Sangamon Sun

Village of Pawnee Board of Trustees met March 13.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

Call to Order:

President Clarke called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.

Roll Call:

Village Clerk, Devona Martin, called roll Trustees in attendance: Garry Whitson, , Cara Burnley, Patrick Murphy, Troy Squires Trustees absent; Phillip Thompson, David Skinner Also in attendance: Attorney John Myers, Treasurer Kelly Thein, Candy Kramer with the Pawnee Post, Chief Jan Bowsher, Jeff Schober, Tina Williamson Elevate Energy, Yancey Dans

Visitor's Recognition/Comments:

Tina Williamson with Elevate Energy appeared before the Board. They are non-for-profit. Their main focus is to educate Communities on energy efficiencies and help identify ways to save money. They have started a community challenge with an opportunity to win $15,000 to be used at the winner's discretion. Their end goal is to educate our citizens to become energy efficient and make Smarter choices for Our Community and Country as a whole. If we invite her, she will be spending a lot of time in our Community. The challenge starts in April. Petersburg and Virden are also involved in the challenge. The challenge is based on a points system. The more point they meet with and Speak to, the more points we earn. Cara Burnley will be the contact.

Clerk's Report:

Minutes of February 27, 2017 were presented for review and approval. Motion made by Trustee Murphy to approve minutes of February 27, 2017 as presented Second made by Trustee Whitson Roll Call Vote Taken: Whitson-yes, Burnley-yes, Murphy-yes, Squires-yes, President Clarke-yes

Motion Carried: (5-0)

Personnel & Finance Committee Report: Committee Chair, Trustee Skinner

Trustee Squires presented the bills payable for the week ending March 13, 2017 in the amount of $129,931.20 Motion made by Trustee Squires to approve the bills payable in the amount of $129,931.20 for the week ending March 13, 2017.

Second made by Trustee Murphy Roll Call Vote Taken: Whitson-yes, Burnley-yes, Murphy-yes, Squires-yes Motion Carried: (4-0)

GaS and Water Committee Report: Committee Chair, Trustee Whitson

No report

Streets, Alley and Sidewalk Committee Report: Committee Chair, Trustee SquireS

Trustee Squires advised the Board that they are currently working on Storm tiles and general maintenance.

Trustee Squires advised the Board that they are still working on obtaining estimates on the truck beds.

Police Committee Report: Committee Chair, President Clarke

No report

Sewer and Parks Committee Report: Committee Chair, Trustee Thompson

No report

Zoning Committee Report: Committee Chair, Trustee Burnley

Trustee Murphy advised the Board of the business at the last Zoning meeting. They had a variance request with Someone wanting to add a one story addition. A variance is needed because the structure will occupy 67% of the property and our ordinance has a maximum of 60%. They approved the variance. Trustee Burnley advised the Board that she was approached by someone wanting to give 10ft of their property to their neighbor. Attorney Myers will research.

Unfinished Business:

Ordinance 17-05 - An Ordinance Relating to Hours for Sales of Alcoholic Liquors on Sundays Motion made by Trustee Burnley to accept Ordinance 17-05- An Ordinance Relating to Hours for Sales of Alcoholic Liquors on Sundays

Second made by Trustee Murphy Roll Call Vote Taken: Whitson-no, Burnley-yes, Murphy-yes, Squires-yes, President Clarke-yes

Motion Carried: (4-1) Discussed the project. An article in the State Journal Register indicated that the City of Springfield wants to sell them the water by running a line out here to Pawnee. The thought is that because it has to go in the Enterprise Zone, there is a condition that they have to get their water from Springfield. The developer feels like it is a condition but Springfield says it is not. Currently there is an open issue on who is supplying the water and sewer. The other major issue is property tax for school district. President Clarke tried to get a guarantee but they were notable to give that. In tomorrow night's meeting, they will distribute a handout With language Saying that it's really hard to Say What the tax income for the School would be, We asked the developer to give an estimate for the value of the property. He gave an estimate of $35 million. That would translate to 15-16% increase in schools taxes. That would be $400,000-500,000/year for the school. The issue for the Village is if Springfield insists upon providing the water, do we want to support this project? One of the reasons for the meeting tomorrow is that the developer wants to get a sense of Community Support. If the Village does not support it, they will go elsewhere. Consensus was if the Village gets the Water deal, we are all in. Other thing going on is there has been this notation that the Village of Pawnee is opposed to Lake II. We are not opposed but are opposed to a mud flat with a mosquito infestation. There was a problem with the original Hunter Lake proposal pertaining to phosphorus. It needs to be a deep lake. If it is not deep, there is a problem. We Said "We want the water and are prepared to discuss with Springfield, how we can aCCommodate the Hunter Lake." Attorney Myers speculates that Springfield is trying to use this to justify building Hunter Lake. Attorney Myers and President Clarke are going to have a meeting to see if Pawnee would qualify for our own enterprise Zone. The Enterprise Zone is part of an economic develop tool. Currently the Enterprise Zone is an area in Springfield and Sangamon County. Within the Enterprise Zone, if you build a $1 billion plant or more, the material you put in is not Subject to Sales tax. This is really important for the developer that it to be put in the Enterprise Zone. Springfield and Sangamon County Control the Enterprise Zone. President Clarke Said thank you to Garry and Freddie Whitson on their service to the Community and happy retirement.

NeW BuSineSS:

o President Clarke advised that he received a letter requesting that our elected officials, then we have to pass the resolution. It will be on the next agenda. President Clarke advised the Board that we received the new 3 year contract for Panhandle Eastern Pipeline. It currently expires March 31, 2018. They like to have the agreement prior to the expiration. Motion made by Trustee Murphy to approve the Panhandle Eastern Pipeline agreement per our UGM consultant's suggestion to renew for 3 years. This is the Continuation of Small Customer Transportation Agreement No. 11507

Second made by Trustee Burnley Roll Call Vote Taken: Whitson-yes, Burnley-yes, Murphy-yes, Squires-yes Motion Carried; (4-0) Trustee Squires advised the Board that they are hoping to have the new sign here by April 1, 2017, Treasurer Thein advised the Board that she received a call from Casey's. They would like to be able to sell hard liquor with their beer and wine. We would need to add a package store license and get rid of the beer and wine license. Consensus was to allow. Attorney Myers will put an ordinance together

Motion to Adjourn:

Motion made by Trustee Murphy to adjourn meeting. Second made by Trustee Squires Roll Call Vote Taken: Whitson-yes, Burnley-yes, Murphy-yes, Squires-yes Motion Carried: (4-0)

Meeting adjourned at pm on Monday, March 13, 2017. The next scheduled meeting of the Pawnee Village Board of Trustees is Monday, March 27, 2017 at 7:00pm at the Village Hall.

http://www.pawneeil.net/uploads/2/4/2/7/24273585/board_minutes_mar_13_2017.pdf