DeKalb Times

Village of Shabbona Board of Trustees met Aug. 26.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Regular Meeting of the Shabbona Village Board was called to order by Village President Donald J. Goncher on Monday, August 26, 2024 at 7:00 P.M. in the meeting room at Village Hall, 206 S. Blackhawk Street, Shabbona IL. Melanie Berg attended to take minutes in absence of Jen Morrison.

Title	Name	Present	Not Present		Title	Name	Present	Not Present
President	Donald J. Goncher	X			Trustee	Marc Cinnamon	X
Treasurer	Cindy Barnes	X			Trustee	Denny Sands	X
Clerk	Jen Morrison		X		Trustee	Allison KiddProbst	X
Attorney	Keith Foster	X			Trustee	David Simpson	X
Engineer	Chastain & Associates: Curtis Cook		X		Trustee	Joy Fay	X
Public Works	Bud Forrer	X			Trustee	Geoff Cooker	X

OPENING OF MEETING/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/ ROLL CALL

Roll Call Vote: Marc Cinnamon-aye, Allison Kidd Probst-aye, Denny Sands-aye, Joy Fay-aye, David Simpson-aye, Geoff Cooker-aye. 6 present.

ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA – none

APPROVAL OF AGENDA – Alison motioned to approve the agenda, Geoff seconded. All in favor vote aye, motion carried.

CITIZENS ADDRESSING THE BOARD:

No citizens addressing the board.

REPORTS and ACTION

A. VILLAGE ENGINEER:

1. PROJECT UPDATES: Curtis Cook could not be here; he is on vacation. Don Goncher read update from Curtis regarding BNSF Quiet Zone agreement. The agreement needs to be signed before moving any further. They are waiting on two numbers from the excavator and the landscaper for the fire department retaining wall. For the alley design they are waiting for the diagnostic assessment to be completed incase it changes something with the design. Bud Forrer reported that downtown is where it has been since the beginning of July. Talking about next month flagpoles going in. The no left hand turn sign will be there until the grass, sod, flowers, and light poles go in. At least until the end of September. Brief discussion regarding watering the sod. Cindy Barnes asked if they were finished doing the sod yet, because if so they missed some. Also, who’s responsibility is it to water the sod? Bud will ask Bob. Marc Cinnamon stated that the grass is germinating and coming up good on Apache.

2. PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING AGREEMENT – BNSF QUIET ZONE: Don Goncher stated that there needs to be an agreement for a preliminary feasibility study. It will cost about $24,000. They will be paid as they go along. David made a motion to sign. Joy seconded the motion. There was a brief discussion regarding the total cost. Don stated once diagnostic done they would know more. Another brief discussion regarding which crossings would be closed. Don stated that it will come down to the feasibility study. Marc Cinnamon mentioned that just because it is a quiet zone does not mean they will blow their horn. Don said that they still have the prerogative to sound their horn. Roll call vote – Marc Cinnamon – aye, Geoff Cooker – aye, Allison Kidd Probst – aye, Denny Sands – aye, Joy Fay – aye, and David Simpson – aye. 6 ayes.

B. PUBLIC WORKS REPORT-BUD FORRER: Bud Forrer reported that they have been watering the flowers and the trees. John edged up by the parks because it looked like garbage. John also washed the monument at the grade school right before school started. They also painted the fire lane. Otherwise, they’ve been working on general stuff – mowing and weeding.

C. COMMITTEE REPORTS:

1. FINANCE COMMITTEE-ALLISON KIDD PROBST: nothing to report

2. INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE-MARC CINNAMON nothing new to report

3. DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE-ALLISON KIDD PROBST: Nothing new to report other than moving forward with park stuff.

4. PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE-DAVID SIMPSON: Have holiday festival coming up and will have Public Affairs meeting to discuss.

D. DEKALB COUNTY SHERIFF – reviewed Sheriff’s report for August 2024

E. VILLAGE CLERK

1. APPROVAL OF REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES FROM July 22, 2024 – David Simpson motioned, Allison Kidd Probst seconded. – All in favor – aye – No discussion

2. PERMITS ISSUED TO DATE – Don mentioned that we have had more than we have had in the past. Don asked if Melanie had anything to add. Melanie had nothing to add.

FINANCIALS

A. APPROVAL OF BILLS AND PAYROLL – Joy Fay motioned, Allison Kidd Probst seconded – Marc Cinnamon asked what the payment to Advocus was for. Cindy Barnes stated that was the payment for the Greenwell property. Roll call vote – Allison Kidd Probst – aye, Marc Cinnamon – aye, Geoff Cooker – aye, Denny Sands – aye, Joy Fay – aye, and David Simpson – aye 6 ayes

B. PAYMENT TO JILL SIMPSON FOR DOUGHNUTS & COFFEE FOR FARMER’S MARKET/BACK TO SCHOOL BASH IN THE AMOUNT OF $221.90 – Don asked if we had the receipt for reimbursement. Melanie stated we did. Don said everyone seemed to enjoy it. Geoff Cooker motioned, Marc Cinnamon seconded. Roll call vote – Allison Kidd Probst – aye, Marc Cinnamon – aye, Geoff Cooker – aye, Denny Sands – aye, Joy Fay – aye, David Simpson – abstain. 5 – ayes, 1 - abstain

C. FIRST READING OF ANNUAL TREASURER’S REPORT FY 2024 – Don stated if anyone had any questions to reach out to Cindy. Second reading and approval will be next month. No discussion.

D. UTILITY BILLING – Cindy Barnes stated that we have 2 shut offs right now, but both are empty. No other discussion.

OLD BUSINESS

A. PROPERTY NOTICES/VIOLATIONS UPDATE: pass and table until next month

B. VACANT BUILDINGS/PROPERTY MAINTENANCE UPDATE: pass and table until next month

NEW BUSINESS

A. CONSIDERATION OF ADDING URBAN CAMPING ORDINANCE – Don introducing to council. Private camping. Don will be sending a sample ordinance from IML to council to review.

B. CONSIDERATION OF ADDING HOTEL/MOTEL ORDINANCE – Don introducing to council. Reasoning behind doing this is that we are on the advent of the Potawatomi potentially putting in a lodge, which is fine, but what if Holiday Inn wants to put up a hotel in Shabbona? We have nothing in our ordinances that governs hotels/motels. Will present a few model ordinances at next meeting. Brief discussion regarding the ordinance. Marc Cinnamon believes that we need to have one and that we need a basepoint. Geoff Cooker stated that he feels that we need to look at other communities, nothing overly restrictive, but we need to have something in place. David Simpson asked if we could site other communities that have a similar scenario with the Potawatomi building. Marc Cinnamon said we could take a look at Baraboo, WI or Arrowhead, MN.

C. CONSIDERATION TO AMEND ORDINANCE SEC. 2-20 – REGARDING PUBLIC COMMENT – Don stated that we are looking to create a policy that speakers are allotted 3 minutes. Not to take up all of our time, limit our time for a total of 30 minutes. Geoff Cooker and Marc Cinnamon had a brief discussion regarding legalities and not limiting people, and that the law is very grey. Motion to create policy of 3 minutes per speaker, for a total of 30 minutes public speaking time. Geoff Cooker motioned, Marc Cinnamon seconded. All in favor – aye. 6 – ayes.

D. CONSIDERATION/APPROVAL OF OSLAD GRANT AUTHORIZATION AGREEMENT RESOLUTION – Denny Sands voiced concern in a lengthy discussion regarding whether citizens had enough input and enough of an opportunity to make comments. Marc Cinnamon, Allison Kidd Probst, Joy Fay, and Geoff Cooker explained to Denny that there have been many public meetings, public notices in the newspaper,newsletter, website, and has been posted everywhere. David Simpson asked what the cost of the total project will be? The total cost of the project will be approximately $666,000. The project will be broken into two phases. Stephanie and Chastain are working with the engineer on it. Don commented that the OSLAD grants are not one and done. We need to keep reapplying. BST is to be raising money. The Village has already invested $30,000 and has been given $20,000 of seed money. This will not happen overnight and will be done in phases. David motioned, Marc seconded. Roll call vote – Allison Kidd Probst – aye, Marc Cinnamon – aye, Geoff Cooker – aye, Denny Sands – aye, Joy Fay – aye, and David Simpson – aye. 6 – ayes.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

No executive session.

ACTION FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION:

None

ADJOURNMENT: Allison Kidd Probst motioned for adjournment at 7:41PM, Joy Fay seconded. All in favor vote - aye, motion carried.

https://www.shabbona-il.com/media/1941