The Sidney Village Board met on the above date for the regular monthly meeting. President White called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. The following trustees were present: Arrasmith, Finn, McCloud, and Schluter. Supervisor of Operations Bennett, Treasurer Reinhart, Attorney Miller, and Clerk Moore were also present. Trustees Roberts and Bickers were absent.
Trustee Schluter moved that the minutes of the October 2, 2017, Board of Trustees meeting and the minutes of the special meeting of October 26, 2017, be approved. Trustee Finn seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Mike Roy reported on the Sidne Improvement Groups's Christmas plans. On December 1, there will be carriage rides downtown from 6-9 p.m., the American Legion will be serving chili, and the library will be open with special plans. On December 2 breakfast with Santa will be held at the United Church from 8-10 a.m. Shop at Home will be December 9 from 10-3 at Unity East. There are 21 vendors signed up so far. There will also be a food truck at this event.
Cathy Thomas asked about a parking ordinance. The vehicle has to have a current license and be operable. There is no ordinance to cover boats, flat beds, trailers, or anything else that is not motorized.
A water customer who lives outside the village limits but has an easement questioned her water bill. Clerk Moore will follow up with this.
A resident asked if the financial report could be put on the website. Trustee Schluter will look into this and see if there will be an additional cost. Some thought just the balance sheet would be enough.
PRESIDENT WHITE'S COMMENTS
President White has the renewal forms for membership in the Illinois Municipal League; the cost is $250. Trustee Finn moved that the Village renew its membership in the IML at a cost of $250. Trustee McCloud seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
The IML handbook is now available. The latest edition the Village has is 2015. Trustee McCloud moved that the Village purchase one handbook for $45. Trustee Finn seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
The Bicentennial of the State of Illinois will be held this coming year. The Village of Sidney will be receiving a Bicentennial flag. The Bicentennial flag raising ceremony will be held December 4, 2017, at noon at the Community Building. The Trustees also voted to adopt a resolution recognizing the Bicentennial.
President White said that the Sidney Scoop webpage is not an official Village website and that people have been using it to pass on false information, such as the Village passing the water fee increase in private. He stated that the water committee meeting was open to the public but did not have to be. Trustee McCloud explained that a committee metting is just a fact-gathering meeting and no votes are taken. All votes are taken at the official Board meetings, which are always open to the public.
Some thought the Village could do more to get information to the public; others thought it was there but many people do not make the effort. Examples were given as to getting information to the public: meeting agendas and minutes are on the Village website and so is the engineer's report on the water system, the rate increases were printed on the bills the month they took effect, reporters are at every meeting and publish the results of the meetings in the newspapers.
Another discussion was held on social media. The Village maintains its website and is not participating in any other social media. Board members cannot comment on Village business on a website.
ATTORNEY MILLER'S COMMENTS:
Attorney Miller presented the tax levy ordinance for 2017-2018. Trustee Arrasmith moved that Ordinance No. 2017-06, Village of Sidney 2017-2018 Annual Tax Levy Ordinance be approved. Trustee Finn seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Attorney Miller also presented an ordinance for the hiring of Hartman Consultants for $5,000. He explained that Farnsworth had analyzed in its study the inventory of the water system and estimated the life span of its components and future capital expenditures. Hartman is a water appraiser – what system is worth, expenses in future, and how to get the best price in a sale. There is a state agreement now for companies buying local water systems that expires in June, but it has worked well and could very well be extended.. Because neither member of the water committee was present, the Board postponed the vote until next month.
EARL BENNETT'S REPORT
All his remarks will be under Water and Drainage.
FINANCE REPORT
The financial reports were read by Trustee McCloud. Trustee McCloud moved that the bills be paid with the addition of $20 to Memory Makers, $62.67 to FDS, and $869.02 to Farnsworth. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee McCloud said she had talked to the auditor and needed more information from the library. Rosemary McCarrey, library director, was present, and she and Trustee McCloud were going to meet after the meeting.
No more has been heard about codification.
STREETS AND ALLEY
Trustee Finn reported on the building. He had meant to bring a drawing of a possible building but did not. A discussion followed on how much money should the Village spend on a new building and where it should be built, also what it should emcompass. Trustee Finn will look into loan rates and a possible building downtown.
WATER/SEWER/UTILITY
2,158,020 gallons of water were pumped in October with a daily average of 69,613 gallons.
$36,534.45was received in October. 132 penalty bills were sent.
Supervisor Bennett gave a report on the new meter reading system. The meters in the pits have all been converted, and letters to approximately 130 homes that have their meters inside have been sent or will be shortly. These residents have to arrange with Supervisor Bennett to enter their homes to upgrade their meters.
Penalties and fees were discussed at length.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
Four building permits were issued in October: Crop Production, shed, #701, $150; 306 South David, shed, #702, $50; 312 South David, fence, #703, $50; and 201 Austin Drive, fence, #704, $50.
No report on ESDA.
Trustee Arrasmith reported that he had a bid from Leaf It to Us for $1,540 to add thirteen (13) stumps to the original bid of $1,250. Trustee Arrasmith moved that the Village accept the bid of $1,540 from Leaf It to Us to remove 13 additional stumps. Trustee McCloud seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
PARKS AND RECREATION
No report
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Trustee Schluter said he had received positive feedback on the trick-or-treat hours and recommended we have the same times next year.
NEW BUSINESS
The special Board meeting for rezoning is set for November 14 at 6:30 p.m.
Trustee Arrasmith moved that the meeting be adjourned. Trustee McCloud 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 October 2, 2017, Board of Trustees meeting and the minutes of the special meeting of October 26, 2017, be approved. Trustee Finn seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Mike Roy reported on the Sidne Improvement Groups's Christmas plans. On December 1, there will be carriage rides downtown from 6-9 p.m., the American Legion will be serving chili, and the library will be open with special plans. On December 2 breakfast with Santa will be held at the United Church from 8-10 a.m. Shop at Home will be December 9 from 10-3 at Unity East. There are 21 vendors signed up so far. There will also be a food truck at this event.
Cathy Thomas asked about a parking ordinance. The vehicle has to have a current license and be operable. There is no ordinance to cover boats, flat beds, trailers, or anything else that is not motorized.
A water customer who lives outside the village limits but has an easement questioned her water bill. Clerk Moore will follow up with this.
A resident asked if the financial report could be put on the website. Trustee Schluter will look into this and see if there will be an additional cost. Some thought just the balance sheet would be enough.
PRESIDENT WHITE'S COMMENTS
President White has the renewal forms for membership in the Illinois Municipal League; the cost is $250. Trustee Finn moved that the Village renew its membership in the IML at a cost of $250. Trustee McCloud seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
The IML handbook is now available. The latest edition the Village has is 2015. Trustee McCloud moved that the Village purchase one handbook for $45. Trustee Finn seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
The Bicentennial of the State of Illinois will be held this coming year. The Village of Sidney will be receiving a Bicentennial flag. The Bicentennial flag raising ceremony will be held December 4, 2017, at noon at the Community Building. The Trustees also voted to adopt a resolution recognizing the Bicentennial.
President White said that the Sidney Scoop webpage is not an official Village website and that people have been using it to pass on false information, such as the Village passing the water fee increase in private. He stated that the water committee meeting was open to the public but did not have to be. Trustee McCloud explained that a committee metting is just a fact-gathering meeting and no votes are taken. All votes are taken at the official Board meetings, which are always open to the public.
Some thought the Village could do more to get information to the public; others thought it was there but many people do not make the effort. Examples were given as to getting information to the public: meeting agendas and minutes are on the Village website and so is the engineer's report on the water system, the rate increases were printed on the bills the month they took effect, reporters are at every meeting and publish the results of the meetings in the newspapers.
Another discussion was held on social media. The Village maintains its website and is not participating in any other social media. Board members cannot comment on Village business on a website.
ATTORNEY MILLER'S COMMENTS:
Attorney Miller presented the tax levy ordinance for 2017-2018. Trustee Arrasmith moved that Ordinance No. 2017-06, Village of Sidney 2017-2018 Annual Tax Levy Ordinance be approved. Trustee Finn seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Attorney Miller also presented an ordinance for the hiring of Hartman Consultants for $5,000. He explained that Farnsworth had analyzed in its study the inventory of the water system and estimated the life span of its components and future capital expenditures. Hartman is a water appraiser – what system is worth, expenses in future, and how to get the best price in a sale. There is a state agreement now for companies buying local water systems that expires in June, but it has worked well and could very well be extended.. Because neither member of the water committee was present, the Board postponed the vote until next month.
EARL BENNETT'S REPORT
All his remarks will be under Water and Drainage.
FINANCE REPORT
The financial reports were read by Trustee McCloud. Trustee McCloud moved that the bills be paid with the addition of $20 to Memory Makers, $62.67 to FDS, and $869.02 to Farnsworth. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee McCloud said she had talked to the auditor and needed more information from the library. Rosemary McCarrey, library director, was present, and she and Trustee McCloud were going to meet after the meeting.
No more has been heard about codification.
STREETS AND ALLEY
Trustee Finn reported on the building. He had meant to bring a drawing of a possible building but did not. A discussion followed on how much money should the Village spend on a new building and where it should be built, also what it should emcompass. Trustee Finn will look into loan rates and a possible building downtown.
WATER/SEWER/UTILITY
2,158,020 gallons of water were pumped in October with a daily average of 69,613 gallons.
$36,534.45was received in October. 132 penalty bills were sent.
Supervisor Bennett gave a report on the new meter reading system. The meters in the pits have all been converted, and letters to approximately 130 homes that have their meters inside have been sent or will be shortly. These residents have to arrange with Supervisor Bennett to enter their homes to upgrade their meters.
Penalties and fees were discussed at length.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
Four building permits were issued in October: Crop Production, shed, #701, $150; 306 South David, shed, #702, $50; 312 South David, fence, #703, $50; and 201 Austin Drive, fence, #704, $50.
No report on ESDA.
Trustee Arrasmith reported that he had a bid from Leaf It to Us for $1,540 to add thirteen (13) stumps to the original bid of $1,250. Trustee Arrasmith moved that the Village accept the bid of $1,540 from Leaf It to Us to remove 13 additional stumps. Trustee McCloud seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
PARKS AND RECREATION
No report
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Trustee Schluter said he had received positive feedback on the trick-or-treat hours and recommended we have the same times next year.
NEW BUSINESS
The special Board meeting for rezoning is set for November 14 at 6:30 p.m.
Trustee Arrasmith moved that the meeting be adjourned. Trustee McCloud 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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