VILLAGE OF SCALES MOUND
Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees
Stone House
October 25, 2021
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, October 25, 2021 by President Davis. Members present were Ruth Foley, Janet Werner and Nathan Wills. A quorum was realized with President Jim Davis being present. Member John Duerr was absent and Nicole Busch had notified Board Members that she would be late. Also present were Steve Stadel, Village Treasurer, Margaret Townsend, Village Clerk and Ron Duerr.
Werner moved, Wills seconded that the Minutes of the September 27, 2021 Regular Meeting be approved as read. All voted aye.
The Treasurer’s Report was reviewed. Steve Stadel explained some adjustments he has been making in the various funds. He has made transfers under the guidance of the auditors. Monies are deposited in the main fund as they are received and then the transfers are made to individual funds. Transfers were also made from savings to checking accounts in sewer and water. He also reported the first installment of the ARF funds was received and is earmarked for the SCADA system. Wills moved, Werner seconded to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented and to place it on file. All voted aye.
The October bills were reviewed. Werner moved, Wills seconded that the October bills, with the addition of one from Jim Davis in the amount of $831.16 for the TV and mounting hardware and blinds for the Stone House addition, be approved for payment. On roll call vote, all voted aye.
PUBLIC HEARINGS/CORRESPONDENCE
A) S. M. Chamber – The annual Christmas Party will be held on Sunday, November 28th at the Town Hall. The agenda will be the same as other years.
B) Letter from Student in St. Charles, Il asking for Police Patch – Clerk Townsend read a letter from a 3rd grade student who says he would like to be either a police officer or a pilot when he grows up and he is starting a collection of patches and was hoping the Village could donate one to him and his cousin who has influenced him with his collection. Clerk Townsend will send two patches to him.
C) Email from ComEd Asking that their Equipment not be buried by Snow Plows – ComEd sent out an early “friendly reminder” asking that maintenance workers be careful to leave at least 10 feet of open space in front of their equipment. Not leaving the requested cleared space could result in damage to their equipment, possibly causing a loss in power or delay in restoring power due to their inability to gain access.
D) ComEd Notification Regarding Assistance Programs for Energy Bills – ComEd provided Information on two programs (LIHEAP) Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, a federal Program and (PIPP) Percentage of Income Payment Plan, a state funded program to help eligible customers stay current on their energy bills. Both programs can be accessed at LIHEAPillinois.com.
E) Official Census Certificate Received – Clerk Townsend presented the Certificate from Jesse White, IL Secretary of State which “certifies the number of inhabitants of the Village of Scales Mound is 436”.
F) Other – SMHS Post Prom Donation Request – A letter was received from the Post Prom Committee asking for a donation for the after Prom party. In light of an earlier determination that this event is intended for the safety of the students, Foley moved, Werner seconded to donate $100 in Chamber Bucks to the Post Prom event. All voted aye.
Minutes – Regular Meeting, October 25, 2021 – Page 2
PUBLIC WORKS
A) Monthly Report – Ron Duerr reported he has been assisting Sand Prairie in their installation of the fiber service lines by locating on each property where the service should go. He is down to having 49 left at this time.
B) Operation /Maintenance/Streets Report – No Report
C) Sewer & Water Operations Committee Report – No Report
Board Member Nicole Busch entered the meeting at 7:50 p.m.
ZONING – No Report
ORDINANCE VIOLATIONS – A short discussion was held on delinquent utility bills.
OLD BUSINESS
A) Review and Possible Action on Administrative Law Ordinances – Board members had received copies of the three ordinances through email. President Davis asked for discussion. Foley stated she would have liked more transparency in the Board’s preparation to adopt these ordinances. She would have liked to have the ordinances put on public display or at least informed the public that they were available for inspection. Davis informed her that copies of the ordinances were emailed to the one person who had attended a previous meeting and requested copies when they were ready. He also said anyone else interested could have contacted the Clerk or any Board Members to get copies if they wanted them. Davis called for a motion on the ordinances. Busch moved, Wills seconded to pass and approve the following ordinances pertaining to Administrative Law: Ordinance #2021-002, An Ordinance for Vehicular and Non-Vehicular Violations; Ordinance #2021-003, An Ordinance for Seizure and Impoundment of Vehicles; and, Ordinance #2021-004, An Ordinance for Building Codes and Nuisances. On roll call vote, Werner, aye; Busch, aye; Wills, aye; Foley, nay. Motion carried. The ordinances will be published as required by law and Davis will check with Attorney Kurt on the next step in getting the Administrative Law system going.
B) Community Fitness Center Update – Nicole Busch – Nothing new to report.
C) American Rescue Plan Funding Discussion – Nothing new.
D) Update on SCADA System – Nothing new – Fehr-Graham should be working on this.
E) Update on Internet Installation – Crews are continuing the installation.
F) Other – Nothing
OTHER COMMITTEE REPORTS
A) Finance – Preliminary Discussion on Tax Levy Ordinance/Timeframe – Ruth Foley will put together a preliminary Levy and send it out by email for review. Action will be taken at the November Regular Board Meeting.
B) Park & Special Projects – Benches – Clerk has received an Inquiry – Clerk Townsend reported someone had contacted her regarding purchasing a bench for the park as a memorial. The Committee will plan a meeting and come up with a style of bench to be offered. Janet Werner mentioned she would also be interested in purchasing a memorial bench.
C) Public Events & Safety – Open House Postponed – The Stone House Open House tentatively scheduled for Sunday, October 17th was postponed due to conflicting schedules of the Board Members. It was agreed to change the date to Sunday, November 28th during the Chamber’s Annual Christmas Party. Details will be worked out.
Minutes – Regular Meeting, October 25, 2021 – Page 3
D) Trees & Sidewalks – Ruth Foley asked Board Members for more input on putting together a Tree Replacement Plan.
E) Ordinance/Policy – No Report
F) Stone House Committee Pro Tem – It was agreed to disband this committee at this time.
NEW BUSINESS
A) Jo Daviess County Animal Control Services Contract 2021-22 – President Davis presented the Contract and asked for discussion or a motion. There was none.
B) CN Railroad – Annual “EcoConnexions from the Ground Up” Grant Program – the Board had no interest in participating in this program at this time.
C) Other – Davis stated he has been working with Mediacom on renewing the Lease Agreement and should have it to present at the November Regular Board Meeting.
BRAINSTORMING
The Board is continuing to look for a candidate to fill the vacancy on the Board.
CLOSED SESSION – None
ADJOURNMENT
Foley moved, Busch seconded that the meeting be adjourned at 9:05 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