Bethalto Village Board met Monday, Nov. 7.
Here are the minutes as provided by Bethalto:
Village Board Meeting
Bethalto, IL
November 7, 2016
The Village Board of Trustees met on the above date in the Council Room at Village Hall in a regular meeting called to order by Trustee Gerald Bourland at 7:15 p.m. The meeting opened with the “Pledge of Allegiance”. Roll call was taken by Village Clerk Sue Lowrance. Present: Trustees Bourland, Withers, Mull, Bost, Dugger, and McRae. Mayor Winslow was absent due to illness. Also present: Police Chief Gregg Smock, Police Lt. Craig Welch, Public Works Director Rod Cheatham, Village Treasurer Joe Schoppet, Village Attorney Ken Balsters, Fire Chief Alex Campbell, and Zoning Administrator Tim Brown.
At the absence of Mayor Winslow, Attorney Balsters announced the need to appoint a Mayor Pro Tem to oversee the meeting. Motion made by Mull, seconded by Withers, to appoint Trustee Gerald Bourland as Mayor Pro Tem. Trustees Bourland, Withers, Mull, Bost, Dugger and McRae voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
Motion made by McRae, seconded by Mull, to approve village board minutes of October 3, 2016 as printed. All members voted aye viva voce. Motion carried 6-0.
Motion made by Mull, seconded by Withers, to approve village special board meeting minutes of October 17, 2016 as printed. All members voted aye viva voce. Motion carried 6-0.
REPORTS FROM DEPARTMENTAL SUPERVISORS:
Fire Chief Alex Campbell reviewed the statistical report for the month of October, noting 90 calls. This brings the yearly run total to 918. There was a $500 fire loss at the Bethalto Methodist Church, and there were three daytime calls that went unanswered. The department t-shirt fundraiser raised $1500 for breast cancer research. The department has updated its reporting software so it is now in full compliance. The equipment RFP should be ready for action at the December board meeting. The department held its open house on October 15, with an estimated 300-400 visitors in attendance. Three members have left the department due to moving out of town or family obligations, leaving 22 volunteers, 7 of which are probationary. There were no questions.
Police Chief Smock: The monthly activity report was presented with no questions. Our two new officers successfully graduated from the Police Academy and will be pinned at the December meeting so that their families can be in attendance. The department is working on grants through Phillips 66 and WalMart for AED’s and new tazers.
Public Works Director Cheatham presented his report; 9 work orders were completed in the street department; the wash pad at the garage is complete; 60 truckloads of top soil have been hauled, mostly from Edwardsville; crack sealing on Plegge has been completed on the first 1/8 of a mile; crews are on leaf and brush pickup daily. In parks, the restrooms at the Splash Pad facility are complete and the concession stand is being prepped for remodeling, as is the concession stand at Field of Dreams. The ceiling of the pavilion in Central Park has been painted. In sewers, ditches are being cleaned and Zone 2 has been jetted and camera work complete with results as expected—there are a lot of cracks and separated joints thus far. The stormwater study by Juneau on the Kutter-Aljets detention pond is completed, and Cheatham is working in collaboration with Madison County Storm Water and LCCC on possible resolutions to the Village’s storm water issues. Cheatham is also working with the airport to assure their cooperation with these issues. Cheatham presented a video taken by the new camera system; no collapses have been found yet but many cracks and split joints are causing issues along the lines. Much of the video was taken during dry weather and there is still a lot of infiltration in the pipes. It was noted that all of this ground water gets sent to Alton for treatment at an additional expense to the Village. Cheatham announced that once the lines in the airport area are all completed, crews will move to the Chateau area for jetting and camera work. After that is finished, there should be enough footage to go out for bid on lining.
GUESTS/PUBLIC COMMENT:
Denise Farrell of Michael Court was in attendance to discuss the Juneau storm water study and other concerns relating to the flooding of her property. She noted that the study shows that the detention pond for Kutter-Aljets was built at only 50% of what it should have been and inquired as to why this was allowed. Farrell also noted that the study recommends one large 72” pipe under Plegge Blvd as opposed to the two 36” pipes currently in place, and questioned that logic as that would “cause larger quantities of water to move faster through to the creek”. Trustees noted that the study also includes more detention areas back to the airport, which will help control the flow of water. Farrell asked why the study stopped at Plegge Blvd, and suggested it should have continued further down to the creek. Farrell asked why there is no fence around the Kutter-Aljets pond as required by ordinance and questioned the rainfall amounts quoted in the study from the December storms. Farrell further stated that construction by Lowrance was supposed to have been ceased and was not and asked why. She noted grading issues with the houses being constructed as well. Farrell asked why have ordinances and rules if they aren’t going to be followed. There is a camper trailer located on the property, and Ms. Farrell questioned the legality of that. Tim Brown stated that there is no restriction against it on an open lot. Farrell then inquired about the follow up meetings that were mentioned at the public forum in August, noting it has been three months and that Mayor said the meetings would be every three months. Farrell wants a date as to when that next meeting will be. In conclusion, Farrell asked the trustees to do their jobs and be there for the people of Bethalto and enforce the rules.
Clyde Jones, representing the Bethalto United Methodist Church, was in attendance to thank the Volunteer Fire Department for their work during the fire at the church. Jones stated that he received several calls stating what a great job the firefighters did, and he wanted it known that they are very much appreciated.
RESOLUTIONS
Motion made by Bost, seconded by McRae, to table Resolution 2016-14 Authorizing Mayor to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Unit 8 School District regarding Sports Complex 1 as there is an error in the cited water rates and further discussion is necessary before action is taken. Trustees Bourland, Withers, Mull, Bost, Dugger and McRae voted aye, nays none. Motion carried and Resolution is tabled until further notice.
ORDINANCES
Ordinance 2016-12 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 32 Stormwater & Drainage Permitting was presented by Attorney Balsters. This increases the permit fee from $200 to $500 and creates a filing fee of $1000 per acre of development to cover Village testing, engineering, and other expenses. Any overages paid by a developer will be refunded, and any shortfalls must be paid prior to permits being issued. No other language changes at this time. Motion made by Mull, seconded by Dugger, to approve Ordinance 2016-12 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 32 Stormwater & Drainage/Permitting. Trustees Bourland, Withers, Mull, Bost, Dugger and McRae voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
Ordinance 2016-11 Ordinance Annexing Property was discussed. It was noted that Attorney Bassett was not in attendance, so discussion ensued regarding the ordinance in whole, which not only annexes the property but also zones it as RM-Multiple Family Residential. Trustee Mull expressed concerns over what happens if the ordinance is approved and Cedarhurst doesn’t purchase the property. Cedarhurst reps noted that the attached annexation agreement includes language stating that the annexation is valid only upon closing of the sale of the property, which will be November 8 if the ordinance is passed. It was verified that said contingency is shown on page 2 of the agreement. Motion made by McRae, seconded by Bost, to approve Ordinance 2016-11 Ordinance Annexing Property. Trustees Bourland, Withers, Mull, Bost, Dugger and McRae voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR:
Village Treasurer Joe Schoppet announced that his family has created the Frank Schoppet Memorial Scholarship Fund and would like input from the Village as to the creation and oversight of the program as well as participation from the board members regarding selection of recipients. It was noted that Mr. Schoppet left an invaluable legacy in the Village and that it is fitting for there to be a scholarship to promote the accounting profession in the public service sector.
Public Works Director Cheatham reviewed the request from Unit 8 for the waiving of a storm water study related to their proposed detention pond at the high school. The school district was in the process of constructing a detention pond when Cheatham asked them to stop until further research on the effects of such pond could be determined. It was noted that the district has good intentions in trying not to flood out neighboring properties, but that the process should be researched in full before the pond is constructed. Cheatham stated that he is uncomfortable with letting the construction continue without the appropriate studies, and trustees agreed.
The Village has received the proposal from AJ Gallagher regarding liability insurance. The proposal shows a slight increase in premiums and includes new cyber liability insurance. It was noted that the Village is saving significantly over the IMLRMA rates of years past. Motion made by McRae, seconded by Mull, to accept the proposal of AJ Gallagher for liability insurance for the Village. Trustees Bourland, Withers, Mull, Bost, Dugger and McRae voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
Brad Myers has been selected by Mayor Winslow to fill a vacancy on the Plan Commission. Zoning Administrator Brown announced that Myers is active in the community and a former firefighter. Motion made by Mull, seconded by Withers, to approve the appointment of Brad Myers to the Plan Commission. Trustees Bourland, Withers, Mull, Bost, Dugger and McRae voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
MONTHLY ZONING ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT:
Zoning Administrator Brown presented the monthly report with no questions. 103 building permits have been issued to date. Occupancy permits have slowed considerably. The drone is in and functional with a thermal camera installed. Brown is working in collaboration with the police department on uses for the drone.
MONTHLY TREASURER’S REPORT:
Treasurer Schoppet presented the September Treasurer’s Report, noting a benchmark of 42% of budgeted amounts should be collected or expended at this point in the fiscal year. Schoppet noted that most accounts are in line with that percentage, but that a couple of line items need to be reviewed. Cash flow is a big concern for the Village, as the general fund borrows from the water & sewer fund to meet everyday expenses. Schoppet noted that it is imperative for the Village to collect the $200,000 contractual obligation from RLP Development for the Sports Complex agreement. Next month the Village will pass the Tax Levy Ordinance and review the annual audit report. Motion made by Mull, seconded by McRae, to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of September, 2016. Trustees Bourland, Withers, Mull, Bost, Dugger and McRae voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Committee meetings were set for November 21 at 6pm.
WATER DEPARTMENT BILLS
Motion by Withers, seconded by Mull, authorizing payment of the Water Department bills in the amount of $414,168.62. Trustees Bourland, Withers, Mull, Bost, Dugger and McRae voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
GENERAL FUND
Motion by Bost, seconded by Dugger, authorizing payment of bills in the amount of $236,128.54. Trustees Bourland, Withers, Mull, Bost, Dugger and McRae voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
AUDIT FUND
Motion by Mull, seconded by Bost, authorizing payment of bills in the amount of $6,787.50. Trustees Bourland, Withers, Mull, Bost, Dugger and McRae voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
MFT FUND
Motion by Withers, seconded by Mull, authorizing payment of bills in the amount of $15,843.43. Trustees Bourland, Withers, Mull, Bost, Dugger and McRae voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
GARBAGE FUND
Motion by Mull, seconded Bost, authorizing payment of bills in the amount of $48,729.66. Trustees Bourland, Withers, Mull, Bost, Dugger and McRae voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
The next regularly scheduled meeting will be December 5, 2016 at 7:00pm water board, 7:15pm for the village board.
Having no further business, a Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Mull, seconded by Withers. All voted aye viva voce. Meeting adjourned at 8:20pm.
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