Macon Reporter

Village of Warrensburg Village Board met May 15.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER:  Mayor Riley called the meeting to order at the Warrensburg Village Hall on Monday, May 15, 2023 at 5:30 p.m., reminding everyone the meeting was being recorded.  

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited. 

ROLL CALL:  Present:  Mayor Riley, Trustee Fisher, Trustee Hackl, Trustee P. Hood, Trustee K. Hood, & Trustee Netherton.  Also present were Chief Wheeler, Atty Jankowicz, DPW Allen & VAC Hundley.  Trustee Freeman arrived shortly after the meeting started.  

MAYOR’S COMMENTS:  Mayor Riley administered the Oath of Office to Leland Hackl. 

Mayor Riley updated everyone regarding the fiber optic installation throughout the village.  He reported on contacting the company in regards to the damages done to a couple of water lines, which had been hit.  They questioned whether the contractor performing the work had taken pictures.  We are still working on it.

Mayor Riley reported on the Clean-up day, which was last Saturday.  Over 70 people/groups participated and it didn’t take long to fill up the 4 dumpsters.  The electronics recycling was about the same as last year.

Mayor Riley stated there had been another water issue near the former Cenex station, which took about 2 days to locate and repair.

Conxxus is apparently done with their installation work and Rise Fiber has moved some of their equipment in at the sewer plant.  It should get fired up shortly.

Mayor Riley along with Trustee Netherton has been working on new signage at both ends of the Village along Route 121 and passed out potential designs.  These incorporate several aspects:  corn, cardinals, family & traditions.  Stephanie Brown has assisted in the development of the designs.  Feedback is requested.  This would be used not only as part of the Welcome signs but also letterhead.  It may even be presented to the residents for their feedback.

Several persons have approached Mayor Riley about using TIF funds including Warrensburg Café; DaBurg and 121 Coffee Run.  121 Coffee Run is closing on the former Cenex building tomorrow.  Trustee Fisher asked if the TIF district included DaBurg.  It is an application process and the village board is the final decision.  Moran Economic is the advisor. 

PUBLIC COMMENTS:  Randi Muir-Terry, who lives on 355 S Main, was in attendance to ask about the removal of the tree in her front yard.  She has heard it is going to be removed due to the buckling of the sidewalk and would like to know if there are other alternatives as she would like for the tree to remain.  Mayor Riley stated we could put a hold on the removal and in the meantime, look at the situation, discuss alternatives and present information at the next board meeting.

Dana Daugherty and Barry Dennis, who live at 147 N Lincoln, were in attendance to inquire what steps would be needed to purchase or acquire the easements around their property.  Dana had spoken with Atty Jankowicz a couple years ago when an incident happened with the ACTS fiber installation.  Atty Jankowicz would need to check and see if an ordinance had been done in years past to vacate the property or easement.  She stated that so far, there has been good working relationships with both the Promise Land Ministries church and the homeowner to the North.    

NEW BUSINESS:   John Howard with Utopian Power was in attendance to make a presentation regarding installation of solar panels at the wastewater treatment plant to help offset energy costs at that location.  He presented all the facts and benefits and answered questions posed to him by the board.  It’s estimated we pay approximately $20,000.00 annually for service at the plant.  The solar array could be paid for 2 ways:  enter into a PPA agreement with Utopian Power and they would take on the arrangements to pay for the system and charge the Village at a rate around $0.07 per kwh.  There are also rates which be included in the process; the 2nd option would be to purchase the system ourselves and we would be eligible for state and federal funding from the ITC.  With the incentives, the cost would be approximately $77,594.00. 

Questions were asked about warranties and maintenance; what happens when the panels need to be removed; who maintains and repairs the site; future costs; if the drawings were the final location of the panels or if they could be changed; if there are other locations in the State of Illinois; how they stand up to wind & hail; if all components are American made; what happens if Utopian Power goes out of business;   

ENGINEER:  Stephanie Brown with Chastain & Associates reported the SRTS work is completed and last Friday, they went through the final checklist with IDOT.  Only 4 items were noted and the contractor has until May 31 to address them.  Trustee Hackl asked if Keith Hackl had talked with Chastain as there was a section of sidewalk on the school property that has a sizeable dip in it which will make cleaning difficult in the winter. 

Trustee Hood mentioned that a couple parking stops should be installed near the park, especially with all the sports activities.

REVIEW/APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  A motion was made by Trustee Freeman, seconded by Trustee P. Hood to approve the minutes of the May 1, 2023 regular meeting.  Motion carried. 

VILLAGE ADMINISTRATIVE CLERK:  Trustee K. Hood moved and Trustee Freeman seconded to approve the Balance Sheet, pay the bills and make the appropriate transfers for May 15, 2023.  VAC Hundley mentioned she hoped everything was included and correct as she had prepared it late this afternoon.  She explained what some of the larger invoices were for and there needs to be a transfer from IL Funds for General and Police Protection.  She almost didn’t include the General account as the Village just received a check today for the Windtower payment.  Roll call vote:  Yes – Trustees P. Hood, K. Hood, Freeman, Netherton, Fisher & Hackl.  No – none.

VAC Hundley reported the audit has begun and many reports have already been uploaded to their portal.  They will be onsite the week of May 22 for a couple days. 

Once the new committees are established, signature cards will be requested and updated. 

FINANCE:  Trustee P. Hood had information from Nania Energy in regards to a new rate agreement and the rates are significantly higher than 3 years ago (89%).  They are recommending to continue with a 3-year term.  A motion was made by Trustee K. Hood and seconded by Trustee Netherton to do a year-to-year option from Direct.  Roll call vote:  Yes – Trustees Netherton, Freeman, K. Hood, Hackl, & P. Hood.  Trustee Fisher abstained.  No – none.  Motion carried. 

BUILDING:  Trustee Netherton didn’t have anything. 

POLICE:  Trustee Fisher didn’t have anything.

Chief Wheeler reported the Special Olympics went well last Saturday.

SEWER:  Trustee Hackl asked DPW Allen about a valve.  DPW Allen reported a motor was replaced at the lift station and it was working.  Another motor out to the lagoon was losing its prime.  They worked on it today and were able to get it primed but it is almost a daily issue.  It appears to be a check valve that’s the issue.

Trustee Hackl would like to have a committee meeting before the next board meeting.  He would like to obtain some quotes to repair the fence along the north side of the sewer plant.

Trustee Hood mentioned he thought someone was supposed to be looking into a company besides AirGas to use for the lagoon maintenance supplies.  DPW Allen said he had talked with IRWA but he hasn’t obtained any prices.  They know of a company that will come in and do everything on site.

STREETS:   Trustee Hood stated he still needs another proposal for the sidewalk work to Dollar General.  He has gotten email authorization from the apartment complex owners to allow the Village to do the work.  Atty Jankowicz said we should have a recorded easement from the owner to the Village so subsequent owners would be aware.  Trustee Hackl asked where the money was going to come from for the sidewalk.  Mr. Hawkins asked why it was the responsibility of the Village to install the sidewalk.  Trustee Hackl asked why Dollar General wasn’t opening a drive off of North St. 

A couple months ago, it was mentioned the Village has rock available for the Oil & Chip project this year which Illini Township had purchased but won’t be using.  The Township is willing to sell it to us for approximately $20.00 per ton.  A firm price hasn’t been set but we won’t have to pay for hauling.

WATER:  Trustee Freeman asked Atty Jankowicz if more than one quote needs to be obtained for projects around $5,000.00.  The purchasing policy states at least 3 quotes should be requested and if not all respond, it should be documented.  A quote from KLM had been received about inspecting the older water tower.  DPW Allen mentioned he wasn’t sure when it was inspected and wanted to obtain a timeline as to how long the tank might last.  VAC Hundley mentioned it was inspected recently by Pittsburg Tank & Tower.  Trustee P. Hood asked if the old tank was going to be decommissioned.  Trustee Freeman thought the last discussion/decision was the Village was going to continue using the tower until the EPA states it could no longer be used.  

PUBLIC WORKS:   DPW Allen didn’t have anything further.  Mayor Riley mentioned the water line damage done along Route 121 and how Public Works worked diligently for almost 2 days to repair it.

VILLAGE ATTORNEY:  Atty Jankowicz mentioned he would like to get copies of last year’s appropriations ordinance to the trustees via email so that the board could look at it prior to next meeting and then get it adopted by the 2nd meeting in June.  Rise Fiber has submitted a proposed lease agreement to the Village for putting in a 25’ square concrete pad on Village property to install a cabinet for their work.

OTHER AND/OR OLD BUSINESS:  None.

Trustee K. Hood moved and Trustee Netherton seconded to adjourn.  Motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m. 

https://warrensburgil.com/meeting-info/