DeKalb Times

Town of Cortland Board of Trustees met April 8.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

Call to Order / Pledge of Allegiance / Roll Call

Clerk Aldis called the meeting to order in absence of the Mayor at 7:00 p.m. The pledge was recited and roll call was taken by Deputy Clerk Nielsen. Shown as present were Trustees Jim Walker, Mike Siewierski, Rick Robins and Doug Corson. Shown as absent were Mayor Stokes, Trustees Brad Stone and Charmaine Fioretto. Quorum was present. Also present were Clerk Cheryl Aldis, Attorney Buick, Police Chief Dargis, Public Works Director John Kocher, and Water Wastewater Director Joel Summerhill, and Accountant Wes Levy.

A motion was entered by Trustee Corson and seconded by Trustee Robins to appoint Trustee Siewierski as Mayor Pro Tem for this meeting. Unanimous voice vote carried the motion.

Approval of Agenda

Trustee Walker moved and Trustee Corson seconded a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Unanimous voice vote carried the motion.

Public Wishing To Speak

Miss Marty Robins introduced herself to the board as Trustee Robins daughter and stated that she is very interested in government and loves the town.

Public Hearing – Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Town and Library

Mayor Pro Tem Siewierski called the public hearing to order at 7:02. Clerk Nielsen read the public notice into the record. The notice was published in the Daily Chronicle on March 27, 2019, meeting the requirements of the law.

With no comment from the public, Mayor Pro Tem Siewierski closed the public hearing at 7:04 p.m.

FY2020 Preliminary Budget Review

Mr. Levy presented the preliminary budget. The General Fund is starting FY2020 with a deficit of $(61,508). With a projected revenue of $1,695.650, transfers in from other funds of $ 427,192 and expenditures of $2,195.144 resulting in a cash balance deficit for the General Fund of $(143,810). The ending cash balance for Restricted Assets Fund is $630,29, Motor Fuel Tax Fund $15,489, Capital Improvement Fund $32,428, Parade & Festival Fund $1,981, TIF $99,254, Sewer System Fund $1,234,916, and Water System Fund $710,297. Mr. Levy explained that Public Works Department is looking to add another full-time person to the department which would cost approximately $63,000 with benefits contributing to just under 50% if the deficit. He was not suggesting that the additional person wasn’t necessary, just reporting costs. Mr. Kocher explained that the Mayor wants more projects completed this summer and has instructed him to hire a full-time person. Mr. Kocher explained that this position was a seasonal part-time person and would now become full-time.

Each department head was asked to present their projects for FY2020 proposed Capital Equipment/Construction Expenditures.

Mr. Summerhill presented sewer/water proposed projects. His department is planning on running sewer/water along Rt. 38 along Rt. 38 and Loves Rd. The costs for running sewer and water along this route is $1,500,000. There are IEPA loans with 25% forgiveness for improvements at.04% for 30 years. Included in the sewer budget is also a new blower for sewer treatment plant for $80,000.

Expensed to the water department budget include North Tower repair $40,000, towers inspected and washed $15,000, replace water main hydrants on Benson Ave. $90,000. Mr. Summerhill added a part-time salary to his budget for a scheduling/utility billing person.

Chief Dargis presented his police department projected budget costs adding a new squad car $50,000, Speed Radar Sign $4,300 (will be applying for Monsanto Grant) and $8,500 for Police Law, Leads Online, NITAB & Lexipol Dues.

Mr. Kocher presented public works proposed projects totaling $11,900 for epoxy flooring, tires, and a new pipe laser. Capital Improvements projects totaling $42,338 to include sidewalk repairs, curb extension new door on salt shed, paint for salt shed. Restricted assets include a new cemetery fence for $16,732. Total expenditures of $70,970.

There was discussion regarding how long before Somonauk Rd. will need to be repaved. Mr. Kocher suggested it will be about two years. Mr. Levy suggested we start looking into this project as we may have to issue debt for a major project of that size.

Approve FY2020 Budget Town and Library

Trustee Corson stated that he felt that the Town could start with the budget as presented, believing that each year the budget has been going in the right direction. The consensus was to adopt the budget and amend if necessary.

Trustee Corson moved and Trustee Walker seconded a motion to approve the FY2020 Budget for the Town and Library. Unanimous roll call vote carried the motion.

Approve Proposed FY2019 Budget Amendments

Mr. Levy’s report included Budget Amendments for FY2019 by each fund with a total expense for FY2020 budget amount of $1,730,169, amended totals in the amount of $1,604,693, for a variance of ($125,476).

Trustee Corson moved and Trustee Robins seconded a motion to approve the FY2019 Amendments. Unanimous roll call vote carried the motion.

GovPayNet Merchants Agreement Resolution

This would allow the Town to accept credit cards as an option for payments at the Town Hall for water bills, fines and permits. There will be a charge to the customer to use this option, it will not cost the town anything to provide this service. A2019-01

Trustee Walker moved and Trustee Robins seconded the motion to enter into an Agreement with GovPayNet and adopt the Resolution. Unanimous roll call vote carried the motion.

An Ordinance Approving Plat of Re-subdivision of Lot 203 Robinson Farm Unit 3

Trustee Robins moved and Trustee Walker seconded a motion to approve the Plat of Re- subdivision for Lot 203 Robinson Farm Unit 3. Unanimous roll call vote carried the motion. Ord. 2019-04

An Ordinance Approving Plat of Re-subdivision of Lot 206 Robinson Farm Unit 3

Trustee Walker moved and Trustee Robins seconded a motion to approve the Plat of Re- subdivision for Lot 206 Robinson Farm Unit 3. Unanimous roll call vote carried the motion. Ord. 2019-05

Comments/Concerns

Trustee Corson commented on the potential sale of property on North Avenue, asking who will pay to remove the spoils as this will be an expensive project. Attorney Buick informed him that this would be determined in the sale contract. Trustee Walker stated that there could be several options for removing or spreading dirt and spoils.

Adjournment

Trustee Robins moved and Trustee Walker seconded a motion for adjournment. Unanimous voice vote carried the motion. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

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