VILLAGE OF SCALES MOUND
Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees
Remote Meeting Joined in on
Zoom Video Conferencing
November 30, 2020
7:00 P.M.
In accordance with restrictions placed by the Governor of Illinois as a result of the Coronavirus Pandemic quarantines, the Scales Mound Village President and Board of Trustees agreed to hold a video conferencing meeting for November.
President Davis called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members present by video conference were Nicole Busch, Shannon Driscoll, Lindsey Duerr and Ruth Foley. Members John Duerr and Bernard Trebian were absent. Also present were Jim Davis, Steve Stadel, Village Treasurer, and Margaret Townsend, Village Clerk. Brandon Behlke, reporter for the Galena Gazette was also listening in on video conferencing.
L. Duerr moved, Driscoll seconded that the Minutes of the October 26, 2020 Regular Meeting be approved as read. On roll call vote, Busch, aye; L. Duerr, aye; Driscoll, aye; Foley, aye. Motion carried.
The Treasurer’s Report was reviewed. Foley moved, Driscoll seconded to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented and to place it on file. On roll call vote, Driscoll, aye; L. Duerr, aye; Foley, aye; Busch, aye. Motion carried.
The November bills were reviewed. The following bills were added to the list: 1) Monroe Truck Equipment, $28.62; and 2) Thistle Group Construction, LLC, $10,275.30 for contracted work at the Stone House. Davis stated he needs to get approval from the architect before the bill to the Thistle Group can be paid. Foley moved, Busch seconded that the November bills, to include the bill to Thistle Group upon approval from the Architect, be approved for payment. On roll call vote, L. Duerr, aye; Foley, aye; Busch, aye; Driscoll, aye. Motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARINGS/CORRESPONDENCE
A) S.M. Chamber – Steve Stadel reported the Chamber will be delivering gift bags to children in the School District on Sunday, December 6th, with the help of the Fire Department.
B) Mediacom Letter/Rate Adjustments – Clerk Townsend presented a letter from Mediacom indicating that on or about December 22, 2020 they will be implementing a number of rate adjustments. They have also introduced a low-cost internet service known as Connect2Compete to help low-income families/students address remote learning. This is available for families with students participating in the National School Lunch Program. More information is available at mediacomc2c.com.
C) Other – None
PUBLIC WORKS
A) Monthly Report – No problems or concerns reported from Ron.
B) Operation/Maintenance/Streets Committee Report – No Report
C) Sewer & Water Operations Committee Report – No report
ZONING REPORT – None
Minutes – Regular Meeting, November 30, 2020 – Page 2
ORDINANCE VIOLATIONS – Discussion was held on the delinquent utility bills. Steve Stadel would like to remind residents that bills can be paid by automatic payment through the bank. Clerk Townsend will check to see if liens on properties that are delinquent are up to date.
OLD BUSINESS
A) Information on Grants – Foley – Ruth asked again if the Board would like her to speak with Bridgette Stocks on grant availability for infrastructure. It was agreed to ask Ron Duerr to put down on paper what his thoughts are on needed improvements and then get the list to the committee. It is difficult during these times to have a Committee Meeting. Davis stated that we are all aware that we have not moved forward on the issue of floor drains and sump pumps going into the wastewater system. This needs to be done. Steve Stadel questioned looking into storm sewers as there are funds available in Water, Sewer and Economic Development funds. Davis stated this has been looked into several different times in the past and it just is not feasible for the Village to pursue. He once again stated it is possible for the Village to put together some sort of funding program to help those who may need to do some rerouting work in their basement. Davis will speak with Lyons Well & Pump regarding what can be done.
B) Update on Internet Availability – Discussion was held regarding Sand Prairie Internet. It appears they may have gone out in the country with the service but have not yet completed installation in the Village. Lindsey Duerr will contact Bridgette Stocks of Fehr Graham to discuss other options of which she has knowledge. It was suggested that someone contact Congresswoman Cheri Bustos as she was directly involved with the grant Jo Carroll Energy received for broadband internet expansion. Davis wanted to make sure the Board has some knowledge of that situation before going into a discussion with Bustos.
C) Reminder – Filing Period for Petitions for 2021 Election is December 14-21, 2020 – Clerk Townsend stated she will be receiving petitions during this time period. Candidates are asked to call her for an appointment to file the paperwork. Also, she reminded the candidates that the Statement of Economic Interest form needs to be filed with the County Clerk and submitted with the petition.
D) COVID – Nothing
E) Other – Nothing
OTHER COMMITTEE REPORTS
A) Finance – Discussion on Tax Levy Ordinance – No further discussion. Action will be taken under New Business on the Agenda.
B) Park & Special Projects – No Report
C) Public Events & Safety – No Report
D) Trees & Sidewalks – No Report
E) Ordinance/Policy – No Report
F) Stone House Committee Pro Tem – 1) Update on Construction – The siding was started today.
G) TIF/Subdivision Committee Pro Tem – 1) Information on Loan Proposal – Nothing new. Item will be removed from Agenda.
NEW BUSINESS
A) Action on Tax Levy Ordinance – Foley moved, L. Duerr seconded to pass and approve the Tax Levy Ordinance for the levy and assessment of taxes for the current fiscal year in the amount of
Minutes – Regular Meeting, November 30, 2020 – Page 3
$30,145.00. On roll call vote, Foley, aye; Busch, aye; Driscoll, aye; L. Duerr, aye. Motion carried. The ordinance will be filed with the County Clerk and posted as required.
B) New Information and contract from Jo Daviess County Animal Control Services – Information was received from Animal Control that the Board of Health revised the original contract sent out in September to do away with the $900 annual fee, but instead they will charge $300 for any dog that is transported out of the Village and the billing will be monthly. There was no action taken on the revised Agreement.
C) Employment Agreement for Public Works Director – Board Members had previously received a copy of the Agreement to review before the meeting. Davis pointed out that the wages shown in the Agreement include the $200.00 monthly stipend to be used for Health Insurance if the employee so desires and the last $3,000.00 increase was advance pay of the amount that he should receive when he completes the water certification. Foley moved, Driscoll seconded to accept the Employment Agreement and Job Description as presented. On roll call vote, Busch, aye; Driscoll, aye; L. Duerr, aye; Foley, aye. Motion carried.
D) Christmas Bonuses – Foley moved, Busch seconded to pay Scales Mound Chamber Bucks as follows: Ron Duerr – $250.00; Steve Stadel – $200.00; Margaret Townsend – $200.00; Joe Lee, Zoning Administrator – $50.00. On roll call vote, Driscoll, aye; L. Duerr, aye; Foley,. Aye; Busch, aye. Motion carried.
E) Thank You to those who put up the Christmas Decorations – Ruth Foley stated that on behalf of the Board, she wanted to publicly thank Jim Davis and family as well as all others who helped put up the Christmas decorations.
F) Other – Nothing
BRAINSTORMING
Clerk Townsend told the Board that 96 flags have been purchased to date. The list will be published in the Weekly Visitor sometime in the near future. Thank You to all!
CLOSED SESSION – None
ADJOURNMENT – L. Duerr moved, Driscoll seconded that the meeting be adjourned at 7:32 p.m. On roll call vote, Driscoll, aye; L. Duerr, aye; Foley, aye; Busch, aye. Motion carried.
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