Macon Reporter

Village of Harristown Village Board met July 25.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Village of Harristown Board of Trustees held their monthly meeting at 185 N. Kembark St, Harristown, IL. Trustees Teresa Acree, Jay Trusner, Kourt Mooney, Kevin Vessels, Les Jenkins, Larry Ditty, , Budget Officer Rick Laskowski, Treasurer Julie Rose, Attorney Andrew Weatherford, Clerk Penny Allen and Mayor Evelyn Deverell were present. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Adopt Meeting Agenda

Motion by Trustee Vessels to adopt the meeting agenda. Trustee Acree 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Approval of Minutes

May 23, 2022 – previously approved

June 8, 2022 special meeting- Motion by Trustee Acree to approve. Trustee Jenkins 2nd. Approved 6-0.

June 14, 2022 town hall mtg – Motion by Trustee Vessels to approve. Trustee Trusner 2nd. Approved 6-0.

June 21, 2022 special meeting–Motion by Trustee Vessels to approve. Trustee Trusner 2nd. Approved 6-0

May 31, 2022 – will be available at next meeting

Visitors

No visitors wished to address the board.

Mayor Updates

August 6, 2022-the summer dinner will be held. Temporary permit has been filed with the Macon County Health Department

Rural Development-more paperwork submitted; should know something soon on grant

Ordinance violation at 205 S. Birks- they came in and talked to the Mayor. They have had trouble getting a dumpster. They were given an August 15th deadline

Treasurers Report

Treasurer Rose discussed. Mayor Deverell questioned the $4000 out of the MFT fund; this was for engineering services for MFT. Motion by Trustee Ditty to approve the treasurers report. Trustee Trusner 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Chastian    Phase 4 construction observation     $  1015.77  WF

Chastain    Phase 5 construction management   $  1790.25   WF

General Code                                                      $ 2283.57    GF

Macon County Highway  guard rails/spacers      $ 1260.00    GF

Mayor would like to add Attorney Weatherford’s bill of $ 3828.75 GF for court cases on this list Mayor Deverell questioned what the difference was for his regular monthly pay and the additional costs. Attorney Weatherford explained his regular monthly duties and items done for meetings is included in his monthly fees. Hourly rates begin on anything pertaining to court, example filing for court, going to court. He said he could bill monthly instead of at the end of the case if the board would prefer. The boards’ preference is to bill monthly so they can see the costs occurring for cases. Motion by Trustee Vessels to add attorney’s bill to this list. Trustee Jenkins 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Trustee Acree asked Chastain what the difference was between observation and management. Ron said management is what is done in the office and observation is actually at job site; track them separately.

Motion by Trustee Acree to approve payment of above bills for total of $ 10178.34. Trustee Ditty 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Treasurer Rose asked Attorney if we will see a similar bill for the Ashworth house on Kembark? Attorney said he will have one at the next board meeting.

Budget Officer Report

BO Laskowski discussed

Motion by Trustee Trusner to approve Budget officers report. Trustee Acree 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Engineer Report

Project 6899 water improvement/tower/IEPA loan- new chemical feed vault at old water tower has been installed and a concrete pad has been poured for the chemical building. Building was set Monday 7/25. Chemical feed is the last major component of the project to be completed. Wiring and plumbing still needed. Culvert needs installed and driveway/ grading and seeding also. The contractor needs to address the ground water leakage.

Pump station on Main St -work to be done on hydrant. Building needs finished. Old meter needs removed.

New water tower – general clean up needs to be done. Electric mixer was installed and there was an issue. Removed and waiting on a replacement. Electrical line installed underground; still needs graded and seeded and possibly more rock on drive. All major components installed. Once the chemical feeds are installed, a punch list walk thru will be scheduled.

No new contractor pay requests since last board meeting. After all is done, then final disbursement can be made. Will need to go thru check list to make sure everything is done and the bills certified; then final loan closure. Could be another couple months after August. After everything completed and final invoice from both contractors, can release retainage. Mayor Deverell stated we need to make sure everything is done to our satisfaction; she is relying on Jonathon Closs and Chastain to make sure this is done and correct. Trustee Mooney questioned the durability of the mixer. Mr. Closs indicated it was a bad seal and was leaking oil.

Milano and Grunloh- nothing to report

Public Works-Superintendents Report

Jonathon Closs discussed. Replaced main computer board in the mission control box that controls the water plant. We are down to one well. Mayor asked if they would have time to do the monthly brush pickup in August? Mr. Closs said yes, they will be able to do this. Birks St – replaced a culvert but need to put concrete on sides so it does not wash away; also build up the road. Mayor Deverell told Mr. Closs to make sure he ordered the barricades, lights, and signs that he needs.

Old Water Tower- The estimate from KLM after their inspection, for structure modification, painting interior and exterior $475,000-$525,000. Jonathon Closs suggested not doing anything right now. The report indicated this is not an emergency issue. If we want to keep using it, we will have to eventually do this. We can still use the old tower. The paint has lead but as long as it is not disturbed, it will not hurt the quality of the water. Maybe after we go on coop, we can see if the new tower can keep up without using the old tower. Ron said having 2 towers will give the best pressure. Mr. Closs said once the new businesses are up and going, should be able to tell.

Tree Removal – a bid was received from HD Excavating, Demolishing and Tree Removal to remove trees at 5 places (total 6 trees). 1600 Meridian; Birks @ Bob Byers’ residence; 1st and Meridian; Williams and Twin Lakes; and 222 Anchor. Total cost $4100. Mayor Deverell suggested leaving the tree at Birks @ Byers. This tree is on village easement and Byers property; has been an issue since 2015. He is not willing to help pay for the cost; it sits 40-50 feet off the road. Mr. Byers did say he would search for another quote. Motion by Trustee Trusner to approve the quote from HD for the removal of 5 trees, excluding the tree at Birks/Byers for a cost of $ 2500. Trustee Acree 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Zoning – nothing to report

Old Business – nothing to report

New Business

A resignation letter was received from Trustee Mooney – tonight will be his last time with the Board. Mayor stated she had two people interested in the position. She will put the notice in the newsletter and anyone that is interested will be asked to come to the next board meeting. The Board thanks Mr Mooney for his service. Mr. Mooney stated it was a pleasure serving Harristown.

Growery – cannabis dispensary- they are asking for TIF money. Moran is drawing up a possible TIF Moran suggested the village to sign a TIF inducement resolution; not promising anything, but it will show we are willing to work with them. Should have a site plan at the next meeting. They said their long term goal is to divide into 8-9 lots. Mayor Deverell told them they can’t do that right now as it would be a major subdivision. They said August 5th or August 19th they should get their license for a dispensary. Motion by Trustee Vessels to adopt as resolution 22-11, resolution of inducement. Trustee Jenkins 2nd. Approved 6-0.

EDC-Mayor Deverell discussed. Said if in an enterprise zone in Macon County, can get a sales tax exemption for building supplies. They are communicating with the cannabis company. This is a way to encourage businesses.

Personnel Committee

Trustees Les Jenkins, Jay Trusner, Treasurer Julie Rose and Mayor Deverell interviewed 5 people for the office position. They all agreed to hire Misty Peters. Motion by Trustee Vessels to move pay of office help to closed session. Trustee Jenkins 2nd. Approved 6-0

Streets and Alleys Committee

MFT project – should start first week of August; map distributed. Mayor will post on bulletin board, and on alert system. This may take a couple weeks to complete

Finance Committee

Nothing to report

Ordinance Committee

Cannabis ordinance passed as 22-07- there were places on the ordinance that referred to liquor establishments. There is also two different footages showing. Attorney Weatherford stated he cannot find any requirements of dispensary/growery needing to have dram shop insurance. There is nothing in the state statue stating that insurance is required. Distance currently says craft growery /cultivator 500 ft, dispensary/infusion 250 ft. Board would like to leave footage as is. 22-1-19- need to add “insurance is reserved” Changed footage . Page 13, said liquor, change to license cannabis establishment, 22-1-7 pg 15, mentioned alcohol, changed to cannabis; page 19, insurance, 22-1-33 mentioned liquor, changed to cannabis. Motion by Trustee Vessels to pass as ordinance 22-12, replacing ordinance 22-07. Trustee Jenkins 2nd. Roll call: Trustee Trustee, yes; Trustee Mooney, yes; Trustee Jenkins, yes; Trustee Ditty, yes; Trustee Acree, yes; Trustee Vessels, yes. Approved 6-0. Motion by Trustee Trusner to pass as ordinance 22-13; delete cannabis from chapter 40 and put all in chapter 20. Trustee Vessels 2nd. Roll call: Trustee Vessels, yes; Trustee Acree, yes; Trustee Ditty, yes; Trustee Jenkins, yes; Trustee Mooney, yes; Trustee Trusner, yes. Approved 6-0.

Firework Ordinance – Mayor Deverell asked the board to think about if an ordinance is needed for fireworks. Currently all she can find is it would be considered disturbing the peace and nuisance when residents shoot fireworks.

Mayor said she has a meeting this week with the water coop. They are saying should be turning on the water either Wednesday or Thursday.

Water and Sewer

Nothing to report

Economic Development

Mural – a draft was distributed. The owner of the building, Jim Johnson, said he is willing to do preparation, put up new awnings, willling to do electrical if the village would pay for the mural at a cost of $12,000. The Board would like to proceed. Would like Lincoln’s head and village logo on the mural.

Motion by Trustee Jenkins to enter closed session to discuss closed session minutes and hiring staff. Trustee Vessels 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Entered closed session at 9:10 pm

Back to regular session at 9:24 pm

Motion by Trustee Vessels to approve and release closed session minutes from June 20,2022. Trustee Trusner 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Motion by Trustee Jenkins to hire Misty Peters at $18/hr. Trustee Ditty 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Motion by Trustee Acree to adjourn. Trustee Jenkins 2nd. Approved 6-0

Meeting adjourned at 9:26 pm

https://villageofharristown.com/documents/231/voh_7-25-22.docx