Sangamon Sun

Village of Pawnee Board of Trustees Met May 24.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

Call to Order:

• President Clarke called the meeting to order to 7:02pm.

Roll Call:

Village Clerk, Devona Martin called roll Trustees in attendance: Brian Whitlow, Phillip Thompson, Jan Bowsher, Patrick Murphy, David Skinner, Troy Squires

Trustees Absent: none . Also in attendance: Attorney Don Cravens, Treasurer Kelly Thein, Candy Kramer with the Pawnee Post, Chief Barclay Harris, Andy Lee, Steve Gudgel, Bob Patton, Kevin Rollins, Mark Selhime, Jason Martin, Greg Bandy, Vernon Brown, Devon Nance

Visitor's Recognition/Comments:

Steve Gudgel and Bob Patton appeared before the Board. They advise we had the first big rain since we put the dam in and that it has created a bottle neck. Mr. Gudgel thinks if we got rid of all the rock and open it up a bit, it will flow better. With the current rock, it caused Mr. Patton's back yard to flood. Trustee Thompson asked if we need to have our engineer look at it. Mr. Gudgel stated it is bottle necked in now and has caused more of a problem. Trustee Skinner asked about the utilities. Mr. Gudgel advised that Maltby would probably know where the utilities are. Mr. Gudgel's suggestion is to take out all the rock and that will give it another 10 feet or so. They realize that when you have a 4" rain, there's going to be a lot of water. He just thinks if we open it up, it will flow easier. Mr. Patton advised if you took all of the rock out and even took out some of the sides, it will create a bigger area for the water to flow. They both agreed that when we get a regular rain it is fine. Mr. Gudgel believes it needs to be 3 times wider. President Clarke advised we broke it up because it had eroded under the concrete. This is a natural water way. Consensus was to pick up what's on the ground and see what the next big rain brings. Attorney Cravens said we can't use public employees on private property, however, since we put it in, we can take it out. Mr. Patton is concerned about erosion but if it is opened up, he thinks it will be easier on the field and easier on the flow. Devon Nance appeared before the Board. He would like to meet with President Clarke, Chief of Police and a couple trustees to discuss legalizing side by sides. He stated this would not include 4-wheelers. Attorney Cravens indicated that once you let the vehicles on the street, you cannot limit the age of the drivers. He advised other towns have age limits. Attorney Cravens will check into it and be educated on this at the next board meeting. Trustee Bowsher stated she knows you cannot discriminate about age. Trustee Murphy stated that currently the regulation on golf carts is dusk to sunset. He believes if we did allow side by sides, it should follow the same rules as the golf cart. Vernon Brown stated he has a side by side and doesn't want to buy a golf cart. Jason Martin, Chief of Divernon, provided information on their upcoming ordinance. Kevin Rollins suggested if there is an infraction on the vehicle, the permit gets pulled. Chief Martin advised that in Divernon, their permit would get pulled for the year. Mark Selhime indicated most municipalities that allow side by sides also sell out of town passes and that most people are fine with spending the money so they can ride. President Clarke will discuss with Attorney Cravens and then get with Devon Nance. Trustee Thompson advised he is OK with them as long as they follow the rules of the road. Trustee Bowsher said whatever the chief wants but she also feels bad for the people that voted against it. President Clarke advised that they will put together a package and bring it to the board and the board votes. Attorney Cravens advised that it is happening anyway, so we might as well put some regulations on it. Trustee Squires says he is concerned about the underage driving golf carts. President Clarke advised we are getting ready to crack down and pull permits on those. Mark Selhime advised he heard the state is getting ready to expanded definitions on side by sides. President Clarke advised if we allow, the police department has to police them. He suggests funds go to the police department to purchase anything they need. Treasurer Thein stated that there is no way to track it. Everything goes into the general fund.

Clerk's Report:

Minutes of May 10, 2021 were presented for review and approval Motion made by Trustee Murphy to approve the minutes of May 10, 2021 as presented Second made by Trustee Skinner Roll Call Vote Taken: Whitlow-yes, Thompson-yes, Bowsher-yes, Murphy-yes, Skinner-yes, Squires-yes

Motion Carried: (6-0)

Personnel & Finance Committee Report; Committee Chair, Trustee Skinner

Trustee Skinner presented the bills payable for the week ending May 24, 2021 in the amount of $29,625.86 Motion made by Trustee Skinner presented the bills payable for the week ending May 24, 2021 in the amount of $29,625.86 Second made by Trustee Squires Roll Call Vote Taken: Whitlow-yes, Thompson-yes, Bowsher-yes, Murphy-yes, Skinner-yes, Squires-yes 

Motion Carried: (6-0)

Treasurer Thein presented the Monthly Budget Comparison Report for the Month Ending April 30, 2021. This is the last month of our fiscal year. She stated that we have received notification of our loan payback. It should start in July and the monthly payment will be somewhere between $7,000 - $8,000. Motion made by Trustee Skinner to approve Treasurer Thein Monthly Budget Comparison Report for the month ending April 30, 2021. Second made by Trustee Squires Roll Call Vote Taken: Whitlow-yes, Thompson-yes, Bowsher-yes, Murphy-yes, Skinner-yes, Squires-yes 

Motion Carried: (6-0)

Gas and Water Committee Report: Committee Chair, Trustee Squires

Trustee Squires advised that on May 20th, 60 red letters were mailed out.

• Andy Lee talked to Trustee Squires, Chief Harris and Treasurer Thein and with the police department being understaffed, he would like to contract with a company out of Springfield to take all of our gas emergency calls. This would take the burden off of the police department. He spoke with TJ Henson in Auburn and they currently contract with this company. The cost is only $55/mo and we can transfer any number to them. Chief Harris can transfer their number to them as well. Once they take the call, they screen it. If it's a gas emergency, they tell them to 

Trustee Murphy advised there have been concerns about a building permit on Michelle Drive and how it's progressing or rather lack thereof. It was issued in February and it is not progressing. Discussed the zoning of the square. There is proposed language from the Village of Sherman that basically says future new construction has to match the existing construction. This will keep the construction on the square historic. He would like to put forth an ordinance and get it done prior to any rebuilding. Attorney Cravens stated that he first needs to go through the zoning board and then come to the Village Board with a recommendation. We will pay the fee to bring in the zoning board for a meeting. Trustee Murphy indicated that he believes there will be a variance request on Groom Street although we have not yet received it. A variance will be needed on a fence. Our engineer is supposed to determine the exact location of our alley. We denied the fence because he wanted to build it directly on the property line. We are waiting for the variance request. Trustee Murphy advised that Dewey also talked about closing the alley off. Jessica Leach was OK with it but all the residents would have to good with it. The alley is not exactly where it's supposed to be. It has traveled north through the years. Trustee Murphy will start working on that and get the zoning board. Trustee Whitlow said with the street closure, with semi's pulling in to the loading dock, will than impede residents back yards.

Bargaining Committee: Committee Chair, President Clarke

• None

Energy: Committee Chair, President Clarke

• None

Infrastructure: Committee Chair, Trustee Richeson

• None

Exit Regular Session: 8:05pm

Motion made by Trustee Squires to exit regular session for personnel Second made by Trustee Murphy Roll Call Vote Taken: Whitlow-yes, Thompson-yes, Bowsher-yes, Murphy-yes, Skinner-yes, Squires-yes Motion Carried: (6-0)

Enter Executive Session: 8:14pm

Motion made by Trustee Murphy to enter executive session for personnel Second made by Trustee Thompson Roll Call Vote Taken: Whitlow-yes, Thompson-yes, Bowsher-yes, Murphy-yes, Skinner-yes, Squires-yes Motion Carried: (6-0)

Exit Executive Session: 9:16pm

Motion made by Trustee Murphy to exit executive session Second made by Trustee Skinner Roll Call Vote Taken: Whitlow-yes, Thompson-yes, Bowsher-yes, Murphy-yes, Skinner-yes, Squires-yesMotion Carried: (6-0)

Re-Enter Regular Session: 9:18pm

Motion made by Trustee Thompson to re-enter regular session Second made by Trustee Bowsher Roll Call Vote Taken: Whitlow-yes, Thompson-yes, Bowsher-yes, Murphy-yes, Skinner-yes, Squires-yes Motion Carried: (6-0)

New Business:

Ordinance 21-12 – An Ordinance Relating to Hours for Sales of Alcoholic Liquors. This updates the hours and the fees for a 2am license Motion made by Trustee Murphy to accept Ordinance 21-12 - An Ordinance Relating to Hours for Sales of Alcoholic Liquors Second made by Trustee Bowsher Roll Call Vote Taken: Whitlow-yes, Thompson-yes, Bowsher-yes, Murphy-yes, Skinner-yes, Squires-yes Motion Carried: (6-0) Treasurer Thein asked if we have heard anything about the trailer on Tamaroa. It needs mowed. Attorney advised he doesn't have anyone to talk to. Motion made by Trustee Bowsher to hire Tim Collins effective June 7, 2027 as a full time police officer waiving the residency Second made by Trustee Thompson Roll Call Vote Taken: Whitlow-yes, Thompson-yes, Bowsher-yes, Murphy-yes, Skinner-yes, Squires-yes Motion Carried: (6-0) Motion made by Trustee Bowsher to hire Jonathan Albright as a part-time officer after Chief

Bowsher and Kelly Thein interview him and if it goes OK effective June 1, 2021 Second made by Trustee Whitlow Roll Call Vote Taken: Whitlow-yes, Thompson-yes, Bowsher-yes, Murphy-yes, Skinner-yes, Squires-yes Motion Carried: (6-0) President Clarke advised he got a call from Nick Campo and wants to put gravel back instead of fill. Attorney Cravens called the County and we have to wait for zoning because we mirror them but we didn't hear back. If we allow them to do it, Locals will do the same at the KC lot. They will basically be making parking spots in their lots. President Clarke asked if we need to have them put a fence up for liability purposes. If so, he recommends a 6ft privacy fence. We are waiting to see what the county says. If they put gravel in, people will be parking there. It's zoned commercial but is that the building or stand alone lot. President Clarke advised Campo isn't going to rebuild right now. This is also holding up Bandy from finishing the demo. The existing parking lot is gravel. He was parking his own vehicles there. President Clarke advised that at Bike Night, 4 vehicles pulled up there and parked. Dominic Campo advised President Clarke that this is private property and the vehicles had to go. If they gravel it, it's going to look like a parking lot and people will park there and then they will call us to move vehicles. Also, there needs to be a fence between the lot and the sidewalk. Discussed the fence being made out of materials that match the rest of the square. We will ask them to give us a plan and we will review it.

President Clarke discussed the water project. Currently we are at $350,000 roughly. If we add Franklin and Lincoln and all the way around the square, it will be approx $1.2 million. We started engineering with Petereburg Plumbing but they are booked through this year. We started engineering but are now thinking we include Franklin and Lincoln and around the square and send to EPA and put the job out for bidding in November or December so we can get the job next year. If the power plant doesn't come, is the board willing to borrow $1.2M for all the water projects. If we did it all the same time, we would probably save some money. Trustee Thompson stated its infrastructure and if we need to spend money, it makes sense to do it at once if we can do it. He thinks we should do it all at once. Attorney Cravens said with that much lead time, we might be able to bond it. Engineering work is only good for a year. Trustee Murphy stated it needs done. If we can get it all done by the same people on the same project, we should do it. Trustee Skinner advised he hates the thought of borrowing money when we never had to in the past. President Clarke advised we are talking about ancient things in the ground that needs replaced. And if the plant comes, we'll be able to pay cash. Consensus was to start measuring but don't turn anything into the EPA until the fall. As long as he doesn't turn it in, the clock doesn't start. Treasurer Thein stated that there is a guy that comes in every 6mos and is open for big projects. She has his card.

Motion to Adjourn:

Motion made by Trustee Murphy to adjourn Second made by Trustee Bowsher Roll Call Vote Taken: Whitlow-yes, Thompson-yes, Bowsher-yes, Murphy-yes, Skinner-yes, Squires-yes Motion Carried: (6-0)

Meeting adjourned at 9:33pm.

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