Village of Heyworth Board of Trustees met Oct. 20.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
Roll Call: A Quorum of the Village Board was present during the following roll call of Trustees taken by the Village Deputy Clerk:
| Trustees
Trustee Flubacker P Trustee Strunk P Trustee Lautenberg P Trustee Brown P Trustee Girdler A Trustee Sheppard P |
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE LED BY: David Shafer, Village Engineer
REPORT FROM THE MAYOR:
Mayor Zalucha informed the Board there would be an Executive Session at tonight’s meeting to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees.
REPORT FROM TREASURER - SUE GILPIN:
Ms. Gilpin provided the Board members with Reports of Revenues and Expenses by Fund and a budget report as of September 30, 2022. She explained that the Interest and Miscellaneous line in the General Fund reflects receipt of $138,022 from federal ARPA funds from the McLean County Mayors grant project. And the Streets expenditure line this year includes $48,000 for sidewalks and storm sewer work which is higher than expenditures on this line at the same time last year. Mr. Dodds pointed out that state income tax revenue is at $250,000 already. State dollars appear to be running high compared to budget.
REPORT FROM CLERK - STACY SHOEMAKER:
No report.
REPORT FROM OFFICE MANAGER-STACY SHOEMAKER:
No report.
REPORT FROM POLICE CHIEF – MIKE GERIETS:
Officer Jones presented Chief Geriets’ Activity Reports for the months of August and September 2022. These reports had been provided to each Board member and copies are available with these minutes. He also reported that they have extended a conditional offer of employment to a new Police Officer.
REPORT FROM CODE COMPLIANCE - DAVID SHAFER:
David Shafer submitted a written “Zoning and Code Enforcement Report for 10/20/2022” which had been provided to each Board member. [a copy of that report is available with these minutes] Mr. Shafer highlighted several items on this report.
REPORT FROM PUBLIC WORKS -DAVID SHAFER:
David Shafer submitted a written “Public Works Report for 10/20/2022” which was distributed to each Board member. [a copy of that report is available with these minutes] Mr. Shafer highlighted several items on this report.
REPORT FROM ENGINEER-DAVID SHAFER:
David Shafer submitted a written “Engineer Report for 10/20/2022” which was distributed to each Board member. [a copy of that report is available with these minutes] Mr. Shafer highlighted several items on this report.
REPORT FROM BUDGET OFFICER-GEOFF DODDS:
Geoff Dodds submitted a written “Budget Officer Report” dated 10/20/22 which was distributed to each Board member. The report indicated there was nothing new to report on the FY2023 budget, nor the 5-Year Budget. [A copy of that report is available with these minutes.]
REPORT FROM ADMINISTRATOR-GEOFF DODDS:
Geoff Dodds submitted a written “Administrator Report” dated 10/20/22 which was distributed to each Board member. [a copy of that report is available with these minutes] Mr. Dodds highlighted each of the items on this report. He also noted that the TIF I item on the report had been removed from tonight’s agenda.
Mr. Dodds then walked the Board through all of the action items on the agenda.
REPORT FROM ATTORNEY-GEOFF DODDS:
Geoff Dodds submitted a written “Attorney Report” dated 10/20/22 which was distributed to each Board member. [a copy of that report is available with these minutes] Mr. Dodds highlighted each of the items on the report.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
None
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE - TRUSTEE GIRDLER:
No Report.
HUMAN RESOURCE AND PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE-TRUSTEE BROWN
No report.
PARKS & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE - TRUSTEE FLUBACKER
Mr. Dodds provided comments on the Board agenda item regarding the installation of baseboard heaters in the concession stand at Centennial Park. He noted the baseboard heaters would be TIF reimbursable and the Village will bear the ongoing utility costs. He added that there is the potential for high utility costs if the heat is left running after events. Trustee Flubacker clarified that it was not the Parks Committee’s recommendation to maintain the costs. She added that the Village should do maintenance because it is part of our park operations. Mayor Zalucha commented that if an offer was made to us that another entity will pay to purchase it for us, then maintenance should be ours because we own it.
OLD BUSINESS:
None.
ACTION ITEMS:
ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & MOTIONS: 7.1-7.6
7.1 [Sheppard, Lauterberg] A motion to remove from the agenda the ordinance approving and authorizing the execution of a Second Amendment to the TIF Redevelopment Agreement by and between the Village of Heyworth, McLean County, Illinois and Groots Farm, LLC. Vote was: 5-yes, 0-no, 1-absent (Trustee Girdler). [Motion Carried]
7.2 2022-60 [Sheppard, Strunk] Ordinance approving and authorizing the execution of a Third Amendment to the TIF Redevelopment Agreement by and between the Village of Heyworth, McLean County, Illinois and Groots Farm, LLC.
Prior to the vote, Trustees Flubacker and Brown asked for clarification of administrative costs and other provisions in the agreement. Mr. Dodds provided responses.
Vote was: 5-yes, 0-no, 1-absent (Trustee Girdler). [Motion Carried]
7.3 2022-61 [Lauterberg, Sheppard] Ordinance amending the Personnel Policy of the Village of Heyworth. Vote was: 5-yes, 0-no, 1-absent (Trustee Girdler). [Motion Carried]
7.4 [Lauterberg, Flubacker] Resolution approving a Livestock Permit for chickens at 107 W. Clarke Street in the Village of Heyworth.
Prior to the vote, Mr. Shafer provided the Board members with a written report, dated October 20, 2022, of his review and recommendation regarding this livestock permit request. Mr. Shafer’s recommendation was not to approve the request. A copy of that memo is attached to these minutes. Trustees Sheppard, Brown and Flubacker discussed the request in more detail.
Vote was: 0-yes, 5-no, 1-absent (Trustee Girdler). [Motion Failed]
7.5 2022-48 [Flubacker, Brown] Resolution approving the installation of baseboard heaters for the concession stand at the Village of Heyworth Centennial Park.
Vote was: 4-yes, 1-no (Trustee Lauterberg), 1- absent (Trustee Girdler). [Motion Carried]
7.6 2022-49 [Flubacker. Lauterberg] Resolution approving the purchase of playground equipment with financial assistance from the OSLAD Grant for the Village of Heyworth Centennial Park. Prior to the vote, Mr. Dodds presented photos of the specific equipment items suggested by the Parks Committee. He noted that the see saw would only be purchased if the existing one cannot be repaired or determined as salvageable. The photos of equipment items proposed for purchase is also attached to these minutes. For the swing set, option 1, Somerset, was recommended by the Parks Committee. They also recommended the merry go round, and a space whirl. For the swings, they recommended add-a-swings so that more can be added in the future. Trustee Flubacker commented that she still would like to see sensory items. She asked if sensory items could be added if there is any money remaining. Mr. Dodds explained the actual purchase price quote may be higher than the estimated costs presented due to a materials surcharge. He stressed the importance of staying within budget since the project includes specific items identified in the OSLAD grant. Mayor Zalucha asked for clarification about the sensory items and how important that was to the Parks Committee. Peggy from the local newspaper suggested that the community may even be open to a fundraising drive or a request for donations for something like the sensory items. Ms. Gilpin informed the Board that a second grant application had recently been submitted to Bass Pro Shop/Cabelas for a fishing dock. If that part of the Centennial Park project could be funded with other grant assistance, it may free up funds for the purchase of sensory items. Mayor Zalucha asked if the Board was prepared to vote.
Vote was: 5-yes, 0-no, 1-absent (Trustee Girdler). [Motion Carried]
The Mayor then asked for a motion to enter into executive session to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees.
Executive Session:
Motion (Strunk, Flubacker) to enter Executive Session to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees.
Vote was: 5-yes, 0-no, 1-absent (Trustee Girdler). [Motion Carried] at 7:20pm.
Motion (Lauterberg, Sheppard) to enter back to Regular Session to complete the regular meeting agenda at 7:36pm.
Vote was: 5-yes, 0-no, 1-absent (Trustee Girdler). [Motion carried.]
In attendance when the meeting returned to regular session were the same five Board members as reported above, Mayor Zalucha, Mr. Geoff Dodds, and Deputy Clerk Gilpin.
New Business:
Mr.Dodds noted he had two topics for new business.
Mr. Dodds distributed two handouts, Option 1 and Option 2 [attached to these minutes], which reflected the possible structuring of the real estate tax increments (RETI) with the developer, on a 0% loan (line of credit) from First State Bank of Bloomington (Bank), for the Prairie Meadows project, located in TIF6. The two choices were either flat fee-based or percentage-based. The Board agreed with the Staff’s recommendation to pursue Option #1.
The Board also agreed with the Staff’s recommendation to go with Option #2 if Option #1 is not accepted by the Bank. Mr. Dodds noted that they are amending the language with Groots Farm similarly.
Mr. Dodds then provided the Board members with several handouts of differing tax levy proposals. Multiple options were presented in light of TIF I’s expiration and the new EAV increase resulting therefrom. [Copies of these handouts will be attached to these minutes.]
Mr. Dodds explained that staff had direct conversations with McLean County officials to try and get a better estimate of what the EAV, which will now include TIF I EAVs, will be. These discussions regarding the projected new EAV amounts were used to arrive at an estimate of $33,264,092 for the Village’s EAV. Mayor Zalucha emphasized that the EAVs presented in all the handouts are only estimates.
Mayor Zalucha confirmed with Board members that their intent is still to try and lower the Village’s tax rate or keep it the same. Board members agreed.
Mr. Dodds added that multipliers could be as high as 7%, the housing market is still going crazy, and many other things are still at play. The EAV will likely not be finalized until February. Mayor Zalucha reminded the Board that TIF I funds had been used to augment the General Fund operations. When TIF I goes away, we will have to cover those expenses in the General Fund.
After discussion and questions from Board members, it was decided that the Board should levy a total of $138,349.74 in general and special purpose taxes. When combined with the debt service levy amount of $18,150.40, the total tax levy to be requested will be $156,500. With an estimated EAV of $33,264,092 it is projected that the Village’s tax rate would decrease to 0.47048 from the current tax rate of 0.47473.
Mr. Dodds reminded the Board that more bonds would be paid off in another 5 years. At that time, we will continue to re-evaluate our levy request and tax rate. Mr. Dodds also noted that this tax levy increase would require a truth-in-tax hearing. Mayor Zalucha asked again if Board members were good with the projections and numbers. He then asked if the week of November 14th would be good for a public hearing on the tax levy. Mr. Dodds asked the Board members if they wanted to and would plan to attend the public hearing. He explained that if three or more Board members would be in attendance, it would be considered a Board meeting. Based on their responses, it was decided the hearing would not be a Board meeting.
Mr. Dodds told the board members that the plan was to next prepare a document explaining the tax levy, as an attachment in the next water bills being sent to Village residents.
Schedule of Meetings:
The Mayor announced the next Village Board Meeting will be November 3, 2022, at 6:30pm. There are no committee meetings scheduled.
Informational Topics:
None presented.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion: (Sheppard, Lauterberg) [Motion Carried] 8:11pm
https://cms8.revize.com/revize/heyworthil/Minutes/2022%20Minutes/Regular%20Meeting%20Minutes%2010.20.2022.pdf
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