Board of Trustees Town Board Meeting

Town of Cortland Board of Trustees Town Board Meeting Town Hall, 59 S. Somonauk Road Cortland, IL 60112 October 28, 2024 at 7:00 PM MINUTES CALL TO ORDER/ PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE / ROLL CALL Mayor Pietrowski called the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees to order at 7:00 p.m. The pledge of allegiance was recited, and roll was called showing as present Trustees Corson, Fioretto, Siewierski, and Stone. Shown as absent were Trustees Olson and Walker. Quorum was present. Trustee Olson arrived at 7:06 p.m. Also present were Public Works Director Joel, Summerhill, Police Chief Lin Dargis, Engineer/Zoning Administrator Brandy Williams, and Town Attorney Kevin Buick. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Trustee Corson moved and Trustee Siewierski seconded a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Unanimous voice vote carried the motion. PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK There was no public wishing to speak. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Approve Town Board Minutes of September 23, 2024; Approve Expenditure Report of August 2024 and Accept the Treasurer's Report of August 2024 Clerk Aldis read the consent agenda into the record. Trustee Stone moved to approve the Town Board minutes of September 23, 2024, approve the expenditure report of August 2024, and accept the Treasurer's report of August 2024; motion seconded by Trustee Siewierski. Roll call vote: Yea: Trustee Stone, Trustee Siewierski, Trustee Corson, Trustee Fioretto Nay: None Absent: Trustees Olson and Walker Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION 2. Progressive Energy- Town Accounts - Discussion of Solar Subscription for Town Accounts Shawn Ajazi, Vice President of Progressive Business Solutions addressed the Board regarding "Current electric trends, competitive pricing, market dynamics, cost mitigation strategies, and influential market factors." He discussed the Town's existing accounts. He stated the February 2025 reads will be the basis for renewal for a 24 month period. He reviewed the efforts regarding price checking and recommends a 24 month agreement with Smartest Energy, the vendor currently serving the town. He stated that he would come back with another option before renewal. He discussed subscription guaranteed savings with solar. He said that community solar has subscribers throughout the Com Ed territory. He stated there is a guaranteed 10% Approved: November 27, 2024 Page 1 of 4 Board of Trustees October 28, 2024 savings. He stated that Progressive Business Solutions has no ownership or claim to the solar energy. Subscribing to solar does not prevent the town from installing its own system, were it desired. His recommendation regarding solar subscription was to authorize the mayor to sign the necessary contract, pending legal review, for a guaranteed 10% savings. He stated ordinances could be ready for the November meeting. Subscriptions are on a first come, first served basis. 3. Authorization to pay upon delivery of new squad vehicle from Gjovik, Plano, IL the purchase price of $58,930.03; payment from line 01-6200-814; requires a budget amendment as noted when order was authorized. This cost does not include all necessary squad equipment. Trustee Corson moved to authorize payment upon delivery of new squad vehicle from Gjovik, Plano, IL the purchase price of $58,930.03; payment from line 01-6200-814, the motion was seconded by Trustee Siewierski. It was acknowledged that the amount is higher than originally budgeted and does not include all necessary squad equipment; a budget amendment is required. Roll call vote: Yea: Trustee Stone, Trustee Siewierski, Trustee Corson, Trustee Fioretto, Trustee Olson Nay: None Absent: Trustee Walker Motion carried. Chief Dargis stated that the vehicle is a road-ready package. It needs to have the cradle point/computer and cage installed as well as being marked. This vehicle will replace squad #17 which will be used as an administrative vehicle. 4. Review Proposed tax levy for Fiscal Year beginning May 1, 2025 and ending April 30, 2026 A proposed 2024 Tax Levy was presented for review. The combined town and library estimated levy amount is $1,142,084. This amount, in an effort to capture the town's new construction is a 5.53% increase which requires a public hearing. The notice will be published and the hearing will be on the November meeting agenda. It was noted that the Equalized Assessed Valuation (EAV) objection period, which generally ends on November 18, 2024, has been extended to December 4, 2024, for Cortland Township due to an accident of the Township Assessor. 5. TIF Developer's Agreement - Cortland Flooring - Discussion only Mr. Rick Jountz, owner of Cortland Flooring was present to address the Board regarding his TIF Development proposal. He stated that as of this December he is a 19 year business owner in town. He has submitted an application for TIF funds with construction to begin in the spring of 2025. He stated he may want to amend the application. Ms. Williams stated the application is for partial TIF benefits. Three examples of cost sharing were submitted by the Town's TIF counsel, 30%, 50% and 75% developer's share. The TIF attorney needs direction of the Board regarding how to proceed in order to prepare documents. Trustee Corson stated he felt this application is a good move. Trustee Siewierski stated this is the reason the town has a TIF. Approved: November 27, 2024 Page 2 of 4 Board of Trustees October 28, 2024 The current application has an estimated eligible cost of $127,570. The consensus of the Board was to allow a 30% developer's share. Ms. Williams stated the TIF attorney would be notified and prepared documents would be provided when available. 6. Metronet Termination Agreement - Proposed Settlement Agreement between Town of Cortland and CMN-RUS, Inc. dba Metronet terminating Non-Exclusive Cable Television Franchise previously granted to Metronet. This agreement, if approved, would memorialize the terms associated with termination of the Cable Television franchise granted to Metronet in 2019. Metronet has indicated its intention to discontinue cable television service as of December 10, 2024. The agreement would require Metronet to provide assistance to address customer complaints, make its staff available by phone and email to address customer service issues, and pay a one-time fee to reimburse the Town for its costs and expenses associated with the Settlement Agreement. Trustee Siewierski moved and Trustee Olson seconded a motion to authorize the mayor to sign the Metronet Termination Settlement Agreement as presented . Roll call vote: Yea: Trustee Stone, Trustee Siewierski, Trustee Corson, Trustee Fioretto, Trustee Olson Nay: None Absent: Trustee Walker Motion carried. A 2024-07 7. Approve 2025 meeting dates Trustee Corson moved and Trustee Siewierski seconded a motion to approve the proposed 2025 meeting dates. Unanimous voice vote carried the motion. {Clerk's note: January 12 is changed to 13, and April 21 is change to 28.} 8. Town Sign Concept - Discussion only Steve lrman of KS Displays was present with examples of new signs for the town at the request of Mayor Pietrowski. The example that could be placed at Suppeland Park could be lighted letters, can be decorated for holidays, could be a photo opportunity area. It could also be a climbing hazard and would need to be built to a very sturdy standard. If lighted, possibly a solar panel for lighting could be installed. The example of the north side of the town hall was stated to look too busy with the windows in between each of the letters. The Board is concerned about pricing and if all signs would be upgraded. 9. 2024 Snow Plow Naming Contest A 2024 contest for naming a snow plow was undertaken. There were nine submission to the Public Works Director. The three options brought to the Board for consideration were: The Snowminator 9000 Blizzard Wizard Sir Plows-A-Lot Consensus of the Board for 2024 is Sir Plows-A-Lot. The submission was from Eva Damien of N Charles St. Approved: November 27, 2024 Page 3 of 4 Boa rd of Trustees October 28, 2024 COMMENTS Trustee Siewierski commented that he was glad to see a local business come in to build and stay in town. He reiterated that construction traffic continues to use Prairiefield Ave. as a pathway to Richland Trails construction. PARKS ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT Trustee Fioretto stated there was no meeting in October. DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS 10. Public Works, Police Department, and Building September 2024 Reports The walking path along Loves Rd will be extended shortly. The county has equipment on site. There were no other comments, questions or concerns. MAYOR'S REPORT 11. November 12, 2024, meeting is cancelled. Mayor Pietrowski reported that the November 12, 2024, meeting would be cancelled. He congratulated the Cortland Lions Club for another successful parade. He commented and thanked participants of the Trunk or Treat event. ADJOURNMENT Trustee Siewierski moved and Trustee Stone seconded a motion for adjournment. Unanimous voice vote carried the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Ll~\__~t-- CLu4-~4-_) Cheryl Aldis, Town Clerk Approved: November 27, 2024 Page 4 of4