NW Illinois News

Attending were Mike Dittmar-Mayor; Denise Anderson, Preston Taylor, Daryl Steinhagen, Jason Thomasson, Melody Landwer, Scott Sadler-Trustees; Terry Kurt-Village Attorney; Duane Brotherton-Public Works; Scott Toot- Police Chief; Taylor Finn- Substitute Clerk; River Ridge High School Students

I. Call to order II. Roll call – 6-present; 0-absent III. Approve any Board Agenda additions - none

IV. Accept Longmore resignation/Approve Landwer Board appointment – Longmore resigned due to moving out of the Village limits. Landwer is appointed Trustee and is sworn in. Motion to approve Longmore resignation and approve Landwer. Steinhagen 1st. Denise 2nd. All said aye. Motion carried.

V. Approve 2017 Tax Levy

Taxes increased by roughly .7%. There was no further discussion on the increase as it was quite small.

VI. Audience

Eight River Ridge students all introduced themselves.

VII. MSA – did not attend

A. Sludge landfill post closure care – Discussion regarding pursuit of funding for IEPA requirements. IEPA gave an extension until next fiscal year. The costs are around $20,000. Keep on the PW agenda for further discussion.

VIII. CFPS, Inc. – did not attend

There will be a report at the next meeting as to why we didn’t get the last sidewalk grant. A new grant is available which will be shared with the Board at that time, as well.

IX. Police Report

A. Report for November

X. Minutes

A. Regular – November, 2016

a. No corrections were made. Motion to approve minutes. Taylor 1st. Thomasson 2nd. All said aye.

Motion carried. B. Special - none

XI. Consent Agenda

Nothing was pulled from the agenda. Motion to approve Consent Agenda. Steinhagen 1st. Sadler 2nd. Roll call vote. All said aye. Motion carried.

XII. Finances

A. Treasurer’s Report

a. Above our expenses this year. No further discussion. Motion to approve Treasurer’s Report. Anderson

1st. Steinhagen 2nd. All said aye. Motion carried. B. Payment of bills

a. Motion to approve the payment of the bills. Thomasson 1st. Steinhagen 2nd. Roll call vote. All said

aye. Motion carried. C. Budget

a. Mike will look at the budget over break. There is a budget meeting on Feb. 15th at 4:30. No further

questions were asked.

XIII. Committee Reports

A. Public Works – See Meeting Minutes

1. Approve Ken Farster’s request regarding water/sewer lines (see Public Works Comm. minutes) There is a current ordinance about taking abandoned lines back to the main line. Ken is asking for a six month grace period while he decides whether or not he is going to put up a new building on the property. The board discussed giving him the grace period, and if he ends up not putting up a building he will have to back pay for the six months. Motion to approve the policy for Ken. Steinhagen 1st. Anderson 2nd. 5 - ayes. 1 – No (Taylor). Motion Carried.

Building – no discussion

B. Administrative – See Meeting Minutes

1. TIF

a. Approve Elizabeth Garage payout for December 2017 (see Admin Comm. minutes)

Motion to approve the Elizabeth Garage TIF payout for demolition work done of the old house used for the Historical Society museum. 25% of $16,443.00 paid out over a 2 year period starting in December, 2017 = $4,111 per/yr Roll call vote. 5 – ayes. 1 – abstain (Steinhagen) Motion carried. b. Approve Steve McIntyre payout for December 2016

Motion to approve TIF payout to Steve. Roll call vote. All said aye. Motion carried. 2. 2016 Audit Draft discussion/TIF Report discussion

Mike will email electronic copy of audit to Board next week. TIF report is signed and completed.

C. Economic Development

Web page is currently being worked on to include all listings of vacant properties in the village.

XIV. Attorney Comments

A. Cell tower tax bill update – new co. Grain Comm. III (keep on agenda)

Terry sent a letter in October. He will double check that it is paid with the court house. Keep on agenda. B. Add to “Cost Sharing Policies & Procedures” – cover new sidewalks, curb, gutter and driveway approach

Looking into the legalities of just paying for materials. This will be added to the list of approved projects for the Beautification Program. The suggestion is to have a policy written clarifying the details of where the approach to the driveway meets the street. C. Nila Randles – 218 W. Main (keep on agenda)

Toot has sent many letters in regards to this vacant property but they were all returned. The first step to fast tracking is an inspection. There are procedures that allow The Village to own property. Terry will look into it. D. Wall by Heidi Ries

Heidi will need to contact a personal lawyer about the safety of the steps and the potential for her to be sued. There is a desire to fix the railroad ties/ retaining wall on the road next to her home. E. Utility billing – shall utility liens be billed on a monthly basis accruing late fees? Yes E. Annexation survey

Wilka Farms (Joe Berlage) will need to sign the annexation survey.

XV. Old Business – Other than Committee Meeting Minutes/Consent Agenda - none

XVI. New Business – Other than Committee Meeting Minutes/Consent Agenda

A. Approve 2017 Meeting dates

Motion to approve meeting dates. Anderson 1st. Taylor 2nd. All said aye. Motion carried. B. Form a committee to negotiate with NWSE for new 3 year lease.

The Board discussed having a smaller committee meeting to decide the points that need to be discussed with NWSE. Thomasson volunteered to take part in the negotiations.

XVII. Mayor’s Comments

A. Christmas party – January 7th at The Holy Mackerel – Cocktails at 6:00 p.m. – Dinner at 7:00 p.m. Orders need to be emailed to Barb or Mike before Dec. 30th.

XVII. Correspondence - none

XIII. Executive Session - none

XIX. Adjournment

Motion to adjourn. Taylor 1st. Thomasson 2nd. All said aye. Motion carried.

Submitted by: Taylor Finn, Substitute Clerk