Village of Stockton Board of Trustees met Dec. 10.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
Call To Order:
President Brandt called the meeting to order on December 10, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. and asked the clerk to call the roll.
Members in Attendance:
Trustees: Billie Jo Eisfeller, Linda Gonnerman, Dan Kunz, Jackie Lickes, Matt Timpe. Absent: David Julius. Staff present: Amy Haas, Cheryl Bourland, Kevin Stewart, Rena Eden, & Susanne Young.
Approval of Agenda:
A motion was made by Gonnerman and seconded by Lickes to approve the agenda. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
Approval of Minutes:
President Brandt asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the regular meeting of November 12, 2019. Kunz moved and Timpe seconded to approve the minutes for the meeting as presented. Clerk Young noted a change in a street address on page 3. All members present voting aye noting the change. Motion carried.
Trustee Julius enters meeting at 7:03 p.m.
Treasurers Report:
President Brandt asked for approval of the Treasurers Report as submitted by Treasurer Rena Eden. A motion was made by Lickes and seconded by Gonnerman to approve the monthly Treasurer report as presented. Voting aye: Lickes, Timpe, Eisfeller, Gonnerman, Julius, Kunz. Motion carried.
Accounts Payable:
President Brandt asked for approval to authorize payment of claims and List B as submitted and additional invoices which everyone has received a copy of. Lickes moved and Eisfeller seconded to authorize the payment of accounts payable claims, list B and additional invoices. Voting aye: Timpe, Eisfeller, Gonnerman, Julius, Kunz, Lickes. Motion carried.
Police:
A motion was made by Kunz and seconded by Timpe to approve the Police Report for the month. All members voting aye. Motion carried.
Water & Sewer:
A motion was made by Lickes and seconded by Eisfeller to approve the Water & Sewer Reports as submitted. All members voting aye. Motion carried.
Street:
A motion was made by Kunz and seconded by Eisfeller to approve the Street Department Activity Report for the month as submitted by Steve Rice. All members voting aye. Motion carried.
Public Comments:
Carol Rowe, Stockton, stated she is with the Concerned Women of America and is collecting signatures to put a question on the March 17, 2020 ballot which states, “Shall the Village of Stockton allow the retail sale of adult use recreational cannabis within its borders”. President Brandt noted if the required signatures are obtained this will be a non-binding advisory question on the ballot. Carol Rowe also made a request for the Village Board consider a 6 month moratorium on a decision to allow cannabis.
Along with Carol Rowe, the following also shared their concerns of allowing cannabis in village limits: Elaine Schlichting, Pam Hess, Lilly Groezinger, Scott Hess, and Carol Ann Singlelton.
Dan Bergman, Stockton, stated the State of Illinois is making cannabis legal and we need to be pro-active and be able to receive the potential tax dollars the sale of cannabis in village limits will generate.
Heather Magee stated she is in favor of the passing of the Zoning Ordinance amendment being considered tonight. Magee noted she has collected over 120 signatures which include business owners, fireman, engineers, school teachers and local farmers who are in favor of allowing the sale of in Stockton.
President Brandt thanked everyone for their comments.
Committee Reports:
Water, Sewer & Garbage:
Trustee Gonnerman reported on the committee meeting held November 26, 2019.
Water System Improvements
All water main work has been finalized, site walkthrough completed and punch list issued for the water main and roadway restoration on Hillside Lane, Summit Avenue, Rush Street, and Willis Street.
Civil and Biechler Electric are still on hold to complete the work at Well #4 and Well #6, due to Well #5 being down for maintenance. A Work Change Directive #1 has been issued in the amount of $5,266.00 for additional work required in upgrading the well houses. It was noted that approval for Work Change Directive #1 has been tabled another month while awaiting for more information.
Well Updates
Both Wells #4 & #6 are in operation and we are waiting for the IEPA’s approval of a construction permit to complete repairs at Well #5.
Wastewater Treatment Facility Project
The purchase of the Heidenreich property is complete. Easements for the Water Main and Force Main have been prepared, and after review Attorney Paja will prepare the legal documents. MSA has prepared a final total project cost estimate of $25.6 M. A breakdown of the cost estimate and an updated schedule were provided.
Dissolved Oxygen Project at WWTF
Howard Herrell is to install the conduit and probes. L.W. Allen to add to the SCADA system once installed. The USEPA would like to see this completed by the end of the year.
WWTF Agreement Negotiations
A meeting will be scheduled with Brewster Cheese to discuss now that the property acquisition is complete and the estimate is finalized.
Water Service Question
LaDon Trost had a question regarding water service at a rental property he owns. After discussion and consideration Steve Rice suggested that billing for that account could be designated by a code and be monitored for usage.
Economic Development:
Trustee Gonnerman reported on the committee meeting held on November 26, 2019.
NWILED Membership Renewal
Gonnerman stated Emily Legel, from Northwest Illinois Economic Development has attended a couple of meetings recently and is requesting us to consider renewing our membership. Gonnerman moved and Lickes seconded to approve renewing our $2,000 Bronze membership with NWILED which is used to serve the area and its residents in 2020. Voting aye: Eisfeller, Gonnerman Julius, Kunz, Lickes, Timpe. Motion carried.
Resolution No. 19-15 – A Resolution of the Village of Stockton, Jo Daviess County, Illinois, Declaring Surplus from the Special Tax Allocation Fund of the Route 20/Downtown Tax Increment Redevelopment Project Area. Gonnerman moved and Timpe seconded to pass Resolution No. 19-15 declaring a TIF Surplus of $25,000 to be paid back to the Taxing bodies in the same proportion as the distribution of real estate property taxes. Voting aye: Gonnerman, Julius, Kunz, Lickes, Timpe, Eisfeller. Motion carried.
Police:
Northwest Illinois Law Enforcement Recruitment Program
Trustee Matt Timpe reported they discussed joining the Northwest Illinois Law Enforcement Recruitment group. The goal is to implement a new application and testing process that streamlines the Law Enforcement Application process. Timpe moved and Eisfeller seconded to participate in the Northwest Illinois Law Enforcement Recruitment program for a $500 - $700 fee which covers two years. Voting aye: Julius, Kunz, Lickes, Timpe, Eisfeller, Gonnerman. Motion carried.
Stray Dog Contract with Jo Daviess County
Trustee Timpe stated the agreement received for consideration for Jo Daviess County Animal Control Services is requesting a $900 yearly fee for services. By entering into this agreement Animal Control Services will handle the stray dog pick-up. Chief Stewart stated we don’t have the facility in-house to handle stray dogs. Timpe moved and Gonnerman seconded to enter into an agreement with Jo Daviess County Animal Control Services from December 1, 2019 to November 30, 2020 for a yearly fee of $900. Voting aye: Kunz, Lickes, Timpe, Eisfeller, Gonnerman, Julius. Motion carried.
Streets, Sidewalks, Forestry, Building & Grounds:
Trustee Kunz reported we are waiting to hear the results of the inspection done by Service Master for mold remediation at the Police Department. Chief Kevin Stewart reported that Service Master had started the inspection but were unable to complete it and will return to finish. Chief Stewart also stated that we have submitted this information to our insurance carrier regarding the testing and are waiting to hear from them.
Finance and Purchasing:
Trustee Billie Jo Eisfeller reported on the meeting with Corey Heim from Access Systems who reviewed their findings from the network assessment audit of our current IT infrastructure. Eisfeller noted we were provided information and costs to upgrade current computers at the Village Hall and Public Works departments and also the cost for monthly IT support which totaled approximately $1,700 per month. Trustee Timpe asked if we had contacted any other companies for another quote and felt that due the high cost we should look into other options before making a commitment with Access Systems and offered to contact other companies for quotes and have the information available for the next meeting.
Personnel:
Trustee Lickes moved and Gonnerman seconded to approve annual employee appreciation bonuses of $200 for fulltime employees and $100 for part-time employees totaling $3,300 to be paid on their next paycheck. Voting aye: Lickes, Timpe, Eisfeller, Gonneman, Julius, Kunz. Motion carried.
Trustee Lickes reported that we will be looking to replace Village Clerk, Susanne Young, who has indicated she is looking to retire. An ad will be placed in the local papers and the plan is to hire a replacement by March.
Old Business: None
New Business:
Ordinance No. 676 – Tax Levy:
President Brandt stated the board members each received an explanation sheet and copy of Ordinance No. 676 entitled, “An Ordinance for the Levy and Assessment of Taxes for the Fiscal Year May 1, 2019 and ending April 30, 2020”. A motion was made by Gonnerman and seconded by Kunz to pass Ordinance No. 676 Tax Levy from May 1, 2019 to April 30, 2020. Voting aye: Lickes, Timpe, Eisfeller, Gonnerman, Julius, Kunz. Motion carried.
Ordinance No. 677 - Tax Abatement:
President Brandt stated Ordinance No. 677 entitled “An Ordinance abating the tax heretofore levied for the year 2019 to pay the General Obligation Refunding Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2013, of the Village of Stockton, Jo Daviess County, Illinois”, is to notify the County Clerk that it is not necessary to levy taxes to cover the payments that are due on the sewer plant bond. Kunz moved and Lickes seconded to pass Ordinance No. 677. Voting aye: Eisfeller, Gonnerman, Julius, Kunz, Lickes, Timpe. Motion carried.
Ordinance No. 678 – An Ordinance Amending Title 3, Chapter 9, Section 4 of the Municipal Code of the Village of Stockton, Jo Daviess County, IL. President Brandt stated this allows the increase of video gaming terminals from 5 to 6 as approved by the state. Gonnerman moved and Timpe seconded to pass Ordinance No. 678 amending the ordinance as presented. Voting aye: Gonnerman, Julius, Kunz, Lickes, Timpe, Eisfeller. Motion carried.
2020 Liquor License Renewals:
Clerk Young reported that all the current liquor license holders have submitted their checks and proper paperwork for renewal of their licenses for 2020. There are nine license holders; Casey’s, The Corner Tap, The Bottle Shed, Sullivan’s, Shell Express Lanes, The Red Knight, Stockton Travel Center, Coxy’s Liquor and JJ & Freddie’s. A motion was made by Julius and seconded by Lickes to approve the 2020 liquor license renewals. Voting aye: Julius, Kunz, Lickes, Timpe, Eisfeller, Gonnerman. Motion carried.
2020 Village Board meeting dates:
Clerk Young noted everyone received a list of the 2020 Village Board meeting dates which are to be the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in their packet. Timpe moved and Eisfeller seconded to approve the 2020 meeting dates. All members voting aye. Motion carried.
Ordinance No. 679 – An Ordinance Amending Title 11 of the Municipal Code of the Village of Stockton, Jo Daviess County, IL, Regarding Adult-Use Cannabis Businesses.
President Brandt stated a Public meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting was held on December 3, 2019 to consider a (text) amendment to the Village’s Zoning Ordinance to allow for adult use cannabis businesses in the municipality by amending the Village’s Zoning Ordinance accordingly. During the lengthy meeting, members of the Board discussed the proposed amendments. All in attendance were given opportunity to speak, ask questions and express their respective opinions. Following full and open discussion of the proposed text amendments, several motions were made with the result being:
To recommend to the Village Board of Trustees approval of amending the Village’s Zoning Ordinance allowing adult use cannabis businesses as special uses in various zoning districts, which amendments are detailed in Ordinance No. 679.
President Brandt noted that this ordinance would allow individuals to apply for a special use permit for Adult-Use Cannabis Dispensing in Zoning District BC – Central Business District.
The following special use(s) may be permitted in the following Zoning Districts:
BH – Highway Business District, I-L Limited Industrial District, I-G General Industrial District, and A – Agriculture District.
Adult-Use Cannabis Craft Grower, Adult-Use Cannabis Cultivation, Adult-Use Cannabis Dispensing, Adult-Use Cannabis Infuser, Adult-Use Cannabis Processing and Adult-Use Cannabis Transporting.
Trustee Gonnerman moved and Timpe seconded to pass Ordinance No. 679 Amending Title 11 of the Municipal Code of the Village of Stockton, Jo Daviess County, regarding Adult-Use Cannabis Business. Voting aye: Timpe, Eisfeller, Gonnerman, Julius, Kunz. Voting nay: Lickes. Motion carried.
Announcements:
It was announced that the next committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 7, 2020.
Adjournment:
A motion was made by Lickes and seconded by Eisfeller that the meeting be adjourned at 8:28 p.m. All members voting aye. Motion carried.
http://www.villageofstockton.com/assets/downloads/minutes/VOS%2012%2010%2019%20Min.pdf
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