Village of Beecher President and Board of Trustees met March 25.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
All present joined in the Pledge to the Flag.
President Szymanski called the meeting to order.
ROLL CALL PRESENT: President Szymanski and Trustees Mazurek, Basile, Wehling, Kypuros, Meyer and Kraus.
ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT: Clerk Janett Conner, Administrator Robert Barber and Public Works Superintendent Matt Conner.
GUEST: George Schuitema and Mike McDonnell.
President Szymanski asked for consideration of the minutes of the March 11, 2019 Board meeting. Trustee Kypuros made a motion to approve the minutes as written. Trustee Basile seconded the motion. AYES: (6) Trustees Mazurek, Basile, Wehling, Kypuros, Meyer and Kraus. NAYS: (0) None. Motion Carried.
CLERK'S REPORT
1) A report on income received since the last meeting was provided. 2) Dog tags are now $15 each. The Police Department will be conducting enforcement in April for those who have not purchased 2019 tags. 3) Clerk Conner provided an update on the Village website. It has been switched over to a new secure (SSL) format.
RECOGNITION OF AUDIENCE
None.
A. FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
Trustee Basile reported that the Board completed its review of the budget at its March 11th workshop meeting. The final numbers are being prepared and the next draft of the budget will be provided to the Board at the April 8th meeting and go to public hearing on April 22nd.
It was reported that staff has met with Sikich to begin with this year's audit process.
The dashboards for the IPBC and SWAHM health insurance groups were provided in the packet for review. A 3.9% increase in health insurance rates was approved. The Village will also be moving dental insurance over to Metlife through the IPBC beginning July 1st.
The Village's real estate tax rate for this year will be 0.7097 which is less than the rate of 0.7399 last year. The assessed value of the Village grew by 3.95%, which is the largest increase in the EAV since 2008.
B. PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND PROPERTIES, PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
A Firemen's Park Tot Lot update was provided. The equipment should be shipped on Wednesday, according to Superintendent Conner. Public Works will begin building and setup once material is received.
Superintendent Conner provided an update on the status of the building purchased at 533 Reed Street. Costs of improvements to the building will be discussed at the next meeting.
The site plans and designs of the new Fire Department training complex were provided in the packet for review. The excavator is working on elevations of the property now.
Trenching for light poles in Field #2 of Firemen's Park is being done, according to Trustee Wehling. They have been informed that restoration will need to be done to the areas that are torn up.
C. PLANNING, BUILDING AND ZONING COMMITTEE
The Building Department monthly report was provided in the packet for review.
A comprehensive planning process update was provided. The Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) has tentatively approved concept land use plans for two scenarios: one with an airport and the Illiana Expressway, and one without. We now move to the more detailed phase of the plan, which is site planning for a business spark, a new vision of the downtown, and a senior housing project. The PZC will again meet in April to discuss these matters.
Trustee Mazurek reported that the school district has petitioned for the annexation of 25 acres of property on the north side of Miller Street, east of Racine. The ordinance has been drafted and if approved staff will order the plat of annexation and record the document. This has been discussed in the past and the property needs to be in the Village before it can be considered as part of the TIF district.
ORDINANCE #1303 – An Ordinance annexing 25 acres of school district property on the north side of Miller Street, east of Racine. Trustee Mazurek made a motion to approve Ordinance #1303. Trustee Basile seconded the motion. AYES: (6) Trustees Mazurek, Basile, Wehling, Kypuros, Meyer and Kraus. NAYS: (0) None. Motion Carried.
The Board considered an amended Plat of Subdivision and amended P.U.D. which converts 16 duplex lots into 22 single-family lots in Prairie Park Subdivision. The Board approved converting six of these lots last year but Castletown Homes has decided to convert more of the lots to single family and create an HOA for the maintenance of the ponds. This action will result in a drop in overall density of 10 units and provide more single family lots. It has been determined that this is a minor modification of the P.U.D. only requiring approval of the Village Board. The remainder of the annexation agreement stays in place. Staff recommended approval of the motion. Mike McDonnell from Castletown Homes was present to answer any questions. Trustee Mazurek made a motion to approve an amended Plat of Subdivision and amended P.U.D. converting 16 duplex lots into 22 single family lots in Prairie Park Subdivision (subdivision name was corrected on the agenda by Administrator Barber at the meeting from Nantucket Cove to Prairie Park Subdivision). Trustee Kypuros seconded the motion. AYES: (6) Trustees Mazurek, Basile, Wehling, Kypuros, Meyer and Kraus. NAYS: (0) None. Motion Carried.
The Board discussed annexation of railroad right of way from Miller Street north to the northern Village limits. With the new TIF district this property wouldn't be able to be included in the TIF since railroad property wasn't originally annexed to the Village many years ago because railroad property wasn't considered to be worth annexing. If someone wants to use TIF money for a railroad spur it wouldn't be able to be included if not annexed. Trustee Mazurek made a motion authorizing a public notice for May 13, 2019 on a proposed annexation of railroad right of way from Miller Street north to the northern Village limits. Trustee Meyer seconded the motion. AYES: (6) Trustees Mazurek, Basile, Wehling, Kypuros, Meyer and Kraus. NAYS: (0) None. Motion Carried.
D. PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
The Police Department monthly report was provided for review.
No EMA or Code Enforcement reports were provided.
Trustee Kraus reported that the Fire District has offered to provide life safety inspections (at no charge) on commercial and multi-family buildings in the Village to ensure that hallways and exits are clear, signs are readily seen, and smoke detectors or other alarms are in working order. The Fire Department also wants the opportunity to review blueprints of new commercial, institutional and multi-family construction for compliance with fire codes. This is being done now but there is no formal agreement on the review of prints. This was first brought to our building inspecto who supports the idea and was referred to the Public Safety Committee. The Committee has met with the fire district to discuss the terms of the Intergovernmental Agreement. There also is a 30 day termination clause which can be initiated by either party in the event the two parties have a disagreement. They are looking at starting inspections in June, sending letters out to businesses and to do a presentation at the Chamber of Commerce meeting, according to Trustee Kraus.
ORDINANCE #1304 – An Ordinance authorizing the Village President and Clerk to sign an intergovernmental agreement for the enforcement of the Fire Prevention Code on all building permits and periodic inspections of commercial and multi-family buildings. Trustee Kraus made a motion to approve Ordinance #1304. Trustee Wehling seconded the motion. AYES: (6) Trustees Mazurek, Basile, Wehling, Kypuros, Meyer and Kraus. NAYS: (0) None. Motion Carried.
Trustee Kraus reported that an active shooter exercise will be held on Friday, April 19th at the high school. Local and area agencies will be participating to learn what to do in the event somet like a school shooting were to occur. There is no school that day but many students will be volunteering to participate in the drill. There is a need to get the word out to the community to avoid any panic and inform residents of possible road closures during the drill. There is a table top drill to be held on April 2nd. Anyone on the Board who would like to participate was asked to let staff know. The actual simulation will be between 12 and 3:30 p.m.
E. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
The Water and Sewer Department monthly reports were included in the packet for review.
The water billing register for the months of January and February were enclosed for review. Billed to pumped ration is 68.72% for the period, which is an improvement over last year's 60.37% for the same period.
Administrator Barber provided a wastewater treatment plant expansion update. The generator powering the plant is a 12 cylinder engine for this large sewer plant project. The contractor is in the process of converting the old shop to a sludge processing plant. The project is running 30 days behind, due to weather.
Superintendent Conner reported that the Oak Park watermain has been replaced. Project is 90% complete. Restoration will occur when weather improves.
A Penfield Street STP project update was provided. The IDOT approval process has been very slow due to changeovers in personnel and lack of personnel. We cannot begin the next step until the previous step has been approved because direct federal funding is involved. It may not be going to bid until sometime in 2020.
The Gould Street watermain design project is scheduled for a May 7th bid opening.
Superintendent Conner provided an update on the retrofitting of Village-owned street lights with LEDs. All wells were done today. They are working on Nantucket Cove street lights next. Some lights are on backorder.
It was reported that the Village has 400 tons of salt on hand and has placed an order for 600 tons for the 2019/2020 winter season.
RESOLUTION #2019-03 – A Resolution amending the engineering service agreement as to the use of funds and appropriating funds for the purposes of completing Phase I engineering on the Penfield STP project. Trustee Kypuros made a motion to adopt Resolution #2019-03. Trustee Basile seconded the motion. AYES: (6) Trustees Mazurek, Basile, Wehling, Kypuros, Meyer and Kraus. NAYS: (0) None. Motion Carried.
F. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE
The Clerk provided a spring newsletter update. Ad sales are going slow this time but we still have some money left from the fall newsletter. The Police Department and Public Works are providing articles in addition to the seasonal articles.
Trustee Meyer provided a Sesquicentennial update. The Committee received a proposal for a fireworks low show on Saturday, August 1, 2020, which would cost $12,000 for 15 minutes. This would include ground displays and would have to be done in the high school soccer field so if this idea is pursued we would have to seek permission from the school district. A schedule of events will be released later this fall or winter. The book is progressing well and appears to be fully funded by sponsorships.
The State DCEO is creating a list of “Super Sites” for economic development. These sites have to be 250+ acres and have only a few property owners, be serviceable by water, sewer, gas and electric and provide access to rail. Our proposed site we submitted does have all of these attributes and the Will County CED submitted this site on our behalf.
Trustee Meyer discussed the process for the public release of the TIF report and creation of a TIF Joint Review Board to consider the plan. The TIF report will be discussed and the TIF Board would be formed at the April 29th Intergovernmental Committee meeting. Trustee Meyer made a motion of public release of the TIF Report and authorizing the creation of a TIF Joint Review Board to consider the plan. Trustee Basile seconded the motion. AYES: (6) Trustees Mazurek, Basile, Wehling, Kypuros, Meyer and Kraus. NAYS: (0) None. Motion Carried.
ORDINANCE #1305 – An Ordinance authorizing a public hearing on the proposed TIF District at the regular Village Board meeting on Monday, May 13, 2020. It was explained that this hearing and the Village Board meeting would have to be relocated to the Washington Township Center due to the large number of people that may attend after they receive their letters of invitation as required by law. The Board then has to take action on the TIF District within 30 days of the hearing. This vote would occur at the June 10th Village Board meeting After some discussion about alternate meeting locations it was decided to go with the Washington Township Center. Trustee Meyer made a motion to approve Ordinance #1305. Trustee Wehling seconded the motion.
AYES: (6) Trustees Mazurek, Basile, Wehling, Kypuros, Meyer and Kraus. NAYS: (0) None. Motion Carried.
G. VILLAGE PRESIDENT'S REPORT
President Szymanski provided a Crete intermodal update. He heard rumors that the intermodal project was dead, but it is unknown what happened to the property.
President Szymanski provided results of the Will County Governmental League Lobby Day on March 19th. It was an entirely different atmosphere than last year with the new Governor in office. Much more optimistic than the last few years. The capital bill and property tax relief, among other things were discussed.
An intergovernmental meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 29th. The two items on the agenda are the TIF District and the most recent draft of the land use plan.
There being no further business, President Szymanski asked for a motion to adjourn. Trustee Wehling made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Kypuros seconded the motion, AYES: (6) Trustees Mazurek, Basile, Wehling, Kypuros, Meyer and Kraus. NAYS: (0) None. Motion Carried.
Meeting adjourned at 7:44 p.m.
https://villageofbeecher.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/m2019-03-25.pdf
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