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, Roberts, McCloud, and Schluter. Village Clerk Moore, Supervisor of Operations Bennett, and Attorney Hendren were also present. Trustee Cokley and Treasurer Reinhart were absent.
Trustee Schluter moved that the minutes of the Auigust 1, 2016, Board of Trustees regular meeting be approved. Trustee Finn seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Gayla Sargent was present to present her case for her dog Bear not be removed from her home. She presented packets to all the Board members concerning the matter. One was the report from the Champaign County Animal Control, listing the restraints that she would have to have for her dog in order to keep him because he has been declared a “dangerous” dog. She told of all she had done to comply with the restraints. She had paid the veterinarian's bill for the neighbor's dog. She disputed that Bear had bitten the other dog and there was no evidence of a bite on the veterinarian's bill. The veterinary practice that treats Bear and the neighbor's dog sent testimonial letters about Bear's good nature and one spoke in his defense as did a friend who often takes care of Bear. The vet uses Bear in training for high school students.
Trustee Schluter had a letter from Stephanie Joos, Animal Control, about what the criteria is for deeming a dog “dangerous.” The Board recommended that Mrs. Sargent make an appeal to the Animal Control Board about that designation because of the discrepancy in the facts.
Attorney Hendren said that the Animal Control Board bases its designation on the state statutes and those statutes cannot be lowered. The owner has 15 days to appeal, but the date of the letter is June 9, 2016, so that time has passed. He reiterated what the Village ordinance states and what the state's does. He said the Village does not have to prosecute, that it could decline to do so.
The Board still recommended that Mrs. Sargent appeal but took no further action.
PRESIDENT WHITE'S COMMENTS
President White received notice of a meeting next week on the Illinois American Water intervention with probably two more before the hearing in December on the rate increase that IAW is asking for.
President White said that there was nothing new on the Verizon cell tower.
There will be an electronics pickup recycling on October 15 at Parkland from 8:00 AM until noon, but preregistration is required. Mike Roy said that it is already filled.
There is an emergency management meeting on Thursday, September 22, if anyone is interested in going.
Trustee Schluter is going to the Illinois Municipal League's convention in Chicago in September. Trustee Finn moved that the Board allow $150.00 for food and .$.56 a mile for his travel. Trustee Roberts seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote with Trustee Schluter abstaining and President White voting aye.
President White will have Clerk Moore send letters this week to possible members of the zoning board, asking them if they would like to serve. (It was decided later in the meeting to hold off on this.)
President White had received the report from Berns and Clancy, Engineers, on the water rates of surrounding towns. Sidney is in the middle range.
ATTORNEY HENDREN'S COMMENTS:
Attorney Hendren said he had nothing because no further action was being taken about the dog.
EARL BENNETT'S REPORT
The limb pickup will be next week, September 12-16.
The bench for downtown and the new swings should be here this week.
FINANCE REPORT
The financial reports were read by Trustee McCloud. Trustee McCloud moved that the bills be paid with the additions of $31.83 to Country Market, $213.79 to FDS, $490 to Stewart and Stewart, $350 to Menold Construction and Restoration, and $350 to Kevin Sanderson Tree Service. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee McCloud reported that she had been in contact with clients of General Code. Marcia Clifford is the representative who has met with the Board twice. Trustee McCloud said everyone spoke very highly of the company and strongly recommended them. It takes a year for the process and a person was always on hand. General Code is doing codification for the Village of Oakwood now. The other company just now sent Trustee McCloud its client list so she will check with them this coming month.
STREETS AND ALLEY
Roads are done.
The Scarborough project is on hold.
WATER/SEWER/UTILITY
2,726,596 gallons of water were pumped in August with a daily average of 87,954 gallons.
$33,639.99 was received in August with $10,002.84 in sewer planning money. 118 penalty bills were sent.
A question from the an attendee was asked: when will the survey loan be paid? Answer: probably November
PUBLIC PROPERTY
One building permit was issued : Robert Kiesewetter, 315 S. Harrison, shed, permit #693, $150.00
The previously approved tree work has been done. Trustee Arrasmith moved that the Board approve Sanderson Tree Service cutting down the next three trees on the list, two at 106 W. Main and one at 202 W. Main, for a total cost of $1,525.00. Trustee Roberts seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Arrasmith reported most of the people who had received letters about unmowed lawns or junk or unlicensed or junk cars on their properties had responded by taking care of the cited violations.
The sirens of ESDA were hit by lightning and are in for repairs so the usual Tuesday test could not be held. When they are repaired, there will be a test. Also, Trustee Arrasmith brought the intergovernmental agreement between the Village and ESDA to be signed.
Trustee Arrasmith had the air in the Community Building tested, and the report states that, “at the time of sampling, the total count of fungal material indoors was not elevated compared to the out-of-doors sample.”
Trustee Arrasmith also had two bids for the roof repair. Both bids were for the entire roof being covered: TSI Commercial, $18,325, and White Roofing, $20,600. After much discussion, the Board asked Trustee Arrasmith to get bids to just patch the leaking area and to get some idea of the cost of cleaning the damage done by the leaks.
PARKS AND RECREATION
Trustee McCloud said that she and Supervisor Bennett met and assessed the village parks. Both of them think that the Village needs to focus on the upkeep of the parks. Lions Club Park has had bad equipment taken away and not replaced and the fence is an issue. At Victory Park the swing was broken. Trustee McCloud siad that perhaps there could be a playground area at the new building site. Trustee Arrasmith said that the space would probably be taken up by the building's needs. A park does need to be provided in this area of town.
A member of the public asked where the funds came from to support the parks. The Village Board appropriates money for the parks. The money from the ball signups and the concession stand is is a separate account and used only for the ball program's needs.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Nothing to report
At this time, Trustee Arrasmith moved that the Board go into closed session with Supervisor Bennett in attendance for the purpose of discussing the exchange or sale of property. Trustee Roberts seconded the motion. The Board went into closed session at 8:25 PM.
OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
The Board came out of closed session at 9:01 PM. Trustee Arrasmith moved that the Village pay up to $30,000 to draw up specifications for the new Village-Township building, subject to an intergovernmental agreement. Trustee McCloud seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Arrasmith moved the the Village pay up to get the lots appraised not to exceed $5,000. Trustee Finn seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
A rezoning meeting for the old school property was set for Wednesday, November 7, at 6:00 PM at the Community Building. Letters will need to be sent to all property owners within 250 feet of the property.
Trustee McCloud 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 9:25 PM.
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Trustee Schluter moved that the minutes of the Auigust 1, 2016, Board of Trustees regular meeting be approved. Trustee Finn seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Gayla Sargent was present to present her case for her dog Bear not be removed from her home. She presented packets to all the Board members concerning the matter. One was the report from the Champaign County Animal Control, listing the restraints that she would have to have for her dog in order to keep him because he has been declared a “dangerous” dog. She told of all she had done to comply with the restraints. She had paid the veterinarian's bill for the neighbor's dog. She disputed that Bear had bitten the other dog and there was no evidence of a bite on the veterinarian's bill. The veterinary practice that treats Bear and the neighbor's dog sent testimonial letters about Bear's good nature and one spoke in his defense as did a friend who often takes care of Bear. The vet uses Bear in training for high school students.
Trustee Schluter had a letter from Stephanie Joos, Animal Control, about what the criteria is for deeming a dog “dangerous.” The Board recommended that Mrs. Sargent make an appeal to the Animal Control Board about that designation because of the discrepancy in the facts.
Attorney Hendren said that the Animal Control Board bases its designation on the state statutes and those statutes cannot be lowered. The owner has 15 days to appeal, but the date of the letter is June 9, 2016, so that time has passed. He reiterated what the Village ordinance states and what the state's does. He said the Village does not have to prosecute, that it could decline to do so.
The Board still recommended that Mrs. Sargent appeal but took no further action.
PRESIDENT WHITE'S COMMENTS
President White received notice of a meeting next week on the Illinois American Water intervention with probably two more before the hearing in December on the rate increase that IAW is asking for.
President White said that there was nothing new on the Verizon cell tower.
There will be an electronics pickup recycling on October 15 at Parkland from 8:00 AM until noon, but preregistration is required. Mike Roy said that it is already filled.
There is an emergency management meeting on Thursday, September 22, if anyone is interested in going.
Trustee Schluter is going to the Illinois Municipal League's convention in Chicago in September. Trustee Finn moved that the Board allow $150.00 for food and .$.56 a mile for his travel. Trustee Roberts seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote with Trustee Schluter abstaining and President White voting aye.
President White will have Clerk Moore send letters this week to possible members of the zoning board, asking them if they would like to serve. (It was decided later in the meeting to hold off on this.)
President White had received the report from Berns and Clancy, Engineers, on the water rates of surrounding towns. Sidney is in the middle range.
ATTORNEY HENDREN'S COMMENTS:
Attorney Hendren said he had nothing because no further action was being taken about the dog.
EARL BENNETT'S REPORT
The limb pickup will be next week, September 12-16.
The bench for downtown and the new swings should be here this week.
FINANCE REPORT
The financial reports were read by Trustee McCloud. Trustee McCloud moved that the bills be paid with the additions of $31.83 to Country Market, $213.79 to FDS, $490 to Stewart and Stewart, $350 to Menold Construction and Restoration, and $350 to Kevin Sanderson Tree Service. Trustee Arrasmith seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee McCloud reported that she had been in contact with clients of General Code. Marcia Clifford is the representative who has met with the Board twice. Trustee McCloud said everyone spoke very highly of the company and strongly recommended them. It takes a year for the process and a person was always on hand. General Code is doing codification for the Village of Oakwood now. The other company just now sent Trustee McCloud its client list so she will check with them this coming month.
STREETS AND ALLEY
Roads are done.
The Scarborough project is on hold.
WATER/SEWER/UTILITY
2,726,596 gallons of water were pumped in August with a daily average of 87,954 gallons.
$33,639.99 was received in August with $10,002.84 in sewer planning money. 118 penalty bills were sent.
A question from the an attendee was asked: when will the survey loan be paid? Answer: probably November
PUBLIC PROPERTY
One building permit was issued : Robert Kiesewetter, 315 S. Harrison, shed, permit #693, $150.00
The previously approved tree work has been done. Trustee Arrasmith moved that the Board approve Sanderson Tree Service cutting down the next three trees on the list, two at 106 W. Main and one at 202 W. Main, for a total cost of $1,525.00. Trustee Roberts seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Arrasmith reported most of the people who had received letters about unmowed lawns or junk or unlicensed or junk cars on their properties had responded by taking care of the cited violations.
The sirens of ESDA were hit by lightning and are in for repairs so the usual Tuesday test could not be held. When they are repaired, there will be a test. Also, Trustee Arrasmith brought the intergovernmental agreement between the Village and ESDA to be signed.
Trustee Arrasmith had the air in the Community Building tested, and the report states that, “at the time of sampling, the total count of fungal material indoors was not elevated compared to the out-of-doors sample.”
Trustee Arrasmith also had two bids for the roof repair. Both bids were for the entire roof being covered: TSI Commercial, $18,325, and White Roofing, $20,600. After much discussion, the Board asked Trustee Arrasmith to get bids to just patch the leaking area and to get some idea of the cost of cleaning the damage done by the leaks.
PARKS AND RECREATION
Trustee McCloud said that she and Supervisor Bennett met and assessed the village parks. Both of them think that the Village needs to focus on the upkeep of the parks. Lions Club Park has had bad equipment taken away and not replaced and the fence is an issue. At Victory Park the swing was broken. Trustee McCloud siad that perhaps there could be a playground area at the new building site. Trustee Arrasmith said that the space would probably be taken up by the building's needs. A park does need to be provided in this area of town.
A member of the public asked where the funds came from to support the parks. The Village Board appropriates money for the parks. The money from the ball signups and the concession stand is is a separate account and used only for the ball program's needs.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Nothing to report
At this time, Trustee Arrasmith moved that the Board go into closed session with Supervisor Bennett in attendance for the purpose of discussing the exchange or sale of property. Trustee Roberts seconded the motion. The Board went into closed session at 8:25 PM.
OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
The Board came out of closed session at 9:01 PM. Trustee Arrasmith moved that the Village pay up to $30,000 to draw up specifications for the new Village-Township building, subject to an intergovernmental agreement. Trustee McCloud seconded the motion. The motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Trustee Arrasmith moved the the Village pay up to get the lots appraised not to exceed $5,000. Trustee Finn seconded the motion; the motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote.
A rezoning meeting for the old school property was set for Wednesday, November 7, at 6:00 PM at the Community Building. Letters will need to be sent to all property owners within 250 feet of the property.
Trustee McCloud 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 9:25 PM.
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