Macon Reporter

Village of Mt. Zion Village Board of Trustees met June 15.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

Mayor Williams called the Meeting of the Mt. Zion Village Board of Trustees to order at 5:30 p.m. in the Village Hall Board Room. The following Board Members were present for roll call: Mike Mose, Chris Siudyla, Ellen Ritchie, Donna Scales, and Kevin Fritzsche. Also present were Village Administrator, Julie Miller, Director of Public Works, Chad Reynolds, Police Lieutenant, Mike Foster, Village Treasurer, Corey McKenzie, and Village Clerk, Dawn Reynolds. Wendy Kernan arrived at 5:42 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance

Public Forum: Nine (9) people were present. Tom Davey of 585 Burgener Drive addressed the Board in favor of golf carts. He brought the request to the Board 6 years ago.

Greg Blakey of 845 Kirk Drive addressed the Board in favor of golf carts and off-highway vehicles.

Steve Jacoby of 535 North Drive addressed the Board in favor of golf carts.

Don Holeman of 500 W. Main Street addressed the Board in favor of golf carts.

Consent Agenda: A motion was made by Trustee Scales to approve the Consent Agenda as presented, seconded by Trustee Fritzsche. A breakdown of Fund Warrants for the period ending June 15, 2020 is as follows: General Fund - $74,451.56, Audit - $10,095.00, Motor Fuel Tax - $7757.18, Water Revenue Fund - $84,663.99, and Sewer Revenue Fund - $23,659.38. A roll call vote was taken: Mose-yea, Siudyla-yea, Ritchie-yea, Scales-yea, Kernan-absent, and Fritzsche-yea. Motion carried 5-yea, O-nay, 1-absent.

Presentation of FY 2019 Financial Statements – McGuire, Yuhas, Huffman & Buckley, P.C.: Cody Buckley of McGuire, Yuhas, Huffman & Buckley, P.C. presented the Annual Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2019. The Annual Financial Report is compliant with the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) requirements. The Annual Treasurer's Report will be published in the Mt. Zion Region News and recorded with the County Treasurer as required by State Statutes.

Discussion Only - Ordinance Establishing Chapter 73: Golf Carts & Off-Highway Vehicles: Administrator Miller discussed the growing popularity of golf cart use in the Village. Requests have been received to allow golf carts and/or off-highway vehicles on Village streets. Illinois Statute allows a municipality, township or county to authorize the operation of these vehicles on roadways under its jurisdiction.

Discussion was held regarding other communities that allow golf carts, rules and regulations established, permit procedures, and the 4 streets that golf carts are prohibited to travel on. Golf carts are already not allowed on sidewalks or the trail. Trustee Kernan asked if inspections could be performed every other year. Steve Lewis addressed the Board regarding orange flags on vehicles that do not exceed 35 mph. Trustee Siudyla addressed storage requirements and parking on streets.

The Board gave a consensus to proceed. An ordinance will be presented at the July Board meeting.

Discussion and Approval of an Ordinance Approving and Authorizing the Execution of a TIF Redevelopment Agreement by and between the Village of Mt. Zion and Ruff-Inn-It and John M. Betscher: Administrator Miller presented an agreement with Ruff-Inn-lt for the final payment of a refund to Ruff Inn-It for property taxes collected as an oversight by The Decatur and Macon County Economic Development Corporation. In 2018 the Village agreed to abate the property taxes for 3 years (100% abatement for year one, 75% abatement for year two, and 50% abatement for year three).

A motion was made by Trustee Fritzsche to Approve and Authorize the Execution of a TIF Redevelopment Agreement by and between the Village of Mt. Zion and Ruff-Inn-It and John M. Betscher as presented, seconded by Trustee Mose. A roll call vote was taken. Mose-yea, Siudyla-yea, Ritchie yea, Scales-yea, Kernan-yea, and Fritzsche-yea. Motion carried 6-yea, O-nay, 0-absent.

Discussion and Approval of an Ordinance Amending the Budget for Fiscal Year 2020 – Police Pension Fund: Treasurer McKenzie presented for consideration an Ordinance Amending the Budget for Fiscal Year 2020 for the Police Pension Fund due to an unforeseen pension refund. The original budget amount was $88,400. The ordinance raises the budget amount to $123,400.

A motion was made by Trustee Siudyla to approve the Ordinance Amending the Budget for Fiscal Year 2020 as presented, seconded by Trustee Fritzsche. A roll call vote was taken: Mose-yea, Siudyla-yea, Ritchie-yea, Scales-yea, Kernan-yea, and Fritzsche-yea. Motion carried 6-yea, O-nay, 0-absent.

Discussion and Approval of an Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Surplus Equipment: Administrator Miller presented for consideration an ordinance authorizing the sale of surplus equipment that the Village is no longer utilizing. The property will be listed on an online auction site.

A motion was made by Trustee Mose to approve the Ordinance Authorizing the sale of Surplus Equipment on an online auction site as presented, seconded by Trustee Kernan. A roll call vote was taken: Mose-yea, Siudyla-yea, Ritchie-yea, Scales-yea, Kernan-yea, and Fritzsche-yea. Motion carried 6-yea, 0-nay, 0-absent.

Administrator & Staff Items: 

Administrator Miller shared a bond schedule from Kings Financial with the Board. Interest rates are low and the Village will save drastically by refinancing for 10 or 15 years, allowing extra cash flow for the 11th officer. Miller also informed the Board of savings from a vacancy at Public Works and not hiring summer help this year.

Adjournment: A motion was made by Trustee Ritchie to adjourn the June 15, 2020 Village Board meeting, seconded by Trustee Fritzsche. A voice vote was unanimous; motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m.

https://mtzion.com/documents/70/June_15__2020_VB_Minutes.pdf