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08/13/10: Minutes - June 16, 2010 - Budget Workshop
The Hillcrest Village Board of Trustees met in special session Wednesday, June
16, 2010 for a Budget Workshop at the Hillcrest Village Hall. President Pro Tem
Mecklenburg called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. answering the roll call was
Trustees Jim Mecklenburg, Rich Elliott, Trevor Unger and Vicki Stewart.
President Rich Hicks and Trustee Jim McMullin were absent due to conflicts with
their places of employment. Trustee Salsbury was absent.
President Pro
Tem Mecklenburg stated that the budget workshop would be as long as the Trustees
wanted or needed it to be, he explained the paperwork that was in their packets
and told them that he had also included an article he had taken from Illinois
Municipal Review entitled The New Budget Order. President Pro Tem Mecklenburg
gave a brief summary of the article and encouraged the Trustees to review the
article in order to get a good grasp on the current economic climate and to be
able to put the information to use during the next budget
workshop.
President Pro Tem Mecklenburg explained that the packet
contained the budget as a whole and it also contained the budgets for each
individual department. President Pro Tem Mecklenburg explained that the numbers
to the right represented revenues and expenses and the grand total is on the
last page. President Pro Tem Mecklenburg reminded the Trustees that he had in
fact dropped the $100,000 that has been earmarked for the sewer system out of
the budget due to the fact that the Village has no idea when the money will be
received or if it will be received. President Pro Tem Mecklenburg reminded the
Trustees that even though these programs are available through the State they
remain unfunded to date. President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated the second change
that was made to the budget was a $500 increase to building permits in the hopes
that our residents will fix up their homes and this will provide the Village
with a small increase in income. President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated refuse
sales was dropped $7,200 which is a seventeen percent decrease from the previous
year.
President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated department eleven
administration changed dramatically there is normally $150,000 to $160,000 going
into administration every year. President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated he had
taken the engineering expenses and the attorney fees for the sewer project out
of administration and put that into the water department because that is where
it belongs. President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated that the Village is going to
have to go through the process of creating a utility department with a water
fund, a refuse fund and a sewer fund.
President Pro Tem Mecklenburg
stated that he had to tweak the numbers in the finance department due to the
fact that there is a proposal to reduce Officer Messer’s hours down from twenty
to between five to eight hours a week simply to take care of the administrative
side of the Police Department by making sure the paperwork is completed and
filed with the appropriate agencies. President Pro Tem Mecklenburg explained the
Officer Messer can only work a maximum of 600 hours in a twelve month period in
order to meet his pension requirements with Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund.
President Pro Tem Mecklenburg reminded the Trustees that this arrangement is in
the discussion phase; however if it comes to fruition it would be very
beneficial to the Village.
President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated the
finance budget went down a little bit due to the fact that three employees were
being reimbursed for health insurance and there will only be two employees being
reimbursed in fiscal year 2010 – 2011. Clerk Adams pointed out that she was not
reimbursed $300 per month because her expenses don’t run that high, the
ordinance reads up to $300. President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated legal expenses
were taken out of administration and put into ordinances. President Pro Tem
Mecklenburg explained that Attorney Temple has adjusted his fees so that the
Village pays a flat rate of $3,000 per month regardless of the number of hours
he puts in. President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated that $36,000 has been included
for the legal retainer and an additional $9,000 has been added in for any
additional costs that may occur. President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated that he
adjusted the salary in the police department just in case Officer Messer stays
on with us into the next fiscal year.
President Pro Tem Mecklenburg
stated that the new communication equipment that Officer Messer was able to
secure comes with an additional cost of $30 per radio per month for the warranty
service. Clerk Adams stated that Officer Messer originally thought he would
receive two radios valued at $3,000 each however; he was able to acquire two
radios valued at $5,000 each. President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated that means
the new communication equipment for the police department will cost $60 per
month for a yearly total of $720. President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated that the
Village is still hopeful that Officer Messer will be able to secure a grant to
pay for the salary for one full-time police officer and the Village needs to be
sure our officers have up to date, reliable communication equipment. Clerk Adams
stated that Officer Messer is willing to work with a single radio however; he
would prefer to have two so there is always a backup. Clerk Adams stated that
Officer Messer would work five or ten hours a week, whatever President Hicks
would like for him to work. Clerk Adams stated that Officer Messer would like
some direction from the Board of Trustees concerning the communication equipment
such as the number of radios (one or two) and if the Board is going to allow him
to have the subscription so that he can use the radios. After a brief discussion
as to the necessity of two radios it was the consensus of the Board of Trustees
to keep both radios and pay the necessary monthly fees. Clerk Adams informed the
Board of Trustees that both squad cars were in need of repair and that the blue
squad car needed approximately $3,000 worth of work and a new set of tires.
President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated that is another issue this Board is going
to have to address at some point in time.
President Pro Tem Mecklenburg
stated that Motor Fuel Tax Fund has been raised just a little bit. President Pro
Tem Mecklenburg addressed Trustee Unger and told him that he would have to get
used to using Motor Fuel Tax Funds for transportation project without depleting
the account. President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated it is hard to complete
projects with a small budget; however the Village will just have to do the best
we can with what we have. President Pro Tem Mecklenburg asked if the $3,000 that
was approved for cold patch was going to be enough. Trustee Unger stated that he
never intended to use cold patch to patch for Elliott and Roy Avenues. President
Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated that something needs to be done. Trustee Unger stated
that he would like to fill the potholes with gravel and put cold patch over the
top of the gravel, roll the potholes, apply a skim coat and then seal coat the
road. President Pro Tem Mecklenburg asked Trustee Unger if he had an estimated
cost for the project. Trustee Unger stated that he had spoken with Jim Sparber
of Baxter & Woodman Consulting Engineers and he was not sure if Mr.
Sparber’s estimate included cutting out the whole road or pieces of the road.
Clerk Adams stated that Mr. Sparber had called her on the phone to make sure she
had received the e-mail for tonight’s budget workshop and he stated that the
potholes that are two feet in diameter and a foot and a half deep need to be
cored out and a base needs to be put down before the road is overlaid. Trustee
Unger asked if the Village had to do what the engineer recommended. Clerk Adams
stated that was not her decision to make she was simply passing along
information. Trustee Unger stated that there is a bunch of gravel under that
road and there is no place in the road where mud is coming through. Trustee
Unger stated that he thinks that the potholes need to be filled with gravel
covered with hot mix, apply a skim coat and then seal coated. Trustee Unger
stated he figures the hot mix will cost approximately $10,000. President Pro Tem
Mecklenburg stated the way he understands it is that if the Village uses Motor
Fuel Tax money the Village has to follow the advice of the engineer. Clerk Adams
suggested that Trustee Unger ask Mr. Sparber if there is a less expensive
alternative than the one that has been suggested at a cost of $140,000. Clerk
Adams stated that it is obvious that this project is going to cost more than
$20,000 and according to State statue the project has to go out for bid. Trustee
Unger stated that if worse comes to worse the Village can fill the potholes and
seal coat over them. Trustee Unger stated that he did not want to spend $150,000
on the project. Clerk Adams stated that there wasn’t $150,000 in the Motor Fuel
Tax Fund and you have already allocated $10,000 for this year that leave you
approximately $120,000 to work with and that would completely deplete the
fund.
President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated that he decreased the water
sales from $115,000 to $75,000 because refuse sales was part of that figure, so
I took refuse out of water sales and put it in Health and Welfare. President Pro
Tem Mecklenburg stated that when the Village forms the utility department then
refuse will have to be moved to from Health and Welfare to the utility
department at that time. President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated that he put
$60,000 in the water department for debt service for engineering services for
Baxter & Woodman Consulting Engineers and $10,000 for Drinker, Biddle &
Reath, LLP for attorney fees. President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated that he
lowered the utility expenses and chemicals a $1,000 each. President Pro Tem
Mecklenburg stated that he dropped capital outlay for equipment out of the
budget. President Pro Tem Mecklenburg asked what that entailed. Clerk Adams
stated that was the cost of the new pump house and the new chemical equipment
that Illinois Environmental Protection Agency mandated that the Village
upgrade.
President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated the revenue for fiscal year
2010 – 2011 is $421,410, expenses for fiscal year 2010 – 2011 is $375,850 minus
the payback for capital expenses for the sewer project; the Village needs to
make $70,000 in payments over the course of the year. President Pro Tem
Mecklenburg stated that you have all heard Governor Quinn talk about the capital
budget and the Village should have a capital budget also those monies are used
for infrastructure improvements that is why the $70,000 for the sewer project
was isolated. President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated in other words putting all of
these numbers together there will be a $25,500 deficit. Clerk Adams asked
President Pro Tem Mecklenburg if these budget numbers included the Clerk and two
maintenance men or just one. President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated the budget
numbers before you include two employees the Clerk and one maintenance
man.
President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated that the Village still needed
to fill the treasurer’s position. Trustee Stewart asked President Pro Tem
Mecklenburg if he wanted to continue in the position. President Pro Tem
Mecklenburg stated that he didn’t want to continue in the position and went on
to say that he did not intend to run for office in April 2011. President Pro Tem
Mecklenburg encouraged the Trustees to think about the statement that he made
and encouraged them to seek out qualified candidates. Trustee Unger stated that
the Trustees needed a raise. Trustee Stewart stated that a raise for the
Trustees needed to be voted on 180 days prior to the election and that only the
individuals who ran and were voted into office would receive the raise. Trustee
Stewart stated then the remaining Trustees would only be entitled to the raise
if they ran in the 2013 election and were voted into office.
President
Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated getting back to the budget we will have an estimated
revenue of $421,410; $375,850 in expenses and $70,000 in capital expenditures
for fiscal year 2010 – 2011. Trustee Stewart asked if the $25,500 budget
shortfall could be covered with the Villages reserves. President Pro Tem
Mecklenburg stated that he fully expected the Village to have to use those funds
in order to have operating capital. Trustee Stewart stated that everyone should
continue to cut expenses as much as we possibly can throughout the year even
though these monies have been budgeted. President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated
that he has lived in the Village since 1988 and he has seen past Boards
specifically the Board in the early nineties get by with spending less than
$200,000 because they did only what was required to maintain the water system
and only what was absolutely necessary to maintain the streets which means other
than that they did practically nothing. President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated
that the Board needs to remember that even though $421,000 has been forecasted
for the expected revenue that may not come to fruition, if the Village receives
$50,000 less than expected then there will be some very difficult decisions to
be made. President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated that he did not mean to paint a
bleak picture however; this is the Village’s reality. Trustee Stewart asked if
any of the departments had a surplus from last year’s budget. President Pro Tem
Mecklenburg stated that he would have to go back and look at last year’s budget
and where we stand to date. Trustee Stewart asked if there were to be a surplus
in any one department can it be used in other departments. President Pro Tem
Mecklenburg stated no, monies can be moved within a department; however monies
cannot be moved between departments.
Trustee Elliott stated that the
Village needed to sell the old plow truck for whatever the Village can get.
Trustee Unger stated that the truck had new tires on it and the plow would be
worth selling separately.
Clerk Adams stated that she needed to take a
break the meeting ran longer than she had anticipated and she needed to get more
micro cassette tapes. The Board of Trustees took at break from 8:00 pm to 8:10
pm.
President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated just before the break Trustee
Elliott wanted to discuss ways to generate revenue. Trustee Elliott stated that
he had had a conversation with Clerk Adams about the costs of the recycling
program and the fact that the program had been in effect for four years now at
no additional costs to the residents at that time Clerk Adams suggested that
each customer be billed $1 per billing to cover the costs. Trustee Elliott
stated that if the Village bills $1 per household that would be approximately
$420 per month. Clerk Adams suggested that every customer pay $1 due to the fact
that most of the businesses use the recycling program as well. Clerk Adams
stated that would be another $450 per billing which would be $5,400 a year.
Trustee Elliott stated that is not a lot of revenue. Clerk Adams stated no, it
isn’t; however it is enough to cover the costs and provide a small cushion.
Trustee Stewart stated that the Village should be seeing some return on the
program. Clerk Adams stated that when recyclables were high the Village did see
a small return; however it was nowhere near enough to pay for the
program.
President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated clean up days are costing
the Village money, too. Clerk Adams explained that when the Village has spring
clean up the first dumpster and the weight are free after that you pay for each
dumpster and the weight. Trustee Elliott stated the Village usually uses two
dumpsters. Clerk Adams stated that the Village uses three dumpsters per clean up
day; so President Pro Tem Mecklenburg and I decided not to have a fall clean up
because there isn’t as much participation and the Village has to pay for all of
the dumpsters and all the weight not to mention the overtime wages for
maintenance personnel. Trustee Stewart stated that the spring clean up is a
benefit to the entire Village it helps to keep our residents from accumulating
unused items around their homes. Clerk Adams stated that the Village has the
opportunity to apply for grant money through Ogle County Solid Waste Management;
the Village has applied for the grant in the past and has been awarded grant
money to help cover the costs of the clean up; however the grant has never
covered all of the costs. Clerk Adams stated that the Village can apply for a
grant this year to cover the cost; but you need to keep in mind you are not
going to see the same amount of money that you have seen in the past due to the
fact that the Village will only be doing spring clean up this year. Clerk Adams
explained that the grant applications allows the Village to apply for costs of
spring clean up and the costs of the recycling program; keep in mind the maximum
amount of money the Village can be awarded is $2,000.
Trustee Elliott
stated that he and Clerk Adams had also discussed the possibility of an
availability fee of $2.50 which is half of the availability fee the Village is
charging the businesses. Clerk Adams stated actually Trustee Salsbury brought
this issue up at the last budget workshop. Clerk Adams stated when she and
Trustee Elliott discussed the issue she stated that she did not feel that it was
fair to expect the residents to pay the same amount of money that the businesses
are being charged; so we came to the conclusion that $2.50 would be reasonable;
however that is up to the Board to decide. Trustee Elliott stated that would be
about $1,000 a month. Clerk Adams stated that would generate approximately
$12,600 a year. Trustee Elliott stated that he would like to use the
availability fee to start repaying the water department. Clerk Adams suggested
that Trustee Elliott consider building up a little surplus first. President Pro
Tem Mecklenburg stated right, build up a little surplus first and keep in mind
that the water department will be paying that $70,000 in engineering costs for
the sewer project. There was a brief discussion concerning the water department
repaying the general fund for the water meters.
President Pro Tem
Mecklenburg stated first thing that we can do and we should do is reinstate the
minimum bill payments. Clerk Adams stated yes, we need to reinstate the base
rate in the water structure; the water rate study did away with the base rate
that is why we experienced a reduction in the bills. President Pro Tem
Mecklenburg stated that Baxter & Woodman Consulting Engineers was suppose to
help the Village pay off the engineering debt for the sewer project through the
water rate study and the tier structure; but instead our revenue went down.
Clerk Adams stated that is correct. President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated that
the Board needed to reverse that situation and he suggested a base rate of $10.
Clerk Adams stated that if the Board votes to reinstate the base rate at $10 for
a minimum of 3,000 gallons we are going to recapture the 36% drop that we
experienced plus there will be $10,800 on reserve at the end of the year due to
the fact that the new base rate will be $2 higher than the previous base rate.
Clerk Adams stated remember that if you add the $1 for recycling that will
amount to $5,400 a year plus the availability fee also. Trustee Elliott stated
and then the tier rate goes up again in January of 2011 from $2.70 per 1,000
gallons to $3.65 per 1,000 gallons and after 9,000 gallons it goes up to $5.48
per 1,000 gallons. Trustee Elliott stated when the tier rates for 2011 go into
effect that will be a significant increase. Clerk Adams reminded the Trustees
that at the current time the Village is losing money due to the elimination of
the base rate. Trustee Unger asked what the current rates are. Clerk Adams
stated that all water customers are paying $2.70 per 1,000 gallons up to 9,000
gallons; after 9,000 gallons the rate increases to $4.05 per 1,000
gallons.
Trustee Stewart stated that looking at 2011 the rate will
increase ninety-five cents plus the $2.50 availability fee; so basically we are
looking for a way to bail things out right now and in January when the rate
changes that will bail us out anyway. Clerk Adams stated that the water
department needs to replace a number of buffalo boxes and no money has been set
aside to accomplish that goal; so if you took the availability fee and set that
aside specifically for the replacement of buffalo boxes then the money would be
available when you need it. Clerk Adams stated that the money will all go into
the water fund; however if you earmark that money for buffalo box replacement I
think the water department would be better off; it is just a thought. Trustee
Elliott stated at what point do we stop putting that money aside. Trustee
Stewart suggested that a cap be set for the amount of money to be set
aside.
Trustee Stewart stated that the rates just went up in January and
here six months later we are proposing to raise the rates by again and then in
January on 2011 the rates will go up again I am afraid our residents will be
really mad. Trustee Elliott stated the water bills will really only increase
ninety-five cent per 1,000 gallons. Trustee Stewart stated the rate structure
goes up every year. Clerk Adams explained that the rate structure was designed
to increase steadily for four years each year after that the bills will only
take a 3% increase to try to offset inflation.
President Pro Tem
Mecklenburg stated the availability fee is based on the availability of water to
the property; so every property that has a buffalo box should be assessed an
availability fee. Clerk Adams stated that she was not sure how that would work
with the billing software and that she would check with the software company.
There was a brief discussion about the number of vacant lots in the Village and
whether it would be beneficial to bill the owners for the availability fee and
how that would work with the billing software.
Clerk Adams stated that
the water deposit needed to be raised from $65 to $100 because the thought
process was that the deposit would cover two billings in the event of
non-payment; however with the new rate structure the deposit is not large enough
to cover two billing anymore. Trustee Stewart stated that she felt that was a
justified cost. Clerk Adams stated that the deposit only affects new residents.
Trustee Stewart stated that would also take care of the foreclosures as they are
sold. Trustee Stewart asked if new homes could be assessed an availability fee.
Clerk Adams stated at the time a permit is issued for a new home there are
hook-up fees, a tap fees and other related fees that Building and Zoning
Administrator, Casper Manheim includes in the building permit to be collected up
front. Trustee Elliott stated wouldn’t it be easier to assess an availability
fee where there is a home. Clerk Adams stated yes, it would; but that is up to
the Board I am simply throwing out ideas for discussion; I see where the Village
is losing money and I am simply offering solutions to the problems. Trustee
Stewart stated that she is concerned about the sticker shock for our residents.
Clerk Adams stated that the Village needs good clean, safe drinking water.
Trustee Elliott asked Clerk Adams when the consumer confidence reports were
going to be mailed. Clerk Adams stated that the consumer confidence reports went
out four weeks ago.
President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated there has been a
lot of good conversation tonight about items related to the budget we need to
pass the budget and if everyone is in agreement than I would like to take the
numbers that are before you and prepare the operating budget. President Pro Tem
Mecklenburg stated that he would draw up the appropriation which really is
nothing more than the budget with a 10% to 20 %increase which is the legal limit
on what we can spend. President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated then he would prepare
the tax levy which will increase 4.999 % so that a truth and taxation hearing
will not be necessary. President Pro Tem Mecklenburg asked for permission from
the Board to proceed. It was the consensus of the Board of Trustees to proceed
with the budget, the appropriation and the tax levy.
Clerk Adams asked
the Board of Trustees if she could have Attorney Temple draw up ordinances to
reflect the changes that were discussed concerning the water department; so that
they would be available for discussion at next month’s board meeting. It was the
consensus of the Board of Trustees to have Attorney Temple draw up ordinances to
reflect the changes that were discussed.
Clerk Adams stated the only
thing that still needs to be addressed is a onetime non-refundable application
fee for new customers. Clerk Adams stated that a onetime non-refundable
application fee of $25 for new customers would basically pay her wages for
setting up new customer accounts and she asked the Board of Trustees for
permission to have Attorney Temple draw up an ordinance to address the issue. It
was the consensus of the Board of Trustees to have Attorney Temple draw up
ordinances to reflect the changes that were discussed.
President Pro Tem
Mecklenburg stated that he wanted to very quickly discuss two items; first the
squad car needs some repair work one to the ball joints is going out, there is a
problem with the transmission, the air conditioning doesn’t work and it needs a
set of tires. Trustee Elliott stated that he thought the Board already approved
to have some work done on the squad car. Clerk Adams stated that nothing had
been repaired because Officer Messer was working on a grant for a new squad car
and it makes no sense to put money into a car that you may not keep. Clerk Adams
stated that Officer Messer is very mindful of the Village’s budget issues.
President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated please keep this in mind at some point we
are going to have to make a decision.
President Pro Tem Mecklenburg
stated the other item that he wanted to discuss is the cement plant. President
Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated that he understands the frustration and the anger
involved with this situation; however the cement plant does contribute to the
Village’s revenue sources the Village’s does receive some money from their
operation. President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated if the cement plant left the
Village we would lose that source of income; our Village Attorney informed me
that if the cement plant were forced to leave the Village as a result of some
court action the Village could possibly be sued for lost revenue while the
company relocates. President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated this represents a
possible loss of revenue in the form a judgment; on the other hand if the cement
plant stays there may be a class action lawsuit by the residents in that area
for malfeasance or misfeasance. Trustee Unger stated that the cement plant has a
permit. President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated yes, they have a permit; but it is
not a permanent permit it is a temporary permit. President Pro Tem Mecklenburg
stated the fact of the matter is that to resolve this situation this is going to
cost the Village money no matter which way the Village proceeds and the people
involved on both sides of this issue are throwing rocks at each other and I just
want to let you know that you as Board members are in the middle of
it.
Trustee Stewart stated first of all the cement plant is on a
temporary permit to begin with; let’s say that they have to move what would be
their basis for lawsuit? President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated that if they have
to shut down and relocate that would result is a loss of income. Trustee Stewart
stated is that the Village’s fault. President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated that
could be because the Village did not make the permit permanent for whatever the
reason that the Village gave. President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated that Attorney
Temple just wanted you to be aware of the situation. Clerk Adams stated that she
wanted to clarify one thing; the cement plant was issued a building permit for
the zoning classification that was there at the time according to former
Building and Zoning Administrator, Harold Rogers the temporary permit is an
occupancy permit; not a temporary building permit, not a temporary zoning permit
or special use permit; it is a temporary occupancy permit and usually and I did
not know this at the time; but usually a temporary occupancy permit states a
date or six months; usually a time limit is established; however that was not
done in this case. Clerk Adams stated that is where the word temporary has
become confused; people are saying that the permit is temporary because the
building is a temporary structure; this is simply a temporary occupancy permit.
Clerk Adams stated that normally means that at the end of the time frame stated
on the permit the person or business will be issued a permanent permit or they
will be leaving or in the case of a residence the home is livable; but there are
a few minor things that need to be fixed; so a temporary permit is issued with
the understanding that those items will be corrected within the allotted
timeframe and then a permanent occupancy permit is issued. Clerk Adams stated so
there are some things that have been confused the zoning is not temporary, the
building is temporary, the occupancy permit was issued as a temporary occupancy
permit; people are confused about a couple of things.
Trustee Stewart
stated that in the ordinance that she read it states that a temporary permit is
issued for six months and within that six month period of time the holder of the
temporary occupancy permit has to apply; they have to not us; they have to apply
for a certificate; which has not been applied for stating that they can remain
on the premises. President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated can’t they do that now
after four years. Trustee Unger stated well the Village never asked them to
leave. President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated my concern is the money, either way
there is going to be money involved. Trustee Stewart stated that someone needs
to show her how much money actually comes in as revenue. President Pro Tem
Mecklenburg stated no one is going to want to go to the trouble until it becomes
absolutely necessary. Clerk Adams stated that Attorney Temple would probably
have to subpoena the financial records of the business because according to the
financial statements the Village receives from the Illinois Department of
Revenue businesses are lumped into categories; the statements do not list
individual business and the tax money that is collected. President Pro Tem
Mecklenburg stated in the mean while we are faced with this dilemma and possible
court action could result. Trustee Stewart asked if anything has happened
pertaining to the wash out pit across the street; were they ever issued a permit
for that. Trustee Elliott stated that is a good question for Building and Zoning
Administrator, Casper Manheim. Trustee Stewart stated that she had asked
Building and Zoning Administrator, Casper Manheim and he said no. Trustee
Stewart stated that she was told that the business got a permit from Illinois
Environmental Protection Agency and she said she could understand why they would
need a permit due to the close proximity to the creek and possible
contamination; however that does not mean that they have a right to put it in
the Village nor can Illinois Environmental Protection Agency give them that
permission. Trustee Stewart stated the business would still have to get a permit
from the Village to put that wash out pit on that lot.
Clerk Adams asked
Trustee Stewart if she was asking her to have Building and Zoning Administrator,
Casper Manheim to check into the matter. Trustee Stewart indicated yes.
President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated that the issue is not going to go away and
he hates keep going over the issue; but this is a topic at the budget meeting
due to the fact that this could potentially costs money that is not allocated in
the budget.
President Pro Tem Mecklenburg reminded the Board of Trustees
to read the article from the Illinois Municipal League that he put in their
packets in order to get a good grasp on the current economic climate; so that
you have a firm grasp on the Village’s current financial situation.
There
being no further business to transact a motion to adjourn was made by Trustee
Elliott; Trustee Unger seconded the motion. Vote as follows: Mecklenburg – yes,
Elliott – yes, Unger – yes and Stewart – yes. The motion passed unanimously. The
meeting adjourned at 8:52 p.m. The next regular monthly meeting will be held
July 14, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at the Hillcrest Village
Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Teresa J. Adams,
Village
Clerk
Posted: 8/13/2010 |
Updated: 8/13/2010