April 2, 2018

Call to order at 7:00 pm by President Knoup

Members answering roll call: President Knoup, Bob Asche, Mat Diehl, Will Backus, Dave Dixon, Larry Johnson, Jamie Melville and Cheryl Liebenstein.

The minutes from the March meeting were reviewed and accepted without dissent by Bob. Second by Dave. Motion Carried.

The Committee made a motion to pay all bills as presented with changes. Second by Mat. Motion carried.

Mat made a motion to approve the treasurer report as presented. Second by Dave.

No transfer of funds needed.

Financial Report

Maintenance Report

Rob has requested 2 part time summer help. Members from the following committees will review applications and hire at the May meeting: Buildings & Grounds, Streets & Alleys, Water & Sewer.

Visitors

Joe and Tammy Stephan were present to inform the board that they will be taking over ownership of Little John’s Tap and would like a liquor license in their name beginning May 1, 2018. They have filled out the village application and the background check has been completed.  Bob made a motion to approve a Class A liquor license with Sunday sales.  Roll call vote as follows: Bob-yes, Mat-yes, Will-yes, Dave-yes, Larry-yes. Let the record show 5-yes, 1-absent, 0-no.

Andrew Schroeder-Police officer spoke to the board regarding the new laptop and program.  He gave the board members a brief overview of the program, noting that this is the same program that is used by Freeport police and Stephenson County.  The program allows an officer to speak directly to other officers and 911. The license for the program is paid by the 911 board. Andrew noted that the system is ready to go and they are waiting for the data package from the board.  Mat informed him that either he or Jamie will get a phone for police use through US Cellular.  Mat inquired whether we needed to keep the old program and Andrew requested that we do for now since there are many reports on that system.

Andrew informed the board that Gene Woodley is resigning from the police department.

Fehr Graham – Adam was present to review our on-going projects. The second round for the flood buy-out had closings on February 22, 2018. The closings

cost $435,000.00 and Demo of the buildings will run $47,000.00. The DNR would like to set the next closing for May 9th.  They are concerned that a state budget will not be passed and that any money for the project would be frozen once again. This next round will be 3 homes and 2 business for $457,000.00.  This would complete all the properties that wanted to participate in the buy-out. After the final closing they will then check back with homeowners that declined the buy0-out initially.

The board feels May 9th closing will be fine contingent upon the village receiving payment from the second round of closings. The DNR will be here on Wednesday and will look at what has been completed.

Fehr Graham has looked at well #2 for flood protection. At this time a flood wall/gate would run approximately $162,000.00 but could be over $300,000.00 by the time all is complete.  A new well would run about $370,000.00 with an additional $150,000.00 for a modified well house to run two wells. This option would alternate use between the two wells but run off of one treatment system.

The board can think about this option as it would not be a feasible project for another year at the least.

Safe Route to School- The sidewalk work should start again soon.

STREETS AND ALLEYS

Bob noted that a home owner has put up fencing using re-bar. Board members feel this is unsafe as it runs up to the sidewalk. Bob will speak with the homeowner and neighbor as the fencing is due to conflict between two homes.

WATER & SEWER

No report

CEMETERY

No Report

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS

Will will check with Friends of Mill Pond to see what their intentions are for the summer.

POLICE

Gene Woodley has resigned from the department.

 LIQUOR

Discussed under Visitor section

Old Business

The chicken ordinance needs work regarding fees, number of days to remove chickens if needed.  The biggest concern at this point is Ordinance violations.

Mat made a motion to proceed with the chicken ordinance and complete the ordinance through the lawyer.  Motion second by Larry.  Roll call vote as follows: Bob-no, Mat-yes, Will-yes, Dave-yes, Larry-yes.  Let the record show 4-yes, 1-no and 1-absent.

New Business

The Community Development committee is meeting to gather ideas for the greenspace and to try to get more business in town. They will be meeting with current businesses in two weeks for discussion, then hold a public meeting at a later date.

Clean up day will be held May 19th from 8 am to 2 pm.

Motion was made by Bob to proceed with writing a Public Safety Ordinance through the attorney.  Motion second by Larry.  Motion carried.

President Knoup cautioned village residents to lock their doors as we have many people moving in and out of town.

Larry noted that the Fire Department will not be renting out the building for private parties.

Motion to adjourn at 9:05 by Bob, Second by Larry.  Motion carried

Attest: Cheryl Liebenstein, Village Clerk