VILLAGE OF SCALES MOUND
Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees
Scales Mound Town Hall
July 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, July 27, 2020 by President Davis. The meeting was held at the Town Hall due to the construction at the Stone House. Members present were Nicole Busch, Shannon Driscoll, John Duerr, Lindsey Duerr, Ruth Foley and Bernard Trebian. Also present were Steve Stadel, Village Treasurer, Margaret Townsend, Village Clerk and Ron Duerr.
L. Duerr moved, Driscoll seconded that the Minutes of the June 29, 2020 Regular Meeting be approved as read. All voted aye.
The Treasurer’s Report was reviewed. J. Duerr moved, L. Duerr seconded to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented and to place it on file. All voted aye. The list of delinquent utility bills was reviewed. There were 9 accounts on the list, 3 of which are already shut off. The remaining 6 accounts are all over 3 months past due so the proper notice will be placed on the doors and the water service will be shut off.
The July bills were reviewed. Foley moved, Busch seconded that the July bills be approved for payment. On roll call vote, all voted aye.
PUBLIC HEARINGS/CORRESPONDENCE
A) S.M. Chamber – No Report
B) Other – Clerk Townsend reported she has received donations for three additional flags. The Bill DeGarmo Family donated a flag in memory of Bill and Joyce and Terry Schoenhard donated a flag in memory of Ernie Schoenhard and one in memory of Bill Turner and also made a donation to the Veteran’s Park. Thank you to both of those families.
PUBLIC WORKS
A) Monthly Report – Ron Duerr reported: 1) there is a light at the 4-corners that needs to be looked at by an electrician. Ron will contact Tony Edwards Electric.; 2) he has been talking to Art Morby and Bob Wachter regarding a drainage issue along the south edge of Mason Avenue west of Franklin Street. He also had Gary Saam Construction look at it. It was agreed to have Gary Saam Construction assess the situation and to properly ditch the area to alleviate the water problem.; 3) the swing set at the east side of the park needs repair. Jim and Ron will work on it.; 4) he has been working with school administration on placement of the parking lines in front of the school.
B) Operation/Maintenance/Streets Committee Report – No Report
C) Sewer & Water Operations Committee Report – President Davis relayed to the Board information on a water main which was broken by the construction crew working at the school project. After discussion, the consensus of the Board was that the responsibility of the damage and repair lies with the contractor.
ZONING – No Report
ORDINANCE VIOLATIONS
A) Update on Violations – it was reported Wayne Moyer, Ordinance Enforcer has contacted the
Minutes – Regular Meeting, July 27, 2020 – Page 2
majority of the people on the list presented to him and to date, several improvements are noticeable. Wayne will continue with the enforcements. It was agreed to provide a uniform shirt and badge to Moyer.
B) Other – Discussion was held on swimming pools. The consensus of the Board is that a policy should be put in place with rules and regulations establishing a permit which would read that the pool owner understands the Federal, State and local rules and then they would sign off on it. Lindsey Duerr agreed to call around to other communities to see what rules they have in place.
OLD BUSINESS
A) Annual Appointments, Set Meeting Place, Dates & Time, Designate Depository – Davis will work on this and get it out to Board Members.
B) Action to Accept the FY 2019 Audit as presented by Auditors – L. Duerr moved, J. Duerr seconded to accept the FY 2019 Audit as presented by Scott Roberts of O’Connor & Brooks at the June Regular Board Meeting. All voted aye.
C) Administrative Law Ordinance/Further Discussion/Possible Action – President Davis shared information with the Board that he has had discussions with Attorney Terry Kurt regarding using an Administrative Law Judge. Kurt had stated that several communities in Jo Daviess County are considering this option and may group together to proceed to contract one judge for use by all. Scales Mound may have the opportunity to join this group. More information to come as it develops.
D) Update on Utility Hookup Fees – No new information.
E) Update on Sand Prairie Internet Availability – Due to the State funding which is being offered, Sand Prairie is reaching out to other communities who may want the high speed internet installed but they have not gone any further in Scales Mound. In the same light, L. Duerr and Jim Davis are talking with Bridgette Stocks of Fehr Graham regarding the new grants available for rural internet.
F) Set Date & Time for TIF Joint Review Board Meeting – Davis is waiting to set up the meeting until he receives the Annual TIF Report from the TIF attorney.
G) Other – A concern was expressed regarding the status of the replacement street light at the southeast corner of the Town Hall. Driscoll will check the status on that with PCI.
OTHER COMMITTEE REPORTS
A) Finance – No Report
B) Park & Special Projects – No Report
C) Public Events & Safety – No Report
D) Trees & Sidewalks – Davis presented a bill in the amount of $580 for the Village’s share of the sidewalk work done in front of the apartment building at the corner of Franklin Street and Clark Avenue. Foley moved, L. Duerr seconded to pay $580 to Charles Davis. All voted aye.
E) Ordinance/Policy – Report from Meeting 07/02/2020 – the committee put together a list of ordinance violations and Clerk Townsend prepared letters which Wayne Moyer, Ordinance Enforcer, delivered. There were 15 letters delivered. Each letter contains a time frame and stated the consequences if the property is not brought into compliance.
F) Stone House Committee Pro Tem – 1) Update on Project – Construction is progressing. Discussion was held on placement of the stairs to the basement. It was agreed to not put the stairs inside, but instead to put the entrance to the basement outside which will allow for it to be larger and more easily accessible when repairs to furnace, etc. need to be done. Davis also stated they will put 2 floor boxes for the electricity under the meeting table for computers, etc.
G) TIF/Subdivision Committee Pro Tem – It was agreed to continue to pursue extending the TIF period in light of the school improvements and in hopes of finding a developer for the area.
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NEW BUSINESS
A) Review/Action on Appropriation Ordinance – A brief discussion was held. Foley moved, J. Duerr seconded to pass and approve the Appropriation Ordinance (Ordinance #2020-002) for the Fiscal Year beginning May 1, 2020 and ending April 30, 2021 in the amount of $1,058,000.00. On roll call vote, all voted aye. The ordinance will be filed with the County Clerk and posted as required.
B) Review Closed Session Minutes from the past Six Months/Recordings for the Prior 18 Months – There were no Closed Sessions held during the past 6 months. Foley moved, L. Duerr seconded to destroy the recordings for the period prior to 18 months ago. On roll call vote, all voted aye.
C) Other – Nothing
BRAINSTORMING – Nothing
CLOSED SESSION – None requested.
ADJOURNMENT – L. Duerr moved, Trebian seconded that the meeting be adjourned at 8:56 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