Providing for the Codification of the Ordinances of the Village of Sidney into a Municipal Code to Be Designated the “Code of the Village of Sidney” be adopted. Trustee Finn seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee McCloud brought up the subject of golf carts as it was a major topic of discussion on the Sidney Scoop. She asked if the Village of Sidney needed to adopt an ordinance to be added to the Code. Discussion was held, and it will be on next month's agenda.
The financial reports were read by Trustee McCloud. Trustee McCloud moved that the bills be paid with the addition of $19,134.25 to the Risk Management Association for insurance and dues to the Illinois Municipal League and $790 to Stewart and Stewart. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee McCloud had talked to Royal Bookkeeping about adding the Sidney Community Library to the Village accounting. The cost would be low so it will be added in January 2019.
STREETS AND ALLEY
Engineer Mike Friend had visited the two sites for a possible Community Building and went over his proposal to evaluate the sites. After discussion Trustee Finn expressed his opinion that the old school site would be best because the Village already owns it and there is more room for parking and the sewage system. He did not think the Village should spend more money if the Trustees already thought that the school site was best. All members agreed. Engineer Friend said that the study for Option 2, a new building on the school site, would be much less expensive. President White asked if the Board could approve the study now instead of waiting until December so that the project could keep moving. Trustee Finn moved the Farnsworth Group proceed with the study of Option 2, the old school site, for a cost not to exceed $5,000 for professional services. Trustee Roberts seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
WATER/SEWER/UTILITY
2,419,450 gallons of water were pumped in October with a daily average of 78,046 gallons.
$30,280.01 was received in October. $29,989.78 had been billed. 90 penalty bills were sent.
The water tower was on the agenda because some problems are emerging. Trustee Roberts questioned whether the problems were severe enough that the Board should proceed with work on the tower. Supervisor Bennett said, in his opinion, that the Board should wait until we see what happens with the sale of the water system. Engineer Friend questioned what were the problems, and the only one, but a major one, is the riser pipe. That needs to be fixed with new insulation, which can probably be done.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
No building permits were issued in October
Nothing on ESDA
No letters had gone out on the abandoned cars.
Sidewalks will be left until the spring. There was some discussion about cutting down trees that were affecting sidewalks.
A tractor had torn down the Christmas lights hanging over South David Street (also a telephone line). There was a bid to replace all Christmas lights with LEDs for $375. Trustee Arrasmith moved that the Village spend $375 to replace the Christmas lights. Trustee McCloud seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
PARKS AND RECREATION
There is a desperate need for a ball commissioner because meetings start in January.
Parks have been winterized; all water has been shut off.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Trustee Schluter reported that the Village Code link is on the website. He had been on the link and it is working fine. He also asked if the audit and the water survey could be taken off. It was decided that the survey can be taken off and the audit replaced with the newest one.
NEW BUSINESS
President White would like to have the Village mail out a flyer once or twice a year with information about some policies in it, such as illegal burning and building without a permit. There was some discussion whether it was needed because we now have the codes online and in the library for the public to see. The flyer could also be handed out to new residents. Trustee Schluter will check on the cost of printing a flyer and Clerk Moore will talk to the post office about the cost of mailing.
President White said that there will be a closed session of Board of Trustees at 6:30 p.m., December 3, 2018, with the regular meeting of the Board following at 7:00 p.m.
Trustee McCloud 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 October 1, 2018, regular meeting of the Board of Trustees be approved. Trustee McCloud seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Sidney Improvement Group Chairperson Mike Roy planned to be at the meeting but was setting up for the election. SIG wanted to know if they could put up a community Christmas tree in front of the Community Building. It was okayed, and they will work with Supervisor Bennett on the proper spot.
PRESIDENT WHITE'S COMMENTS
President White reported that the date of July 19, 2019, was set for WCIA to visit Sidney. There was some discussion if Fun Daze could be moved to that weekend. Trustee Arrasmith will talk to Mike Roy to see if that is feasible.
The midterm election is tomorrow, and President White urged everyone to go vote. Also, he reported that the municipal elections will be April 2, 2019, and that Clerk Moore had packets for anyone interested in running. The petitions need to be turned in to Clerk Moore between December 10-17, 2018.
The Village could not make the deadline for the truck route match program but will try for next year.
President White updated the Board on the abandoned property at 301 Water Tower Place. Another letter has been sent to the owners at another address. So far, it has not been returned. President White will talk to Attorney Miller about the next step.
Two thank yous were read, one from Troy Roberts thanking the Board for its expression of sympathy on his father's death and another from the Village of Homer thanking Sidney for the loan of barricades.
President White reported on the electronic signs that tell a driver how fast he/she is going. The cost is $5,500 for two signs.
President White has been attending the Champaign County Zoning Board of Appeals. At the last one, the two solar farms near St. Joe and the smaller one east of Sidney were approved. At the next meeting, November 15, the Board will be voting on the bigger one southeast of Sidney. There was discussion of why changes were being allowed after all the discussion and hashing out of the requirements.
A letter had been sent to a resident who is letting garbage accumulate on her property. The next step is a letter from Attorney Miller.
President White was in one of the pictures of the IML conference in the latest issue of the IML magazine.
President White will be gone for a week.
ATTORNEY MILLER'S COMMENTS:
Attorney Miller was absent because he had to attend a meeting of another village he represents that has a solar farm proposed near it.
The possible sale of the water system will be discussed at the regular December meeting or before.
EARL BENNETT'S REPORT
Supervisor Bennett reported that the sidewalk railing by the beauty shop is installed
Supervisor Bennett had received three bids for replacing the furnace in the maintenance building and presented the two lowest: Kelso Heating & Cooling bid $2,150 for an 80% efficient 100,000 BTU furnace with warranties of 2 years for labor, 5 years for commercial parts, and 10 years for the commercial heat exchanger and All Pro Heating, AC, & Plumbing a bid of $2,150 for an 80% efficient 80,000 BTU furnace with a one-year service agreement. Trustee Finn moved that the Board accept the Kelso Heating and Cooling bid of $2,150. Trustee Schluter seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Supervisor Bennett had received a phone call about a possible truck for the Village, but it was more than the Village needed. Bids will be solicited in January for a new truck to replace the old one.
FINANCE REPORT
The codification is complete and the three books compiled. Trustee Schluter reported that the link to the code is on the village website. It is listed as Village Code. Trustee McCloud moved that Ordinance 2018-07, An Ordinance Providing for the Codification of the Ordinances of the Village of Sidney into a Municipal Code to Be Designated the “Code of the Village of Sidney” be adopted. Trustee Finn seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee McCloud brought up the subject of golf carts as it was a major topic of discussion on the Sidney Scoop. She asked if the Village of Sidney needed to adopt an ordinance to be added to the Code. Discussion was held, and it will be on next month's agenda.
The financial reports were read by Trustee McCloud. Trustee McCloud moved that the bills be paid with the addition of $19,134.25 to the Risk Management Association for insurance and dues to the Illinois Municipal League and $790 to Stewart and Stewart. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee McCloud had talked to Royal Bookkeeping about adding the Sidney Community Library to the Village accounting. The cost would be low so it will be added in January 2019.
STREETS AND ALLEY
Engineer Mike Friend had visited the two sites for a possible Community Building and went over his proposal to evaluate the sites. After discussion Trustee Finn expressed his opinion that the old school site would be best because the Village already owns it and there is more room for parking and the sewage system. He did not think the Village should spend more money if the Trustees already thought that the school site was best. All members agreed. Engineer Friend said that the study for Option 2, a new building on the school site, would be much less expensive. President White asked if the Board could approve the study now instead of waiting until December so that the project could keep moving. Trustee Finn moved the Farnsworth Group proceed with the study of Option 2, the old school site, for a cost not to exceed $5,000 for professional services. Trustee Roberts seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
WATER/SEWER/UTILITY
2,419,450 gallons of water were pumped in October with a daily average of 78,046 gallons.
$30,280.01 was received in October. $29,989.78 had been billed. 90 penalty bills were sent.
The water tower was on the agenda because some problems are emerging. Trustee Roberts questioned whether the problems were severe enough that the Board should proceed with work on the tower. Supervisor Bennett said, in his opinion, that the Board should wait until we see what happens with the sale of the water system. Engineer Friend questioned what were the problems, and the only one, but a major one, is the riser pipe. That needs to be fixed with new insulation, which can probably be done.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
No building permits were issued in October
Nothing on ESDA
No letters had gone out on the abandoned cars.
Sidewalks will be left until the spring. There was some discussion about cutting down trees that were affecting sidewalks.
A tractor had torn down the Christmas lights hanging over South David Street (also a telephone line). There was a bid to replace all Christmas lights with LEDs for $375. Trustee Arrasmith moved that the Village spend $375 to replace the Christmas lights. Trustee McCloud seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
PARKS AND RECREATION
There is a desperate need for a ball commissioner because meetings start in January.
Parks have been winterized; all water has been shut off.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Trustee Schluter reported that the Village Code link is on the website. He had been on the link and it is working fine. He also asked if the audit and the water survey could be taken off. It was decided that the survey can be taken off and the audit replaced with the newest one.
NEW BUSINESS
President White would like to have the Village mail out a flyer once or twice a year with information about some policies in it, such as illegal burning and building without a permit. There was some discussion whether it was needed because we now have the codes online and in the library for the public to see. The flyer could also be handed out to new residents. Trustee Schluter will check on the cost of printing a flyer and Clerk Moore will talk to the post office about the cost of mailing.
President White said that there will be a closed session of Board of Trustees at 6:30 p.m., December 3, 2018, with the regular meeting of the Board following at 7:00 p.m.
Trustee McCloud 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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