Village of Bethalto Board of Trustees Met Nov. 9.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
Due to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines, the Village Board of Trustees meeting was held in the Community Room of Village Hall on the above date in a regular meeting called to order by Mayor Alan Winslow at 7:00 p.m. The meeting opened with the “Pledge ofAllegiance”. Roll call was taken by Village Clerk Sue Lowrance with Trustees Bost, Dugger, Gibbons, Lowrance, Perkhiser, and Stassi in attendance. Also attending were Village Attorney Ken Balsters, Public Works Director Rod Cheatham, Police Chief Mike Dixon, Fire Chief James Schulte, Village Treasurer Joe Hughes, and Zoning Administrator Randy Reddick.
A motion was made by Stassi, seconded by Bost, to approve the village board meeting minutes of October 12, 2020. All members voted aye viva voce. Motion carried 6-0.
A motion was made by Stassi, seconded by Dugger, to approve the special board meeting minutes of October 26, 2020. All members voted aye viva voce. Motion carried 6-0.
REPORTS FROM DEPARTMENTAL SUPERVISORS:
Fire Chief James Schulte presented his monthly report, stating that 161 runs were made in October, which is the highest number of runs since the storm of 2007. The department has run 1162 calls year-to-date. Lift assist calls are up. The department has created a new position of outside resource/education. One probationary member resigned due to time constraints. There were no box alarms and one storm-related incident caused by a lightning strike that caused approximately $2000 in damage. One member has been diagnosed with COVID. There were no questions.
Police Chief Mike Dixon presented his monthly activity report, noting 777 calls in October. The Trunk or Treat event was successful, but officers dealt with long lines of traffic throughout the event, with one minor traffic crash. Dixon estimated 500+ cars went through the line. Thirty applications have been received for probationary officer. The written testing will be done online and physical agility testing will be done through SWIC. Once testing is completed, oral interviews will be conducted with the top 5-10 successful applicants. Dixon is working on background checks for a potential dispatcher, to be hired in replacement of one dispatcher who has indicated he will be leaving in the spring. One dispatcher is out with COVID. Dixon had sent emails earlier in the day showing the newly completed training room and the reorganized evidence room. He noted that there are several firearms that will need to be disposed of and he would like to discuss options for that in committee. Donations are coming in for the department’s Christmas for All event, which will serve several needy families this holiday season. Money from the department’s public relations account, which consists of fees collected for dog kenneling, fingerprinting, etc., will be partially used to fund this outreach. There were no questions.
Public Works Director Cheatham presented his departmental reports. Crews are working on replacement of culverts, drainage at Poplar Street, sweeping, mowing and easement clearing.The fall flushing program has started and will continue through November. One 12” main break was repaired last week, and Cheatham gave kudos to his crews for their quick response and work to get it repaired. Crews are working to replace the main at Main & Park Street and are doing site restoration there. Parks crews are doing ground restoration at the multi-use trail in Central Park. SC 1 was broken into again and SC2 was vandalized; Cheatham noted that lighting will help to deter these incidents in the future. Trustee Perkhiser asked about the large hole at the corner of Sherman and Sheridan; Cheatham noted that the main is being replaced in that area and he is waiting on a contractor to complete the job before the hole can be filled. There were no further questions.
Zoning Administrator Randy Reddick presented his monthly activity report and reviewed the number of permits and violations issued. Code violations are down due to grass not growing and junk removal being done during fall clean up. Reddick is working on two homes labeled as unsafe and one hoarding situation. There were no questions.
GUESTS/PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no guests or residents wishing to address the board.
RESOLUTIONS
Resolution 2020-07 A Resolution Authorizing Intergovernmental Agreement for the Purchase of Bulk Water from the Village of Bethalto was presented. This agreement will be with Meadowbrook Water and is submitted for approval as discussed in committee. Meadowbrook voted to approve this agreement at their last meeting. The agreement is retroactive to August 1. Motion made by Perkhiser, seconded by Gibbons, to approve Resolution 2020-07 A Resolution Authorizing Intergovernmental Agreement for the Purchase of Bulk Water from the Village of Bethalto. Trustees Bost, Dugger, Gibbons, Perkhiser and Stassi voted aye, Lowrance voted nay. Motion carried 5-1.
Resolution 2020-08 A Resolution Authorizing Intergovernmental Agreement for the Purchase of Bulk Water from the Village of Bethalto was presented. This agreement is with Moro and has the same terms as the agreement with Meadowbrook, with the exception of this agreement also including the water line extension for which Bethalto will do the labor and Moro will pay for materials. This will be an 8” line to Kennedy Drive. Motion made by Bost, seconded by Dugger, to approve Resolution 2020-08 A Resolution Authorizing Intergovernmental Agreement for the Purchase of Bulk Water from the Village of Bethalto. Trustees Bost, Dugger, Gibbons, Perkhiser and Stassi voted aye, Lowrance voted nay. Motion carried 5-1.
Resolution 2020-09 A Resolution Authorizing Payment to City of Alton and Rates and Charges to be Charged to Subjurisdictions for Regional Wastewater Treatment Costs on the Bethalto Interceptor Sanitary Sewer System was presented. Attorney Balsters noted that we still have received no response from Alton or Illinois American Water regarding updated rates, therefore we are moving forward with a 10-year average. This newly calculated rate will be passed on to subjurisdictions based on their percentage of flow. The new annual rate to be paid to Alton is $555,000. Balsters reviewed Juneau’s report and how the new rates were calculated. Mayor Winslow added that two bank accounts shown on the monthly Treasurer’s report make up the reserve fund noted on Juneau’s report. The Village holds a CD at Busey Bank and a savings account at US Bank, totaling approximately $350,000. These funds can be used only for specific interceptor needs. Trustee Perkhiser asked what happens if Alton doesn’t agree with our calculations; Balsters answered that at least discussions would start since we’ve had no response from them at all. Balsters further noted that our letter to subjurisdictions would indicate that the new rate is based on an average and may be subject to change. Again, Balsters stated that this action may succeed in starting some communication with Alton. A motion was made by Gibbons, seconded by Bost, to approve Resolution 2020-09 A Resolution Authorizing Payment to City of Alton and Rates and Charges to be Charged to Subjurisdictions for Regional Wastewater Treatment Costs on the Bethalto Interceptor Sanitary Sewer System. Trustees Bost, Dugger, Gibbons, Lowrance, Perkhiser and Stassi voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
ORDINANCES
Ordinance 2020-17 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 21-Liquor was presented by Chief Dixon. This updates some language in our ordinance to be more aligned with Illinois law; specifically updating section 21-3-7 of the code. Motion made by Bost, seconded by Dugger, to approve Ordinance 2020-17 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 21-Liquor.
Trustees Bost, Dugger, Gibbons, Lowrance, Perkhiser and Stassi voted aye, nays none.
Motion carried 6-0.
Ordinance 2020-18 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 27-Offenses was presented by Chief Dixon. Again, this updates some language within our Code as it relates to tobacco products and loitering. Motion made by Stassi, seconded by Lowrance, to approve Ordinance 2020-18 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 27-Offenses. Trustees Bost, Dugger, Gibbons, Lowrance, Perkhiser and Stassi voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
Mayor Winslow presented a recommendation from the PC/ZBA regarding rezoning of property located at 200 W. Central Street. The recommendation is to proceed with rezoning the property from RS5 Single Family Residential to DC Downtown Commercial, as this is believed to have been an oversight from years ago. The property has been a commercial property for several decades. Motion made by Perkhiser, seconded by Stassi, to accept the recommendation of the PC/ZBA and rezone the property located at 200 W. Central Street from RS5 Single Family Residential to DC Downtown Commercial. Trustees Bost, Dugger, Gibbons, Lowrance, Perkhiser and Stassi voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
Motion then made by Perkhiser, seconded by Stassi, to approve Ordinance 2020-19 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 40 Zoning Code/Official Zoning Map of the Village of Bethalto. Trustees Bost, Dugger, Gibbons, Lowrance, Perkhiser and Stassi voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
Mayor Winslow presented a recommendation from the PC/ZBA regarding amending the zoning code to require paved parking lots rather than gravel in commercial zoned districts. There were no questions. A motion was made by Lowrance, seconded by Dugger, to accept the recommendation of the PC/ZBA to update the zoning code to require paved parking lots in commercial zoned districts. Trustees Bost, Dugger, Gibbons, Lowrance, Perkhiser and Stassi voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
Motion then made by Bost, seconded by Gibbons, to approve Ordinance 2020-20 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 40 Zoning Code of the Village of Bethalto. Trustees Bost, Dugger, Gibbons, Lowrance, Perkhiser and Stassi voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
Ordinance 2020-21 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 1- Administration was presented by Mayor Winslow. The approval of this ordinance would remove the duties of supervision of the water office from the Clerk as discussed at the last special meeting. Trustee Perkhiser expressed disapproval of this and stated her reasons why, stating that the Clerk had taken on the additional duties under her own accord. Mayor Winslow noted that the Clerk had stepped up in an attempt to help the Village out when there was a retirement in the water office and added that he feels it is wrong not to have compensated the position accordingly. There was no further discussion. A motion was made by Bost, seconded by Dugger, to approve Ordinance 2020-21 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 1- Administration. Trustees Bost, Dugger, Gibbons, Lowrance and Stassi voted aye, Perkhiser voted nay. Motion carried 5-1.
REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR:
Offices will be closed on November 11 for Veterans’ Day.
Winslow presented Keith Bartels as an appointee to the Plan Commission/ Zoning Board ofAppeals. Bartels was on the Village’s first Plan Commission and has expressed an interest in becoming involved again. He will bring experience and knowledge to the board and comes recommended by the Mayor and Trustee Perkhiser. Motion made by Lowrance, seconded by Perkhiser, to approve the appointment of Keith Bartels to the PC/ZBA. Trustees Bost, Dugger, Gibbons, Lowrance, Perkhiser and Stassi voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
The Village’s annual liability insurance renewal is due in December. IML RMA guaranteed their rates for two years, this being the second year. The annual renewal rate is $163,646.Motion made by Bost, seconded by Stassi, to approve renewal of Village liability insurance with IML RMA. Trustees Bost, Dugger, Gibbons, Lowrance, Perkhiser and Stassi voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
The Fire Department has requested to purchase a chest compression system with funding secured through the CURES Act. This was discussed in committee. Motion made by Bost, seconded by Gibbons, to approve the purchase of a chest compression system for the BVFD. Trustees Bost, Dugger, Gibbons, Lowrance, Perkhiser and Stassi voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
The Fire Department’s defibrillator system is reaching the end of its life, and they have requested to purchase a new unit. This has been accounted for in their annual budget, but is not reimbursable. Motion made by Lowrance, seconded by Perkhiser, to approve the purchase of a new defibrillator system for the BVFD. Trustees Bost, Dugger, Gibbons, Lowrance, Perkhiser and Stassi voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
MONTHLY TREASURER’S REPORT:
The monthly Treasurer’s Report was reviewed by Joseph Hughes. The Village’s ending cash balance is $500,000 higher than last month. The annual audit report has been completed and distributed to Trustees. There were no questions. Motion made by Stassi, seconded by Lowrance, to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of October, 2020. Trustees Bost, Dugger, Gibbons, Lowrance, Perkhiser and Stassi voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS:
Committee meetings were set for November 23 at 6:00pm. The annual Tax Levy will be the main topic.
GENERAL FUND
Motion by Bost, seconded by Gibbons, authorizing payment of bills in the amount of $145,018.62. Trustees Bost, Dugger, Gibbons, Lowrance, Perkhiser and Stassi voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
WATER & SEWER FUND
Motion by Lowrance, seconded by Dugger, authorizing payment of bills in the amount of $202,164.37. Trustees Bost, Dugger, Gibbons, Lowrance, Perkhiser and Stassi voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
GARBAGE FUND
Motion by Gibbons, seconded by Perkhiser, authorizing payment of bills in the amount of $54,112.00. Trustees Bost, Dugger, Gibbons, Lowrance, Perkhiser and Stassi voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
BUSINESS DISTRICT FUND
Motion by Gibbons, seconded by Dugger, authorizing payment of bills in the amount of $12,500.00. Trustees Bost, Dugger, Gibbons, Lowrance, Perkhiser, and Stassi voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
TIF FUND
Motion by Stassi, seconded by Lowrance, authorizing payment of bills in the amount of $202.50. Trustees Bost, Dugger, Gibbons, Lowrance, Perkhiser and Stassi voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on December 14, 2020 at 7:00pm.
Having no further business, a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Stassi, seconded by Lowrance. All voted aye viva voce. Meeting adjourned at 7:54pm.
http://bethalto.com/media/pdf/VILLAGE_BOARD_MINUTES_110920.pdf
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