The Village of Bethalto board of trustees met Tuesday, July 5.
Here are the meeting minutes as provided by the Village of Bethalto board of trustees:
VILLAGE BOARD MEETING
Bethalto, IL
July 5, 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, Asst. Fire Chief Jimmy Schulte, and Zoning
Administrator Tim Brown.
Motion made by Bost, seconded by Withers, to approve village board minutes of June 6,
2016 as printed. All members voted aye viva voce. Motion carried 6-0.
REPORTS FROM DEPARTMENTAL SUPERVISORS:
Asst. Fire Chief Jimmy Schulte reviewed the statistical report for the month of June, noting
92 runs with an approximate loss of $90,000. There have been 540 calls year-to-date. The
department’s probationary academy has 6 participants for this term. There were no
questions.
Police Chief Smock: The monthly activity report was presented with no questions. The
annual fireworks festival went smoothly with no issues to report.
Public Works Director Cheatham stated that oil & chip work is nearly complete; weather
affected the completion of all areas but the contractor will return as his schedule permits to
complete those areas not finished. Ball season is slowing down as is mowing. The recent
storm caused damage to the lights at the tennis courts, but arrangements have been made for
their repair. Sewer lines continue to be cleaned; even with the substantial rain recently only
one lift station was down for a short period of time. The storm caused lots of downed trees,
crews are working diligently on brush pickup. There were no questions.
GUESTS/PUBLIC COMMENT:
Gary & Jane Ahasay were in attendance to present an update on the Arboretum 50th
Anniversary and Christmas Village project. They reviewed the idea of celebrating the
Arboretum’s 50th anniversary with a ceremony and lighting of the park in gold, which would
then lead into the Christmas Village season. They reviewed the concept of the Christmas
Village, which would include lit trees, a live nativity, decorated cottages, and a holiday
lighting contest. Volunteers have been secured for cleanup of the arboretum. Ahasay stated
that the group would be seeking donations for funding of the event, which would be at no
cost to the Village with the exception of power and water. The one obstacle facing the group
is the lack of electrical supply to the arboretum, which would come at a substantial cost to the
Village. The group is asking for permission to use any Village property and is hoping that
grant funding for the multi-use trail can be secured and the project sped up in order to fund
the electrical supply through the trail project. The group will consider holding the event in
Central Park if necessary. Trustee Dugger inquired as to insurance coverage for the event; it
was determined that insurance certificates would be required as they are for any event held
on Village grounds. Motion made by Mull, seconded by Bourland, to allow the Bethalto
Christmas Village group to provide volunteer labor in the arboretum, to organize a 50th
anniversary celebration, and to use an available Village park for 4 weekend dates
during the Christmas Season between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Trustees Bourland,
Withers, Mull, Bost, Dugger and McRae voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
RESOLUTIONS
There were no resolutions presented for consideration.
ORDINANCES
Ordinance 2016-07 Appropriation Ordinance was presented. This is the annual ordinance
appropriating maximum expenditures for the Village for the 2016-2017 fiscal year. A public
hearing was held earlier this evening to review this ordinance, and there were no questions.
Motion made by Bourland, seconded by McRae, to approve Ordinance 2016-07
Appropriation Ordinance. Trustees Bourland, Withers, Mull, Bost, Dugger and McRae
voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR:
The Fire and Police Commission has recommended the hiring of Ryan Dugger as a full time
police officer. Mr. Dugger started as a scout in our department and is currently working parttime
for the PD as well. He is their top-ranked lateral transfer candidate. Motion made by
Mull, seconded by Withers, to approve the hiring of Ryan Dugger as a full-time police
officer. Trustees Bourland, Withers, Mull, Bost, and McRae voted aye, Trustee Dugger
abstained, and there were no nay votes. Motion carried 5-0.
An MEPRD grant of $140,000 has been approved for the multi-use trail project, and an
additional MEPRD grant will be applied for in the coming weeks, since their funding year
runs from July-June.
Mayor Winslow stated that further investigative work at the pool has exposed even more
issues than originally thought. There are electrical issues, exposed wiring, corroded cast iron
drain pipes that would need replacement, a deteriorated wall, ground water infiltration, and
an extensive list of necessary repairs and updates that would cost several hundred thousand
dollars to repair/replace with no warranty on the work and no guarantee that it would extend
the pool’s life longer than a few years. The contractor stated that a new, smaller pool could
be constructed for less than the cost of repairs. Winslow stated that, although the pool has
been a fixture in the community for years, attendance has steadily declined over the past
several years. Winslow stated that splash pad grant money is already in place and that the
project is already set to go at a location next to the current pool facility. Winslow noted the
option of moving the splash pad to the current pool location, which would add an additional
cost to the project, or leaving the splash pad project as-is and determining what to do with the
pool facility later. The restrooms and concession stand are nearly refurbished and will be
used for the splash pad and eventually the multi-use trail. It was suggested that the current
location is the best location for the project as it is centrally located within the Village, and all
trustees agreed they would like to see the project begin as soon as possible. Motion made
by Bost, seconded by Withers, to permanently close the Town & Country Pool. Trustees
Bourland, Withers, Mull, Bost, Dugger and McRae voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-
0. Motion made by McRae, seconded by Bost, to proceed with an RFP for the Splash
Pad project in its originally planned location. Trustees Bourland, Withers, Mull, Bost,
Dugger and McRae voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
Mayor Winslow stated that there has been an inquiry by a business owner to open a used car
lot at the old Trust Family Auto Sales location along 140. Upon research, it was determined
that although there have been two car dealerships there in the past, the property is not zoned
for such a use. Winslow said that in order to allow the business to open, the zoning code
would need to be amended as to the minimum size of the lot so that a special use
permit/variance could be applied for. The suggested size was 10,000 square feet, reduced
from 1 acre. Discussion ensued regarding the lot size, with a suggestion of 30,000 square
feet. Attorney Balsters stated that the eventual determination of lot size could come at a later
date; that right now the Village Board should recommend to the Plan Commission to amend
the code 40-7-12 (B). Motion made by Withers, seconded by Mull, to recommend to the
Plan Commission to amend Zoning Code section 40-7-12 (B) to reduce the minimum
size of a used car lot under a special use permit. 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. 250
Occupancy Permits have been issued year-to-date. Other permits and property complaints
keep the department busy. Brown announced dangerous buildings within the Village: 128
W. Central has exterior tuckpointing issues that the owner is dealing with, 448 Park was
destroyed by fire and will be demolished, and 516 Albers Lane will be demolished for a
newer construction. Recent storms caused a lot of downed trees and roughly $12,000 in
damages. The lift station generator grant that Brown was working on in conjunction with
PW Director Cheatham was denied. Grease trap inspections are completed and will now be
done twice a year. Trustee McRae asked about the Methodist Church project on Prairie.
There is a new pastor at the church who will determine the status of the project. It was
agreed that it’s past time to take action on the property. There were no other questions.
MONTHLY TREASURER’S REPORT:
Treasurer Schoppet presented the May Treasurer’s Report. The Village is currently in a cash
flow crunch as it awaits property tax revenues to start coming in. Money is very tight right
now and spending is being held at a minimum. Schoppet stated he anticipates property tax
revenue of $200,000 in July, and he reviewed preliminary June figures. There were no
questions. Motion made by Bourland, seconded by Mull, to approve the Treasurer’s
Report for the month of May, 2016. Trustees Bourland, Withers, Mull, Bost, Dugger and
McRae voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Committee meetings were scheduled for July 18, 2016 at 6:00pm.
WATER DEPARTMENT BILLS
Motion by Mull, seconded by McRae, authorizing payment of the Water Department
bills in the amount of $143,078.06. Trustees Bourland, Withers, Mull, Bost, Dugger and
McRae voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
GENERAL FUND
Motion by McRae, seconded by Withers, authorizing payment of bills in the amount of
$112,374.82. Trustees Bourland, Withers, Mull, Bost, Dugger and McRae voted aye, nays
none. Motion carried 6-0.
AUDIT FUND
Motion by Withers, seconded by Mull, authorizing payment of bills in the amount of
$1,500.00. 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 $23,014.20. Trustees Bourland, Withers, Mull, Bost, Dugger and McRae voted aye, nays
none. Motion carried 6-0.
GARBAGE FUND
Motion by Mull, seconded by Withers, authorizing payment of bills in the amount of
$53,907.21. Trustees Bourland, Withers, Mull, Bost, Dugger and McRae voted aye, nays
none. Motion carried 6-0.
The next regularly scheduled meeting will be August 1, 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 Bourland,
seconded by Mull. All voted aye viva voce. Meeting adjourned at 8:24pm.
_______________________________ ______________________________
Sue E. Lowrance, Village Clerk Alan Winslow, Mayor
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