McLean County Times

Village of Heyworth Board of Trustees met July 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Meeting Called To Order by Mayor Zalucha at 6:30pm.

Roll Call: A Quorum of the Village Board was present during the following roll call of Trustees taken by the Village Clerk:

Trustees

Trustee Lauterberg P

Trustee Strunk P

Trustee Mowery A

Trustee Girdler P

Trustee Sheppard P

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE GIVEN BY: Amber Mills

REPORT FROM THE MAYOR:

Mayor Zalucha introduced Amber Mills.

2024-41 (Sheppard, Lauterberg) Ordinance approving the appointment of Treasurer and Budget Officer for the Village of Heyworth. 4-yes. 0-no. [Motion Carried]

Mayor reported to the board that he is still trying to get someone with interest to be appointed for a village trustee. Discussed the attempted assassination with our former President.

REPORT FROM CLERK - STACY SHOEMAKER:

No report.

REPORT FROM OFFICE MANAGER-STACY SHOEMAKER:

No report.

REPORT FROM INTERIM CHIEF JONES:

Chief Jones submitted the June activity report.

Reported he has completed his schooling.

Discussed the Intergovernmental Agreement with animal control.

REPORT FROM CODE COMPLIANCE-DAVE SHAFER:

David Shafer reported that Ameren is working on streetlights for Prairie View. The developer has started working on the items required for dedication and acceptance of the public improvements.

Reported year to date we have issued 69 permits.

Reported having a Zoning hearing on July 8th for a setback variance, this is an action item on the agenda tonight.

REPORT FROM PUBLIC WORKS -DAVID SHAFER:

Water:

David Shafer reported completing the transition of our billing software from CUSI to UMS. Reported nearly complete with our source water protection plan that is due by July 26, 2024.

Reported having some water quality issues with well #3 that have been tracked back to a bad check valve, failed sump pump, and a failed pressure gauge. A replacement has been ordered and it will be replaced once it is delivered.

Sewer:

Reported the sludge reducing bacteria has been ordered for Lagoon #3 and should be delivered soon. Reported sand filter work should be mostly complete by tomorrow, July 19.

Parks:

Centennial Park:

Reported 4th of July seemed to go well.

Reported for the OSLAD Grant Improvements, staff needs to complete the disc golf tee pad signs and the sidewalk & parking area south of concession stand.

Hilton Tennis Courts:

No updates for the pickle ball.

Cobble Creek Park:

Reported the installation is planned for this year once Centennial Park improvements and Thomas Drive cleanup work are finished.

Equipment & Staffing:

Reported the replacement F150 has been delivered. The replacement F250 is still about 2-3 months from delivery.

REPORT FROM ENGINEER-DAVID SHAFER:

David Shafer reported reviewing a plat from Heyworth Christian Church for a minor subdivision, everything appears ok on first glance, but we will need a EDP meeting to review and approve.

Reported on the ITEP Grant for the Centennial Park Share Use Path. CMT has had several scheduled discussions with IDOT, while we hope to meet the 2025 construction window, construction may be pushed into 2026.

REPORT FROM TREASURER-:

None.

REPORT FROM BUDGET OFFICER-:

None.

REPORT FROM ADMINISTRATOR-GEOFF DODDS:

Geoff Dodds reported after an extension with Tequilas, we still have not received the executed copies for the BDD. Reported on the agenda tonight is an ordinance to amend the liquor ordinance in order to create a new Class AP license and remove a Class A license.

Reported staff continue to work through the outstanding items with the village finances. Reported working with the auditors these past couple of weeks to work through the audit. Reported having on the agenda a resolution to approve the engagement letter with Striegel for preparation of the Single Audit required for the IEPA funding we received for the 2020 Water Main Project. Reported the FY24 Fall Camera Grant in the amount of $22,201.20 for the body camera purchase for a total award of grants and loan forgiveness of $4,519,456.21 plus.

Reported unfortunately we did not have sufficient time to review and apply for a grant.

Reported speaking with Nathan Joseph with Prairie View earlier this week.

Reported being contacted by a member of Tabeling Development, developers of part of the Groots Subdivision. There is discussion of a land sell with a current business in the subdivision, and questioning as to whether we would be willing to assign TIF rights. Recommendation for further discussion with EDP committee. Reported replying to the inquiry we had about annexation of the property Northeast of Wyndhaven. Reported on the 4th of July Celebration, we were able to finalize the agreement with the DJ on July 3rd. We have 5 vendors.

Reported the circus has submitted additional information related to the circus and ways to promote pre-ticket sales. Reported we are no longer advertising for part-time or full-time police officers due to lack of applicants and advertising costs.

Interim Chief Jones reported we have a new part-time officer who should be starting soon.

Discussion on the variance for Hilton Dr.

Geoff Dodds reviewed the action items on the agenda for tonight.

Reported on the items that will be on the next regularly scheduled board meeting agenda.

REPORT FROM ATTORNEY-GEOFF DODDS:

No report.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

None.

ED&P-TRUSTEE SHEPPARD:

No report.

STREETS & PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE-TRUSTEE LAUTERBERG:

No report.

PARKS & INFRASTUCTURE-TRUSTEE MOWERY:

Absent.

OLD BUSINESS: None.

ACTION ITEMS:

ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & MOTIONS: 7.1-7.5

Motion (Strunk, Lauterberg) to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes for June 6, 2024 and June 20, 2024. All aye. [Motion Carried]

2024-42 (Sheppard, Strunk) Ordinance amending the Liquor Control Ordinance, Title 4 Chapter 2, of the Village Code of Heyworth to amend the number of available liquor licenses. 4-yes. 0-no. [Motion Carried] Findings of Fact-Variance

1. The particular physical surroundings, shape, or topographical conditions of the specific property involved is causing or will cause a particular hardship upon the owner as distinguished from a more inconvenience or better use if the strict letter of the regulation were to be carried out.

Review was met. 4-yes. 0-no.

2. The conditions and hardships upon which the application for variation is based are significantly greater than other applicable properties within the same zoning classification.

Meets standard due to how house was built on the property. 3-yes. 1-no (Girdler).

3. The purpose of the variation is not based exclusively upon a desire to receive financial gain on the property. Standards are met with no exclusive financial gain. 4-yes. 0-no.

4. The alleged difficulty or hardship has not been created by any person presently having an interest in the property.

Standard met, they did not build the house. 4-yes. 0-no.

5. The proposed variation will not impair an adequate supply of light and air to adjacent property, substantially increase the danger of fire, or otherwise endanger the public safety, or substantially diminish or impair property values within the neighborhoods.

Looks like it is met, should not affect anyone for line of site. 3-yes. 1-no (Girdler).

6. The general purpose and intent of this title will be adhered to should the variance be granted. Based on the information, it is going to remain in compliance. 3-yes. 1-no (Girdler).

2024-43 (Sheppard, Lauterberg) Ordinance approving a Zoning Variance to allow a deck within the front yard setback for the property located at 204 N. Hilton Drive, Parcel 28-33-425-012, in the Village of Heyworth. 4-yes with Mayor Zalucha. 1-no (Girdler). [Motion Carried]

2024-44 (Girdler, Strunk) Ordinance approving a waiver of late fee penalties per Section 9-4-6 of the Heyworth Code for the July water billing cycle. 40yes. 0-no. [Motion Carried]

2024-32 (Lauterberg, Girdler) Resolution approving the proposal from Striegel, Knobloch & Company, LLC for conducting a single audit as required for Fiscal Year 2024. 4-yes. 0-no. [Motion Carried]

New Business:

Geoff Dodds discussed trash can receptacles for the park. The board is ok with staff ordering. Discussed changing the code in the Personnel Policy to get rid of the $20.00 per diem for a salary employee to attend a committee meeting. Also change the policy for buying boots, so that the employees can go to a participating store that will bill us the $200.00 and the employee pay the remainder at the store. The board is ok with both.

Discussion on a new policy for take home vehicles.

Schedule of Meetings:

Village Board Meeting-August 1st.

ED&P-Monday at 5:30pm.

Informational Topics: None.

ADJOURNMENT: Motion: (Sheppard, Lauterberg) All aye. [Motion Carried] 7:52pm

https://www.heyworth-il.gov/local_government/board_and_committee_meetings/board_meetings/board_meeting_minutes/index.php