March 11, 2008

Mayor Franks called the March meeting to order with Sturtewagen, Gustafson, Curran, DeRycke, Fulton and VanKerrebroeck present.

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

Monthly Bills
VanKerrebroeck, seconded by Curran, made a motion to pay the monthly bills. Motion carried. VanKerrebroeck also questioned if Missman, Stanley, and Associates, who made a new flood plain map for the water department, could also make a new zoning map. Franks said that they could. He asked board members to look at the current zoning map before the next meeting. A special meeting will be held one hour before the April meeting to discuss the map more. DeRycke said that he will bring information from zoning categories in Princeton, IL, for discussion at the special meeting. Curran said that we should have an attorney’s opinion. Bill Stewart, current village attorney, is nearing retirement and will be closing his Annawan office. VanKerrebroeck said that he thought it would be a good idea if the village offers incentives to bring a new attorney to Annawan. VanKerrebroeck will have more to report at the next meeting.

Police Report
Tim Wise gave the police report showing 2 citations and 7 warnings for the month. He will be sending letters to residents who have junk cars on their property.

Economic Development
Tracy Diehl gave the Economic Development report. She and the village clerk will be attending an EPA Workshop in Chicago on April 7th. The workshop will offer more information about the $200,000.00 grant received by the village for sewer and water extensions. Diehl resubmitted the Hometown Helper Grant and applied for a grant from Henry County Telephone Company. Any money received from the grants will be applied toward the new concession stand in Howes Park. The Chamber of Commerce will meet on the second Tuesday morning of each month from now on. Fun Days are being planned for June 6th-8th. Diehl was contacted by Lori Wilson of Annawan Banking Center about having waste bags and tags available for customers of the bank to buy. The board approved. Bank ORION will also be given the opportunity to sell the bags and tags.

Residential Request
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bennett were at the board meeting to ask about a tree at 203 S. Henry Street that needs to be removed. The tree is on village property. The village will pay for removal of the tree. Fulton is in charge of getting the removal company.

Old Business

Hollander Property
The hearing for finalization of purchasing property from John Hollander for highway purposes was postponed from March 7th to March 19th. Mr. Hollander has a new lawyer and asked for more time for the lawyer to prepare for the hearing. He received the extension. So no action has been taken to purchase the property.

Concession Stand
Curran reported that he had estimates for the new concession stand. Morton Buildings estimated $30,000.00 for a block building. That was more that the board had decided on. So Curran contacted American Eagle Buildings. They estimate the building to cost $15,000.00. Curran told board members that much of the work will be donated and that he expects the total cost to be under $20,000.00. Donations for more than half of that amount have been received by the village. Curran, seconded by Sturtewagen, made a motion to go forward with the concession stand project. Motion carried. (5 ayes-1 nay)

Sale of Village Truck
Bids were received from Hillsdale Elevator and the Village of Sheffield. Sturtewagen, seconded by Curran, made a motion to accept the bid from the Village of Sheffield. Motion carried. The truck will be sold for $4,525.60.

New Snow Plow Blade
DeRycke, seconded by Curran, made the motion to purchase a poly blade from Quad City Spring at a cost of $4,419.00. Motion carried. The blade will be for the new white truck.

Semi Trailers
Curran pointed out that no action has been taken by village attorney William Stewart to send letters to owners of semi trailers that are illegally parked on village property. He will contact Mr. Stewart again.

New Business

Resident Request
Lloyd May, owner of Burbon’s Place, was at the board meeting to request a liquor license for a new business he is planning. He purchased the old lumber yard and plans to have a live rock and roll band on Friday nights and a live county-western band on Saturday nights. DeRycke, seconded by Curran, made a motion to grant May the liquor license. Motion carried.

Blacktopping for Spring 2008
Missman, Stanley, and Associates will be contacted to suggest what village streets will be blacktopped. Board members pointed out Pritchard Street, from South Street to Baker Street and W. South Avenue. VanKerrebroeck said that something needs to be done to some streets that have been blacktopped in past years to keep them in good condition. Blacktopping prices will be more than last year’s prices. No action was taken.

Mowing Howes Park
Board members discussed having Andersons mow Howes Park and the new baseball diamond. If mowing is needed for baseball games before the next Anderson mowing, school officials will be told to contact Wilburn Barnes. Barnes will also mark the lines on the diamond. The school will be expected to pay for those hours because they are leasing the diamond from the village. No formal bid was received from Anderson Mowing.

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

Also present at the meeting was Don Sierens.

Julie DeSplinter
Village Clerk