April 8, 2008                                                                                        Regular Meeting

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

Enterprise Zone Public Hearing

Kip Spear, Acting Kewanee City Manager, was at the meeting to take comments from the mayor, board members, and the public about extending the Kewanee Enterprise Zone to Galva, Illinois. There were no comments from the public. Trustee Fulton questioned the money given to Kewanee by Annawan and Galva for the opportunity to be in the Enterprise Zone. He felt it was unfair. Trustee VanKerrebroeck questioned Spear about how the money would be spent in Kewanee. Spear replied that it would be used for infrastructure for the town of Kewanee. VanKerrebroeck pointed out that new business in Kewanee may benefit Annawan in the long run. Spear asked that an ordinance be adopted to extend the Enterprise Zone. Sturtewagen, seconded by DeRycke, made a motion to adopt Ordinance No. 304 (An ordinance to add territory and new unit of government to the established enterprise zone in the Village of Annawan, authorizing the Kewanee City Manager, who is the zone administrator, to execute, and certify the necessary forms and information to the State of Illinois associated with the application to add territory and a new unit of government, and declaring that this ordinance shall be in full force, in accordance with the law. After a voice vote the motion carried. (5 ayes, 1 nay)

Visitors and Residents

Judith Gilbert, director of the Henry County Economic Development Partnership, was in attendance at the meeting to tell board members what she and her group can provide. Tom and Tim Wells were with Judith to offer their comments on what an asset they think Judith will be.

John Arthur Rosenow presented board members with his plan to put up flags in front of his business on Route 6 (From J.A.’s bar to the corner of State and Front Street).

He wants to put up all the branches of service and American flags. He will use PVC pipe in the ground and then put in the flagpoles. No action was taken. Board members tabled the request to the next board meeting.

Jan Earley requested help from the village for a problem that she sees on W. Patey Street behind the school. There are no sidewalks for the children. There is a drop-off from the newly blacktopped street that also causes problems. She said that is in an accident waiting to happen. Mayor Franks said that flares have been placed on the side of the road to caution people. VanKerrebroeck asked Earley if she had contacted the school about the situation. He said that there are good sidewalks in front of the school. There is a possibility that the end of the day procedures could be changed by the school so that children could exit in the front. No action was taken, but all agreed that something should be done. The village will work with the school.

Minutes

VanKerrebroeck, seconded by Gustafson, made a motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. Motion carried.

Monthly Bills

Curran, seconded by Gustafson, made a motion to pay the monthly bills. Motion carried. 

Resolutions

Gustafson, seconded by Curran, made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 36 (A resolution to ask the IL Dept of Transportation to close Rt. 6 for Fun Day.). Motion carried.

Curran, seconded by Sturtewagen, made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 37 (A resolution to “forgive” the transfers from sewer dept to the garbage dept). Motion carried.

Police Report

Chief Wise gave the report showing 5 tickets and 11 warnings for the month. Wise gave three verbal warnings to residents about junk cars.

Economic Development Report

Tracy Diehl gave the report. She and the village clerk had attended a workshop concerning the $200,000 EPA Grant the village received. Much work will have to be done on the application before the village receives the money. Fun Days will be held from June 6-8. Fun Days will always be held during the first full weekend in June to eliminate confusion. There will be no flag football. A bean bag tournament will be held in place of it. She told board members that she had sent a letter from the village to Scott Harrell, congratulating him on his achievement in the County Spelling Bee. Harrell qualified for the National Spelling Bee.

Old Business

Update from Shive-Hattery

Mayor Franks gave the update. Property issues have been settled and the contract for the work on Route 6 was awarded to Advanced Asphalt. They have already started the work.

Zoning Variance

The zoning board gave their approval to a variance requested by Howard and Howard.

The variance concerns property at 220 and 221 Howes Street, asking for dividing the lot into smaller parcels than the village code requires. The approval now goes to the village attorney for publication.

New Village Attorney

VanKerrebroeck will talk to Attorney Scott Smith, Cambridge, about his fees and report back to the board. There is still a need for getting an attorney here in the village. Research will continue.

2008 Blacktopping

Sturtewagen had estimates from Mapes Asphalt. They suggested that chip and oil is the best way to maintain streets. VanKerrebroeck presented estimates from Steve Brandau of Henry County. Blacktop estimates were $50 per ton, approximately 200 ton needed for one block. Brandau estimated crack repair on Pleasant View Drive to $550. Brandau also said that chip and oil is the best way to maintain. Both Mapes and Brandau had concerns about slurry coating. Brandau said that the method will be about three times the cost of re-sealing with chip and oil. Sand was suggested instead of chips, but it won’t hold up as well.  VanKerrebroeck will contact Missman, Stanley to get an engineer to Annawan to help decide which streets to blacktop.

New Business

Lawn Mower

Mayor Franks presented estimates for a new lawn mower needed by the village.

Board members also felt there is a need for a small tractor to drag the ball diamonds. No action was taken.

Grove Killelea Memorial

VanKerrebroeck told board members that Sue Killelea wants to put up a clock in the village. It will be on a pole similar to the street lights. She wanted board approval. Approval was unanimously given. No location for the clock has been made at this time.

Banners

VanKerrebroeck told board members that the Annawan-Alba Woman’s Club had asked for banners to be made for Annawan Fun Days. They donated $255.00 for banners last December. Board members gave their approval. The banners will have pictures depicting the various activities during Fun Days, including the Pie Auction held by the Woman’s Club.

Hotel Tax

Board members discussed enforcing the hotel tax of 2% passed by ordinance in December of 2003. The tax money collected would have to be used towards tourism in the village. No action was taken.

Liquor Licenses

Sturtewagen, seconded by VanKerrebroeck, made a motion to renew the current liquor licenses in the village. The licenses will expire on April 30, 2009. Current License holders are: Annawan Hometown Market, Burbon’s Place, Jaswal Petroleum, Mobil Convenience Store and J.A.’s Bar. Their license will be renewed when the fees and forms are at the village office.

Present at the Meeting

Judith Gilbert. Tom Well, Tim Well, Dick and Carol Wells, Jan and David Earley, Ellen DeRycke, Don Sierens, Francis Sierens, Rick Tourville, and Lori Wilson.

Motion to Adjourn

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

Julie DeSplinter

Village Clerk