VILLAGE OF SCALES MOUND
Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees
Stone House
March 28, 2022
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, March 28, 2022 by President Davis. Members present were Nicole Busch, Ruth Foley, Daniel Wenzel, Janet Werner and Nathan Wills. Member John Duerr was absent. Also present were Steve Stadel, Village Treasurer, Margaret Townsend, Village Clerk and Ron Duerr.
Foley moved, Wills seconded that the Minutes of the February 28, 2022 Regular Meeting and the Committee Meetings from February 16, 2022 and March 15, 2022 be approved as read. All voted aye.
The Treasurer’s Report was reviewed. Werner moved, Wenzel seconded to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented and to place it on file. All voted aye.
The March bills were reviewed. Foley moved, Wills seconded that the February bills be approved for payment. On roll call vote, all voted aye.
PUBLIC HEARINGS/CORRESPONDENCE
A) M. Chamber – No Report
B) Letter from Mediacom – Clerk Townsend reported that on or about April 7, 2022 Mediacom will reduce the rate for Local Broadcast Station Surcharge by $-0.15 to a new rate of $22.37.
C) Other – Nothing
PUBLIC WORKS
A) Monthly Report – Ron Duerr reported: 1) He has changed all of the light bulbs in the lights at the Village Park.; 2) the truck will be taken to Windy Hill on Tuesday for repairs; 3) Brian of Fehr Graham informed him that it should be another month to a month and a half before the SCADA system will be here. Some of the boxes of materials will be shipped soon; 4) the telephone number in the ad for tree replacement was incorrect. The correct number to call and leave a message if you might be interested is 815-845-2545; and, 5) It was agreed that Ron should give a “Notice to Shut Off” to residents on the list who are over 6 months past due.
B) Operation/Maintenance/Streets Committee Report – No Report
C) Sewer & Water Operations Committee Report – Report from Meeting 03/15/22 – the committee reviewed all rates and charges in place now, discussed maintenance on the water well and also the home inspections for lead pipes. More information on the inspections will be forthcoming. They also discussed the policy manual to include a fee schedule.
ZONING – No Report
ORDINANCE VIOLATIONS
President Davis reported he has been in contact with East Dubuque City Office personnel. They informed him they do not yet have the Village of Scales Mound set up in their Administrative Law System. Once that is complete, we will be able to start participating.
Minutes – Regular Meeting, March 28, 2022 – Page 2
OLD BUSINESS
A) Any Results from Letter Regarding Trees – None to date
B) Update on SCADA System – 1) Reimbursement Request Submitted for Payment – an email notice was received from DCEO CURE Administration advising the Village that their Reimbursement Request has been approved and submitted for payment with the IL Comptroller’s Office. The Village should be receiving a check for over $15,000 soon.
C) Other – Nothing
OTHER COMMITTEE REPORTS
A) Finance – Report from Committee Meeting 03/15/22 – Davis explained that now that the committee has the customer detail for each utility user, they will not need another committee meeting. He further stated that the Village is continuing to build funds in these accounts and in fact are ahead enough that rates can stay where they are at this time. The rates will be renewed again next year. Davis went on to say that our Village has an advantage over other communities in the area because here, the entire system was replaced in the mid-80’s, and, the Village does not chemically treat the system, which saves wear on the entire system. Nicole Busch questioned REU’s for Commercial Buildings. A brief discussion was held to clarify the REU system. Davis also commented that pumping is our “worst enemy”. The ongoing problem with wipes is a huge cost and residents are reminded that NO WIPES ARE FLUSHABLE. Metering as an option was also discussed. Davis stated metering would be a great expense to the Village. The EPA encourages metering as they are concerned about water conservation.
B) Park & Special Projects – No Report
C) Public Events & Safety – Easter Party Update – The Easter Party will be held on Saturday, April 9th at the Town Hall. The time of the event has been changed to 3 to 4 p.m.
D) Trees & Sidewalks – No Report
E) Ordinance/Policy – No Report
NEW BUSINESS
A) Discuss Renewing Liquor Licenses in March – Clerk Townsend expressed concerns with the Liquor License holders requesting to renew their licenses before the normal April renewal date. President Davis explained that the reason this is done is so the holder can have the new license number to give to the State when they renew that license. After contacting the State, he found out that the State does not require the new number for the coming year, all they need to know is the number the license holder has at the time they apply for renewal at the state level. It was agreed to leave the Village renewal time as it has historically been.
B) Other – Nothing
BRAINSTORMING
A) Janet Werner brought up concerns about planning for the 170th Village Celebration in June of 2023. A lengthy discussion was held. Janet will put together a notice to anyone interested in helping plan the celebration to come to a meeting. The notice will be published in The Weekly Visitor and put on Facebook.
B) Clerk Townsend brought up the subject of repairs to the original part of the Stone House. It was agreed to look for someone to hire to do the work.
C) Clerk Townsend asked about planning the 2022 Joint Review Board Meeting. The Audit from the previous year needs to be completed before the meeting can be held.
Minutes – Regular Meeting, March 28, 2022 – Page 3
CLOSED SESSION – None
ADJOURNMENT – Wenzel moved, Wills seconded that the meeting be adjourned at 8:30 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