City Council

July 22, 2024 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE DWIGHT VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES Held in the Public Services Complex 209 South Prairie Avenue, Dwight Illinois July 22, 2024, at 6:30PM President Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:30PM and asked for a roll call. PRESENT: Paul Johnson, Village President; Jenny Johnson, Trustee; Brian Berta, Trustee; Justin Eggenberger, Trustee; Pete Meister, Trustee; and Josh Jahn, Trustee ABSENT: Marla Kinkade, Trustee OTHER Village Officials in Attendance: Crissy Livingston, Village Administrator; Cory Scoles, Public Works Director; Mike Nolan, Police Chief; Michael Callahan, EMS Chief; Nick Ehrgott, Village Attorney; and Whitney Scott, Village Clerk CONSENT AGENDA The following items were presented for consent agenda: (a) Payment of the July 22, 2024 bills in the amount of $163,704.25, (b) Minutes of the June 24, 2024 Village Board Meeting, (c) Minutes of the July 9, 2024 Emergency Village Board Meeting, (d) Approval the May 2024 Treasurers Report. Trustee Eggenberger made a motion, with a second from Trustee Johnson, to approve Consent Agenda items a – d. Roll call. All voted aye. Motion carries, 5-0. PUBLIC FORUM Residents Dyer and Kissiar were in attendance to express their concerns over several homes and businesses in their neighborhoods, and the owners’ responsibility for the upkeep of their properties. Dyer noted several businesses that don’t keep their streets and alleyways cleaned up, and several homes that are falling into serious disrepair (roofs caving in and/or collapsing, racoons and other wildlife living in homes, excessive mold, etc.). Dyer expressed her appreciation for all the recent upgrades throughout town and asked for any assistance available to continue improvements. Kissiar stated that a recent one-block survey of her neighborhood found 13+ unregistered vehicles, a large fallen tree that actually improved the view of a certain neighbor’s home, and a potential hoarder home on the corner of North and Franklin Streets. Village Inspector Tim Greist, Chief Nolan, and President Johnson all addressed the matter, explaining that Greist has just been able to start focusing on these issues, and that they are prioritizing the worst of the offenders. Greist explained that he must start with a letter to the homeowner explaining the violations and give them time to clean up and make repairs before he can proceed to next steps of fines, etc. He confirmed that the large tree Kissiar had mentioned had been cleaned up over the weekend, as well as many of the car parts and an RV from the alley in her neighborhood, and they seem to be making progress. Chief Nolan advised that his team would address the unregistered vehicles immediately. Greist and Livingston also requested that residents complete the property complaint form so that there is record of the reported violations. 1 July 22, 2024 PRESIDENT’S REPORT President Johnson confirmed that the Renfrew parking lot is almost complete, with striping coming soon, and thanked Public Works for their clean-up efforts after the recent storms. VILLAGE REPORTS Village Administrator Livingston thanked everyone for their assistance while she was out of the office last week. She advised that the water tower project with the new logos is wrapping up, and that the Renfrew Park design phase will start this week and go out for bid this winter, with construction slated for next spring. Livingston advised that a storage unit will soon be parked at the Village Complex, so that they’re able to clean out items to be stored during the flood repairs, and that EMS would temporarily be relocated to the basement. Livingston stated that she, Scoles, and Ryan Hansen with Chamlin would meet with IDOT on the Safe Route to Schools project the first week of August to review preliminary plans, and that she will be hosting a community meeting to discuss any concerns. Inspector Greist reported that he has been working with contractors regarding a home that was damaged in a fire this past winter and the new construction on Lloyd is progressing well. He also advised that there are a few new construction homes coming soon. Greist confirmed that the Williams Street Townhomes have obtained their temporary occupancy permit and are just waiting for the playground equipment to be installed. Greist and Livingston also confirmed they’d be discussing alternate options for their dumpster enclosures, as well as their pickup frequency, as there is excessive garbage visible from the street. Chief Callahan stated that he’d be visiting the third ambulance on August 8th, and that it is tentatively scheduled to be delivered at the end of August. Callahan shared that Brandon and Alyssa had recently graduated from paramedic school and hope to test next month, and that Gary will start paramedic school in mid-August. Callahan advised that 1814 was dumping diff fluid on the bay floor due to a bad gasket but was repaired under warranty within a day and a half, and that he’s researching coverages under the extended powertrain warranty. Chief Nolan stated that the newest cadets have started week 12 and are scheduled to graduate on August 23rd and are doing great. Nolan stated that he and Beier have interviewed several juveniles after recent damages to ATMs throughout town and have identified the individuals involved in the recent damages at Renfrew Park. Nolan confirmed that the bodycams and video systems arrived this past week and hopes to have those installed and ready for testing over Harvest Days weekend, and fully operational by January 1st. Public Works Director Scoles reported that the exterior of the water tower looks amazing, and wanted everyone to also know that the interior was painted as well, and offered a tour for any of the trustees that might be interested! Scoles shared his excitement that the Renfrew Parking lot project was finishing up, just waiting the 10–28-day cure time, and then it would be striped, and the new grass is popping up and looking great. Scoles also advised that the tree guys were in town this past week to assist with the clean-up of six trees, and that they’d be taking closer look at the large sycamore in left field of Renfrew. Scoles advised that the recent storms had knocked the top half off, he wasn’t sure of any potential safety issues yet, but that they’d do everything they could to save the tree. 2 July 22, 2024 COMMITTEE MEETINGS Administration & Finance Committee, Monday July 22, 2024 at 6:20pm Present: Village President Johnson, Trustees Berta, Johnson, Eggenberger, Meister, and Jahn, Police Chief Nolan, EMS Chief Callahan, Public Works Director Scoles, Village Administrator Livingston, Village Attorney Ehrgott and Village Clerk Scott President Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:20pm Lifetime Auto Abatement: President Johnson explained that there was a clerical error in the original abatement agreement with Lifetime Auto; that the original agreement should have been a 50% refund per sales-tax dollars received by the Village for years 1-8, but that the agreement was written with a 10% abatement. President Johnson confirmed that he had spoken with each of the Trustees prior to the meeting and asked if anyone had any additional questions. Livingston provided a revision to the Lifetime Auto abatement, correcting the percentage to 50% abatement. Trustee Johnson made a motion, with a second from Trustee Eggenberger, to recommend the Board approve the amended abatement agreement. Trustee Meister made a motion, with a second from Trustee Jahn, to approve the amended abatement agreement. Roll call. All voted aye. Motion carries, 5-0. With no further business to discuss, it was unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at 6:23pm. OLD BUSINESS Livingston presented a revised proposal from Vissering Construction, in the amount of $145,754.00, for the Village Complex flood repairs, and clarified the proposed flooring changes due to annual maintenance costs. Trustee Meister made a motion, with a second from Trustee Eggenberger, to approve the proposal. Roll call. All voted aye. Motion carries, 5-0. Livingston also presented the annual PNB loan payment invoice, in the amount of $22,265.64, for the EMS cots. Trustee Meister made a motion, with a second from Trustee Johnson, to approve the proposal. Roll call. All voted aye. Motion carries, 5-0. NEW BUSINESS The Board reviewed a sidewalk reimbursement application from Tim & Julie Brown for their property at 214 W Seminole St. Scoles confirmed that he had visited the property and approves the reimbursement of $300 for the 60sq.ft. of sidewalk to be replaced. Trustee Johnson made a motion, with a second from Trustee Berta, to approve the request. Roll call. All voted aye. Motion carries, 5-0. John Mueller, on behalf of the Dwight Rotary Club, submitted a request to host their annual Christmas Tree Display on Pinecone Path again this year, setting up the weekend after Thanksgiving and removing the first few days of January. The Board unanimously agreed this should be an annual request, rather than approving perpetual permission. Trustee Berta made a motion, with a second from Trustee Jahn, to approve the proposal. Roll call. All voted aye. Motion carries, 5-0. Livingston presented a proposal from DPS Equipment Services to recondition two clarifier drive assemblies at the Sewer Plant, at the cost of $17,850.00 each. Trustee Meister made a motion, with a second from Trustee Berta, to approve the proposal. Roll call. All voted aye. Motion carries, 5-0. Willy’s Pub submitted a sound amplification permit for Saturday, September 21, 2024, from 8:00pm until 12:30am, for the band High Anxiety performing during Harvest Days. Trustee Berta made a motion, with a second from Trustee Johnson, to approve the request. Roll call. All voted aye. Motion carries, 5-0. 3 July 22, 2024 Finding no further business, President Johnson asked for a motion to adjourn. A motion to adjourn was made by Trustee Johnson, with a second by Trustee Berta. All voted aye by voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:30PM. APPROVED: _______________________________________ Paul Q. Johnson, Village President ATTEST: ____________________________________ Whitney M. Scott, Village Clerk 4