The regular meeting of the Warren Village Board was held on Monday, June 28, 2010 at 7:00PM in the Warren Village Hall. The meeting was called to order by President Raisbeck. Members present were: Smith, Wubbena, and Grebner. Hess, Loomis and Raab were absent. Also attending were Attorney Toepfer, Breed and Brinker.
The minutes from the last meeting were reviewed. Grebner made a motion to accept the minutes as written. Smith seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken all voting aye. Motion carried.
The bill list was reviewed. After discussion Wubbena made a motion to move the J&R bill for hard hats and safety vests from the clothing allowance line in Water and Streets to General under miscellaneous. Smith seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken all in favor none opposed. Motion carried. Wubbena then made a motion to authorize payment of the bills with the change of the J& R bill as presented. Smith seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken, all in favor none opposed. Motion carried.
Finance: Chair Wubbena- The Clerk and Treasurers reports were discussed with one month being reported. Wubbena made a motion to accept the Clerk and Treasurer’s report as presented. Smith seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken, all in favor, none opposed.
Public Safety: No Report
Buildings: Chair Grebner- The meeting of the Community House Board has been moved to July 21, 2010 at 7:00PM at the Community Building. Discussion followed about plug-ins at the Community House. Some of them work by turning a switch on or off. Christina Sutter will check and make sure all the plug-ins are working properly.
Streets: President Raisbeck commented that the tree on Gratiot Street had been cut down.
At this time Attorney Toepfer was called upon to update the Board on several items. In the Old Ford building case, the court has granted the owner the right to file a brief and has until July 16, 2010 to do so. The Village attorney in the case has until August 20th to reply. On the blighted house issue, Toepfer will be filing a motion for judgment, a notice will be sent to the owner and the hearing date will probably be in mid July.
Ordinance: No report
Attorney Toepfer reported that he has been working with Jim Hess, on several changes to existing loan programs and development of a new loan that will be available to businesses and private home owners in the near future. It was noted that one is a downtown preservation “façade” loan for businesses and another will be available for private homeowners as well. Final details of the programs are still being worked out.
Local Improvements: Smith reported in the absence of Chair Loomis- Flyers and brochures have been distributed for the Car/Art Show in Freeport and Galena. The Warren Home Makeover has been moved to July 10th due to conflicts with the contractor’s schedules.
Personnel: No Report
Economic Development: Chair Smith- The Economic Development loans are up to date except for one. The owner has made contact with the Village and will be making several payments around July 1.
A meeting of the committee was held recently to review several Economic Loan applications. One applicant was missing one item that is required to complete the application. They will be contacted for the item. There is a co-signer for the loan and the applicant has excellent financial standings. They are asking for $10,000.00 to be used for inventory. Smith made a motion to move forward and accept the Economic Development loan application. Wubbena seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken, all in favor none opposed. Motion carried.
There will be a meeting called with the second applicant to review the paperwork and ask
for some clarifications.
A correction is noted on information reported in the June 14th minutes under Economic Development as follows: The initial $2,500.00 charged for the feasibility study is included in the $34,000.00. (Community Funding & Planning Services)
Sewer: Chair Wubbena- The sewer project is complete as far as the actual sewer work. The landscaping and street work needs to be done yet.
Water: Chair Grebner- Concerns were brought forward about having two of the employees gone on vacation at the same time. It was decided that vacation time is earned and the employee should be able to use it when they wish, as long as coverage is made in their absence.
President Raisbeck will be having a meeting with Hans Anderson of Fehr-Graham on Wednesday morning to go over concerns he has with billing.
He is expecting a call from Jim Sacia Wednesday also to see if there is any news on a $50,000.00 grant to be used for the old water tower.
Old Business: Moving ahead with the creation of a TIF (Tax Increment Financing) Distrct, the budget has been amended to reflect a line item for the cost of the TIF, which is $34,000.00. Smith made a motion to accept the amended budget with the addition of the $34,000.00 line item for the TIF. Grebner seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken: Smith, yes; Grebner, yes; Wubbena, no. Motion did not carry according to the Illinois Municipal Handbook rules.
New Business: A request was brought forward to hire 2 part-time workers for about 20 hours a week for two weeks to help with a few small projects. After discussion it was decided to call the school and see if Community Service students could volunteer to help. President Raisbeck will call Mr. Fennell.
Grebner made a motion to adjourn. Wubbena seconded the motion. Meeting adjourned at 7:43 PM.