Village of Hennepin Village Board met February 21.
Here is the minutes provided by the Board:
Present: President Kevin Coleman
Diana Brandstatter, Clerk
Diana Gibson, Treasurer
Trustees: Karyn Christiansen Quentin Buffington
Scott Mennie Teresa Clausen
Paul Goetz Lynn Haage
Also Present: Village Engineer, Bill Shafer
Street Supervisor, Tim Rylko
Property Maintenance Officer, Tim Pyszka
Village Zoning Officer, Larry Brown
Village Attorney, Sheryl Churney
Putnam County Record reporter, Dave Cook
Samantha Casey and Kim Bird, Hopkins Associates
Motion: Haage Second: Buffington
To Approve January 2018 financial report as presented.
Roll call vote: Ayes-Christiansen, Mennie, Goetz, Buffington, Clausen, Haage, Coleman Nays-none, Absent-none, Abstain-none Motion carried unanimously.
Motion: Christiansen Second: Clausen
To Approve minutes and warrants paid for January 2018.
Roll call vote: Ayes-Christiansen, Mennie, Goetz, Buffington, Clausen, Haage, Coleman Nays-none, Absent-none, Abstain-none Motion carried unanimously.
Motion: Buffington Second: Clausen
To Approve Bills to be Paid.
Roll call vote: Ayes-Christiansen, Mennie, Goetz, Buffington, Clausen, Haage, Coleman Nays-none, Absent-none, Abstain-none Motion carried unanimously.
Motion: Haage Second: Clausen
To Approve donation requests to: Teen Showcase-$100, YMCA Dolphin’s Swim Team-$100, Prom Afterglow-$300, Red Cross-$100, Cub Scouts-$50, St. Pat’s celebration-6 bottles of Bicentennial wine, Steve Johnson benefit-6 bottles of Bicentennial wine.
Roll call vote: Ayes-Christiansen, Mennie, Goetz, Buffington, Clausen, Haage, Coleman Nays-none, Absent-none, Abstain-none Motion carried unanimously.
Motion: Haage Second: Christiansen
To reimburse President Coleman’s mileage request for the past month amounting to 80 miles at the current IRS standard rate of 54.5 cents per mile.
Roll call vote: Ayes-Christiansen, Mennie, Goetz, Buffington, Clausen, Haage. Nays-none, Absent-none, Abstain-none Motion carried unanimously.
Attorney Sheryl Churney spoke about two properties within the Village that are of concern.
One property is located at the southwest corner of Eighth and High Sts., the other at the northwest corner of High and Mulberry Sts. Churney’s suggested contacting the owners to see if they would be in agreement to Quit Claim the houses to the Village, thereby saving real estate taxes and maintenance expenses. The Village would then be in the position to do what’s best for the property. President Coleman added that these two homes have been vacant for more than two years. Churney also noted that some communities have passed Super nuisance ordinances to encourage owners to get in compliance with the property maintenance ordinances. Churney also stated that it’s always best, especially in a small town, to communicate with the owners first before issuing citations. Churney left the meeting.
The Board held a short discussion concerning the parking variance request by Growmark/Marquis.
Motion: Buffington Second: Goetz
To Approve the Planning & Zoning Commission’s recommendation to grant Growmark’s Variance request regarding parking, namely Article 2.7 of the Village Code, which requires The parking area be paved.
Roll call vote: Ayes-Christiansen, Mennie, Goetz, Buffington, Clausen, Haage, Coleman Nays-none, Absent-none, Abstain-none. Motion carried unanimously.
Zoning Officer, Larry Brown, presented his Building Permit report for 2017, stating that it had been a fairly slow growth year. One addition and several accessory buildings were the main improvements, stated Brown.
Joni Hunt of IVAC was sick and couldn’t attend the meeting, stated President Coleman.
Samantha Casey and Kim Bird were present and asked the Board to consider using Hopkin’s and Associates for the Village’s annual audit.
Larry Brown spoke on behalf of the Hennepin/Granville Fire Department concerning a flagpole at the Hennepin Fire Department that had been knocked down by the Street Department during snow removal. It was determined that Street Supervisor, Tim Rylko, had notified Frank Boggio when the incident occurred. Brown questioned whether the Village would pay for a new flag pole for the fire department. Trustee Clausen suggested the Village turn the claim into the insurance company. President Coleman questioned why the fire department couldn’t just pay for it since the Village had been plowing snow for the Hennepin fire department for more than 20 years with no cost. Brown questioned whether the Village would chip in. Coleman asked if the Fire department would give the Village the old pole if we help pay for the new pole for the fire department. Brown agreed.
Motion: Christiansen Second: Mennie
To Approve paying for 1⁄2 of the replacement flagpole for the Hennepin Fire Department with The condition that the Village receive the old pole for in front of the Village Hall.
Roll call vote: Ayes-Christiansen, Mennie, Goetz, Clausen, Haage, Coleman Nays-none, Absent-none, Abstain-Buffington Motion carried unanimously.
Village Engineer, Bill Shafer, updated the Board on the process that needs to be followed before the Coffee Creek bridge project can move forward. Shafer stated that a 404 permit, or joint permit of the EPA and Corp of Engineers, will be needed, which will involve a 90-day review. A problem that could arise, according to Shafer, is that we may have to do an archeological study to make sure we are not disrupting the Wetlands, which will need to be done after trees and plants start growing this Spring. In addition, the project cannot disrupt the Indiana bats. Any trees would have to be removed before the bats come back for the season. Shafer suggested the Village work with the Wetlands Initiative and employ their environmental expertise and ask them to contribute services. Shafer noted that soil borings would also be necessary to make sure the ground is solid. With the added geotechnical work and permit process, etc., costs could reach $15,000 if the Wetlands Initiative won’t help with the environmental questions. Shafer requested authorization from the Board to continue with the permit process. Once the Board would specify the conceptual plan the bridge company would design the bridge, which would be partially prefabricated. Trustee Buffington questioned whether the WDB Fund would reimburse the Village for expenditures on the bridge. President Coleman stated that he had nothing in writing but had spoken with Nancy Hopkins and she was in favor of the bridge project. Coleman noted that we would still need a formal commitment.
Trustee Mennie questioned whether it was up to the Village to maintain the property.
Motion: Haage Second: Buffington
To Approve proceeding with plans, requirements and permits as described by Bill Shafer, Contingent on approval and formal commitment from the WDB Charitable Trust executor.
Roll call vote: Ayes-Christiansen, Mennie, Goetz, Buffington, Clausen, Haage, Coleman Nays-none, Absent-none, Abstain-none Motion carried unanimously.
Motion: Haage Second: Goetz
To Approve engaging WIPFLI for the Village’s upcoming FY2018 audit at a cost, not to exceed $11,500.
Roll call vote: Ayes-Christiansen, Mennie, Goetz, Buffington, Clausen, Haage, Coleman Nays-none, Absent-none, Abstain-none. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion: Haage Second: Buffington
To Approve appointing Jon Clausen to the Planning & Zoning Commission. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion: Goetz Second: Mennie
To Approve setting the 2018 Fireworks budget at $15,400.
Roll call vote: Ayes-Christiansen, Mennie, Goetz, Buffington, Clausen, Haage, Coleman. Nays-none, Absent-none, Abstain-none. Motion carried unanimously.
The Board approved waiving Continental Grain and Barge’s annual fee of $5000 for truck traffic on 4th and Court Sts. due to no truck traffic.
Trustee Haage mentioned the need for a new Baseball Program manager.
President Coleman questioned whether the Board wanted to address trapping animals on private property in more rural sections of the Village. The Board decided to table the discussion.
A short discussion was held concerning the Hennepin Betterment Association’s offer to contribute to a signage project on High Street. President Coleman noted that there are 26 poles on High St. Coleman also questioned whether the Village could commit one half of the amount towards the project. The discussion was tabled until the March meeting when it will be placed on the agenda.
Trustee Buffington brought up for discussion the condition of the Hazel Marie Boyle Fountain, noting that it was in need of renovation. Buffington reported that 5 fountain stones are cracked and some lights are not working. Shafer noted that the stones had come out of England and were supposed to be permanent, but the stones are soft.
Trustee Buffington noted that the stray cat population had increased. Property Maintenance Officer, Tim Pyszka, noted that written violations had been issued.
Motion: Mennie
To Adjourn
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