Macon Reporter

Village of Harristown Board of Trustees met March 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Board of Trustees of the Village of Harristown held a Special Meeting on March 20, 2023 at 185 N Kembark Street, Decatur, Illinois. Trustees Teresa Acree, Dr. April Bogan, Jeff Eller, Les Jenkins, Jay Trusner and Kevin Vessels were in attendance. Also present were Jonathon Closs, Supervisor of Public Works;  Andrew Weatherford, Attorney; Seth Flock, Construction Manager with Milano & Grunloh Engineering; Eric Emmerich, EJ Water/Niantic; Evelyn Deverell, Mayor. Clerk Allen was absent. Mayor Deverell called the meeting to order at 5:31 PM, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mayor Deverell introduced Mr. Flock and Mr. Emmerich and explained the first item on the Agenda. Wastewater treatment plant options are to be discussed. Mr. Flock explained the options and funding available from the IEPA to communities to reduce the number of NPDES permits in the State of Illinois. Those options include: Niantic and Illiopolis pumping their sewage to Harristown; Niantic only pumping to Harristown; Harristown and Niantic pumping to Illiopolis; Harristown staying on its own.  All these options were discussed. The Board members, Attorney Weatherford, Supervisor Closs and the Mayor all had several questions. Trustee Acree asked who would set the rates. Mr. Emmerich stated that each Village would set it’s own rates. Attorney Weatherford asked what happens if the other Villages do not agree to the concept. Harristown could then stay as it is. Mr. Closs asked if there is a problem with Illiopolis being in a different IEPA District. Mr. Flock answered that it is not a problem, there are other locations that do the same thing and that the IEPA is promoting regionalization. Mayor Deverell asked if the cost of upgrades to Harristown’s plant could be split if consolidation happens. Mr. Flock stated that it could. There would be many details to be ironed out if the IEPA grants the loan requests and the million dollar payments to the communities that close their sewage treatment plants. Trustee Bogan asked if there are other communities pursuing this and, if so, what issues have been found. Mr. Flock answered that this is the first year of this program, that there are a couple of other communities interested in applying. Issues not know yet.

Trustee Trusner questioned Harristown’s capacity should the Village experience a lot of growth. Supervisor Closs said that the only time we approach our capacity is in periods of heavy rain and this is caused by infiltration to the system. Mr. Emmerich and Mr. Flock added that, if further expansion would ever be needed, there would be economic development grants available. Mayor Deverell asked how costs would be tracked if this concept of all three towns was adopted. Mr. Emmerich stated that it would only require keeping track of expenses directly related to operating Harristown’s treatment plant.

After this discussion, Mayor Deverell listed the options and asked the Board how they wanted to proceed. Also asked if there are further questions. Visitor Julie Marsh asked what would need to be done if the Village decides to stay on its’ own. The cost would be roughly the same to make improvements to our plant, or if Harristown consolidates with the two other towns. Mayor Deverell asked if, after true costs are determined by the Engineer, could the Village then decide not to participate. Mr. Flock said they are only asking for the OK from the Village to submit an application and a Motion to Agree in Concept is all that is needed. Trustee Vessels asked how splitting expenses would be determined. This would be a part of negotiations and agreements with the participating Villages. Mayor Deverell asked how a loan application can be completed if true costs for each Village is not known. Mr. Flock answered that if costs are higher, or lower, the loan application could be adjusted. Visitor Bob Byers asked who would be responsible for the lines coming from other Villages. This also would be determined as part of the agreement between the Villages. Infiltration to Harristown and Illiopolis’s systems was discussed. Both Villages are currently working on this issue. Mayor Deverell asked if any community would have to decommission their lagoons is they no longer have a wastewater plant. Mr. Emmerich said that it is not required and that would be up to each Village.

Mayor Deverell again asked the Board how they would like to proceed. Does the Board want to take action now or wait until later in the meeting?  

Trustee Eller moved for Harristown to Agree in Concept for Harristown to be the wastewater treatment plant (Niantic and Illiopolis would pump to Harristown) with the understanding that there is no commitment on the Village’s part. This is just an OK to submit an application. Trustee Jenkins seconded the motion. The vote in favor was 6 to 0. Trustee Acree moved that Harristown only agrees to have wastewater pumped to the Village—not for our wastewater to be pumped to Illiopolis. Trustee Vessels seconded. The vote was 6 to 0 in favor.

Mr. Emmerich and Mr. Flock left the meeting for another meeting in Illiopolis.

The Resolution for Funding Support for Congresswoman Budzinski’s Grant was discussed. Mayor explained that this Resolution involved a 20% guarantee by the Village for any Grant amount received. Trustee Acree moved, Trustee Jenkins seconded, to approve this Resolution 23-05. The vote was 6 to 0 in favor.

The Jurisdictional Transfer by the Illinois Department of Transportation of Suburban Road to the Village of Harristown was next on the Agenda. This requires the Village to sign a Letter of Intent to be returned to IDOT. Trustee Acree asked if this Transfer included right of way for the Village. Trustee Jenkins answered that yes it does—the original Transfer was amended by IDOT to include land rights. Trustee Vessels moved, Trustee Trusner seconded, to approve signing the Letter of Intent. The vote was 6 to 0 in favor.

A Seasonal Produce Stand was discussed. There is a vendor who would like to place a stand on Troy Page’s lot at 129 S Wyckles Road. The Village does not currently have a permit for this type of business. A sample permit has been provided to the Trustees and Attorney Weatherford. The permit requires a copy of the applicant’s Certificate of Insurance, Health Department Permit, Illinois Department of  Revenue registration as well as name, address, etc. This would be a yearly permit at a cost of $50.00 (fifty dollars). Attorney Weatherford asked if the Village needed an Ordinance prepared to add this to Chapter 7 of our Ordinances. The Board feels it is necessary and Mr. Weatherford will have a draft of an Ordinance for the March 27, 2023 Regular Board Meeting.

The last item of business is quotes for removal of 4 trees at 210 N Kembark. Two quotes were received. HD Excavating in the amount of $4,800.00 and Leka Tree Service in the amount of $3,600.00. Trustee Acree asked if all the trees in the park property would be removed. Trustee Jenkins explained that it only 3 trees in the middle of the property and 1 tree at the northwest corner that is already dead. Mayor Deverell explained that TIF money could be used to cover this cost. Trustee Vessels moved to approve the bid from Leka Tree Service and to use TIF funds. Motion seconded by Trustee Jenkins. The vote was 6 to 0 in favor.

Bob Byers asked, if the Village has money to take down trees for a park, why can’t the dangerous tree on Village Easement be taken down. This tree has been discussed several times in the past. The Village Easement was originally to have been an alley and is Village property. Mayor Deverell said the Village will request a quote from Leka Tree Service and that Public Works will verify that the tree is on Village property. If the quote is received in time, this will be added to the Agenda for Monday, March 27, 2023 Regular Board Meeting.

Trustee Acree moved to adjourn. Trustee Jenkins seconded. The vote was 6 to 0 in favor and the meeting was adjourned at 6:59 PM.

https://villageofharristown.com/meeting-agendas-and-minutes