VILLAGE OF STANFORD

100 W. Boundary

Stanford, IL 61774

Minutes of the regular meeting of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Stanford, held at the Stanford Village Hall at 7:00 P.M.

** Trustee Geurts, called the meeting to order and then gave the floor to Village President George Brawner, Sr. as he has returned to office**  

2. POLICE REPORT

A. Chief Ed Moser gave a Police Report for the month of November. The report is on file at the Village Hall.

B. Chief Moser stated he would like to purchase a video recorder/microphone for the Police Department for use when he is interviewing.

It was the consensus of the Board to place the matter on the February agenda. 

C. Chief Moser advised the Board that there is a problem with the air flow at the Police Department and would like to request for a hole/vent be installed so there would not be any issues with the furnace.

It was the consensus of the Board to authorize the Chief to speak with Darrell Shields, representative of the Christian Church about the repair before anything is done.

Trustee Nydra Owen moved, seconded by Trustee Geurts to approve the minutes of the December 17, 2009 meeting as presented.

All in Favor. AYE

Trustee Nydra Owen moved, seconded by Trustee Alwes, to approve the Executive Session minutes of the November 19, 2009 meeting as presented.

On roll call the vote was:

AYES: 5 - Trustees Alwes, Geurts, Natasha Owen, Nydra Owen & Robles.

NAYS: 0

ABSENT: 1- Trustee Chase.

There being 5 affirmative votes, the motion carried.

4. INTERNAL AUDITOR’S REPORT:

Trustee Nydra Owen stated there was no report at this time.

Trustee Nydra Owen moved, seconded by Trustee Geurts, to approve the Treasurer’s Report as presented.

On roll call the vote was:

AYES: 5 - Trustees Alwes, Geurts, Natasha Owen, Nydra Owen and Robles.

NAYS: 0

ABSENT: 1 - Trustee Chase.

There being 5 affirmative votes, the motion carried.

6.  FINANCIAL REPORT:

Trustee Geurts moved, seconded by Trustee Alwes, to approve the Financial Report as presented.

On roll call the vote was:

AYES: 5 - Trustees Alwes, Geurts, Natasha Owen, Nydra Owen and Robles.

NAYS: 0

ABSENT: 1 - Trustee Chase.

There being 5 affirmative votes, the motion carried.

7.  MONTHLY DISBURSAL:

Trustee Geurts moved, seconded by Trustee Nydra Owen to approve the Monthly Disbursal as amended by adding the payment for two months maintenance fee to the First Christian Church and authorize the Treasurer to pay the bills.

On roll call the vote was:

AYES: 5 - Trustees Alwes, Geurts, Natasha Owen, Nydra Owen and Robles.

NAYS: 0

ABSENT: 1 - Trustee Chase.

There being 5 affirmative votes, the motion carried.

8.  PUBLIC CONCERNS:

A.  Brenda Horath of 431 W. Boundary made a request to the Board that would grandfather dogs into the Village under the Municipal Code. Horath was ticketed and appeared in Court over the matter. During the court proceedings, she was found guilty of violating the Village Ordinance about the number of dogs a person may have at their residence and not having any of the dogs registered with McLean County Health Department. Attorney McGrath advised the Board that it appeared to be a kennel because Horath has stated that she has sold the dogs for income. It was the consensus of the Board to table further discussion until further into the meeting until all Board members are present.  

B.  Brenda Lazoen, representative of the Allin Township Library, requested further definition of the ordinance for an arcade/coin operated machine business within the Village. Lazoen asked if there was restrictions for the location of a coin operated business like there is stated within the Liquor License code and video poker and gaming regulations. Attorney McGrath advised Lazoen to contact the State about the gaming regulations and advised Lazoen that there are no restrictions for location of such business within the Village.

Lazoen also voiced complaints against the arcade and how the patrients were being supervised stating that on several occasions minors have come to the Library looking for "protection" from either people fighting on the street and from the owner of the building. Lazoen stated that the building is still open to the public.

Norman Cochran, owner of 114 W. Main, stated when he opened the business his intentions were for a friendly place for kids to go. Now, Cochran stated, kids come in stating their parents won’t let them return because of the rumors they have heard. Cochran then stated he has dementia brought on by Parkinson’s Disease. Cochran stated he is unable to control the children who uses the machines. He is only watching them half the time. Cochran stated the games that are there now are free.

The Board agreed that with any problems that occur that the Police, either the Village or McLean County Sheriff’s Department, needs to be called to handle the situation.

The Board asked Chief Moser his recommendation on approval of an arcade/coin operated machine license for this address and Chief Moser stated that he would not recommend a license because of Cochran’s earlier testimony before the Board that he was not able to control the kids.

Trustee Natasha Owen moved, seconded by Trustee Geurts, to deny the request for an arcade/coin operated machine license by Norman Cochran for First Impressions at 114 W. Main.

On roll call the vote was:

AYES: 5 - Trustees Alwes, Geurts, Natasha Owen, Nydra Owen & Robles.

NAYS: 0

ABSENT: 1- Trustee Chase.

There being 5 affirmative vote, the motion carried.  

C.  Dave Phelps asked if the drainage issue is still on the agenda. Trustee Geurts stated that yes it is still there but we are still waiting on funding. 

Artie Horath stated that he has had drainage issues backing up into his basement and shower when there is a lot of ground water. Trustee Geurts advised, that he possibly has an illegal tap unto the drainage system.

A. Streets:

Trustee Geurts reported that Street Superintendent Michael Boitnott has all of the signs counted for and will turn into the county for the grant program.

Trustee Geurts and President Brawner wanted to commend Street Superintendent Michael Boitnott for a job well done on the snow removal and thank you.

B.  Drainage:

Trustee Chase absent, no report at this time.

C. Water:

1. Trustee Nydra Owen reported that she has watched the scoping dvd from Layne Western for well #4. The motor/cable for the well is still good and a new estimated cost for work approximately $13,000.00 . Koener Electric has also looked over well #4 and stated they would need to install a new separate panel and alarm for the system.

Trustee Geurts moved, seconded by Trustee Nydra Owen, to approve the bid for repair from Layne Western and Koener Electric as set forth in their proposals and authorize the President Brawner to sign.

On roll call the vote was:

AYES: 5 - Trustees Alwes, Geurts, Natasha Owen, Nydra Owen and Robles.

NAYS: 0

ABSENT: 1 - Trustee Chase

There being 5 affirmative votes, the motion carried.

2.  The Board discussed changing the meter reading requirement to every 2 months because of the new consumption reports for the IEPA and to ensure proper billing for the Village.

Trustee Geurts moved, seconded by Trustee Nydra Owen, to change the meter reading requirement to every two months and authorize Attorney McGrath to prepare an ordinance to be in effect by April 1, 2010.

On roll call the vote was:

AYES: 5 - Trustees Alwes, Geurts, Natasha Owen, Nydra Owen and Robles.

NAYS: 0

ABSENT: 1 - Trustee Chase.

There being 5 affirmative votes, the motion carried.

3. Clerk Streenz advised the Board of 2 separate occasions in the past month where people have written remarks on the memo line of their checks towards the Board and Clerk but the remarks were not threatening. 

The Clerk advised that a possible solution to the amount of non payment users would be to report that abuse to a Credit Bureau. Another solution would be to change the enforcement of collection to shorten the period of time allowed before a shut off notice is sent out and give notice to persons who abuse this.

D. Health, Beautification & Welfare:

Trustee Robles stated she did not have a report at this time.

Clerk Streenz requested to contact the Labor Hall about possibly getting a newer concrete marker for the plaque for the Veteran’s Memorial Park more similar to the one at Allin Township Park. Trustee Robles will contact the Labor Hall.

E.  Community Development:

1.  Trustee Alwes reported to the Board that a vote needs to be taken for the Facility Plan to get it into the IEPA because the process can take up to 2 years this way work on drainage could be completed at the same time.

Trustee Nydra Owen stated that we were waiting for the a possible grant for the design before it would be turned in. Trustee Geurts stated he would contact Jim Cummings about possible grant opportunities. 

2.  Trustee Alwes would like to suggest for the Board to invite Marty Vanags with the Economic Development Council to come out and speak with the Board and tour the Village.

A Special Board meeting was set for Thursday, February 4, 2010 for Marty Vanags to make his presentation to the Board.

3.  Trustee Alwes reminded the Board to complete the NIMS courses 100, 200 and 700 as soon as possible and she will be checking with EMA Director Batterton about his status on the incident command center procedures and NIMS.

F. Police: 

1. Trustee Natasha Owen reported that she did not get any calls made to any area Vets concerning the animal storage facility.

2.  Trustee Natasha Owen reported that there has been an interview with someone to fill the weekend night position with the Police Department but he lives in Belleville and would only be available on weekends when he is visiting his daughter in college. 

It was the consensus of the Board to search for someone with more availability and that we should publish it in the paper.

Trustee Geurts moved, seconded by Trustee Robles, to advertise for a part-time Police Officer in the Pantagraph and by email not to exceed $200.00.

On roll call the vote was:

AYES: 5 - Trustees Alwes, Geurts, Natasha Owen, Nydra Owen & Robles.

NAYS: 0

ABSENT: 1 - Trustee Chase.

There being 5 affirmative votes, the motion carried.

G. Legal: 

1.  Chief Moser advised the Board that 309 N. Division has been ticketed for nuisance of garbage. 

2.  Trustee Geurts moved, seconded by Trustee Nydra Owen, to approve Ordinance 01-10: An Ordinance for the Supplemental Budget and Appropriation Ordinance for the corporate purposes of the Village of Stanford, McLean County, Illinois for the fiscal year of May 1, 2009 through April 30, 2010 as amended.

On roll call the vote was:

AYES: 5 - Trustees Alwes, Geurts, Natasha Owen, Nydra Owen and

Robles.

NAYS: 0

ABSENT: 1 - Trustee Chase.

There being 5 affirmative votes, the motion carried. 

3.  Attorney McGrath spoke more on the FOIA/Open Meetings Act changes as of January 1, 2010.

11. NEW BUSINESS:

A.  It was the consensus of the board to table the Intergovernmental Agreement with McLean County Animal Control until the February meeting. 

B.  Trustee Natasha Owen moved, seconded by Trustee Alwes, to approve the Clerk to attend a Clerk’s Seminar in Peoria on February 10, 2010.

On roll call the vote was:

AYES: 5 - Trustees Alwes, Geurts, Natasha Owen, Nydra Owen and Robles.

NAYS: 0

ABSENT: 1 - Trustee Chase.

There being 5 affirmative votes, the motion carried. 

C.  Trustee Nydra Owen stated she understands the attachment the Horath’s have with their dogs and it would not be fair for them to wait for a full Board when they face a possibility of being ticketed for each day of violation. 

Brenda Horath stated that she currently has 8 adult dogs and 5 puppies physically at her home, none of which have been registered with McLean County Health Department. She stated that her daughter has left her house with her dogs and that the puppies help her take care of the other dogs. Horath stated she did not want to fight the Village on the ordinance but feels she should be allowed to the dogs since she has had a breeding poodle business since 1991.

Trustee Nydra Owen expressed that she fought hard for dog owners and feels that the Board reached a suitable outcome to the issue by grand fathering dogs in that were registered and vaccinated with the County by the date specified in the ordinance.

Trustee Natasha Owen stated if the Board would have to change other ordinances to fit the needs of other residents if they change this one and feels that this one should not be changed after all the time that was put into it.

Trustee Geurts moved, seconded by Trustee Alwes, to deny the request of Brenda and Artie Horath to change the Village Code to allow for their dogs to be grandfathered into the Village.

On roll call the vote was:

AYES: 5 - Trustees Alwes, Geurts, Natasha Owen, Nydra Owen and Robles.

NAYS: 0

ABSENT: 1 - Trustee Chase.

There being 5 affirmative votes, the motion carried.

The Board advised Chief Moser that the dogs do not need to be removed until the April 15, 2010 date at which time the fine is due by. On April 16, 2010, all but 4 dogs need to removed as long as the 4 remaining dogs have been registered with McLean County Health Department.  

D.  Trustee Geurts advised the Board that Holli Applegate of 4 Circle Lane, sent an email to the Clerk and called Eric about the drainage problem in her area. Applegate stated that her Realtor advised her she will have to disclose that there is a drainage issue when selling the house and wanted to know what action, if any, had the Board taken to correct the problem. Applegate also stated she would have to contact her attorney.

Attorney McGrath stated the Municipal Code doesn’t have any provisions about pumping water into the ditch. McGrath also stated that the water is in the ditch and not her yard and that this may be a possible civil suit.

All in favor.

Prepared by:

Kara M. Streenz

Village Clerk/Collector