DeKalb Times

Village of Shabbona Village Board met Aug. 24.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

The Regular Meeting of the Shabbona Village Board was called to order by Village President Donald J. Goncher at 7:00 P.M. in the video conference room https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81705172543?pwd=VUhRQ2ZHeUV2L2t1ejBPVmdEclZXZz09

OPENING OF MEETING/MEETING GUIDELINES/ ROLL CALL: Pursuant to OMA Remote Meeting Legislation PA100-0640(SB2135) signed by Governor Pritzker on June 12, 2020, all votes must be roll call during a remote meeting-from the opening of meeting up to and including adjournment. An officer must be present during the meeting at the regular meeting room, Marc Cinnamon is present in the regular meeting room. This meeting is being recorded. Roll Call: Marc Cinnamon-present, Jamie Deutsch-present, Frank Ottengheime- present, David Simpson-present, Josh Clark-absent, Richard Lockowitz-present.

ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

Frank Ottengheime-In person meetings versus remote meetings Frank Ottengheime-Driveway at Indian Creek Elementary School

APPROVAL OF AGENDA – Richard Lockowitz motioned to approve the agenda, Marc Cinnamon seconded. Roll Call Vote: Frank Ottengheime-aye, Marc Cinnamon-aye, Jamie Deutsch-aye, David Simpson-aye, Richard Lockowitz-aye, Josh Clark-absent. 5-0-1 Motion carried.

CITIZENS ADDRESSING THE BOARD:

Flood Zone-Jeff Jefko of 411 W. Cherokee Ave spoke about being in flood zone. He has had to carry flood insurance off and on over the past several years and was recently notified that he was in A-zone, instead of X-zone where he was previously, and he was notified that his flood insurance is going up 10x over last year. Norm clarified that due to the past flooding issue the Village got a grant and was able to put in a larger storm drain that has provided relief. Individual property owners on Cherokee Street have applied for and received flood elevation certificates for their homes--405, 408 & 415 Cherokee have been exempted from floodplain insurance. Recently 413 W Cherokee has applied for certificate and is waiting for response from FEMA. 411 W Cherokee has elevation similar to 413. Don asked resident if he has applied for flood elevation certificate, resident has not as he thought the village was taking care of this issue ever since the street was fixed. Don Goncher, Norm Beeh, and the resident will meet to discuss next steps. Resident also thanked the board for the action taken on first quarter water bills.

Vicky Bray-expressed concern about Nokomis railroad pedestrian crossing as it is very dangerous right now. Don said he has talked with railroad and they say it will be put back together in about two weeks.

REPORTS and ACTION

A. COVID 19 UPDATE: Don Goncher said that the Governor signed order extending the statewide disaster declaration through Saturday, September 19, 2020. Residents are encouraged to comply with the mask orders and continue to practice social distancing at all times.

IN PERSON MEETINGS VERSUS REMOTE MEETINGS: Need to be able to social distance at 6 feet apart and our meeting room does not allow for social distancing for board meetings. Frank Ottengheime said that we need to look for another space then. Keith Foster said if gubernatorial order expires 9/19 remote meetings will end but it may be extended. Keith said to remember that reality is that some of us are over a certain age and are more at risk. Frank Ottengheime motioned to go to in person meetings, Richard Lockowitz seconded. Roll Call Vote: Frank Ottengheime-aye, Marc Cinnamon-aye, Jamie Deutsch-aye, David Simpson- no, Richard Lockowitz-yes, Josh Clark-absent. 4-1-1 Motion carried. Don Goncher requested Frank Ottengheime set up location that allows social distancing and let us know location as soon as possible.

B. VILLAGE ENGINEER-NORM BEEH

STREETS-REVIEW AND CONDITIONALLY AWARD SEAL COATING BID:

Received two bids today, Civil Constructors at $58,648 and Stephan's 3D Construction at $80,450. Low bid was significantly above engineers estimate. Engineers estimate was approved by IDOT. If board wants to approve low bid, then would have to get concurrence from IDOT. Norm recommends putting into county’s spring program and have it be part of the county bid. If severe winter, then will probably need to address repairs on Preserve road before seal coating. Norm said with spring county bid, seal coating would happen in June. Board will need to finalize and get info to county in January in order to be included in bid. Marc Cinnamon will set up infrastructure meeting in September and review by November in order to put 2021 street proposal to the village board before end of the year. Both bids were rejected.

CURB AND STREET AT INDIAN CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Frank Ottengheime said that the way the curb and gutter was put in it is bone-jarring to get into the elementary school drive. Norm will take a look at it and see what can be done to improve it. David Simpson asked about really rough patches, particularly at corner of Cherokee and Shabbona Road, Norm said that sealcoating is meant to take care of the roughness. Preserve Road contractor scraped high points and filled in low points for drainage so there are irregularities in the surface.

FEASIBILITY STUDY TO CONNECT WELLS: Norm has done some preliminary work and got information from Buddy for where water services come from. He will try to have something by next meeting.

No update from IEPA, our grant administrator is on maternity leave and Norm is following up with whomever is covering her. Don Goncher asked about Preserve Road easement. They met with Mrs Lovering’s niece and talked about a permanent water easement at edge of field from Shabbona Road to sewer plant. Norm has surveyor working on permanent easement document to send to her.

C. MAINTENANCE REPORT-BUD FORRER

Have been spraying weeds in town, swept streets after storm a couple weeks ago, assisted with street patching, had a lot of tree branches after last week's storm, got a new chain saw. Washing playground equipment on Thursday mornings and watering planters twice a week. Apartments at 501 W Comanche had a water valve leaking inside their meter room. Landlord had a plumber replace the valve and Buddy and Trevor had to dig up out front to shut off outside water valve. Water was off less than 24 hours. Landlord called to thank the guys for the great job. Email received from Charlie Foster about weeds in alley. We have cut branches back along the alley, weeds are on private properties and growing into alley. Back side of Museum and behind Wisted's store there are a lot of weeds. Buddy will spray and mow along edge of alley as far back as he can get.

D. SHABBONA PATHWAY COMMITTEE—MARC CINNAMON

Seedling mile phase one section is complete, came in at higher price than planned. Pathway committee representatives met with Mrs Lovering’s niece about easements. Pathway is moving forward with ITEP grant application.

E. SHABBONA HORTICULTURAL COMMITTEE—MARC CINNAMON

Committee is compiling list of tree work that needs to be done this fall along with general maintenance pruning. Marc is working on setting up committee meeting in September.

F. SHERIFF REPORT - Reviewed Sheriff’s report.

G. CLERK & DEPUTY CLERK

APPROVAL OF MINUTES-Richard Lockowitz motioned to approve the July 2020 minutes, David Simpson seconded. Roll Call Vote: Marc Cinnamon-aye, Jamie Deutsch-aye, Richard Lockowitz-aye, David Simpson- aye, Josh Clark-absent, Frank Ottengheime-aye. 5-0-1 Motion carried.

CENSUS 2020: Shabbona is currently at 74.8% self-response, Census workers have been going around town to talk to people that have not done self-response.

BUILDING PERMIT SPREADSHEET: Clerk provided monthly update on permits issued.

ZONING MAP-CIVIC/INSTITUTIONAL ZONE: It was brought up earlier this year that village properties, schools, churches should be labeled something other than residential zone. This would require ordinance for civic/institutional zone to be created. No motion, Don Goncher closed the matter.

FINANCIALS

A. APPROVAL OF BILLS –Frank Ottengheime motioned to approve the bills holding KL Services for rebilling with two separate invoices, Marc Cinnamon seconded. Roll Call Vote: Marc Cinnamon-aye, Jamie Deutsch- aye, Frank Ottengheime-aye, David Simpson-aye, Josh Clark-absent, Richard Lockowitz-aye. 5-0-1 Motion carried.

B. TREASURER’S REPORT – Marc Cinnamon motioned to accept the Treasurer’s report, David Simpson seconded. Roll Call Vote: Marc Cinnamon-aye, Jamie Deutsch-aye, Frank Ottengheime-aye, David Simpson- aye, Josh Clark-absent, Richard Lockowitz-aye. 5-0-1 Motion carried.

C. UTILITY BILLS – No Issues.

OLD BUSINESS

A. PARK CAMERA: Two proposals were received for cameras. They include park, public works/town hall, and sewer plant. Frank Ottengheime asked about being compatible for police department. Don Goncher offered to get vendors in for demonstrations. Don will talk to vendors about demos and see what they can offer us.

F. RAILROAD: PONTIAC CROSSING & NOKOMIS PEDESTRIAN CROSSING-ALLEY FROM ILLINI TO NOKOMIS:

Don Goncher put an inquiry to BNSF about the “lease” of north alley which would allow 5 more feet of alley and 5 more feet of parallel parking space and enhance our ability to provide parking and pedestrian gates at Illini and Nokomis to provide more safety. Asked board about closing Pontiac Street crossing permanently and need clean up overflow into alley from PIN #1315402009. Don recommended that board consider turning Nokomis into parking lot and make alley one way from Illini to Nokomis, he does not know how much this would cost, would need to do engineering. David Simpson asked about possibility of no train whistles through town. Don does not know if there is enough footage from Rt 30 to railroad crossings to make silent zone. Don said that improving alley would benefit to downtown appearance and additional parking in village downtown would help generate more revenue for village long-term. Board concurred that Don should continue to negotiate with railroad with focus on quieting train whistles.

NEW BUSINESS

A. Phase 1 Environmental Services: Don Goncher was approached by two property owners who are interested in giving the village a good deal on downtown properties. There are remediation grants that can be looked into to get the properties and make usable space. Marc Cinnamon said he thinks village should move forward with doing Phase 1 environmental site assessment as it would provide data to see if any of these properties are worth pursuing. Marc Cinnamon motioned to have Fehr Graham do Phase 1 environmental site assessments for $6,000, David Simpson seconded. Cap will be at $6,000. Roll Call Vote: Marc Cinnamon-aye, Jamie Deutsch-no, Josh Clark-absent, Richard Lockowitz-no, David Simpson-aye, Frank Ottengheime-no. 2-3-1. Motion failed.

Clerk was asked to add closed session for wage/cost of living increase discussion to next meeting agenda.

ADJOURNMENT

Marc Cinnamon motioned for adjournment at 8:34 pm, David Simpson seconded. Roll Call Vote: Richard Lockowitz-aye, Jamie Deutsch-aye, David Simpson-aye, Josh Clark-absent, Marc Cinnamon-aye, Frank Ottengheime-aye. 5-0-1 Motion carried, meeting adjourned at 8:34pm.

Meeting Minutes of the Village of Shabbona, Illinois submitted by Village Clerk, Jennifer Morrison.

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