March 4, 2024
Call to order at 7:00 pm by President Mat
Members answering roll call, President Mat Diehl, Tom Smargiassi, Angie Niehaus, Dean Wright, Mike Tichler, Kirk Knoup, Tim Martens, Jamie Melville, and Cheryl Liebenstein.
The minutes from the February meeting were reviewed and accepted without dissent, by Dean. Second by Tim. Motion Carried.
The committee made a motion to pay all bills as presented, Motion second by Tom. Motion carried.
Tim made a motion to approve the treasurer report as presented. Second by Kirk. Motion carried.
No transfer of funds needed.
Maintenance Report
Visitor
Brian Nott was present to introduce himself to the board. Brian is a veteran employee of Fehr Graham. President Mat informed Brian of the outstanding correctional problem we have with the North St standing water. Brian will take the information back to Derek and between the two of them see if they can get it corrected.
We have received a large bill from Fischer excavating. Brian will take it to the office for final approval before it is paid.
FINANCE/TIF FINANCE
Jamie reported that we have funds to use from Rebuild Illinois. She would like approval to pay the two alleys resurface we did this past summer and to pay for the winter salt. Dean made a motion to have the two 2023 alley resurfacing cost paid by the Rebuild Illinois funds. Motion second by Kirk. Motion carried.
Dean made a motion to approve payment for the 2024 winter salt with the Rebuild Illinois funds. Motion second by Angie. Motion carried.
Jamie noted that these two payments will close-out the remaining money we have for Rebuild Illinois.
Motion was made by Tim to allow Jamie to pay the Fischer excavating retainage bill of $14,947.35 when it has been approved by Fehr Graham. Motion second by Kirk. Motion carried.
Dan Rowe, auditor from the Lucas Group, informed Jamie that they usually do not review the audits at village board meetings. Board members would like him to come to the April meeting for the audit and to introduce himself to the board.
WATER/SEWER
Mike has accepted the bid for the tree removal on South St. The bid was for $1700.00 with haul away, from A1 Tree Barber out of Pecatonica.
Water Run LLC did give the board a proposed contract for two years. The live date will be pushed back to June 1,2024. They will always be updating and adding new features to the program. New users of the program will get a reduced monthly cost and Water Run is willing to rent their GPS equipment if we want to map our own water and Sewer utilities.
Tom made a motion to approve the two-year contract with Water Run LLC. Motion second by Mike. Roll call vote as follows: Tom-yes, Angie-yes, Mike-yes, Tim-yes, Dean-yes, Kirk-yes. Let the record show 6-yes, 0-no and 0-absent.
We have received the new Gill’s contract. This contract will involve each residence to receive 1 new garbage bin and 1 new recycle bin. The contract has an increase in garbage pickup this year of $1.05. Thereafter the increase will be no less than 45 nor more than 8%. The contract will renew automatically each year for five years. The new contract runs from June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2029. Jamie will add a note to our annual coupon book letter regarding the new contract. Motion was made by Dean to approve the 5-year contract with gill Disposal. Motion second by Kirk. Roll Call vote as follows: Tom-yes, Angie-yes, Mike-yes, Kirk-yes, Dean-yes, Tim-yes. Let the record show 6-yes, 0-no, 0-absent.
Tom made a motion to increase the Water and Sewer rates by $1.00 to begin June 1, 2024. Motion second by Kirk. Motion carried.
Mike inquired whether the board would be interested in allowing a discount for those who pay their Water and Sewer bills a year at a time. The committee will bring a new proposal to the board for the April meeting.
STREETS/ALLEYS/LIGHTS/SIDEWALK
Rob has identified several streets and alleys that should be our next project for street improvements. For 2024 North First St by the cemetery, grind and overlay the 300 block of W South St where we did watermain looping, the alley behind Kempel Construction (between Devore St and South St) and the alley behind the dog groomer (between Devore St and North St). For 2025 the remainder of South St.
Tim made a motion to allow Fehr Graham to put together cost estimates for the two streets and two alleys for 2024 street improvements. Motion second by Dean, Motion carried.
Rob questioned if we should look at using fake flowers in the downtown planters this year. He will investigate cost of fake versus real flowers and check for comments of those who are using the fake flowers.
BUILDINGS/GROUNDS
The committee will be purchasing trees and fish from the Conservation Department. The fish will be no more than $500.00. Rob will purchase the trees to complete the wind block on N Main St.
CEMETERY
Angie is finalizing the plaque for the Memorial tree donors. She also noted that we will replace one Memorial tree for the last time.
POLICE
Tom noted that we have had more police coverage within the village. He informed the board that Scott Johnson has a 2018 Ford Explorer for sale for $21,000.00 that we could purchase for the police squad. Tom made a motion to move forward with the purchase of the 2018 Ford Explorer for $21,000.00 Motion second by Dean. Roll call vote as follows: Tim-yes, Dean-yes, Kirk-yes, Mike-yes, Angie-yes, Tom-yes. Let the record show 6-yes, 0-no, 0-absent.
Jamie will get approval from our TIF lawyer for us to use TIF funds for the vehicle.
Chicken license renewals have been sent out.
LIQUOR
Tom made a motion to approve a Special Use liquor license through Little John’s Tap for the annual Fireman’s Steak Supper and Dance. To be held on April 20th, Motion second by Tim. Motion carried.
Old Business
New Business
The Abate motorcycle Club is requesting that the village sign a Proclamation stating May as Motorcycle Awareness Month.
The Greater Freeport Partnership is hosting a Rise and Shine Breakfast for business owners in our area. The breakfast will be held March 7th at Rt 73 Brew and Chew.
Rob has set the Clean up day for May 4th from 8am to 2pm.
Motion to adjourn at 8:25 by Kirk. Second by Tim. Motion carried.
Attest: Cheryl Liebenstein, Village Clerk