July 14, 2009                                                                             Regular Meeting

Mayor Franks called the July meeting to order with Sturtewagen, Gustafson, Curran, DeRycke, and Fulton present. Also present at the meeting were Tom Graves, Bob Westfall, Darlene and Bob DeSchepper, and Lloyd May.

Monthly Minutes
Curran, seconded by DeRycke, made a motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. Motion carried.

Monthly Bills
After discussion, Curran, seconded by DeRycke, made a motion to pay the monthly bills. Motion carried.

Police Report
Tim Wise gave the police report showing 13 warnings and 9 citations for the month. He also told board members he was working on grants for radios and a squad car. Board members asked him about signs for prohibiting jake breaking in the village. Wise said that before signs could be posted an ordinance must be adopted. The village clerk will talk to Attorney Scott Smith to find out about the ordinance.

Economic Development Report
Tracy Diehl gave the Economic Development Report. The EPA Grant for extending water mains under Route 78 is progressing. She received a new form. She reported that the village share of the grant is $158,000.00. She reported that she attended a mayor’s meeting in Kewanee that was quite informational. Emma’s Bloomer’s will host lunch on August 3rd from 11-1 for the Chamber’s Lunch on the First Monday project. Several businesses have been hosting lunches and donating the profits to various charities. The next Hennepin Canal meeting will be July 15 at 6:00 in the Best Western Hotel. She reported that Mayor Franks had appointed Trustee Heitzler to replace Dick VanKerrebroeck on the TIF board.

New Business

Power Ventures Project
Tom Graves of Power Ventures was present at the meeting to answer any questions board members had about the conditional use permit his company is applying for. Mayor Franks read the approval recommendation from the Zoning Board. DeRycke, seconded by Curran, made a motion to grant the conditional use permit. Motion carried. The permit will be valid for a 5-year period, commencing on the day the plant begins operations and then can be reissued after noise tests are taken and presented to the board.

North Meadow Village
Bob Westfall was present at the meeting with drawings for the final plat of North Meadow Village. Curran, seconded by DeRycke, made a motion to approve the final plat. Motion carried.

Resident Request
Bob and Darlene DeSchepper were present at the meeting to ask for a zoning variance on their property so that they can build a garage. A public hearing will be held on August 4th at 6:00 in the Village Hall to discuss the variance and answer questions from the public. The zoning board will then make a recommendation to the board.

Business Owner’s Concern
Lloyd May of Burbon’s Place voiced his concerns regarding the notification process associated with his signage and overgrown grass. The Board took his comments under advisement. Letters will be sent to any business displaying a portable arrow sign. Village Code says that a permit must be issued before the sign can be displayed.

Recapturing Fee
Trustee DeRycke questioned if recapturing fees had been paid by Tony VanOpdorp and Donald Earley for the new lots they purchased in the Miller Subdivision. At this time no bills have been sent. Board members asked the village clerk to talk to Attorney Scott Smith about their questions and report back to Mayor Franks.

Community Building at North Meadow Village
Board members discussed the possibility of purchasing the community building with village monies and what the building could then be used for.  A few of the possible ideas included moving the village offices to that location and leaving the police department at the current village hall location; renting the carpeted area for showers, rehearsal dinners, etc; using the building for a community center. Board members told Mayor Franks to make on offer $125,000.00 to Bank of America, current owner of the building. Franks will report back to the board.

Horseshoe Pits
Trustee Gustafson said he had been approached about the possibility of putting horseshoe pits next to the rolle bolle courts in Howes Park. Board members agreed to donate $100 toward the project.

Old Business

Update from Shive-Hattery
Board members were given a report from Marti Ahlgren of Shive-Hattery showing what has been accomplished toward construction of Progress Parkway since 4-24-09. Brandt Construction was awarded the contract, a pre-construction meeting was held in the Village Hall on June 8th, the first construction meeting was held July 2nd, demolition of buildings had been accomplished by the village and grading is to begin the week of July 13th. Construction of the roadway is to be completed by December 2009, with final seeding and finish work to be completed by spring of 2010.

Request for donation
Fulton, seconded by DeRycke, made a motion not to donate money to Abilities Plus due to village budget concerns. Motion carried.

Direct Energy electric Rates
Board members discussed information from Direct Energy concerning savings on electrical rates. Board members were concerned that going with another provider would cause poor service when needed by Ameren IP. They didn’t feel they had enough information. They told the Village Clerk to reject Direct Energy’s offer.

Special Meeting
A special board meeting will be held on August 4th at 6:30 in the Village Hall for the adoption of the new Employee Handbook.

Adjourn
There being no further business Sturtewagen, seconded by DeRycke, made a motion to adjourn. Motion carried.

Julie DeSplinter

Village Clerk