McHenry Times

The Richmond Village Board met June 2.

The board includes the village president and clerk, along with six trustees.

Here are the minutes of the meeting as provided by Richmond:

Village President Peter Koenig called the June 2, 2016, Regular Board Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m., 5600 Hunter Drive, Richmond.

Everyone in attendance rose for the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL:

PRESENT: Village President Peter Koenig; Trustees: Dennis Bardy, Scott Drabant, Craig Kunz, David Nelson and Lauri Olson.

ABSENT: Trustee Ramsin Wardanian.

OTHERS PRESENT: Village Clerk Karla Thomas, Police Chief Ciro Cetrangolo, Supervisor of Public Works Bill Price, Village Engineer Sean Murphy and Village Attorney David McArdle.

MINUTES FOR CONSIDERATION & APPROVAL: Minutes from the May 24, 2016 Special Board Meeting were reviewed. Trustee Drabant requested numerous changes to the minutes. Engineer Murphy requested a couple of corrections, as well.

Trustee Drabant moved, seconded by Trustee Nelson to approve the May 24, 2016 Special Board Meeting minutes as amended. There was some discussion to the number of changes, the Trustees wanted to see the changes in writing, Trustee Drabant will provide. Trustee Olson moved, seconded by Trustee Bardy to table the approval of the May 24, 2016 Special Board meeting minutes. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: BARDY, NELSON, OLSON and KOENIG. NAYS: DRABANT. ABSENT: WARDANIAN. ABSTAIN: KUNZ. The motion carried.

Trustees Drabant and Nelson were asked to submit written changes to the Village Clerk for her to compare to the recording.

ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS: None.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Don Beasley the architect for the Memorial Hall repairs/renovations reviewed proposed pricing from the contractors, Swederski Concrete and Heelein Construction. It was noted that $46,700.00 was budgeted for the project and Public Works was expected to perform the demolition work. As the proposed pricing substantially exceeds the budgeted figure, President Koenig stated that a meeting will be scheduled between himself, Trustees Drabant and Bardy, Architect Don Beasley and Tony at Swederski to discuss cost saving options or whether the work should be done in two phases over two years. In the meanwhile, Supervisor Price will talk with another contractor to get another quote. 

Trustee Bardy moved, seconded by Trustee Kunz to table the matter. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: BARDY, DRABANT, KUNZ, NELSON, and OLSON.

NAYS: NONE. ABSENT: WARDANIAN. ABSTAIN: NONE. The motion carried.

The Board reviewed five items on the Task List. President Koenig reported that Upland Construction had finished the sidewalk work budgeted for through the Village and will complete the work at the Northwest corner of Broadway on Monday. Several Board members requested clarification regarding the Finance Committee developing purchasing guidelines/ordinance, as the Board had already established departmental spending limits. President Koenig  provided a copy of the letter he sent to the heads of the department dated December 20, 2014. The department heads have been coming to the Board for approval to expend funds budgeted for when necessary and it was noted that this process is working well. Additionally, the written procedures/ordinance for the bidding process was briefly discussed and it was noted that the Board had already approved an ordinance regarding this matter on October 15, 2015; therefore, several Board member requested that both these items be removed from the Task List. President Koenig reported that the Village Clerk is preparing a list of fees to be removed from the Richmond Municipal Code and the Finance Committee is reviewing the fees to determine whether they need to be increased. President Koenig announced that he had reached out to Richmond Township to see if they would jointly purchase a tornado siren at the south end of the Village limits; however they have no funding available. President Koenig reported that he had applied for a $10,000.00 grant through the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus; announcement of the award will take place in July. The approximate cost for a new siren is $28,000.00 and no money was budgeted for the purchase. President Koenig stated that he has updated the Board previously regarding the boundary agreement between the Village of Richmond and the Village of Ringwood, which expires in November of 2016. He has spoken with both Rick Mack (Ringwood) and Tom Sanders (Spring Grove) to schedule a meeting to discuss an area not covered by the existing agreements. He noted that the boundary agreement with Spring Grove does not expire until December 2031. President Koenig also reported to the Board that the parking study work has begun, the next step is a survey that will be sent to the business owners and the work should be completed in a few weeks.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.

NEW BUSINESS: The Board reviewed an Ordinance amending Chapter 5, Waterworks and Sewage System, of the Richmond Municipal Code regarding water and sewer service rates. It was explained that the Village was adjusting figures to qualify for State relief on the loan for the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Trustee Olson moved, seconded by Trustee Nelson to pass Ordinance#2016-16; An Ordinance Amending Chapter 5, Waterworks and Sewage System, of the Richmond Municipal Code Regarding Water and Sewer Service Rates as presented. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: BARDY, DRABANT, KUNZ, NELSON and OLSON. NAYES: NONE. ABSENT: WARDANIAN. ABSTAIN: NONE. The motion carried.

President Koenig explained to the Board that the Village has to adopt prevailing wage rates annually and the ordinance before them addressed that matter. The Village Clerk explained that due to the State of Illinois having not passed a budget, the Board will be adopting prevailing wage rates for July 2015 instead of June 2016. Attorney McArdle reported that the Village will not have to adopt another ordinance if the State changes the rates after this date.

Trustee Olson moved, seconded by Trustee Bardy to pass Ordinance#2016-17; An Ordinance Establishing Prevailing Wage Rates for the Village of Richmond as presented. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: BARDY, DRABANT, KUNZ, NELSON and OLSON. NAYES: NONE. ABSENT: WARDANIAN.

ABSTAIN: NONE. The motion carried.

COMMITTEE/DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

FINANCE: Trustee Bardy reported that the committee discussed utility billing, did not meet with a representative of Chase Bank as they did not show up and therefore, the committee will be contacting another bank, reviewed the analysis of the debt service surcharge, reviewed septic receiving fees and reviewed bills. Trustee Drabant inquired about new changes with water or septic only.

Trustee Olson moved, seconded by Trustee Nelson to authorize the expenditures on Warrant#2016/17.02.01 in the amount of $47,873.84 as presented.

ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: BARDY, DRABANT, KUNZ, NELSON, OLSON and WARDANIAN. NAYS: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. The motion carried.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (CDC): Trustee Drabant reported that the committee did not meet, but would continue working on matters before them.

ENGINEERING: Engineer Murphy reported that Gardners Corner, as part of their Stormwater Permit needs to stabilize the site with black dirt and seed. He will contact Deputy Clerk Jen Ezop regarding this matter. He reported that a meeting will be taking place at HR Green’s office tomorrow regarding Creekview and HR Green has prepared a checklist to review with the developer. A letter will be generated to the Board. Engr. Murphy suggested that an asbestos inspection be broken out from the bid for the demolition of the Nippersink Drive house. He estimated the cost to be $1,250.00 and will be done under a separate contract.

PUBLIC WORKS: Supervisor Price reviewed the list of Public Works projects for summer 2016. He discussed the purchase of an Altitude Value of approximately $15,000.00 and Air Bubblers. Engr. Murphy suggested that the Village pre-purchase the valve by getting proposals from 2 or 3 vendors and bid the installation to save money. The life expectancy of the valve is 20 years. Supervisor Price reported that the owner of the farmed field by the WWTP owns (4) other fields and the Village will be working with him on sludge removal. Engr. Murphy noted that a permit is required before land application can occur. Supervisor Price will be stripping at the Post Office, by Anderson Candy, the school crosswalks and by Doyle’s Pub. He reported that a parent whose child participates in the RBBA has volunteered his time and donated materials to repair the roofs at both Bennett and Cotting Parks. He also reported that Anderson Candy is interested in participating in the 50/50 sidewalk program to replace the sidewalk in front of their business along Route 12. It was noted that if they were to replace the sidewalk from Route 12 to the front of the building, which is private property, the entire cost would be the owner’s responsibility. Supervisor Price is considering the development of a similar program for parkway trees. He also reported that the IEPA will be performing their annual inspection of the WWTP on June 24th.

POLICE: The Chief distributed the May 2016 monthly report, a vintage photography of downtown and reported that the Memorial Day Event was well attended.

VILLAGE CLERK: None.

PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS: President Koenig reported that the Village office tried to maintain evening office hours; one individual who was dropping something into the drop box took advantage, but was not successful. The Village Clerk reported that the Village had previously offered evening hours and Saturday hours in the past and they were found to be unsuccessful, as well. It was noted that the Village offers payment of various bills through the Village website using E-Pay, residents can call to make payments with credit cards during office hours, and drop payments off 24-hours, 365-days a week in the drop box located just left of the Village Hall front doors, as well as via mail.

President Koenig asked the Board if they wished to cap the number of liquor licenses in the Village. He explained that the Village currently addresses the issuance of liquor licenses on a case by case basis. The Board members stated that they wished to continue using the same method being used.

President Koenig asked Trustee Drabant for clarify his request for the Village of purchase and install American Flags on all the utility poles downtown.

Trustee Drabant reported that Menards had a rebate for flags at a cost of 99 cents; however, it has currently expired with hardware the cost would be approximately $15.00 each. He suggested that each staff member purchase a flag and hardware, in order to take advantage of the rebate. Trustee Drabant would like to see them hung from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Supervisor Price reported that the Village does not own the utility poles or a bucket truck to install them, the flags should be properly lighted and also reported that he lacks the manpower to install them. He also noted that due to the number of semi-trucks that pass through town the flags need to be placed high enough that they would not be hit.

TRUSTEE COMMENTS: Trustee Nelson requested that the individual and his business name be recognized in the next Village newsletter for the roofing repairs at the parks.

Trustees Olson inquired into the status of the Route 12 railroad bridge project. Chief Cetrangolo reported that they are still on track to finish the repair by July 1st.

Trustee Nelson asked Supervisor Price if he could move the replacement of windows at Memorial Hall up on his list of projects. He also asked if Public Works reports violations of the code to the Police Department. Supervisor Price stated that he does.

Trustee Drabant asked for a copy of the agreement between Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Gilardi regarding the off premise wall sign for Paisano’s.

Trustee Kunz suggested that the Village purchase the Paw Prints property and tear down the building to gain more parking downtown.

Trustee Nelson reported that the house located behind Kelly’s Leather was for sale and the Village should purchase it and tear down the house for more parking, as well.

CLOSED SESSION: None.

ACTION RESULTING FROM CLOSED SESSION: None.

With no further business, Trustee Olson moved to adjourn the June 2, 2016 regular Board meeting, seconded by Trustee Kunz. The motion was approved by voice vote.

Meeting adjourned at 9:03 p.m.