Village of Hennepin President and Board of Trustees Met Oct. 21.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
The Village Board of the Village of Hennepin met in Regular Session. President Coleman called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Present: President Kevin Coleman
Diana Brandstatter, Village Clerk
Trustees: Bickerman Buffington
Mennie Clausen
Goetz Haage
Absent: Treasurer Jill Kuhne
Also Present: Village Engineer, Bill Shafer
Street Department Supervisor, Tim Rylko
Village Attorney, Sheryl Churney
Paul Miskowiec
Michelle Halm
Jim Pozzi
MOTION: Buffington Second: Bickerman
To Approve September 2020 financial report as presented.
Motion carried unanimously.
MOTION: Haage Second: Clausen
To Approve minutes and warrants paid for September 2020.
Motion carried unanimously.
MOTION: Buffington Second: Bickerman
To Approve Bills to be Paid.
Roll call vote: Ayes- Bickerman, Mennie, Goetz, Buffington, Clausen, Haage, Coleman Nays-none, Absent-none, Abstain-none
Motion carried unanimously.
There were no donation requests.
MOTION: Goetz Second: Haage
To Approve Pres. Coleman’s travel exp/mileage of 66 miles for the month at 57.5 cents per mile. Roll call vote: Ayes- Bickerman, Mennie, Goetz, Buffington, Clausen, Haage, Coleman Nays-none, Absent-none, Abstain-none
Motion carried unanimously.
The agenda was adjusted to accommodate Paul Miskowiec and Michelle Halm of the PC Community Center. Miskowiec opened by stating that he had just recently taken a position on the Board of the Putnam County Community Center and is very impressed at the amount of services that are provided for the seniors in Putnam County. He encouraged the Board to pass along to the Village citizens everything that is available for not just the seniors of Putnam County, but for the residents as well. Michelle Halm, Executive Director of the Community Center spoke giving the Board an overview of the history of the center. Halm discussed the center’s funding sources, resources available for seniors 60 and older and also residents under 60 who might be disabled. She explained the four primary services provided by the Community Center. The first is information and assistance where the center helps people apply for benefits and services they may be qualified for. The second, outreach services is similar where the center would go into people’s homes to assist them. Covid has affected this service currently. The third is transportation, Halm stated, with the Center having four titled vehicles that they contribute to BPART as part of their fleet to provide transportation to the general public. People 60 and older ride for free but there is a suggested donation.
Nutrition is a service that is temporarily suspended due to Covid. Prior to Covid, the center provided a noon meal Monday through Friday by calling 24 hours in advance.The meals are free of charge with a suggested donation but not required. Following the meal there are activities provided and different programs, including educational programs such as health, legal and travel. In addition, the center has musical entertainment and movies. Halm went on to discuss some of the goals of the center, including getting an enclosure for the vehicles so they don’t have to sit out in the weather. She also thanked Putnam County for their generous support. The Board thanked Halm for her presentation. ORD. #582
MOTION: Buffington Second: Bickerman
To Approve Ordinance #582 entitled AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL AND RECYCLING AND AMENDING CHAPTER 4, DIVISION 4 AND CHAPTER 7, DIVISION 1, 2 AND 3 OF THE VILLAGE CODE FOR THE VILLAGE OF HENNEPIN.
Roll call vote: Ayes- Bickerman, Mennie, Goetz, Buffington, Clausen, Haage, Coleman Nays-none, Absent-none, Abstain-none
Motion carried unanimously.
Attorney Churney spoke concerning the 728 High St. property, noting that notice had been sent to California, where the property owner resides and also to Princeton USDA office, where the mortgage is being held. We have to give a 15-day notice before we file suit, stated Churney. The draft complaint has been sent to President Coleman for his approval and should be ready to go, Churney said. Trustee Mennie questioned whether the Village would then acquire the property. Churney explained what would happen with the demolition proceedings, noting the first thing would be to get permission to demolish the structure, then record a demolition lien on the property. Foreclosing on the demolition would be the second part of it, stated Churney.
President Coleman spoke concerning the old gas station property. He had spoken to the owner about a tractor on the property. The owner said it would be moved by April. The roofing supplies are inside the building with a plan to repair the roof soon.
The Board moved forward with opening the proposals from the garbage companies. Two proposals were submitted. Attorney Churney left the meeting.
Jim Pozzi of Republic Services asked if the numbers from the proposals could be read aloud. Trustee Buffington read the amounts with Waste Management coming in at $26.56 per unit with recycling and company supplied receptacles and $21.20 per unit and no recycling and residents supplying their own receptacles. Republic Services’ proposal was $17.90 per unit with recycling every other week and company supplied receptacles and $19.25 per unit with user provided receptacles. With Republic Services residents may place one bulk item at curbside each week for pick up. After discussion, the Board concluded that they would move to approve the contract at tonight’s meeting.
MOTION: Buffington Second: Bickerman
To Approve Republic Services proposal for a 3-year contract with the Village of Hennepin at $17.90 per household per month to include Republic Services provided receptacles (2 per household, one garbage and one recycling), garbage collection every week, recycling collection every 2 weeks. $3.25 per month for an additional cart. (with additional information included in the proposal)
Roll call vote: Ayes- Bickerman, Mennie, Goetz, Buffington, Clausen, Haage, Coleman Nays-none, Absent-none, Abstain-none
Motion carried unanimously.
President Coleman asked Pozzi whether recycling could be added to the Senior Homes. Pozzi agreed to provide recycling carts for the HMB Homes. Pozzi also stated that a few extra carts can be stored at the Street Department in case someone’s cart breaks. We can replenish that supply when you run out.
Village Engineer, Bill Shafer, stated that the drainage work at Nic Keegan’s is about 2 weeks out. The rest of the grinding on the boat ramp should take place this week to wrap up that project. Shafer stated that he had attended a meeting with NCICG at the Village Hall prior to the meeting concerning the sidewalk project. NCICG is working on revising the maps, wording, etc. to complete the grant.
President Coleman brought up the Bridge to the Wetlands project, noting that at the beginning of the discussion about building the bridge, the estimated costs were at $200,000 to $250,000 and now what we’ve learned is that it will be closer to $375,000. The reasoning behind the huge increase in projected
cost was discussed. Coleman also discussed the impending costs of repairs at the HMB Homes, the new building and the shop roof repair. We’re talking about a lot of money. I’d hate to deplete the WDB Trust money on one project, Coleman said. We have to keep a fund for the continuing future costs of maintenance at the HMB Homes and the Fountain as well, he stressed. President Coleman questioned whether there could be a grant available for the project and suggested contacting NCICG. Trustee Clausen suggested putting the project on the back burner for now. We can always go back to it. Shafer stated that if we wait, we might just have to ask for an extension on the permit from the IDNR.
Shafer then discussed the Illinois Bond funds that the Village will receive over the next couple of years. Shafer received a letter from IDOT with some clarification on how the money can be spent. The Village will receive a total of approximately $48,000 total. According to Shafer, the money can be combined with the regular MFT funds to do street projects, including sidewalks, etc. The money has to be kept separate in accounting.
After a short discussion concerning the Illinois Department of Transportation Enhancement Program, the Board approved the necessary resolution to move forward with the sidewalk grant.
RES. #20-05
MOTION: Buffington Second: Bickerman
To Approve Resolution #20-05, entitled: the ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM, for sidewalk and pathway improvements throughout The Village of Hennepin.
Roll call vote: Ayes- Bickerman, Mennie, Goetz, Buffington, Clausen, Haage, Coleman Nays-none, Absent-none, Abstain-none
Motion carried unanimously.
A brief discussion was held concerning the tax levy to be approved in November. Numbers were provided to the Board by the Clerk who had spoken to the tax assessor’s office for guidance. The numbers to be compiled for the FY2021 tax levy would not exceed the 5% limit so no Truth in Taxation Hearing will be needed.
MOTION: Haage Second: Clausen
To Approve the tentative levy figures to be computed for the FY2021 tax levy to be approved at The November 18th regular meeting of the board of Trustees.
Roll call vote: Ayes- Bickerman, Mennie, Goetz, Buffington, Clausen, Haage, Coleman Nays-none, Absent-none, Abstain-none
Motion carried unanimously.
Trustee Mennie reported that James Kipp had finished painting the bathrooms but would bill the Village after the mural project was finished. Mennie will speak to him about giving the Village a bill for his current charges.
President Coleman reminded everyone of the Halloween festivity plans with food at the WDB Park at 4:30 on the 31st and Trick or Treat to be from 5-7p.m.
Trustee Mennie brought up several violations that residents have mentioned to him. These violations need attention, including projects that are half started on homes and homes not sided all the way. These residents want to know what we, as a Board, are going to do about them. President Coleman asked to get a list together, contact the residents and let them know they have to finish their projects.
Trustee Haage stated that she had spoken to Property Maintenance Officer, Tim Pyszka, who could not attend the meeting but wanted to convey that he had been working with the property owner on the corner of Fifth and High Sts. about the issues where he is out of compliance. They are working to resolve the issues.
Trustee Buffington stated that he and Trustee Clausen have discussed, considering all of the new Holiday decorations the Village has purchased, having a Holiday lighting ceremony on the 29th of November. Buffington also reported that he had been speaking to Tim at Marquis about possibly building a tree for the Village that can be put in the WDB Park near the Veteran’s Memorial.
Trustee Haage asked what the status was on the security camera that we had purchased. Buffington stated that he has not been able to get in touch with the guy from Rocket Communications. President Coleman also has not been able to reach him. Buffington stated that Rocket has the Village’s $1000
camera. Haage stated that we either get our camera back or request our money back. Haage also recommended Troy Technologies to continue the project if we can no longer work with Rocket.
President Coleman brought up the building in the new park. The idea was brought up to add on to the existing street department garage, rather than a new building on Fourth St. Ryan Hartman figured approximately what it would cost to add to the south side of the shop and reroof the shop. He did not recommend putting a sealer on. Discussion was held concerning the size of the add-on and whether it would give us the storage space we need. A small shelter in the future 329 Fourth St. park was discussed as well. Coleman emphasized the point that these are just ideas and preliminary discussions and that nothing would be decided tonight. Coleman encouraged the Board to come up with other ideas to discuss in the future concerning the project.
President Coleman let the Board know that he would be in the hospital for 2-3 weeks coming up fairly soon. He stated that Trustee Clausen would be taking over in his absence for at least the next meeting.
MOTION: Haage Second: Buffington
To Go into Closed Session, under Section 2(c)(1) of the Open Meetings Act at 6:57 p.m. Roll call vote: Ayes- Bickerman, Mennie, Goetz, Buffington, Clausen, Haage, Coleman Nays-none, Absent-none, Abstain-none
Motion carried unanimously.
MOTION: Bickerman Second: Buffington
To come out of Closed Session at 7:02 p.m.
Motion carried unanimously.
MOTION: Goetz Second: Mennie
To Approve releasing executive minutes dated: 08/21/2019, 12/18/2019, 01/15/2020, 06/17/2020, 09/16/2020. Those still unreleased are: 10/18/2017, 12/20/2017 (1), 01/17/2018.
Roll call vote: Ayes- Bickerman, Mennie, Goetz, Buffington, Clausen, Haage, Coleman Nays-none, Absent-none, Abstain-none
Motion carried unanimously.
MOTION: Mennie Second: Bickerman
To Adjourn.
Motion carried unanimously.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/16PAPv19_OwSwHZJTvRzHfnBTxTSo5kD9/view
Alerts Sign-up