Village of Hennepin Board of Trustees Met March 17.
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
Jill Kuhne, Treasurer
Trustees: Bickerman Buffington
Mennie Haage
Goetz
Absent: Trustee: Clausen
Also Present: Village Engineer, Ken Giordano
Property Maintenance Officer, Tim Pyszka
Zoning Officer, Larry Brown
Village Attorney, Sheryl Churney
Jim Pozzi, Republic Services
Brian Black
Samantha Casey
Jay Borowski
MOTION: Bickerman Second: Buffington
To Approve February 2021 financial report as presented.
Motion carried unanimously.
MOTION: Haage Second: Mennie
To Approve February 18th and March 3rd minutes and warrants paid for February 2021. Motion carried unanimously.
MOTION: Buffington Second: Bickerman
To Approve Bills to be Paid.
Roll call vote: Ayes-Bickerman, Mennie, Goetz, Buffington, Haage, Coleman
Nays-none, Absent-Clausen, Abstain-none
Motion carried unanimously.
There were no donation or travel requests.
Attorney Churney stated that service for the Tami Smith property can be served to her daughter, Elizabeth, who lives locally, simplifying communication, with Smith residing in Arizona. Churney also stated that she is working on a schedule of repairs with the owner to keep things on track.
President Coleman read a prepared statement concerning the garbage contract to explain the process by which the Board discussed and eventually approved a contract with Republic Services. Coleman’s complete statement is attached to the minutes. Trustee Haage discussed the fact that every residence produces some garbage and it has to be disposed of appropriately. Just because a resident does not produce very much garbage, they cannot just put their trash in their neighbor’s container even if the neighbor says it’s alright because it becomes a theft of service against Republic Services. Jim Pozzi, of Republic Services, stated that currently there are 52 residents who have called to cancel their service or have not paid their bill. Pozzi stated that since the Village is on the same page as his company, they will reopen the cancelled accounts and request payment. Pozzi went on to explain how the residents had been given ample notice concerning the garbage service, in addition to information included with their new carts. Pozzi also stated that Republic would be reaching out to those who have either attempted to close their account or have not paid their bill, and give them until April 30th to pay. If we still don’t get a response from them; we will start sending collection notices.
Trustee Goetz brought up the confusion that some residents had since the first invoice of the year was incorrect. Trustee Buffington mentioned the Fire Department dumpster being full every week from people dropping off their trash. The Fire Department is discussing putting a lock on the dumpster and possibly a camera. Buffington also stated that people had been seen putting their garbage in the park garbage cans.
Jay Borowski, a resident, spoke about his concern that the bills seem to get to him late or the payment would arrive at Republic late, resulting in a late fee. He also asked if residents had to pay for the carts, to which Pozzi reassured him that the carts were included in the contract free of charge. The carts remain with the property should the person move away. Borowski also questioned whether a resident could pay a year in advance, which Pozzi stated that they could.
Samantha Casey, a resident, was present and voiced her concerns about the garbage contract, stating that she had an agreement with her father, who owns a business in town, to allow her to take her garbage to his business dumpster. Trustee Haage explained how only business owner’s homes are exempt from garbage service. In addition, if everyone started putting their garbage with their neighbor’s, it would be considered a theft of service.
Jim Pozzi explained how, in other communities, it doesn’t matter how many businesses you own in a community, every household is billed for garbage…there are no exemptions. Hennepin allows commercial business owners to be exempt at their homes which is a nice perk, Pozzi stated. Trustee Mennie questioned whether people who own a home but go away for a good portion of the year are exempt. Pozzi stated that when people leave, they will have to notify the Village of the date and the Village will contact customer service or Mr. Pozzi to let them know the stop service date.
Trustee Bickerman asked whether people could get smaller cans if they didn’t need the 95 gallon one. Pozzi stated that they could request a smaller can at no charge. Pozzi asked the Board to provide him with a list of those who want a smaller can so they can be delivered at once.
Attorney Churney left the meeting.
Village Engineer, Ken Giordano, discussed the motions needed for the 2021 Street Program. Trustee Buffington discussed briefly the street committee recommendations for Street improvements on Sycamore St., from 2nd to 5th, 3rd St. from Market to south of Sycamore and 5th St. at the elementary school. In addition, a French drain at 3rd and Sycamore and some shoulder work will be done. The French drain was discussed in greater length.
MOTION: Buffington Second: Haage
To Approve 2021 Street Program recommendations by the Street Committee and funding sources of MFT fund and Road & Bridge fund.
Roll call vote: Ayes-Bickerman, Mennie, Goetz, Buffington, Haage, Coleman
Nays-none, Absent-Clausen, Abstain-none
Motion carried unanimously.
RES. 21-03
MOTION: Haage Second: Bickerman
To Approve Res. #21-03, for the 2021 Street Program, appropriating $44,000 from the MFT fund, With $16,000 of that sum from the Rebuild Illinois Fund.
Roll call vote: Ayes-Bickerman, Mennie, Goetz, Buffington, Haage, Coleman
Nays-none, Absent-Clausen, Abstain-none
Motion carried unanimously.
MOTION: Buffington Second: Goetz
To Approve standard agreement for engineering services with IVSC for the 2021 Street Program.
Motion carried unanimously.
President Coleman began a short discussion on updates to the Bridge to the Wetlands. He stated that he and Giordano had participated in a ZOOM call with Paul Botts and Jill Kostel, representatives of the Wetlands Initiative. Coleman stated that they had come up with a few ideas to restart the project and noted that Botts wants the Village to contact Senator Sue Rezin’s office to find out if there is any extra funding for the project. Coleman stated that he and Giordano are working on the required paperwork to submit.
A brief discussion was held concerning the Hennepin Park District’s 2020 Recreation Program.
MOTION: Bickerman Second: Haage
To Approve the 2020 Hennepin Park District’s Recreation Program expenditure of $677.03.
Roll call vote: Ayes-Bickerman, Mennie, Goetz, Buffington, Haage, Coleman
Nays-none, Absent-Clausen, Abstain-none
Motion carried unanimously.
Zoning Officer, Larry Brown, presented his 2020 Building Permit report to the Board for discussion. Brown went on to discuss the recommendations from the Planning & Zoning Commission who met for a Public Hearing and Special Meeting on March 16th. The first recommendation was to approve a variance request made by Brian Black to decrease the setback on the west side of 713 E. High St. to construct a garage. The second was a request by Brian Black to close the north south alley between lots 6 and 7 of Block 43 on High St. After a brief discussion where Black presented plans for his new home to the Board, a motion was made.
MOTION: Bickerman Second: Mennie
To Approve Planning & Zoning Commission recommendations to allow for a decrease in the Setback on the west side of 713 E. High St. to allow for the construction of a garage. In addition, To Approve the closure of the north-south alley between Lots 6 & 7 of Block 43, with an ordinance For the latter to be passed at the April 21st regular Board meeting.
Roll call vote: Ayes-Bickerman, Mennie, Goetz, Buffington, Haage, Coleman
Nays-none, Absent-Clausen, Abstain-none
Motion carried unanimously.
President Coleman asked whether the playground committee had anything to report. Trustee Mennie noted that he had seen some of the prices for small playgrounds and they were quite high. Trustee Haage questioned whether the Board would want to start out small and then add on later. Trustee Buffington agreed and suggested doing the project in phases and budget it out over several years. Trustee Goetz questioned how much the Board wanted to set in the budget as a yearly amount. Buffington suggested setting a budget of $10,000-$15,000 for the next fiscal period. The Board agreed.
A brief discussion was held as to whether to retain KC Landscaping for the 2021 season. Trustee Bickerman stated that she would talk to Catherine to let her know what the Board expected. President Coleman asked the motion to include having mulch and plantings done by Memorial Day.
MOTION: Buffington Second: Goetz
To Approve KC Landscaping bid for the 2021 season at an expense of $2450, with the condition That mulch and new plantings be completed in all landscaped areas by Memorial Day.
Roll call vote: Ayes-Bickerman, Mennie, Goetz, Buffington, Haage, Coleman
Nays-none, Absent-Clausen, Abstain-none
Motion carried unanimously.
MOTION: Haage Second: Bickerman
To Approve the annual A.B.A.T.E. Proclamation to promote motorcycle awareness and Proclaim The month of May as Motorcycle Awareness Month.
Motion carried unanimously.
MOTION: Buffington Second: Mennie
To Proclaim April 1st, 2021 as Junior Achievement Day.
Motion carried unanimously.
MOTION: Goetz Second: Haage
To Approve Proclaiming April 2021 as Fair Housing Month.
Motion carried unanimously.
Trustee Bickerman stated that there will be a Baseball meeting on Sunday and noted that there were 50 children who signed up. They are checking with Larry Williams to see if he’s interested in taking care of the diamonds.
MOTION: Mennie Second: Bickerman
To Adjourn.
Motion carried unanimously.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rNDsj7hxkrScizZntdg1gfl3vDgDgJ8q/view
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