Board of Trustees Town Board Meeting

Town of Cortland Board of Trustees Town Board Meeting Town Hall, 59 S. Somonauk Road Cortland, IL 60112 March 10, 2025 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 call was called showing as present Trustees Walker, Corson, Fioretto, Siewierski, and Olson. Shown as absent was Trustee Stone. Quorum was present. 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 to approve the agenda as presented, seconded by Trustee Siewierski. Unanimous voice vote carried the motion. PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK Girl Scout Lydia Miller was present. She says she is 12 years old and thanked the community for supporting her cookie sales efforts. She reports that she is the number three seller in the northern region and has earned a trip to Disney World three years in a row. This is helping her become more confident. David Pehlke addressed the Board regarding the ability to allow chickens in residential areas. He stated he had checked meeting minutes since he was last before the board and reported that trustees, at the May 8, 2023, meeting said they would consider a non-binding referendum. He stated there is no such referendum on this ballot. He also discussed the amount of land that one free range chicken would actually need. NEW BUSINESS FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION 1. Consider a motion to Approve a new sign option at Town entrances. This would replace the existing signs and include additional placements. Monies from the FY26 budget Capital Improvement Fund. Steve lrman of KSDisplays was present with examples of examples of new signage for the Town's entries. After discussion a consensus of "Town Sign Large 1" was selected. This sign is made of wood and has faux brick columns. The smaller sign is made of steel and aluminum. Trustee Corson moved to approve the purchase of three "Town Sign Large 1" and two "Small town signage" for a cost of $9,060; monies from the FY26 budget Capital Improvement Fund . Roll call vote: Yea: Trustee Siewierski, Trustee Walker, Trustee Corson, Trustee Fioretto, Trustee Olson Nay: None Absent: Trustee Stone Motion carried. This price does not include the planned solar lighting. Approved: March 24, 2025 Page 1 of4 Boa rd of Trustees March 10, 2025 2. Aspasia Letter Regarding Voluntary Donation - Motion to Authorize Mayor to Execute Attorney Buick stated that this Intent to Donate letter is entirely voluntary. A process was previously completed to determine a use. This letter stipulates when the donation would be made and under what conditions. Trustee Fioretto moved to authorize the Mayor to execute the Aspasia Solar Project, LLC letter, seconded by Trustee Olson. Roll call vote: Yea: Trustee Siewierski, Trustee Walker, Trustee Corson, Trustee Fioretto, Trustee Olson Nay: None Absent: Trustee Stone Motion carried. - 3. Consider a Motion to Approve FY25 Budget Amendments as presented by Finance Julie Wons of Lauterbach and Amen presented the FY25 budget amendments to the Board. She stated that the majority of the amendments were needed due to acceptance of the police collective bargaining unit agreement. The others are police department related for vehicle maintenance and the final furnishings of the new squad car. These changes are necessary for the budget to come into alignment with expenses. Trustee Corson moved to approve the Amendments of the FY25 Budget as presented, seconded by Trustee Siewierski. Roll call vote: Yea: Trustee Siewierski, Trustee Walker, Trustee Corson, Trustee Fioretto, Trustee Olson Nay: None Absent: Trustee Stone Motion carried . 4. Discussion only - Proposed FY 26 Budget for Town of Cortland and Cort~and Community Library Julie Wons of Lauterbach and Amen presented the preliminary FY26 budget to the Board. She reviewed the FY2026 budget assumptions and the items to consider that are not currently included in this budget. Highlighted was the budgeting of $1,250,000 of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) dollars for a portion of the cost of Phase 1 renovation of the former school building. Another $350,000 is budgeted in the Capital Improvement Fund to aid in the Phase 1 construction. The use of these combined funds prevents the need to obtain a loan for Phase 1 renovation/construction. Another request is to include the utility study to the budget, $75,000 from Water Fund and $75,000 from Capital Improvement Fund; $150,000 total. Trustee Corson stated his desire to see a $20,000 donation to the Lions Club for SummerFest, currently listed as $10,000. He also stated he has issues using TIF funds for town purposes. This was intended for economic development, which does not seem to be promoted. The town needs to create an environment for business to come here. Ms. Wons said an alternative would be to create an internal loan, borrow from ourselves and pay interest to the fund from which it borrowed. She pointed to the Wastewater system budget as a potential source. Approved: March 24, 2025 Page 2 of 4 Board of Trustees March 10, 2025 Trustee Corson asked Mr. Summerhill if those funds would be needed in the near future for the expected phosphorus regulations. Mr. Summerhill responded that, yes, they do expect regulations to be applied. The questions are what and when that effective date would be. The plant is not a conventional plant so determining what process and/or equipment would be needed remains unknown. Trustee Fioretto stated it is important that the town pursue economic development. Trustee Olson stated it is important to keep moving forward with the Maple Street project. Mayor Pietrowski suggested that Brandy Williams could prepare a workshop to look at the TIF map showing the various sites that could be available. 5. Discussion only - Somonauk Road Speed Limit, Data Study Mayor Pietrowski stated that he has created a task force to review the speed traffic data presented in the past year along the Somonauk Road corridor where the speed limit was reduced to 30 miles per hour. The task force is to include Chief Dargis, Engineer Brandy Williams, Public Works Director Joel Summerhill and Trustees Corson and Olson. They will bring their recommendation(s) back to the full board. COMMENTS Trustee Siewierski suggested that the Board be prepared to make it known what its determination of the question of chickens in town is and the reasoning. Where would chickens be allowed, if allowed? What are the costs for the town, i.e., enforcement and by whom? MAYOR'S REPORT Cortland Lions Club will be hosting the Easter Egg Hunt at Cortland Community Park on April 18. Watch for details. SummerFest will be coming August 8 & 9 Golf Outing - Breakthrough Type 1 D, formerly JDRF, more information to come. ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION Trustee Siewierski moved to adjourn to Executive Session an Exception to Open Meetings Act 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) 6)) The setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the public body, seconded by Trustee Walker. Roll call vote: Yea: Trustee Siewierski, Trustee Walker, Trustee Corson, Trustee Fioretto, Trustee Olson Nay: None Absent: Trustee Stone. Motion carried 7:56 p.m. RECONVENE OPEN SESSION Trustee Corson moved and Trustee Walker moved to reconvene the regular Town Board meeting. Unanimous voice vote carried the motion. 8:18 p.m. Approved: March 24, 2025 Page 3 of 4 Board of Trustees March 10, 2025 ACTION AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION IF NEEDED 6. Exception to the Illinois Open Meetings Act 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) 6)) The setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the public body Trustee Corson moved seconded by Trustee Siewierski to authorize Brandy Williams to pursue negotiations with prospective purchasers for the sale of town property and to bring contract for purchase before the Board. Roll call vote: Yea: Trustee Siewierski, Trustee Walker, Trustee Corson, Trustee Fioretto, Trustee Olson Nay: None Absent: Trustee Stone Motion carried ADJOURNMENT Trustee Walker moved and Trustee Olson seconded a motion to adjourn. Unanimous voice vote carried the motion. The meeting adjourned at 8:21 p.m. Respectfully submitted, C ~\,~~ ~L-L---1 Cheryl Aldis Town Clerk Approved: March 24, 2025 Page 4 of4