Members of the Village of Bethalto board met Monday, April 4.
Here are the meeting minutes as provided by the Village of Bethalto board:
VILLAGE BOARD MEETING
Bethalto, IL
April 4, 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 Mayor Winslow 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, McRae and Mayor Winslow.
Also present: Police Chief Gregg Smock, Public Works Director Rod Cheatham, Village Treasurer Joe Schoppet, Village Attorney Ken Balsters, Fire Chief Alex Campbell, and Zoning Administrator Tim Brown. Several employees of the Village Public Works Department, Bethalto Police Department, and coaches from the Bethalto Eagles Baseball Club were also in attendance.
Motion made by Mull, seconded by Bost, to approve village board minutes of March 7, 2016 as printed. All members voted aye viva voce. Motion carried 6-0.
Motion made by Withers, seconded by Mull, to approve special board meeting minutes of March 21, 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 March, noting 93 calls with a $5000 fire loss. There have been 268 runs so far this year. There have been equipment updates done and fire hose testing will be completed this week. The department’s probationary academy concludes in April, with new firefighters to be introduced at the next Village board meeting. Volunteer numbers are down, as in many municipalities, so some advertising may be done to get new volunteer members. There are currently 7 probationary firefighters, all of which complete the department’s probationary program. This new program will be offered three times a year, and each new member will be required to complete the training. There were no questions.
Police Chief Smock: The monthly activity report was presented with no questions. The Liberty Bank robbery case has now been closed, as the accomplice has been sentenced to time in jail.
Public Works Director Cheatham: Sewer maintenance continues, with faulty valves being replaced and work on sewer mains continuing. Crews are working on potholes, with more to be filled as fresh supplies of asphalt patch come in. The leaf vac, brush chipper, and street sweeper run daily. There have been no equipment breakdowns this month. The repurposed ambulance has been completed and is ready for camera work. The exterior wood sign from in front of Village Hall has been repainted and will be replaced as soon as possible. Parks and ball fields are in demand, and we currently have 4 full-time employees and 2 part-time seasonal workers heading up field work, with more to be hired as their schedules allow. There were no questions.
GUESTS/PUBLIC COMMENT:
Jason Dorris, VP of the Bethalto Eagles Baseball Club, was in attendance to voice concerns over field use, scheduling, and lack of availability of ball fields for youth baseball teams. Dorris stated that not being able to reserve fields for practices is a hardship, and that he and other coaches have found several fields not in use and thus able to be reserved, but they are being told that no reservations are being taken. There was discussion of the hardships caused by the delay in the opening of Sports Complex 2, along with out of town teams having secured reservations ahead of local teams. Public Works Director Cheatham stated that as of right now, reservations are on hold in order to determine the number of fields required for games that need to be moved from SC2 as well as field needs for rain outs and Boys & Girls Club schedules. Cheatham also stated that he is trying to be fiscally responsible by not calling out crews to set up fields and that not all facilities are open access. Cheatham confirmed that the Village has already booked 300% more field time than last year, and that this is a complex situation with no simple remedy. Currently, SC 2 is not accessible to the public due to ADA issues, and there is no set date as to when these issues may be resolved. Discussion of cancelling out of town reservations occurred, with that being a last resort if necessary. It was mentioned that some out of town teams have scheduled several practices but no games. The Eagles club representatives stated that their teams are willing to take any open spots available and are willing to pay for the field time. Steve Halley, President of the Eagles organization, spoke to commend the work that is being done and stated that Bethalto is really becoming a great baseball town, and that the sooner these issues can be worked out, the better it will be for everyone involved. Mayor Winslow stated that discussion will continue as to how to proceed to resolve the areas of concern.
Bob Lowrance was in attendance on behalf of the Bethalto Rotary Club to encourage that options be considered for funding much-needed improvements to the Town & Country Pool, which was a Rotary project 65 years ago. The Rotary Club had been informed of the $125,000-$150,000 repairs that the pool will require to re-open, and would like to see possibly a capital campaign or some funding options to help keep the pool afloat. Lowrance stated that the pool is important to kids throughout the Village and that it, if possible, should be kept open. It was noted that with the extent of repairs needed, even if funding were available, that the pool would not be able to open this season. Some discussion of closing the pool permanently and focusing on a bigger splash pad project occurred. The Board decided to table the decision on the pool’s ultimate fate in order to give the Rotary Club time to research options for a capital funding campaign.
RESOLUTIONS
Resolution 2016-03 A Resolution to Apply for 2016 PEP Grant Funding was presented. This will allow the Village to apply for PEP Grant funding from the county for the splash pad project, which will help in funding additional plumbing expenses and other costs. Motion made by Bourland, seconded by McRae, to approve Resolution 2016-03 A Resolution to Apply for 2016 PEP Grant Funding. Trustees Bourland, Withers, Mull, Bost, Dugger and McRae voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
ORDINANCES
There were no ordinances presented for consideration.
REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR:
Mayor Winslow announced that a tentative agreement had been reached with the PBPA (Police) and reviewed the changes as follows: Early Retirement has been eliminated, all accrued leave time will be paid at the time of retirement rather than drawn out over several pay periods, employees shall now be responsible for 10% of increases in dependent insurance premium costs, and another 10% in the 2016/2017 contract year, with renegotiation possible any time a cap of $25 for individual coverage and $75 for family coverage is reached, and a pay increase of 3/3/3 over the three year agreement. Trustee McRae stated that, although the Village has excellent personnel and raises are deserved, that he feels this level of pay increase is excessive and will cost the Village $400,000 over the life of the contract, noting a compounded increase of 9.7% over three years. Mayor Winslow said that $130,000 will be saved through attrition, and Trustee Bourland noted that there were concessions by both sides in negotiating the agreement, and that the Village presented the 3/3/3 to begin with so it’s hard to retract that offer. It was further noted that the added employee contribution to insurance is a favorable outcome, albeit capped at a certain level. Trustee Dugger inquired as to which fund the retroactive pay would be withdrawn from, with Mayor responding that police pay would come from the General Fund and Public Works from the Water & Sewer Fund. There were no further questions. Motion made by Withers, seconded by Bost, to approve the collective bargaining agreement with the Bethalto Police PBPA as negotiated. Trustees Bourland, Withers, Mull and Bost voted aye, Trustees Dugger and McRae voted nay. Motion carried 4-2.
A tentative agreement has also been reached with the Public Works union. Mayor Winslow reviewed the proposal as submitted, noting the following items: Clarification of Holiday Pay for On-Call Staff (on holidays during the work week, the on-call person gets paid an additional 8 hours of straight-time pay since they clock in and perform duties on that day), Rounding up of hours worked in excess of 30 minutes, Minimum Call out pay set at 2 hours, Vacation carry over of 40 hours as long as time is used within the first quarter of the calendar year, Change in Break Times from a morning and afternoon break to one morning break and an extended lunch, Grievance Clarification, Holiday Pay eligibility to allow employees to be eligible for holiday pay unless there is an unscheduled absence the day before or after the holiday, option of office staff working or taking leave time when offices are closed to the public, elimination of early retirement option, and wage increases and insurance contribution changes as stated with the Police contract. Discussion of the on-call holiday pay ensued, with clarification by Public Works employee Jimmy Williams, who explained that the on-call person on holidays is required to clock in and work so that someone is available at any time the Village needs them. This has always been practice but was not spelled out in the contract. Further clarification of the holiday pay eligibility occurred, noting that employees should receive the holiday pay if a day off is previously scheduled and approved, but not if they call off the day before or after the holiday. Trustee Bost noted that this should also be changed in the Police contract. Motion made by Mull, seconded by Bourland, to approve the collective bargaining agreement with the Bethalto Public Works Department as negotiated. Trustees Bourland, Withers, Mull and Bost voted aye, Trustees Dugger and McRae voted nay. Motion carried 4-2.
Mayor Winslow stated that the status of the pool was on the agenda for consideration of closing it completely, but with the renewed interest by the Rotary Club, that decision will be postponed until further notice. However, the pool will not open this summer due to needed repairs.
Tim Brown has coordinated a Veteran’s Outreach for Village Hall to be held tomorrow. Madison County Veteran’s Assistance Commission will be available to assist veterans and widows with anything from PTSD issues to GI bill assistance.
The Community Yard Sale will be held Saturday, April 9 in Central Park, and Spring Cleanup will be Monday & Tuesday, April 11 & 12.
The Memorial Day Parade will be held on Monday, May 30 with staging at 10:15 behind the Water Office. All Village officials were encouraged to participate.
PROCLAMATIONS:
Mayor Winslow presented his Proclamation in Support of National Day of Service
MONTHLY ZONING ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT:
Zoning Administrator Brown presented the monthly report, showing 15 building permits year-to-date with 5 new residential permits issued in March (3 in Schreiber Farms and the others issued to Dean Ruppert and Austin Opp for vacant lots throughout town). The Village has issued 99 occupancy permits through the end of March. Grease trap inspections will now be completed by Plumbing Inspector Greg Fowler. Brown is working with Public Works to come up with a plan for mowing delinquent properties that will save the Village money in the long run. 533 Spencer Street has been demolished; 708 Valley View is on hold due to the tax bill being paid. Runway Lounge is set to re-open next week. There is nothing to report on the OLQP Development on Moreland Road. There were no questions.
MONTHLY TREASURER’S REPORT:
Treasurer Schoppet presented the February Treasurer’s Report. The report shows a healthy cash balance, and Schoppet reviewed separate fund balances by individual account. Schoppet reviewed the new cash flow report, which shows 2 months actual and 2 months projected revenues and expenses. Schoppet stated that this gives the trustees a good picture of the Village’s cash flow status. The Water & Sewer Fund is healthy, even with a negative cash flow projected for April with retroactive pay for employees. Schoppet stated there is a good, healthy balance in operating cash. There were no questions. Motion made by Bourland, seconded by Withers, to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of February, 2016. Trustees Bourland, Withers, Mull, Bost, Dugger and McRae voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Committee meetings were scheduled for Monday, April 18, 2016 at 6:00pm.
WATER DEPARTMENT BILLS
Motion by Mull, seconded by Bost, authorizing payment of the Water Department bills in the amount of $123,971.22. Trustees Bourland, Withers, Mull, Bost, Dugger and McRae voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
GENERAL FUND
Motion by Withers, seconded by Dugger, authorizing payment of bills in the amount of $152,965.95. Trustees Bourland, Withers, Mull, Bost, Dugger and McRae voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
AUDIT FUND
Motion made by Bost, seconded by Mull, authorizing payment of bills in the amount of $2,420.00. Trustees Bourland, Withers, Mull, Bost, Dugger and McRae voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
MFT FUND
Motion by Withers, seconded by Bourland, authorizing payment of bills in the amount of $5,560.94. Trustees Bourland, Withers, Mull, Bost, Dugger and McRae voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
GARBAGE FUND
Motion by Mull, seconded by Bost, authorizing payment of bills in the amount of $52,293.53. Trustees Bourland, Withers, Mull, Bost, Dugger and McRae voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
The next regularly scheduled meeting will be May 2, 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 Dugger. All voted aye viva voce. Meeting adjourned at 8:26pm.
_______________________________ ______________________________
Sue E. Lowrance, Village Clerk Alan Winslow, Mayor
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