Town of Cortland Board of Trustees Met Feb. 22.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
Call to Order/ Pledge of Allegiance / Roll Call
Mayor Stokes called the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees to order at 7 p.m. The
Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Clerk Aldis called the roll showing as present were Mayor Stokes, Trustees Jim Walker, Doug Corson, Brad Stone, Mike Siewierski and Charmaine Fioretto. Quorum was present. Shown as absent was Rick Robins. Also present were Town Clerk Cheryl Aldis, Town Attorney Kevin Buick, Bookkeeper Wes Levy, Police Chief Lin Dargis and Water-Sewer Director Joel Summerhill and Public Works Director John Kocher.
Approval of Agenda
Trustee Siewierski moved and Trustee Corson seconded a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Unanimous voice vote carried the motion.
Public Wishing to Speak
There was no one wishing to speak.
New Business for Discussion and Possible Action
Approve Town Board Minutes of January 25, 2021
Trustee Corson moved to approve the minutes of January 25, 2021, motion seconded by Trustee Siewierski. Unanimous voice vote carried the motion.
DCCF Grant - NIU Center for Governmental Studies Proposal
The proposal for scope of work to update Cortland's Comprehensive plan was presented with a brief discussion. Trustee Siewierski moved to authorize the Mayor to sign a contract with NIU Center for Governmental Studies to perform a review and update of Cortland's Comprehensive Plan; motion seconded by Trustee Walker. Roll call vote carried the motion with one absent.
Farm Lease Approval - background: Steve Swanson has farmed the land, commonly referred to as the Hermann Farm, for several years. This is a continuation of previous leases (66 tillable acres). There is the potential for him to add additional acres (18.07 tillable acres) later in March. If that is possible he will do so. Trustee Stone moved to authorize the Mayor to sign a one-year cash farm lease with Steve Swanson for the appropriate acreage; motion seconded by Trustee Corson. Roll call vote carried the motion with one absent. A 2021-02
TIF Reimbursement Approval - 67 W Pine Ave Home Rehabilitation Project Trustee Corson moved to approve the TIF reimbursement for a home rehabilitation project at 67 W Pine Ave, value to be as approved by The Economic Development Group, LTD at a 50% return; estimated developer's share amount of $17,060 over the life of the TIF, and authorize the Mayor to sign necessary documents; motion seconded by Trustee Siewierski.
Roll call vote carried the motion with one absent and one abstention (Trustee Stone). A 2021-03
Planning Commission Re-appointments: This action is to insure realignment with all committee members currently appointed.
May, 2022 - Mark Hedrick and Julie Steadman
May, 2023 - Brad Lawson
May, 2024 - Chad Bergeson and Ben Haier
Trustee Siewierski moved and Trustee Corson seconded a motion to reappoint current
Planning Commission members for the terms stated. Unanimous voice vote carried the motion.
DeKalb County GIS Memorandum of Understanding with the Information Management Office
Approval of the Agreement is sought for mapping of infrastructure as a tool for town staff use. Mr. Kocher and Chief Dargis both commented regarding their use of this tool. Town staff would/can supply the information for mapping of streets, sidewalks, signage, street lights, fire hydrants, water valves and the like. The county GIS staff would import/map the layers into the town's section of the county GIS map. Chief Dargis stated this tool can be used by the police department for crime patterns as well. Access would be for Cortland administration only. Permission would need to be given to the county IMO for access by others. Trustee Siewierski moved and Trustee Walker seconded a motion to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with DeKalb County Government Information Management Office at no fee for 2021 and $1,000 per year thereafter, as long as the town is a member of the Regional Planning Commission ($500 annual fee). Roll call vote carried the motion with one absent. A 2021-04
Resolution in Accordance with 65 ILCS 5/11-76-4.2 Authorizing the Sale of Surplus Real Estate Located at 86 S. Somonauk Road in the Town of Cortland Attorney Buick reviewed the town's option with regard to sale of property under this statute. The town has met the criteria and this resolution supports the choice and sets the terms of sale as submitted to the table. He stated that the Board may change these proposed terms as they see fit. He also informed the Board that any offer would come before the Board for action. In order to approve an offer 3/4 (6 of 7) of the Corporate Authorities is required for approval. After discussion Trustee Corson moved to approve A Resolution in Accordance with 65 ILCS 5/11- 76-4.2 Authorizing the Sale of Surplus Real Estate Located at 86 S Somonauk Road in the Town of Cortland, Illinois as submitted to the table (includes terms of sale-
• Compensation to the real estate professional will be five percent (5%) commission.
• Down payment of 10% required at time of contract execution.
• Closing to take place within thirty (30) days.
• No survey to be provided.
• Buyer to pay all closing costs); Trustee Fioretto seconded the motion.
Unanimous roll call vote carried the motion with one absent. Res 2021-03
E.S.D.A. Memorandum of Understanding 2021
The County is updating its Emergency Operations Plan. This memorandum of Understanding states that reciprocal requests for assistance may be made by or to the DeKalb County Emergency Services Disaster Agency (DCESDA) in an emergency or disaster. This MOU replaces the 2019 MOU.
Trustee Siewierski moved to approve the DCESDA Memorandum of Understanding for 2021, seconded by Trustee Walker. Unanimous roll call vote carried the motion. A 2021-05
FY21 MFT Acceptance of Bid
Brandy Williams, Engineer reported that the bid opening was held on January 25, 2021. Seven contractors obtained bid packages and four bids were returned. The engineers estimate was $157,129.00; all four bids were lower. Peter Baker & Son Co was the low bidder and Fehr-Graham recommends approval in the amount of $94,686.58. Trustee Stone moved to approve the low bidder for FY 21 MFT work as Peter Baker & Son Co in the amount of $94,686.58; motion seconded by Trustee Corson. Unanimous roll call vote carried the motion with one absent.
Department Head Reports
Police Department, Water/Wastewater, and monthly Permit report with Public Works report submitted to the table. There were no questions of the department heads regarding their reports. The trustees thanked all departments for their work during this past month dealing with the weather.
Chief Dargis reported that the Governor had today signed HB3653 Criminal Justice Reform Legislation. The provisions of this new law contain sweeping changes to the Illinois criminal justice system that will have a measurable impact on municipal operations, law enforcement and the public.
Chief Dargis reported the resignation of Commander Patrick Treacy effective February 28, 2021. He will be taking a position as Chief of Police for Moraine Valley College on March 1, 2021. The Mayor and Board wished him well.
President's Report
Mayor Stokes announced the staff appreciation dinner as March 20, 2021. He also noted that former Trustee Clarence Divine passed away February 12, 2021 and former long-time office employee Fran Lenczewski who passed away January 27, 2021.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:31 p.m. on a motion by Trustee Siewierski, seconded by Trustee Stone.
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