March 12, 2009                                                                       Regular Meeting

Mayor Franks called the March meeting to order with Curran, DeRycke, Fulton and VanKerrebroeck present. The meeting was rescheduled to this date because of a Super-Sectional game for the Annawan Braves on the regularly scheduled meeting date.  Also present at the meeting were Francis Sierens, Gary Sierens, Carolyn Miller, John Roegiers, and Bob Westfall.

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

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

Police Report
Tim Wise gave the police report showing 5 citations and 9 warnings for the month.

Economic Development
Tracy Diehl gave the Economic Development report. She announced winners from the annual Chamber of Commerce dinner: Patriot Renewable Fuels-New Business of the Year; Gold Star F.S.-Renovation of the Year; Annawan Hometown Market-Special Recognition for 70 years in business; Sandy Crosby-Grove Killelea Memorial Award. The Chamber is currently working on “Annawan Bucks” which will allow residents to purchase gift certificates from the Chamber to give to recipients for use at any business in the Village. Some of the business are planning lunches to be served the 1^st Monday of each month. That is a day in the village when no restaurant is available to residents. The money made from the lunches will be donated to local charities or benefits. This will begin in April. Annawan Fun Days will be June 5-6-7 this year. Discussion was held about a new brochure needed for the village to be placed in area newspapers to hopefully add new residents to our village, either buying houses that are presently for sale or building a new home in the subdivisions on the north and south ends of the village. Diehl will work on the brochure and get back to board members as soon as possible. The brochure has been under discussion for some time, but no action had been taken. There are possibilities of new jobs opening at the Rock Island Arsenal. The Arsenal gives packets to the new jobholders and would include a brochure from our village in the packet, but as of yet we have no brochure. Money needed for the brochure can come from the Hotel Tax monies that are received from Henry County. Over $3000 has been received so far. Board members agreed that bringing three or four new families into our school district makes this project of utmost importance. Another possible use for the hotel tax monies is to aid in advertising on the blue signs near the exits on Interstate 80.

Update from Shive-Hattery
Land acquisition has been completed. Proof of payment, warranty deeds, etc had to be sent to IDOT by 3-11-09. The deadline was met.  Revised construction drawings must be received by IDOT be 3-12-09. The bids on the project will be opened on 4-24-09. Construction should begin by 7-09 with completion in spring of 2010.

Update on new Concession Stand
Everything is progressing according to Curran. DeRycke told board members that while he was definitely in favor of the new concession stand he wasn’t happy with the fact that no papers had been signed by American Eagle Buildings and he doesn’t remember voting on it. Curran said that a quote had been received in October of last year. The Village Clerk has no signed estimate, but the board told Curran at that time to go ahead with the project. DeRycke suggested that for future projects of this nature the board should receive a signed document from the builder so that there is no question about price, supplies, etc. Board members agreed. Curran also said that there is need for several loads of rock in the baseball, parking areas. The first home game of the season is April 24^th.

Ordinance Number 313
Curran, seconded by DeRycke, made a motion to adopt Ordinance Number 313 (An ordinance to amend the zoning code of the Village of Annawan to include a Planned Unit Development). Motion carried. The ordinance is on file at the Village Office for public viewing.

Extended Warranty for New Dump Truck
No action was taken.

AFLAC Presentation
Heather Johnson, an AFLAC representative spoke to board members about the advantages of AFLAC. She had handouts for board members with figures for a personal accident indemnity policy, a personal disability indemnity plan, and a maximum difference cancer plan. The plans are to be considered for full time employees. No action was taken.

Public Hearing
There will be a public hearing at 6:00 on March 23, 2009, in the Village Office for consideration of amending the zoning code of the Village to include an Industrial category. This is a follow-up to a request for rezoning from Patriot Renewable Fuels.

Proclamation
Mayor Franks signed a proclamation recognizing the importance of the 2010 Census. A Complete Count Committee will be formed by May, 2009, to include board members, business people, teachers, and community organizations. Each resident in Annawan needs to be counted to assure our fair share of tax monies from the State and Federal Governments.

Loose Dogs
Carolyn Miller talked to board members about the problem of loose dogs in her neighborhood on Pritchard Street. She is also concerned about the lack of cleaning up after pets by the owner. The current ordinance will be published in the Advertizer and a reminder will be placed on the sign outside of the Village Hall. Residents are reminded to call the police if a loose dog is spotted.

Mowing Estimate
Curran, seconded by DeRycke, made a motion to accept an estimate of $5500 from Anderson Enterprises for mowing Howes Park in April, May, June, July, August, and September. Motion carried.

Gas Bill for Library
A check was received from the Annawan-Alba Library for gas used thus far in the 2008-2009 fiscal year. VanKerrebroeck is going to talk with the library board about having their meter removed from our billing. There would then be a possibility of donating 1/3 of the cost for heating the library yearly Annawan Township and Alba Township would donate the other 2/3rds of the bill. The Library Building is owned by the Townships. The meter was put on the village bill when the village received free therms from Ameren IP. That franchise expired in 2008. The village no longer gets free therms. A monetary amount is sent by Ameren IP each year in place of the free therms, but it doesn’t cover the cost of the therms in the last franchise agreement.

Welcome Home and Congratulations
Mayor Franks and board members want to welcome home SPC Aaron Carlson who was injured in Afghanistan. They also thank him for his service and wish him luck in his recovery. Also, Mayor Franks and board members want to congratulate the Annawan Braves and Bravettes for their fantastic seasons.

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

Julie DeSplinter

Village Clerk