VILLAGE OF SCALES MOUND
Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees
Stone House
January 27, 2020
7:00 P.M.
The Regular Meeting of the President and Board of Trustees was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 27, 2020 by President Davis. Members present were John Duerr, Lindsey Duerr, Ruth Foley and Bernard Trebian. Members Nicole Busch and Shannon Driscoll were absent. Also present were Steve Stadel, Village Treasurer, Margaret Townsend, Village Clerk, Ron Duerr and Joe Lee.
J. Duerr moved, L. Duerr seconded that the Minutes of the December 30, 2019 Regular Meeting, both Open and Closed Sessions be approved as read. All voted aye.
The Treasurer’s Report was reviewed. Steve Stadel reported that all accounts that received disconnect notices paid their balance due in full. Foley moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented and to place it on file. All voted aye.
The January bills were reviewed. Stadel explained that the reason for the two separate lists of bills was that the report was prepared earlier than normal; therefore, the bills that came in after the fact were listed on the second handout. Foley moved, L. Duerr seconded that the January bills be approved for payment. On roll call vote, all voted aye.
PUBLIC HEARINGS/CORRESPONDENCE
A) Ambulance Report – None
B) S.M. Chamber – Chamber has been paid the stipend for last year (in arrears) and this year for putting up the Christmas lights in town.
C) Possible Request for Temporary Street Closure for Event – No one appeared to make this request. A short discussion on previous procedure was discussed and the matter was tabled until such time as a request is received.
D) Other – None
PUBLIC WORKS
A) Monthly Report – No Report
B) Operation/Maintenance/Streets Committee Report – No Report
C) Sewer & Water Operations Committee Report – 1) Report from Committee Meeting – The infiltration problem was discussed. A letter is going out to all property owners in the Village regarding the inspections of homes which the Village intends to do in each building (home and business) that currently has a water connection. The EPA is mandating that the Village inspect all water pipes for lead content, so, at the time of those inspections, they will also be looking at sump pump connections and drainage to see if they are properly discharging into a yard or into the wastewater system. Any being discharged into the wastewater system will have to be changed. Water from faucets, bathtubs, washers and dish washers may be discharged into the system; any water from basements must not be discharged into the wastewater system. The Village will hire someone to assist Ron Duerr in these inspections. The problem areas need to be identified and fixed to alleviate the infiltration problems.
ZONING REPORT – No Report
Minutes – Regular Meeting, January 27, 2020 – Page 2
ORDINANCE VIOLATIONS – Nothing until spring.
OLD BUSINESS
A) Further Discussion/Action on Solar Panel Regulations – Ordinance vs. Policy – Davis stated that the Ordinance Committee determined the regulations that were developed have become Policy and will not be put into an ordinance.
B) Further Discussion/Possible Action on Administrative Law Ordinance – the Ordinance Committee is recommending to the Board to move forward with this ordinance. L. Duerr moved, Trebian seconded to have Attorney Kurt prepare the paperwork to establish an Administrative Law Ordinance. All voted aye.
C) Any Update from Committee Re: Policy change on Utility Hookup Fees – it was agreed to look into neighboring Villages to see what they have in place for hookup fees.
D) Discuss/Finalize Public Works Job Description – Discussion was held. President Davis will take the information the Board put together and an earlier version of the job description and will work with Ron Duerr on that and the Agreement. The documents will be looked at again at the February Regular
Board Meeting.
E) Other – Nothing
OTHER COMMITTEE REPORTS
A) Finance – No Report
B) Park & Special Projects – No Report
C) Public Events & Safety – Easter is on April 12th. Committee will make plans for party.
D) Trees & Sidewalks – 1) Further discussion on Tree Replacement – Discussion was continued on the need to replace a large number of trees. The information obtained from the Jo Daviess County Soil & Water Conservation District showed that the trees they offer are up to only 18” tall. The Board agreed to look further to see what is out there that might be larger, like in the range of 5’ to 6’.
E) Ordinance/Policy – 1) Report from Committee Meeting – in addition to finalizing some of the proposed ordinances, the committee discussed the next action regarding yard cleanups and unlicensed vehicles. These areas will be addressed in early spring.
2) Adult-Use Cannabis Ordinance Discussion – the Committee’s recommendation to the Board is to make a law to prohibit the sale of cannabis in the Village. L. Duerr moved, J. Duerr seconded to have Attorney Kurt prepare the paperwork to establish an Adult-Use Cannabis Ordinance for Board consideration. All voted aye.
3) Ordinance Enforcer – the Committee also discussed looking for a different person to hire as an Ordinance Enforcer. They have discussed the proposal with two candidates who are considering and will get back to the committee. They now believe that this person should be hired as a policeman because of laws and authority. More information will be brought to the February Board Meeting.
F) Stone House Committee Pro Tem – Davis reported that Bridgett Stocks has given him the following schedule for the Stone House Project: Advertise for Bids: February 10, 2020; Bid Opening: March 3, 2020 (this could be extended to March 10th if necessary); Project Award: March 24, 2020; Construction Begins: April 1, 2020.
G) TIF/Subdivision Committee Pro Tem – 1) Update on Procedure to Extend TIF Duration – Nothing new to report.
Minutes – Regular Meeting, January 27, 2020 – Page 3
NEW BUSINESS
A) Review Closed Session Minutes from Past 6 Months – Foley moved, J. Duerr seconded that the Closed Session Minutes from the past 6 months remain closed to the public and the appropriate recordings prior to the past 18 months be destroyed. On roll call vote, all voted aye.
B) Request for Donation from Scales Mound High School Junior Post Prom Committee – In the interest of helping to keep students safe on Prom Night, L. Duerr moved, Foley seconded to donate $100.00 in Chamber Bucks to the Post Prom activities. On roll call vote, all voted aye.
C) Other – President Davis stated he met with School Superintendent Caron and Andy from Fehr-Graham regarding the drainage issues in the school yard area as it is now. It was agreed that with the proposed addition to the school facilities, there needs to be an in depth study of these issues. There is and always has been a problem with excessive water flooding from the north and east through the center of the Village from the north edge all the way to the creek at the south edge when the heavy rains come and/or when the snow and ice melt in the spring. Davis stated it was a good meeting and is in the engineer’s hands now. More information will come to the Board as the issue is studied.
BRAINSTORMING – A) Sand Prairie Internet Service – Lindsey Duerr stated she has been looking into the timeframe and number of proposed users of the Sand Prairie internet service. She found they are still at the “interest” phase for the north side of town and still need 5 more people to connect in the south side. Lindsey will contact Sand Prairie to see if a representative can come to the next Board Meeting or to an evening meeting.
B) Website – Craig Raymon has been updating the website and will have it completed soon.
CLOSED SESSION – None
ADJOURNMENT
J. Duerr moved, L. Duerr seconded that the meeting be adjourned at 8:44 p.m. All voted aye.
These Minutes are subject to approval at the next Regular Board Meeting. Minutes are also available online at www.scalesmound.com
_____________________________________
Village President
ATTEST: ___________________________________
Village Clerk