Village of Godfrey Board of Trustees met May 21.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
The meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Godfrey was called to order by Mayor Michael McCormick at 6:00 p.m., May 21, 2019 at the Village Hall, 6810 Godfrey Road, Godfrey, Illinois. The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call:
Present: Mark Stewart, Jeff Weber, Joe Springman, Karen McAtee, Nathan Schrumpf, Ben Allen and Michael McCormick.
Absent: None
Village Attorney: Tom Long
Building Code and Zoning Administrator: Laura Dixon Director of Parks and Recreation: Todd Strubhart Director of Maintenance: Jim Lewis
Village Engineer Absent: Richard Beran
Economic Development: Jim Mager
Mayor McCormick asked for the approval of the minutes for the May 7, 2019, meeting. Minutes were approved with no objections from the Board of Trustees.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Mayor McCormick noted that he knew there were residents who wanted to speak and he would give them the opportunity to speak when we got to their agenda item.
STANDING COMMITTEES:
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE:
Ben Allen reported that the next meeting of Public Safety Committee will be June 3, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at the Village Hall.
FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT
Chairman Stewart reported that the next meeting of the Finance Committee will be June 3, 2019, after the close of the Public Safety Committee.
COMMITTEE REPORT:
PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Todd Strubhart, Director of Parks and Recreation, reported that the next meeting of the Parks and Recreation Committee will be June 14, 2019 at 8:30 a.m.
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
Laura Dixon, Building and Zoning Administrator, reported that the next meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission will be June 19, 2019 at 6:30 p.m.
COMMUNITY PLANNING, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE
Tom Long, Chairman of the Community Planning, Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee, reported that the next meeting of the Community Planning, Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee will be on June 12, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.
SPECIAL PROJECTS SEWER COMMITTEE
Jeff Weber, Chairman of the Special Projects Sewer Committee, reported that the next meeting of the Special Projects Sewer Committee will be June 5, 2019 at 5:00 p.m.
GODFREY CLIMATE PROTECTION AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY COMMITTEE
Virginia Woulfe-Beile, Chairman of the Climate Protection and Energy Efficiency Committee reported that the next meeting of the Godfrey Climate Protection And Energy Efficiency Committee will be June 21, 2019 at 12:00 p.m. at the Village Hall.
EDSA COMMITTEE
Chris Sichra reported that the next meeting of the EDSA Committee will be June 25, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Village Hall Conference Room.
COMMUNICATIONS:
No Communications at this time.
OLD BUSINESS:
CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE TO ASSUME GENERAL ASSISTANCE RESPONSIBILITES FROM THE TOWNSHIP TO THE VILLAGE OF GODFREY.
Trustee Stewart moved to suspend the rules for final consideration Ordinance To Assume General Assistance Responsibilities From The Township To The Village Of Godfrey, seconded by Trustee Weber.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes-McAtee, Schrumpf, Springman, Stewart, Weber, Allen, Nays- None, Absent-None. Motion carried.
Trustee Stewart moved for the approval of an Ordinance to assume General Assistance Responsibilities from the Township to the Village of Godfrey, seconded by Trustee Weber. Roll Call Vote: Ayes-McAtee, Schrumpf, Springman, Stewart, Weber, Allen, Nays- None, Absent-None. Motion carried.
CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF VILLAGE OF GODFREY, ILLINOIS RESOLUTION ASSUMING THE FUNCTION AND DUTIES OF THE TOWNSHIP OF GODFREY. Trustee Stewart moved for the approval of the Village of Godfrey, Illinois Resolution Assuming the Function and Duties of the Township of Godfrey, seconded by Trustee Weber. Roll Call Vote: Ayes-McAtee, Schrumpf, Springman, Stewart, Weber, Allen, Nays- None, Absent-None. Motion carried.
CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF 2019-2020 BUDGET AND APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE- FINAL READING. Trustee Stewart moved for the approval of 2019-2020 Budget and Appropriation Ordinance, seconded by Trustee Weber. Roll Call Vote: Ayes-McAtee, Schrumpf, Springman, Stewart, Weber, Allen, Nays- None, Absent-None. Motion carried.
ZONING MATTERS: Consideration and Approval of AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE0 VILLAGE OF GODFREY, ILLINOIS, FOR A VARIANCE FOR FRONT AND REAR YARD SETBACK AT LOT 19 QUATOGA BLUFF, GODFREY, ILLINOIS. Trustee McAtee Moved For The Approval Of An Ordinance Amending The Zoning Ordinance Of The Village Of Godfrey, Illinois, For A Variance For Front And Rear Yard Setback At Lot 19 Quatoga Bluff, Godfrey, Illinois, seconded by Trustee Schrumpf.
Mayor McCormick invited Jim and Deb Wafer to speak.
Jim Wafer handed out a list of his reasons to deny the request for the variance.
Reasons to deny the request for setback variance to front and rear of property owned by James T. Dooley, located on Illini Trail,
Ouatoga Bluff, Godfrey, IL
1. Application for Variance- page 4, Item E, Response to factors, states that ".that the proposed Variation will not.substantially diminish or impair property values within the neighborhood." As the property owners of the residence located directly above the lot, we feel that the price paid for our home was largely determined by the view of the river and the lack of development when looking down from the rear of the property to the river below. We assert that construction of a home that could be as close as 10 feet from our back property line would diminish our property value by being much too close to our deck in the back and the pleasant view presently afforded by the vacant lot. Further, with no restriction on what could be built on the lot, by him, his heirs or a buyer of the property, there exists a real possibility that a multi-story dwelling could be constructed that could seriously impede the view of the river. Again, we feel our property value would be diminished by that.
2. Application for Variance- page 3, Item A, Response to factors, states that "That the plight of the owner is due to unique circumstances.which would result in a particular hardship upon the owner, as distinguished from a mere inconvenience or loss of revenue, if the strict requirements of the Ordinance were applied and that the subject property cannot yield a reasonable return if permitted to be used only under the conditions allowed by the regulations applicable to the zoning district in which the property is located." We question whether denial of the 10' setback variance would pose a hardship, or just an inconvenience or loss of revenue.
3. The owner informed us in a phone conversation just prior to the Zoning and Building Board meeting in April, that his intention was not to build a house for himself, nor was it his intention to sell the property. He stated that perhaps his son would someday like to build a house on the property. At the Planning and Zoning meeting as well as the first Trustees meeting 2 weeks ago, his reason for the variance was then presented as him wanting to build a house and garage on the property for himself. We wonder why he would present it to us one way, and then change his story for these meetings. No plans or architectural drawings have ever been presented by the owner showing this claim.
4. The owner has already requested, and received, a setback variance on this property, over 20 years ago. We feel, and our neighbors concur as evidenced by the petition that we presented at the Planning and Zoning meeting, that the further reduction to 10' of the front and rear setback would be detrimental to the surrounding residences, and the neighborhood as a whole.
5. Jeff Gosset, a realtor with Wolff Realty with over 30 years' experience in the Godfrey area, testified at the Building and Zoning meeting that his expert opinion was that the value of our home was due in significant part to the fact that it afforded a nice river view, and that this Variance could indeed impede the view to such a degree that our property value would be adversely affected.
6. The Zoning and Building Commission, on the recommendation of the Building and Zoning Administrator, voted unanimously to reject the request for Variance. We feel this decision is reason enough not to go forward with the Request for Variance approval.
As a footnote, we wonder if a solution to this problem might be to donate the lot to the Nature Conservancy or some other Environmental organization, to preserve the valued Green space along the River Road, perhaps yielding a tax write off to the owner on a property that he says he purchased for very little in the 1960's.
Jim & Deb Wafer, 4805 Kaskaskia Trail, Godfrey, IL. 62035
After some discussion, Trustee Stewart asked for the attorney to check into amending the Ordinance to limit the height to a 1-story house. The matter was set aside until the next meeting.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR/SUPERVISOR/PARK BOARD TO APPLY FOR SOLAR PARK GRANT FROM MADISON COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. Trustee Stewart moved for the approval of the Resolution authorizing the Mayor/Supervisor/Park Board to apply for Solar Park Grant from Madison County Community Development, seconded by Trustee McAtee. Roll Call Vote: Ayes-McAtee, Schrumpf, Springman, Stewart, Weber, Allen, Nays- None, Absent-None. Motion carried.
Adjourn – Sine Die Swearing-in of Village Officials Trustees Ben Allen, Karen McAtee and Virginia Woulfe-Beile. Mayor McCormick presented Joe Springman with a plaque thanking him for this service as Trustee from 2015-2019. Meeting is adjourned at 6:27, of old Board and New Board Members are sworn-in to office. Mayor McCormick welcomes new Trustee Virginia Woulfe-Beile, opens the meeting and new business is considered.
Call to order 6:31 pm-Roll call of new Board
Ayes-Mark Stewart, Jeff Weber, Karen McAtee, Virginia Woulfe-Beile, Nathan Schrumpf, Ben Allen, Absent –None.
NEW BUSINESS:
CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL TO CHANGE THE NAME OF CLIFTON TERRACE PARK TO CAPTAIN JAKE RINGERING PARK AT CLIFTON TERRACE. Trustee Weber moved for the approval to change the name of Clifton Terrace Park to Captain Jake Ringering Park at Clifton Terrace, seconded by Trustee Schrumpf.
Poll of Board: Ayes-6, Nays-0, Absent-0. Motion carried.
CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF THE PURCHASE OF A NEW ZERO TURN MOWER FROM FELDMANN POWER INC, OF BRIGHTON IL AND TO AUTHORIZE THE VILLAGE TREASURER TO ISSUE MAKE THE PAYMENT OF $10,582.81 WHEN THE MOWER HAS BEEN DELIVERED AND INVOICE RECEIVED. Trustee Stewart moved for the approval of the purchase of a new zero turn mower from Feldmann Power Inc, of Brighton IL and to authorize the Village Treasurer to issue make the payment of $10,582.81 when the mower has been delivered and invoice received seconded by Trustee Weber. Trustee Weber asked why a lower bid was not taken and asked for this to be held over for Finance Committee.
CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF THE PURCHASE OF A BOILER FOR THE SHOP BUILDING AT 1433 STAMPER LANE, FROM GENE'S APPLIANCE IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $6,253.00. Trustee Stewart moved for the approval of the purchase of a boiler for the shop building at 1433 Stamper Lane, from Gene's Appliance in an amount not to exceed $6,253.00, seconded by Trustee Weber. Poll of Board: Ayes-6, Nays-0, Absent-0. Motion carried.
CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RAFFLE LICENSE WAIVER OF FEES AND BONDING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CHRISTMAS IN JULY -FREER AUTO BODY. Trustee Stewart moved for the Approval of Raffle License Waiver of Fees and Bonding Requirements for the Christmas in July -Freer Auto Body, seconded by Trustee Schrumpf. Poll of Board: Ayes-6, Nays-0, Absent-0. Motion carried.
CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF ROADBLOCK LICENSE WAIVER OF FEES AND BONDING REQUIREMENTS FOR GODFREY FIRE DEPT JUNE 28-29. Trustee Stewart moved for the Approval of Roadblock License Waiver of Fees and Bonding Requirements for Godfrey Fire Dept June 28-29, seconded by Trustee McAtee. Poll of Board: Ayes-6, Nays-0, Absent-0. Motion carried.
CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF THE FORMATION OF A STORMWATER COMMITTEE. Trustee Stewart moved for the approval of the formation of a Stormwater Committee, seconded by Trustee McAtee. Poll of Board: Ayes-6, Nays-0, Absent-0. Motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Margaret Davidson of 6217 Isabel St, Godfrey IL addressed the Board regarding drainage issues and standing storm water on her property. She asked if anyone had contacted the owners of the property adjoining hers. Engineer Rich Beran reported he had been in touch with them and he was working on a solution.
Brenda Hausfaus of Winter lane in Godfrey, addressed the Board regarding Winter Lane. Brenda asked if Jim Lewis was going to pave/fix Winter lane. Jim Lewis reported it was on the schedule to be fixed, and that the ditches were already cleaned out.
Sue Ann Stone asked the Board what the vote was on the Solar Grant. Trustee Stewart reported the Resolution had passed.
Clerk Bohn read a thank you letter from retired Clerk Whisler thanking the Board for the donation in her honor through the Godfrey Women’s Club to Lewis and Clark Community College.
Trustee Allen moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:45 p.m., seconded by Trustee McAtee. Poll of Board: Ayes-6, Nays-0, Absent-0. Motion carried.
https://godfreyil.org/boards-and-committees/village-board-of-trustees/#87-minutes-1545320134
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