McLean County Times

Village of Heyworth Board of Trustees met Nov. 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Meeting Called To Order by Clerk Shoemaker 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 Bertrand P

Trustee Mowery P

Trustee Girdler P

Trustee Sheppard A

Motion (Mowery, Bertrand) to appoint Trustee Jim Lauterberg as a temporary chair person. All aye. [Motion Carried]

Motion (Girdler, Strunk) to allow Trustee Bryan Sheppard to attend the meeting remote due to personal illness. All aye. [Motion Carried]

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE GIVEN BY: Trustee Mowery

REPORT FROM THE MAYOR:

Absent.

REPORT FROM CLERK - STACY SHOEMAKER:

No report.

REPORT FROM OFFICE MANAGER-STACY SHOEMAKER:

No report.

REPORT FROM INTERIM CHIEF JONES:

Chief Jones reported Aldrin has started his FTO process this week.

Reported we are still waiting on the taser’s.

REPORT FROM CODE COMPLIANCE-DAVE SHAFER:

David Shafer reported there is no schedule for the park improvements for Prairie View, the equipment has been delivered. And we know that Door Creek will be the installer.

Reported we are currently at 123 permits for the year.

Reported having a zoning hearing on November 13th. The ZBA recommended approval of 2 out of the 3 requests and tabled the 3rd request for staff to recommend changes to the zoning code text regarding home-based businesses. Reported working on the recommended modifications to the 2021 I-series codes for adoption before the end of the year.

REPORT FROM PUBLIC WORKS -DAVID SHAFER:

David Shafer reported:

Water:

Reported a couple of bolts we ordered were the wrong length for the water plant pump. We had to reorder but the project should be completed next week.

Reported all work except restoration is done on well #3. The well has passed successive tests and has been put back online.

Reported staff had training for the IVR/SMS features of our billing software today.

Sewer:

Reported having a tree fall and damage to a fence at the North Lift Station. Waiting for a quote to fix the fencing. Parks

Volunteer Park:

Reported Christmas decorations will be finished next week.

Compost Facility:

Reported having our 6-month inspection from the IEPA.

MFT& Streets:

Reported leaf collection is almost complete.

Equipment & Staffing:

Reported the F-250 replacement is scheduled to come in on November 27th.

Reported the bucket truck was re-certified for another year.

REPORT FROM ENGINEER-DAVID SHAFER:

Davis Shafer reported there are no updates on the inspection of the water plant with the IEPA. Reported reaching out to IDOT regarding the re-striping of our crosswalks on side streets that were repaved but not re-striped.

Reported the ITEP Grant Centennial Park Share Use Path, we are working on scheduling a call with D6 H&H Engineer regarding filling in the ditch on South side of RT 136 for the shared use path. Discussed a couple of cross walk options at RT 136 and Prairie Meadows/Delane Drive. We are waiting on the environmental review process.

REPORT FROM TREASURER & BUDGET OFFICER-AMBER MILLS:

Amber Mills reported we are waiting on the final distribution from McLean County for property taxes. Reported starting on the Tax Levy amounts that will be discussed at the next meeting.

The last payment for the 2014 Bond was made last month, closing that bond account.

Reported on the Treasurer Report that was published, it will be on the Village website next week.

REPORT FROM ADMINISTRATOR-GEOFF DODDS:

Geoff Dodds reported receiving all receipts for the project approved with the BDD application with Heyworth Liquors. We are working with our BDD consultants on the verification process.

Reported Worn Again Too submitted its cost eligible expenses/invoices for verification and payout per the terms of its BDD agreement. We are still working with our BDD consultants on those verifications. Reported the auditors continue to work on the audit.

As discussed in the last meeting, we will publish the truth in taxation notice in the newspaper early next week so that we can conduct the truth in taxation hearing on Thursday, December 5th at 5:30pm. Reported the ZBA had a hearing on Wednesday, November 13th to review three zoning variances by the same applicant.

Reported after further review of the Scharf annexation, we discovered some issues with their current annexation agreement that we intend to follow up with them, as well as present in the EDP committee for consideration in a potential new agreement.

Discussed the health insurance renewal.

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.

PARKS & INFRASTUCTURE-TRUSTEE MOWERY:

No report.

ED&P-TRUSTEE SHEPPARD:

No report.

STREETS & PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE-TRUSTEE LAUTERBERG:

No report.

OLD BUSINESS:

None.

ACTION ITEMS:

ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & MOTIONS: 7.1-7.4

Motion (Mowery, Lauterberg) to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes for October 17, 2024. All aye. [Motion Carried]

2024-58 (Girdler, Mowery) Ordinance approving the Health Insurance Program for Calendar Year 2025 for the Village of Heyworth employees. 6-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.

Size appropriate. 6-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.

Nothing added. 6-yes. 0-no.

3. The purpose of the variation is not based exclusively upon a desire to receive financial gain on the property.

No financial gain shown. 6-yes. 0-no.

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

There is no hardship. 6-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.

Concur with the statement. 6-yes. 0-no.

6. The general purpose and intent of this title will be adhered to should the variance be granted.

Yes general purpose is met. 6-yes. 0-no.

2024-59 (Girdler, Bertrand) Ordinance approving a Zoning Variance to allow a 2,400 square foot accessory structure for the property located at 645 Lytleville Road, Parcel 28-34-177-010, in the Village of Heyworth. 6-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.

Similar and less height than a house. 6-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.

Similar. 6-yes. 0-no.

3. The purpose of the variation is not based exclusively upon a desire to receive financial gain on the property.

No financial gain for the height. 6-yes. 0-no.

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

Adding two feet will not add anything to your property. 6-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.

Nothing added. 6-yes. 0-no.

6. The general purpose and intent of this title will be adhered to should the variance be granted.

Intent is met. 6-yes. 0-no.

2024-60 (Girdler, Mowery) Ordinance approving a Zoning Variance to allow a 17’ height variance for an accessory structure for the property located at 645 Lytleville Road, Parcel 28-34-277-010, in the Village of Heyworth. 6-yes. 0-no. [Motion Carried]

New Business:

Geoff Dodds discussed administration has been talking through allowing a new employee to have two PTO days up front when they start. The board is ok with this.

Discussed community solar farm.

Discussed the schedule of meetings, the board ok with the changes for next years meeting schedule. David Shafer discussed the trace wire for utilities.

Set schedule of meetings: Village Board Meeting December 5th at 6:30pm. Public Hearing at 5:30pm. Informational Topics:

ADJOURNMENT: Motion: (Sheppard, Lauterberg) All aye. [Motion Carried] 7:31pm

https://cms8.revize.com/revize/heyworthil/Minutes/2024%20Minutes/Regular%20Meeting%20Minutes%2011.21.24.pdf