BOARD MEETING
VILLAGE OF PORT BYRON
120 S. Main
Port Byron, IL 61275
October 10, 2006
6:00 P.M.
The monthly Board Meeting was called to order with the Pledge of Allegiance by Mayor Mike Ferretti at 6:00 p.m. on October 10, 2006.
Roll Call #1: Present: Trustees Judy VanPaemel, Courtland Pieper, Dennis Healy, and Jerry Conner
Absent: Trustee Terry Sorensen and Jeanine Ingalls
Also present: Police Officer, Paul Garza; Missman, Stanley & Associates Engineer, Scott Kammerman; Building Inspector, Larry Molitor and EMC Representative, Kevin Farrell; A quorum was declared.
GALLERY:
1. Mr. Lou Dilauro addressed the board regarding distribution of TIF funds to the school system. Trustee VanPaemel stated previously that the 20% off-the-top distribution given to the schools has been determined to be illegal. She also stated that a legal method that could be used would be to return the money as excess funds to the county for redistribution to the taxing bodies. Mr. Dilauro stated that to ensure the school’s $41,200 funds (2006 figure), the village would have to return $74,400 in TIF funds to the county. Over the life of the TIF this would mean approximately $1.2 million returned to the county for distribution. Mr. Dilauro stated a method should be used that doesn’t penalize the village to such an extent.
Trustee VanPaemel stated that the return of funds is only one suggested method of getting the funds to the schools. The board must do what is lawful. Beth Rueyl from Ehlers & Associates will be at a special meeting on 10/19/06 to discuss items such as this with the board.
2. Treasurer, Donna McCormick, stated that other alternatives must be investigated so the board will not make a large economical mistake in handling the TIF funds.
Mrs. McCormick also addressed the board concerning the need for a Planning Commission. She stated the commission is vital to the community. The commission should take an active part in development of growth and maintenance of infrastructure within the village. “Everyone needs to be involved and informed.”
3. Mayor Ferretti introduced a representative from Happy Joes Restaurants (Tom _______). Tom addressed the board concerning a family-type restaurant on the riverfront property developed by Shawn Vandriessche. He stated the restaurant would have a family atmosphere, arcade games, and a pizza parlor menu, including wine and beer.
The board does still have some issue regarding permits that Mr. VanDriessche needs to work out. The mayor stated he hoped to have the issues sorted out by the November 13, 2006 meeting of the board. The board would also have to amend the liquor ordinance to include one more Class D (restaurant) license. This will be discussed at a future meeting.
FINANCE: 1. Treasurer’s report for September 2006 was reviewed. (Item E on Consent Agenda).
2. Bill packets were reviewed by each trustee (Item N on Consent Agenda).
3. Draft of the 2005/2006 audit is available for review in the Clerk’s Office. A representative from the auditing firm will be asked to attend the next regular Meeting of the Whole to answer questions from the board.
4. The Tax Levy will have to be addressed soon, especially if taxes will be increased over 5%. A print-out of expected revenue was presented by Trustee Healy to be reviewed by the board.
2. Trustee VanPaemel reported that the TIF committee will be meeting on October 17, 2006.
3. Trustee VanPaemel also reported that Beth Reuyl is reviewing a comparison study completed by Ken Williams. Ms Reuyl will be attending a special board meeting on 10/19/06 to answer any questions the board may have concerning TIF funds.
4. Minutes from past TIF meetings will be given to the clerk by the next Committee of the Whole meeting.
ADMINISTRATIVE –
1. Selected Executive Committee minutes (closed minutes) will now be made available to the public (Item P on the Consent Agenda).
2. The county would like to use the Village Hall for a flu shot clinic on 11/15/06 (Consent Agenda Item O).
COMMITTEE INFORMATION
A. PUBLIC FINANCE COMMITTEE
1. Zoning
a. The burned-out house on High Street will soon be demolished.
b. Larry Molitor, Building Inspector, reported there are concerns regarding the emergency 911 program and the addresses on 4th Avenue. The county will be sending a letter to the village on items that need to be corrected (address designation, signs, etc.)
c. Trustee Pieper raised a question concerning who is responsible for permits within a mini strip mall. Permits are given for the shell of the building, but, as owners of the individual units change, are permits to be obtained for remodeling by the next owner? No consensus of opinion was forthcoming; this will be investigated.
2. Ordinance – A possible liquor license increase in Class D may be addressed next month.
3. Planning –
a. The Planning Commission will be meeting on 10/23/06 at 7:00 p.m. to discuss requests for rezoning under the River Front Overlay Ordinance for S. VanDriessche (118 N. Main) and R. Bowers (106 N. Main).
b. Due to resignations from the Planning Commission, Mayor Ferretti said he would try to appoint two new members by the 10/23/06 meeting.
4. Grants & Audits –
a. The auditors will be contacted to attend the next meeting of the board in November.
b. Information was presented by Mayor Ferretti regarding a grant to recoup funds that were collected by IMF regarding telecommunications. Mayor Ferretti will give this information to the proper channels to see if some funds can be retrieved for the area.
5. Personnel – Trustee VanPaemel reported she had interviewed Bob Ellis for the position of Police Chief.
A. PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
1. Police - Monthly Report (Item G on Consent Agenda)
2. Fire
a. Monthly Report (Item J on Consent Agenda)
b. Trick or Treat hours for the village will be set for 10/31/06 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. (Item H on Consent Agenda).
c. The Fire Association will be given a $200 donation to buy candy for their Halloween party (Item I on Consent Agenda).
d. The annual Firemen’s reimbursement distribution will be made in November (Item K on Consent Agenda).
3. Ambulance – No new report
4. Public Health – Mayor Ferretti reported that the owner of the Wilson property on Cherry Street now has clear deed to the property.
B. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
EMC – Monthly report for August (Consent Agenda Item M)
Water & Sewer
a. Motion by Trustee Pieper, Seconded by Trustee Healy to rescind the letter of award to Valley Construction for construction of the water treatment plant at Well #4 due to funds not being obtained from the IEPA at this time.
Roll Call #2
Chairman declared motion carried
b. Motion by Trustee Pieper, Seconded by Trustee Conner to give permission to Scott Kammerman, MSA & Associates, to contact the USEPA to push the completion date for the well project to 9/30/07
Roll Call #3
Chairman declared motion carried
c. A letter has been received from Meadow in response to Attorney Lee’s letter of termination. No letter has been received from the bonding company.
d. A bid opening will be held on 10/16/06 at 11:00 a.m. in the village hall for the testing of Well #4.
e. Kevin Farrell reported that the EPA gave a favorable inspection report for the village water plant.
f. An ordinance may have to be considered regarding a maximum set-back area around the wells in the village.
Buildings & Grounds - No new report
Streets & Street Lights
a. As requested, the bollards have been removed from the bike path. There may be some problems at the Walnut Street area and the bollards may have to be put back in.
b. A culvert collapse by The Lodge is being repaired.
c. The street stripping has been completed at a cost of $1,300 (Consent Agenda Item L
Cemetery – A report was made of vandalism at the cemetery garage, but nothing seemed to be missing.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Trustee Conner, Seconded by Trustee VanPaemel, to approve the Consent Agenda.
Roll Call #4
Chairman declared motion carried
|
ITEM |
Action |
Description |
|
A |
Approve |
Minutes from 09/11/06 Board Meeting |
|
B |
Approve |
Minutes from 9/18/06 Special Meeting |
|
C |
Approve |
Minutes from 9/25/06 Special Meeting |
|
D |
Approve |
Minutes from 10/02/06 Committee of The Whole Meeting |
|
FINANCE |
|
|
|
E |
Accept |
Treasurer's Report for 9/30/06 |
|
TIF |
|
|
|
F |
Approve |
Payment of $330.00 to Kathy Orr for Professional Services 8/2 - 8/31/06 |
|
PUBLIC SAFETY |
|
|
|
G |
Accept |
Monthly Police Report for September 2006 |
|
H |
Set |
Halloween Trick or Treat hours for the village for 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. 10/31/06 |
|
I |
Approve |
Donation to Fire Association of $200 for candy for Halloween Party |
|
J |
Accept |
Monthly Fire Report for September 2006 |
|
K |
Approve |
Payment of yearly firemen's reimbursement in November 2006 |
|
PUBLIC WORKS |
|
|
|
L |
Approve |
$1,300 from MFT to stripe streets |
|
FINANCE |
|
|
|
M |
Accept |
EMC Monthly report for August 2006 |
|
PUBLIC FINANCE |
|
|
|
N |
Approve |
Payment of bills as presented in trustee packets |
|
ADMINISTRATIVE |
|
|
|
O |
Approve |
Use of Village Hall for Flue Shot Clinic on 11/15/06 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. |
|
P |
Approve |
Making the following Executive Session Minutes available for review: |
|
|
|
July 24, 2006, May 8, 2006, September 12, 2005, July 11, 2005 |
|
|
|
January 3, 2005, December 6, 2004, March 8, 2004, February 9, 2004 |
CORRESPONDENCE
a. A Taste of the Mississippi River Trail Reception will be held at the Davenport Sky Bridge on 10/18/06 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
b. The school nurse has sent information regarding the Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets. Donations are appreciated from all.
GALLERY- Donna McCormick suggested that perhaps the board hold off on selecting a police chief until after the TIF meeting on 10/23/06.
At 7:23 p.m.Trustee Healy moved, seconded by Trustee Pieper, that the board enter into executive session to discuss appointment of a person to fill the police chief vacancy (5 ILCS 120 (2c)(3)
Roll Call #6
Chairman declared motion carried.
At 7:55 p.m. the board reconvened in open session. Mayor Ferretti reported that the board had discussed appointment of a new police chief.
Mayor Ferretti then made the appointment of Robert Ellis as Police Chief starting October 30, 2006 for $37,000 in wages and no insurance coverage, pending Mr. Ellis’ acceptance.
Motion by Trustee Healy, seconded by Trustee VanPaemel, that the appointment of Bob Ellis as Police Chief be approved, with wages of $37,000 per year without insurance coverage, starting date of October 30, 2006.
Roll Call #7
Chairman declared motion carried.
There being no further business at 7:58 p.m. Trustee Conner moved, seconded by Trustee Pieper to adjourn the board meeting.
Roll Call #8
Chairman declared motion carried.
______________________ ________________________
Approved (Date) Chairman Mike Ferretti
_________________________
Village Clerk – Janet Fletcher
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