McHenry Times

Village of Richmond Village Board Met Jan. 7.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

Village President Craig Kunz called the January 7,2021 Board IVIeeting to order at 7:00 PM via Remote Web Meeting held onZoom, in Richmond, Illinois.

ROLL CALL:

PRESENT REMOTELY: Village President Craig Kunz; Trustees Robert El!iott, TJ Ftilmer(left at 8:07 pm), Gina Garbis, Frank Peiler, Toni Wsrdanian and Linda Weiss.

ABSENT: None

OTHERS PRESENT REMOTELY: Administrator/Police Chief Ciro Cetrangolo, Attorney David McArdle and Village Clerk Karla Thomas.

PUBLIC IN ATTENDANCE REMOTELY INCLUDED: Adrianne Adams, Scott Drabant, Amy Fuimer, Karen Grant, Kevin Kaplan, Glint Kenner, Sandra Mahoney, John Shlel, Bev & Tom Schimming, and Roy Wulffen.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: President Kunz reviewed the guidelines for negotiation with Charter/SpecErum regarding the Cable Franchise Agreement. Trustee Wardanian reported that she had contacted bolh AT & T and Comcasi and neither is interested in insialllng the required infrastructure to provide service to the village, Ail Board members present agreed to have the Village Attorney's office handle the negotiation and guidelines (terms) discussed,

PUBLIC COMMENTS: None

CONSENT AGENDA: The Board reviewed the item on the consent agenda.

a. Approval of Regular Board Minutes for December 17, 2020

Trustee Wardanian requested a correction under New Business, 3rd sentence of parenthesis language (in the event the Village of Richmond procures a buyer, the commission will be 5%) instead read as follows (in the event the agent is dual, the commission will be 5%).

Trustee Fu!mer moved, seconded by Tmstee Pe'sier to approve the Regular Board Minutes for December 17, 2020 as amended. ROLL CALL AYES: ELLIOTT, FULMER, GARBSS, PEILER, WARDANSAN and WEJSS. NAYS: NONE, ABSENT: NONE, ABSTAIN: NONE. The motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS: President Kunz gave a history of how the Memorial Hall property came to be and the various ways the building was used. He explained that from Fiscal Years 2015 to current (5-yr, period) revenues collected totaled $17,551.00, total expenditures were $208,293,00. He also discussed bookings for the same period, noting that the highest number of bookings occurred in FY2018 with 65 days. This was mainiy due to a theater group thai was using the building on a regular basis. AddEtionaily, fees for renting where dropped to encourage bookings with Richmond residents paying $50.00, day and Non-residents paying $100.00/day. President Kunz reported that he had spoken with the Village's Public Works Supervisor with 30+ years of experience and the cost to make improvements would be at least $100,000.00, President Kunz announced that the Board is considering selling the property for retail use, etc. There is no intention of tearing down the building, The following individuals spoke up requesting that the building stay in the village's hands as if is an icon: Roy Wulffen commented that additionally, the building needs to be kept clean, especially during events; Scott Drabant commented that he believes the figures discussed are skewed, he questioned how the village has promoted the use of the building, thai grants should be pursued, Richmond Township is interested in the buiiding being used as a Senior Center, explore all options; Trustee Wardaman suggested the formation of a volunteer Memorial Halt Commsltee that would manage the building, geE bookings, pursue grants, generate revenue, etc. Trustee Elliott reporied that the CommuniEy Deveiopment CommiEiee has held (5) free events for several years with average participants of 75-fiO peopSe altendlng each. Tracking

was done and most attendees were not local residents, these Individuals came from other communities. ClerK Thomas mentioned ihat she attempted to hold (3) senior events, in conjunction with Richmond Township's Senior Transportation Program snd only one individual showed any interest. Trustee Wardanian inquired inio whether anyone present would be interested in sitting on this volunteer committee if formed. The Trustee Linda Weiss, Richmond resident Scott Drabant and Richmond Township resident Glint Kenner stated that they would be willing to be on the volunteer commiftee. Adrianne Adams commenied that, as a member of the Christmas of Yesteryear Group, we host the Christmas festivies at Memorial Hall, it is very well attended and the Memorial Hall is an ideal location for it; Clint Kenner noted that an organization he is involved with uses the building weekly and serves the community in a positive way; John Shiel noted that in the past Jim May's storytelling events held in the building were wel! aitended. Scoff Drabant suggested thai members include both Richmond residents and Richmond Township residents, Board agreed that recruitment for volunteers to form a Memorial Hal) Committee should be promoted in an e-blast and in the January Newsletter. Atty. McArdle pointed out the motion made by the Board at the previous meeting required action. Realtor Kevin Kapian, who was present, indicated that he understood the situation and was wiliing to wall for the village to re- evaluate the matter. Of the fourteen individuais online, no one voiced supported on selling of the property, President Kunz reported that one bid was received for the Magnolia property located at 11106 US Hwy. 12. He and Administrator/ChiefCetrangolo joined Clerk Thomas in her office to officially open the bid. Clerk Thomas showed that the envelope was sealed and noted that it was received on January 5, 2021 at 2:21 PM, President Kunz directed Clerk Thomas to read the bid as submitted. President Kunz directed the Clerk to provide copies of the bid proposal to the Board to review, It was noted that a contract will be prepared with terms estabiished if the Board accepts the bid proposal. Further discussion and possible action will take place at the next meeting.

COMMITTEE/DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

FINANCE: Trustee Wardanian reported that the committee is working on scheduling budget dates.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: None.

POLICE: None.

PUBLIC WORKS: President Kunz reported that recruitment is moving forward and there are 2-3 viable candidates for the vacant Public Works Field Personnel position.

ENGINEERING: None.

VILLAGE CLERK: None.

ATTORNEY: None.

PRESIDENT'S COMMENTS: None

TRUSTEE COMMENTS: Trustee Wardanian asked that recruitment for volunteers to form a Memorial Committee be included in an e-blast, the next Village newsletter and she will handle social media. She suggested that a description of goals be included,

Trustee Elliott inquired into the status of (he two Poiice Vehicles that were to be purchased. Chief Cetrangolo reported thai he has been working on it and the squsds are 10-16 weeks out for delivery. It was noted that the expense needs to be in this Fiscal Year. Trustee Elliott also inquired into the status of the phone system at Village Hall. Administrator/Chief Cetrangolo reported that he is working on it. He also asked when the South Water Tower project was going to begin. President Kunz noted that the contract has been signed; however, a start date needs to be established with the contractor. President Kunz will get a date by Monday,

With no further business, Trustee Fulmer moved io adfoum the January 7, 2021, Regular Board meeting he!d remotely on Zoom, seconded by TrusteeGarbss, ROLL CALL: AYES: ELLIOTT, GARBiS, PEILER, WARDANIAN and WEISS. NAYS: NONE. ABSENT: FULMER. ABSTAIN: NONE, The motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 8:08 PM,

https://richmond-il.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/01-07-2021-Board-Minutes-Amended.pdf