Village of Bethalto Village Board Met April 12.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
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 of Allegiance”. 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, and Village Treasurer Joe Hughes. Newly appointed County Board member Terry Eaker and newly elected Village Trustee Tim Tweedy were also in attendance.
A motion was made by Lowrance, seconded by Dugger, to approve the Village Board meeting minutes of March 8, 2021. All members voted aye viva voce. Motion carried 6-0.
REPORTS FROM DEPARTMENTAL SUPERVISORS:
Fire Chief James Schulte and Zoll representative Jason presented lifesaving awards to Ptl. Ryan Bennett and Sgt. Ryan Dugger for a life saved on March 1, 2021. This is Bennett’s first save and Dugger’s fifth. Zoll also presented an award to the entire PD to commend them on their actions on that date. Two firefighters were also commended for their work on this incident. The patient has fully recovered. Schulte then presented his monthly report, noting 121 runs in March, 328 calls to date, and 30 lift assists. One member resigned due to other employment, and one volunteer resigned due to moving out of town. There were no box alarms and no fire loss this month. The department roof is leaking worse now than ever, with water leaking onto gear and the vehicles. Mayor Winslow stated we will find a way to temporarily patch the roof until a decision can be made on replacement. Schulte then noted the displays of new equipment for trustees to view at the end of the meeting. There were no questions.
Police Chief Mike Dixon also thanked Bennett and Dugger for a job well done, noting that the patient was a long-time police officer in the area and a good friend to many within the Village. Dixon then presented his monthly activity report. The dispatch consolidation has gone better than anticipated, and Dixon expressed thanks to Dispatchers Giacalone and Petrokovich for assisting with the transition. Some radio “walkover” with East Alton will be remedied with the addition of a new transmitter and repeater at the High School, and that should be resolved in a month or two. One new officer has been hired from the probationary list; he will start on the 19th of this month. We are losing another officer due to police reform legislation, so an additional new hire is being background checked and drug tested. Dixon reviewed a few of the significant cases his department has worked recently. Sgt. Skinner was presented her 25-year service award, with many thanks from the PD and Village as a whole. There were no questions.
Public Works Director Cheatham presented the annual MS4 Report, which is an annual requirement for our storm water processing. Cheatham noted that all is well, and that the Village is going over and beyond the requirements by GIS-ing all storm sewer drains and catch basins. He then presented his departmental reports, noting patch work and drainage projects are continuing. Parks crews are working on ball field prep and tournament preparations. There were no water main breaks this month, and the Main Street water main is nearing completion. Flushing started earlier in April and is going very well. Sewer crews are cleaning lines and working repairs. The next round of sewer lining is out for bid. . There were no questions.
Zoning Administrator Reddick reviewed his monthly report, noting one commercial permit issued, a decrease in occupancy permits, and fewer homes being constructed. Permits are being issued on a timely basis. Code violations are expected to increase with the warmer weather. There have been several mobile home issues, as discussed in committee. Two garages were condemned and already removed. The Village’s IOS audit information has been submitted, with results expected in a few months. 128 Hampton is in the process of being demolished by the owner, and there are four resolutions for consideration tonight regarding other nuisance properties. There were no questions.
GUESTS/PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Winslow introduced newly appointed County Board member Terry Eaker and newly elected Village Trustee Tim Tweedy, who were both in attendance. There were no other guests or public comments.
RESOLUTIONS
Resolution 2021-07 Declaring 544 Park Drive as Unsafe and Authorizing Village to Demolish was presented. This is one of the properties discussed in committee; a new owner had purchased with promises to rehabilitate the property, but progress has stopped so Reddick believes it is time to move forward. Motion made by Bost, seconded by Gibbons, to approve Resolution 2021-07 Declaring 544 Park Drive as Unsafe and Authorizing Village to Demolish. Trustees Bost, Dugger, Gibbons, Lowrance, Perkhiser and Stassi voted aye; nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
Resolution 2021-08 Declaring 1409-1415 West Drive as Unsafe and Authorizing Village to Demolish was presented. These addresses consist of two duplexes that have major foundation and roof issues; the owner has stated he will fix but no work has been done. Reddick recommends we move forward with the demolition process. Motion made by Stassi, seconded by Lowrance, to approve Resolution 2021-08 Declaring 1409-1415 West Drive as Unsafe and Authorizing Village to Demolish. Trustees Bost, Dugger, Gibbons, Lowrance, Perkhiser and Stassi voted aye; nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
Resolution 2021-09 Declaring 58 N. Williams Street as Unsafe and Authorizing Village to Demolish was presented. This property has been a perpetual problem and police are called there often. The property has been boarded up for about six months and there has been no action by the owner to fix issues. Motion made by Perkhiser, seconded by Gibbons, to approve Resolution 2021-09 Declaring 58 N. Williams Street as Unsafe and Authorizing Village to Demolish. Trustees Bost, Dugger, Gibbons, Lowrance, Perkhiser and Stassi voted aye; nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
Resolution 2021-10 Declaring 731 Dugger Street as Unsafe and Authorizing Village to Demolish was presented. This property has no foundation in some areas, two sides are bowing out and has significant roof issues. The entire inside has been gutted. Motion made by Gibbons, seconded by Stassi, to approve Resolution 2021-10 Declaring 731 Dugger Street as Unsafe and Authorizing Village to Demolish. Trustees Bost, Dugger, Gibbons, Lowrance, Perkhiser and Stassi voted aye; nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
Resolution 2021-11 A Resolution Authorizing Services of Illinois Codification Services for Maintenance of Village Code book was presented. The Village has utilized Illinois Codification for many years; this authorizes continued use and pricing for codification services. Motion made by Perkhiser, seconded by Dugger, to approve Resolution 2021- 11 A Resolution Authorizing Services of Illinois Codification Services for Maintenance of Village Code book. Trustees Bost, Dugger, Gibbons, Lowrance, Perkhiser and Stassi voted aye; nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
Resolution 2021-12 A Resolution for Establishment of Reserve Accounts was presented. This is a requirement of our water subjurisdiction agreements, and all three entities will deposit funding into these accounts for capital improvements. Separate, reserved accounts will be created. Motion made by Bost, seconded by Lowrance, to approve Resolution 2021-12 A Resolution for Establishment of Reserve Accounts. Trustees Bost, Dugger, Gibbons, Lowrance, Perkhiser and Stassi voted aye; nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
Resolution 2021-13 A Resolution Authorizing Execution of Intergovernmental Agreement Between the Village and Meadowbrook Fire Protection District was presented. This authorizes an official agreement between the Village and Meadowbrook for activation of emergency sirens. This was previously a “handshake agreement” under which we activated Meadowbrook’s sirens any time ours were activated. With dispatch moving to Wood River, Wood River is in agreement to continue this process, but an official agreement is required. Maintenance of the siren system is still the responsibility of the owner of the sirens. There is also an indemnification clause. The agreement can be terminated at any time with a 90-day notice. April 1, 2021 is the agreement date. After a slight delay in distributing the “Attachment A” agreement, a motion was made by Perkhiser, seconded by Gibbons, to approve Resolution 2021-13 A Resolution Authorizing Execution of Intergovernmental Agreement Between the Village and Meadowbrook Fire Protection District. Trustees Bost, Dugger, Gibbons, Lowrance, Perkhiser and Stassi voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
Resolution 2021-14 A Resolution Authorizing Execution of Application for Funding as Part of the Federal Economic Recovery Plan was presented. This would allow the Village to apply for Federal funding to complete the West Corbin Street extension into Cottage Hills. However, time constraints on the completion of the submitted projects, along with MFT funds already committed to other projects may be of concern. Winslow explained that the projects funded must be completed by September 30, 2022, and that the Village’s portion of the project would still be $800,000—which would either cause the Village to incur debt or wipe out MFT funding entirely. Winslow stated that he’d love to see the project completed, but the timing may be off for this round of funding. There was discussion of possible funding opportunities down the road, along with Wood River Township contributing to the cost since some of the project is in their jurisdiction; and the consensus was to not apply for funding at this time. There was no motion in support of Resolution 2021-14.
ORDINANCES
There were no ordinances presented for consideration.
REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR:
Sandra Balsters, Deb Sims, and Jane Ahasay were in attendance to represent Bethalto Spirit and the Arboretum Committee to discuss the newly-achieved ARBNET Level 1 Certification for the Arboretum. Our park is one of only 452 Level 1 Arboreta in the world, and work is planned over the next few years to achieve Level 2 status and beyond. Certification processes were explained, with the requirement of 80 identified trees met. A lot of work and research has been done to get the park where it is today, with mapping software, QR codes, and historical data on trees notated. Continuing education will be another component on reaching the next level of certification, and the Spirit Group plans on working hand-in-hand with the Library on several programs. Four grants were applied for, and three received for funding for the park. There will be an Arbor Day celebration on April 30, with 500 free trees distributed, a dedication of the Golden Garden, and a time capsule burial for future generations. Mayor Winslow commended the Spirit Group for the outstanding work they’ve done in the Arboretum, as they’ve transformed it into the beautiful park it is today. Winslow reminded everyone that there will be a Volunteer Day in the Arboretum on Saturday, April 17 for anyone interested in helping out.
The CMHS Class of 2021 has placed a Blessing Box outside of the Senior Citizens Center as their class project. The box includes food items and other necessities that are free for anyone who may need something. Abby Geiger and Mattie Lively were in attendance to present the idea behind the box, noting that their classmates all brought in donations to stock it, and Mr. McKinney and Mrs. Hawkins of CMHS assisted the group with their endeavor. They both noted that word is just getting out about the box, and they want to promote it as much as possible, to see “how big it can get”. The class already has enough donations on hand to restock the box two to three times. The board thanked the Class of 2021 for the excellent project.
The Fire Department has requested use of Central Park on Labor Day weekend for the return of the Bethalto Homecoming. Motion made by Lowrance, seconded by Stassi, to approve use of Central Park by the Bethalto Volunteer Fire Department for the annual Labor Day Homecoming. Trustees Bost, Dugger, Gibbons, Lowrance, Perkhiser and Stassi voted aye; nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
Bethalto Spirit has requested use of Central Park on Thursday evenings throughout the summer for free concerts in the park. Motion made by Lowrance, seconded by Dugger, to approve Bethalto Spirit’s use of Central Park on Thursdays throughout the summer for Free Concerts in the Park. Trustees Bost, Dugger, Gibbons, Lowrance, Perkhiser and Stassi voted aye; nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
Mayor Winslow would like permission to include the monthly payment to Wood River for Consolidated Dispatching Services in the “pre-approved monthly bills” which are paid on the 1st of each month prior to formal approval at the monthly board meetings. This will insure that the invoice is paid on time each month. Trustees receive a copy of these payments monthly along with the treasurer’s report. Motion made by Bost, seconded by Gibbons, to include the Wood River dispatching invoice in the list of pre-approved monthly bills. 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. Income and expenses were reviewed, and the ending cash balance was up $350k from the previous month. There were no questions. Motion made by Bost, seconded by Dugger, to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of March, 2021. Trustees Bost, Dugger, Gibbons, Lowrance, Perkhiser and Stassi voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS:
Committee meetings were scheduled for Monday, April 26 at 6pm.
BILLS:
GENERAL FUND
Motion made by Stassi, seconded by Perkhiser, authorizing payment of bills in the amount of $191,856.36. Trustees Bost, Dugger, Gibbons, Lowrance, Perkhiser and Stassi voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
WATER & SEWER FUND
Motion made by Bost, seconded by Gibbons, authorizing payment of bills in the amount of $154,497.80. Trustees Bost, Dugger, Gibbons, Lowrance, Perkhiser and Stassi voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
MFT FUND
Motion made by Lowrance, seconded by Dugger, authorizing payment of bills in the amount of $8,150.00. This is payment for property acquisition for the Friedel Bridge project. Trustees Bost, Dugger, Gibbons, Lowrance, Perkhiser and Stassi voted aye, nays none. Motion carried 6-0.
GARBAGE FUND
Motion made by Gibbons, seconded by Lowrance, 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.
The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on May 10, 2021 at 7:00pm.
Having no further business, a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Perkhiser, seconded by Stassi. All voted aye viva voce. Meeting adjourned at 8:18pm.
https://bethalto.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/VILLAGE_BOARD_MINUTES_041221.pdf
Alerts Sign-up