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Minutes from November 25, 2024

Dec 31, 2024 | Minutes

VILLAGE OF SCALES MOUND

Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees

Stone House

November 25, 2024

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, November 25, 2024.  The members present were Nicole Winter, Ruth Foley, Scott Ohms, Kristy Schueller, and Janet Werner. Garrett Hillary entered at 7:07 PM. Village Clerk Deven Morgensen, Village Treasurer Marissa Marquith, Ron Duerr, Dave Fosler, Zach Winter, Margaret Townsend, Jerry and Fran Edwards, Dan Peppin, Lauren Ray, Cody Austin, and Kevin Stier were also present.

Schueller moved; Werner seconded that the minutes of the Regular Meeting October 29, 2024, open and closed, TIF Joint Review Board Meeting October 10, 2024, Committee Meeting November 7, 2024, open and closed, Committee Meeting November 11, 2024, open and closed, Special Meeting November 14, 2024, open and closed., be approved as read.  All voted aye.

The Treasurer’s Report was reviewed. Werner moved; Schueller seconded to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented and to place it on file.  On roll call vote, all voted aye.

The monthly bills were reviewed. Schueller moved; Hillary seconded that the November bills be approved for payment. On roll call vote, all voted aye.

COMMUNITY FUNDING & PLANNING SERVICES

  1. CFPS Invoice #1 Project Plan – Water
  2. CFPS Invoice #1 Facility Plan – Sewer – Foley moved; Ohms seconded to approve the invoices for the water and sewer plans. On roll call vote, all voted aye.
  3. CFPS Loan Application Contract – Water
  4. CFPS Loan Application Contract – Sewer – Werner moved; Foley seconded to approve the CFPS Loan application contracts for both water and sewer. On roll call vote, all voted aye.
  5. Village Authorization of CFPS To Submit Loan Documents – Public Water Supply Loan
  6. Village Authorization of CFPS To Submit Loan Documents – Water Pollution Control Loan – Schueller moved; Werner seconded to approve the Village Authorization of CFPS to submit loan documents on the Village’s behalf. On roll call vote, all voted aye.
  7. Authorizing Loan Ordinances – Water
  8. Authorizing Loan Ordinances – Sewer

ORIGIN DESIGN

  1. A) Task Order 24-02 Sanitary Sewer Improvements – The board discussed the task order for the sanitary sewer improvements.
  2. B) Task Order 24-03 Water System Improvements – The board discussed the task order for the water system improvements.
  3. C) Subdivision Concepts – Origin presented two (2) subdivision concepts and discussed additional options to consider. Origin will take the notes back and provide updated concepts. 

CITIZENS COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS

  1. A) Citizens Comments – 1) FOIA Request – FOIA request was received from Melissa Soppe for the prior month’s tree removal bids, site plans for the Altfillisch’s property, and the draft minutes. The board discussed having a possible additional FOIA Officer to assist with the volume of requests. 2) Margaret Townsend – Margaret indicated she purchased lights for the gazebo to replace the old lights and would bring the invoice for the next meeting. 3) Flags – The board discussed the flag at the Town Hall and at the four corners that need updated. 4) Kevin Stier – Kevin suggested that the Village plant a Christmas Tree in the park to eventually replace the current tree. Kevin recommended Beiler Tree Farm in Hazel Green.
  2. B) S.M. Chamber – 1) Christmas Party – The Chamber Christmas Party will be held Sunday, December 1, 2024.
  3. C) Contact Us Submissions – Two (2) individuals reached out to the Village regarding lack of on-street parking on Tuesdays.
  4. D) Other – None.

ORDINANCE VIOLATIONS/ADMINISTRATIVE LAW REPORT

1) None.

PUBLIC WORKS

  1. A) Monthly Report – 1) Ron Duerr reported that he started to clean up the pump house. 2) Ron Duerr reported that he received a call complaining about water running down Franklin, but after researching it was a truck with rainwater leaking out.

ZONING

  1. A) Report – 1) The board discussed the current and potential permits which included a deck permit for Margaret and Steve Townsend.

OLD BUSINESS

  1. A) Addition of Street Mirrors – Ohms reported that he is continuing to research locations for mirrors with the required setbacks.
  2. B) Approval of Audit – The audit was reviewed. Schueller moved; Foley seconded to approve the audit for 2023 – 2024. All voted aye.
  3. C) Portable Building Placement Agreement with Art Morby – The agreement has not been received by the lawyer as she has been in contact with Art Morby to finalize the agreement.
  4. D) Tax Levy Ordinance – The board discussed the Tax Levy Ordinance options and will be holding a hearing on December 23, 2024, at 6:45 PM.
  5. E) Repeal of the Grocery Sales Tax – The State of Illinois is repealing the 1% grocery sales tax in January 2026. The village has the option to pass an ordinance to impose the 1% after that date.
  6. F) Water Main Replacement – Bids have not been requested. The board will check with Adam Brant to get the correct parties involved for the project since he assisted with fixing the firehouse side of the line.
  7. G) Village Maintenance Job Posting – The Village will continue to advertise but also discussed the possibility of a seasonal employee for plowing.
  8. H) TIF Funds Request Application – Josh Altfillisch – The TIF Attorney provided guidance on the eligible costs for Josh’s project. The board discussed the eligible costs. Werner moved; Schueller seconded to agree to 60% of the increase on the tax value maxing out at the eligible costs for five (5) years after the property is on the tax roll. On roll call vote, all voted aye. Ohms abstained.
  9. I) TIF Funds Request Application – Zach Winter – The TIF Attorney provided guidance on the eligible costs for Zach’s project. President Winter stepped out of the meeting due to conflict of interest. The board discussed the eligible costs. President Winter returned to the meeting. Foley moved; Hillary seconded to agree to 60% of the increase on the tax value maxing out at the eligible costs for five (5) years after the property is on the tax roll. On roll call vote, Foley, Hillary, and Schueller voted aye. Werner voted no. Ohms abstained.

OTHER COMMITTEE REPORTS

  1. A) Street/Maintenance – None.
  2. B) Sewer/Water – Josh Altfillisch – alleyway is exposed, and he has asked if he can connect to the sewer line.
  3. C) Finance –
  4. D) Park & Special Projects – None.
  5. E) Public Events & Safety –
  6. F) Trees & Sidewalks – None.
  7. G) Ordinance/Policy –
  8. H) Development – None.

NEW BUSINESS

  1. A) Police Car Bids – Two (2) police car bids were received which included a $200 bid from Kristen Adami and a $2,000 bid from Megan Williams. Werner moved; Ohms seconded to accept the $2,000 bid from Megan Williams for the police car. On roll call vote, all voted aye.
  2. B) Annual Christmas Bonuses – Foley moved, Schueller seconded to pay Scales Mound Chamber Bucks as follows: Ron Duerr – $250.00; Marissa Marquith – $200.00; Deven Morgensen – $200.00; Zach Winter – $50.00; Dave Fosler – $50. On roll call vote, all voted aye.
  3. C) December Meeting Date Change – The December meeting date will be moved to December 23, 2024 due to conflicts.
  4. D) Water Collection – Firehouse –This discussion was tabled as Foley will discuss with John Duerr.
  5. E) Other – Foley requested the 5-year plan be on the next agenda.

BRAINSTORMING – 1) President Winter expressed disappointment in the board’s decision regarding the allocation of TIF funds for Zach Winter. She had initially suggested providing Josh Altfillisch with additional funds when the board discussed allocating 30% as Josh’s project would be generating great revenue for the Village. Due to Zach’s project not being the same as the Altfillisch project, she was disheartened that the board did not consider a different deal. President Winter expressed that the projects are not the same and should not be treated as such. While Zach’s project will bring significant value to the Village, his contributions to the community are invaluable. These include volunteering his time for tasks such as putting up Christmas decorations and plowing all the alleys free of charge.

CLOSED SESSION – None.

ADJOURNMENT – Werner moved; Schueller seconded that the meeting be adjourned at 9:04 PM. All voted aye.

These Minutes were prepared by Village Clerk, Deven Morgensen.