Macon Reporter

Village of Harristown Board of Trustees met May 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM by Mayor Deverell. Present: Trustees Dr. April Bogan, Jeff Eller, Les Jenkins, Kurt Terry, Jay Trusner and Kevin Vessels. Also present: Mike Sorrentino, Zoning Chairperson and Mayor Evelyn Deverell.

The Pledge of Allegiance followed.

Teresa Acree's access to Illinois Funds was discussed. Kevin Vessels moved, Les Jenkins seconded, to approve Ms. Acree as Financial Authority for Illinois Funds, replacing Julie Rose. The motion passed by a vote of 6 to 0.

Mayor Deverell explained that she has not received health insurance quotes yet. This will be discussed at the next Board meeting. Trustee Terry questioned if the Village pays the full amount of health insurance for full-time employees. Trustee Trusner explained that the two new employees were told their insurance is covered by the Village in their employment interviews.

The Sewer Consolidation suggestions that were made by the Water and Sewer Committee were discussed. These suggestions include: 1) EJ Water will pay .0003 per gallon of wastewater up to 1.5 million gallons per month; 2) EJ water will pay .0004 per gallon of wastewater for gallons over 1.5 million gallons per month; 3) These rates will increase yearly by CPI; 4) EJ Water will pay 1/3 of the total project costs for improvements at Harristown's Sewer plant with payment in full due upon completion of the project; 5) EJ water will pay 1/3 the costs of any repairs or maintenance to the sewer plant over Ten thousand dollars; 6) EJ Water will pay 1⁄2 the costs of any mandated IEPA updates to the plant. Trustee Terry moved, Trustee Trusner seconded, to approve these recommendations. The vote was unanimously approved. Mayor Deverell will forward the information to Josh Dubblede, Village Attorney.

The purchase of a truck for the Public Works Department was discussed. Jonathon Closs had emailed several different vehicles to the Trustees for their review. Trustee Trusner moved that the Village purchase a 2021 Ford F250, located at Fraher Ford in Pontiac Illinois, for $61,500.00 plus registration and fees. Trustee Jenkins seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

A possible TIF Agreement between the Village and Kate's Corner Café was discussed. Moran Development has prepared options for an Agreement and these were discussed. Trustee Vessels moved to approve an Agreement for Kate's Corner Café in the amount of thirty thousand dollars to be paid from the TIF fund. This amount would be payable upon receiving the signed TIF Agreement and upon receiving paid invoices for equipment purchased. Trustee Trusner seconded the motion. The vote was 6 to 0 in favor.

Mike Sorrentino, Zoning Chairperson, explained to the Board about a possible change to the Zoning Code. Currently the Zoning Code, under Schedule of Zoning Regulations for RE-1 Estate Residential, states in Special Zoning Restrictions "Mobile homes and manufactured homes shall be prohibited in this zone". A resident, at 8120 W Macon Street in the Village, has sold their home but the buyer's insurance Company will not insure it because it is a manufactured home. Mr. Sorrentino and Mayor Deverell explained that there are several manufactured homes in the Village and that this part of the code has not been updated since 1997. After discussion, Trustee Vessels moved to remove "manufactured homes" from this Zoning Schedule. Trustee Trusner seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Mayor Deverell asked the Trustees to study the Treasurer/Financial Clerk issue and to be prepared to make a decision on this at the June Board of Trustees meeting.

With no further business, Trustee Jenkins moved to adjourn the meeting. After a second by Trustee Terry, the motion was approved unanimously.

https://villageofharristown.com/documents/231/May_8_2024_Special_Meeting.pdf