Macon Reporter

Village of Harristown Board of Trustees met Aug. 28.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Board of Trustees of the Village of Harristown held their monthly meeting on August 28, 2023, at 185 N. Kembark St., Harristown, IL. Trustees Kevin Vessels, April Bogan, Jeff Eller, Jay Trusner, Les Jenkins, Mayor Evelyn Deverell, Budget Officer Rick Laskowski, and Attorney Joshua Dubbelde were in attendance. Clerk Penny Allen and Treasurer Teresa Acree were absent. Mayor Deverell called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Adopt Agenda

Motion by Trustee Jenkins to approve meeting agenda. Trustee Trusner 2nd. Approved 5-0.

Approve Minutes

a) July 24, 2023 Regular meeting. Motion by Trustee Trusner to approve meeting minutes with no changes. Trustee Eller 2nd. Approved 5-0.

b) August 16, 2023 Special meeting. Motion by Trustee Trusner to approve meeting minutes with no changes. Trustee Jenkins 2nd. Approved 5-0.

Visitors

a) Interview for Trustee position. Curt Terry and Mike Sorrentino gave brief introductions describing reasons for their interest in joining the village Board as a Trustee. Both are qualified for the open position. Steve Shepherd was also interested but was out of town. Further discussion will be held in closed session.

b) Other visitors -- none.

Treasurers Report

Treasurer Acree worked with Auditor prior to meeting and did not attend.

a) The July 2023 Financial Report listing receipts, total disbursements, and bank balances by Fund was reviewed. Motion by Trustee Vessels to approve, Trustee Bogan 2nd, approved 5-0.

b) A list of invoices >$1,000 requiring Board approval was also presented. The list contained 2 invoices: $1,380.00 Ferguson Waterworks (water meters) paid from the Water fund and $1,300.00 Troy Page Excavating (tree stump removal) paid from the TIF fund. Motion by Trustee Trusner to approve, Trustee Jenkins 2nd. Approved 5-0.

Budget Officers Report

Monthly budget report for July 2023 was reviewed. Monthly statements from Scott State bank, Illinois Funds, and CEFCU were used to generate the report. Monthly posting from Sage containing invoice details was not available. Motion by Trustee Jenkins to accept the Budget report. Trustee Eller 2nd. Motion passed 5-0.

Presentation of 2022-2023 Audit

Kevin Buckley from the Accounting firm McGuire, Yuhas, Huffman & Buckley attended the meeting. He presented the Annual Audit report, and 2 letters with Audit findings, summaries, and suggestions; copies were provided to board members. No critical issues were identified.

Zoning/Planning

a) Hearing for Harristown Blvd annexation/zoning. Property owner, Dennis Paul, owns 23 acres, but only wants 10 acres to be developed, leaving his options open. A mini storage facility is being considered. The property would have to be rezoned to B3 and a special permit issued. Tom Fitzpatrick from Storage of America attended the meeting and mentioned that water/sewer connections as well as hydrants would be needed. A storage unit, Storage Masters, already exists nearby which could cause marketing concerns. Brian Wilford from Storage Masters feels a new business will undercut price causing a hardship to his business. Zoning Board recommends rezone to B3, issue special use permit and annexation. Motion by Trustee Bogan to table proposed annexation to the next Board /Special meeting. Trustee Trusner 2nd; Approved 4-1 (Trustee Jenkins did not approve). A Special meeting, further discussing this topic, will be held on 9/11/23 at 5:30 PM at Village Hall. A decision is needed by mid-September 2023. 

b) Camp Wilson Four Square Church expansion. Adding 8900 sq. ft. next spring is being considered. A special use permit will be needed. A meeting will be held on 9/12/23 with village personnel (Trustee Jenkins, Mayor Deverell and Zoning Chairman Sorrentino) to discuss requirements.

Public Works

a) Report uploaded into meeting documents on website. Superintendent Closs presented highlights. Dump truck purchased, 3-4 water leaks, tree cleanup, etc. Numerous JULIE calls, consider contracting these services. A plan is needed for maintenance on costly equipment (ex: mini excavator repairs).

Old Business

a) Cable franchise agreement - no documents have been created.

b) Ordinance violations - Unless there is a lawsuit these can be discussed during open session. Below is a list of the properties mentioned in the meeting:

5533 Suburban (grass/weeds) - there is no violation

5212 W. Main (grass/weeds) – Certified letter was returned; how to proceed?

8140 W. Second - progress being made, no action to be taken.

110 Twin Lakes (mistreatment of animals & odor/trash) — contact animal control 755 Moyer (water) - certified letter returned.

7895 W. William (mowing) - village is mowing; $2500 lien.

7825 W. William (trash/no garbage service) – registered letter sent.

5480 Union School Rd (weeds) -- ambulance called to residence; possible medical issue.

165 Camp - property sold and cleaned up.

6340 W. Main (truck weight violation) - potential zoning violation

357 Fieldcrest (fire years ago) – partial house on property, partial sale not allowed.

c) Cannabis - what is the status of this ordinance? Consumption on site is not allowed without a permit. A bus was in the parking lot and being used as a smoking lounge; this should be an ordinance violation. Consider issuing fine or suspending license. This will be added to the agenda for the 9/11/23 special meeting.

New Business

a) Water fill station - village residents filling water tanks. A design for this is needed. Vending, card reader, standing pipe were mentioned as an alternative to water hydrants. Engineering cost to develop a plan is desired. No maintenance involved, cost should be minimal ($1-$2K Est) Motion by Trustee Trusner for Engineers (Milano & Grunloh) to create specifications and permits for a water filling station. Trustee Vessels 2nd. Motion approved 5-0.

Personnel

No report

Streets and Alley

a) Suburban Road - nothing new to report. Check should be received within 2 weeks.

Finance

No report

Ordinance

a) Recodify Ordinances -- the last time ordinances were codified was 2011. Estimated cost from Justin Olsen - General Code to recodify is $12K. Legal language will be checked for conflicts, inconsistencies, and redundancy. Legal compliance is expected. Considering inviting General code rep to regular board meeting to discuss the issue.

Water and Sewer

a) Update on Sewer Project - upgrade system and consolidate with Niantic and Illiopolis. Engineering report by Milano & Grunloh distributed. Report contained list of sewer plant improvements. Total project estimated project cost is $1.3M. Loan forgiveness of $850K could be possible. Attorney review of the application process is needed. Planning documents should be submitted before the end of 2023.

b) Water/Sewer Account adjustments - waive late fee & finance charges. Check from property owner at 9050 Harristown Blvd was damaged in the mail. It was agreed to issue credit for fees charged. List of other open fines discuss for potential write offs. Midwest credit will not charge till collection is received. No actions taken at this time.

Economic Development/Community

a) Report on Celebration and Fireworks - Community Involvement committee submitted report in the meeting folder on the village website.

b) Park (Grant / Resolution) - OSLAD program (Open Space Land Acquisition and Development) could be used to provide funding assistance for development of public park. Application is due 8/31/23. Need to pass resolution to Illinois Dept of Natural Resources. If approved, 50% of cost will be paid; estimated cost is $150K. Resolution documentation is included in the meeting packet. Motion by Trustee Vessels to approve resolution. Trustee Trusner 2nd. Motion approved 5-0. Donations are being solicited.

c) Future Events - upcoming event is Movie in the Park.

Attorney

Joshua Dubbelde of Law firm Samuels/Miller has replaced Andrew Weatherford as village Attorney.

Motion by Trustee Eller to enter closed session to discuss appointing a new Board Trustee to fill the current vacancy. Trustee Jenkins 2nd - Motion passed 5-0. Leave regular session at 8:57 PM.

Returned from Closed session at 9:14 PM

Motion by Trustee Jenkins to appoint Mike Sorrentino as Trustee. Trustee Vessels 2nd Roll Call: Trustee Eller - No, Trustee Trusner - No, Trustee Jenkins - Yes, Trustee Vessels - Yes, Trustee Bogan - No. Motion rejected.

Motion by Trustee Trusner to appoint Curt Terry as Trustee. Trustee Eller 2nd.

Roll Call: Trustee Eller - Yes, Trustee Trusner - Yes, Trustee Jenkins - No, Trustee Vessels - No, Trustee Bogan - Yes. Motion passed 3-2.

Motion by Trustee Bogan to adjourn, Trustee Jenkins 2nd. Motion passed 5-0.

Meeting adjourned at 9:16 PM

https://villageofharristown.com/documents/231/Meeting_minutes_8-28-23.pdf