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04/19/11: Minutes - March 22, 2011 - Special Meeting
The Hillcrest Village Board of Trustees met in special monthly session Tuesday,
March 22, 2011 at the Hillcrest Village Hall. President Rich Hicks called the
meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. answering the roll call was trustees Jim
Mecklenburg, Rich Elliott, Randall Salsbury, Jim McMullin, and Vicki Stewart.
Trustee Unger was on his honeymoon.
President Hicks stated the meeting
was to discuss the waste water conveyance and treatment agreement between the
City of Rochelle and the Village of Hillcrest; we have been working on this
agreement for the better part of nine years now and I believe that we now have a
good agreement. President Hicks stated Carl Fischer of Baxter & Woodmen
Consulting Engineers and Stephen Patterson of Drinker Biddle & Reath, LLP
Attorneys at Law would be presenting the agreement.
Mr. Patterson
introduced himself and stated that he didn’t want to spend a lot of time going
over the history of the negotiations of the contract between the two entities
but would rather focus on the reasons this agreement would be beneficial to both
parties. Mr. Patterson stated before working with Drinker Biddle & Reath,
LLP he worked for the City of Chicago concerning economic development working
with the planning department where his focus was to find financial incentives
for developers that wanted to rehabilitate existing properties.
Mr.
Patterson stated during this phase of his life he came across numerous
municipalities that needed to have sewer systems installed. Mr. Patterson stated
in municipalities that rely on septic systems the expense of maintaining those
systems can become cost prohibitive. Mr. Patterson stated especially now in
these hard economic times many households are not going to have the ability to
properly maintain their septic systems and that will eventually lead to problems
for the entire community when septic systems break down and start leaching into
the soil.
Mr. Patterson stated from an economic stand point this is not
about trying to change the life styles of the residents of Hillcrest; this is
not about trying to create St. Charles west here in Hillcrest; this is about
maintaining quality of life and making sure that every resident of your
community has the ability to have clean, safe drinking water and a functioning
sewer system. Mr. Patterson stated that he and Mr. Fischer discussed the costs
of Hillcrest building its own waste water treatment system as opposed to hooking
into Rochelle’s system and we came to the conclusion that it would be four to
five times more expensive for Hillcrest to build its own waste water treatment
plant. Mr. Patterson stated one of the other drivers for sewer is that Hillcrest
is trying to make itself more attractive to businesses that might wish to
relocate here or expand their businesses into this area; sewer would make
Hillcrest reasonably attractive to individuals that are interested in building a
new home or purchasing an existing home; this would also make Hillcrest more
attractive to residential developers that are looking to come into the
area.
Mr. Patterson stated by providing sewer you are making your
community a more attractive place to live and to work; by providing sewer you
will support your general revenue streams because increased home sales will
increase your real estate tax revenue and by attracting new businesses you are
expanding your sales tax base. Mr. Patterson stated this is not about pure
economic development; it is about making sure services and infrastructure are at
an adequate level to make sure your residents have a good quality of life in
addition to making the Village more attractive to residential, commercial and
industrial development.
Mr. Patterson stated the waste water conveyance
agreement that has been negotiated with the City of Rochelle is a fairly simple
document that provides first and foremost that any rate Rochelle charges to its
own customers it will charge to Hillcrest customers; so it is not going charge
Hillcrest businesses and residents a rate that is higher than it is charging its
own customers. Mr. Patterson stated one of the negotiation points was that
Rochelle wanted Hillcrest to adopt their school impact fees and transition fees
for any future developments and annexations; so that Hillcrest will never have a
competitive disadvantage verses Rochelle with regard to waste water treatment
rates; the prices that Rochelle would charge to Hillcrest’s customers. Mr.
Patterson stated Hillcrest would also never have a competitive advantage against
Rochelle in regards to school impact fees and transition fees.
Mr.
Patterson explained that transition fees are related to the period of time that
a school district would need to cover the cost of new residents that have not
yet paid their real estate taxes and in this case the transition fee is $3,500
per new residential dwelling; so in new residential developments the developer
would be responsible for paying this transition fee to the school
district.
Mr. Patterson stated in addition to the contract there is a
boundary agreement that has been put into place that is exhibit C which defines
the areas of each municipality which essentially runs along the western boundary
and the southern boundary of Hillcrest. Mr. Patterson stated whatever is north
and east of that corner is available to Hillcrest for future development;
whatever is south and west of that corner is available to Rochelle for future
development.
Mr. Patterson stated that Carl Fischer of Baxter &
Woodman Consulting Engineers would explain the location of the connections and
the sewer rates. Mr. Fischer stated that exhibit A shows the initial and future
connection points to Rochelle’s waste water treatment system; the initial
connection will be in the southwest corner of the Village; however from an
engineering stand point it makes no sense to bring all of your sewage to the
southwest corner of the Village. Mr. Fischer stated that Rochelle has an
existing 27 inch sanitary sewer that comes up to approximately to where Scott
Avenue would be extended across Kyte Creek that would be the Village’s initial
connection point. Mr. Fischer stated that the sanitary sewer system that Baxter
& Woodman Consulting Engineers has planned and designed for the existing
Hillcrest community does drain to that corner there would be a new metering
station at that location and from that metering station the waste water would
then go to the Rochelle manhole and that is where Hillcrest would connect. Mr.
Fischer stated that Rochelle has plans to build this interceptor sewer up
paralleling Ktye Creek; so the Village will have some future connections there.
Mr. Fischer stated that these connection points are not written in stone; if
there is new development in Hillcrest there may be a technical reason to move
some of these connections in the future. Mr. Fischer stated please understand
that the way this agreement was negotiated Rochelle will send Hillcrest a bill
based of the quantity of wastewater that is metered at the metered manhole near
Scott Avenue and River Road. Mr. Fischer stated Rochelle will send Hillcrest one
bill; Hillcrest pays the bill and you in turn bill your customers individually
and they will pay the Village.
Trustee Salsbury stated that Clerk Adams
will not be able to handle all of the extra work that will be involved. Clerk
Adams stated that everything will be fine all I will have to do is add another
line item to the bill. Trustee Salsbury stated that will be 450 households and
we have to front the money. Clerk Adams stated it will work just like it does
with Rochelle Disposal Service, they send the village one bill for the entire
community and there is a line item on the regular water bill for refuse. Clerk
Adams stated Rochelle will send one bill, the village will pay that bill and
whatever that dollar amount is it will be spread out over all of the village’s
water customers; once the initial set-up is complete this will automatically
appear on the bills every month.
Trustee Salsbury asked do we know what
that number is going to be. Mr. Fischer stated once we look at the corresponding
worksheet the answer will become clear. Mr. Fischer stated the bill is a two
part bill the variable part is based on flow which is $2.81 per 100 cubic feet
or $3.76 per 1,000 gallons and the fixed part is $80.10 a month for the entire
village which would be divided over the 450 customers the village has which
would be 18 cents per customer per month. Mr. Fischer stated then there is the
connection fee of $700 per connection (house or business) which can be paid in
one lump sum or it can be paid in monthly installments of $11.67 over a five
year period (60 months) at 0% interest and after that five years is over that
charge goes away; it is also up to the village how you want to set this up. Mr.
Fischer stated how often can Rochelle change the rate; they can change the rate
once a year and that increase has to reflect the changes in their operating
expenses. Mr. Fischer stated Rochelle cannot just indiscriminately change the
rates; they have to be able to show that any increase they make in the rate is
proportional in the increase in their expenses; that is one of the things that
was negotiated in the contract.
President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated
this fee will not start until Hillcrest has an actual physical connection,
correct. Mr. Fischer stated Hillcrest starts paying when you first start to
discharge wastewater to Rochelle. Mr. Fischer stated when does Hillcrest have to
pay Rochelle; Rochelle will measure the flow and bill Hillcrest approximately
the 15th of every month; then Hillcrest has thirty days from receipt of the bill
to pay the bill.
Mr. Fischer stated the connection fee is due thirty days
after receipt of Rochelle’s bill; what Rochelle is going to do is write up a
bill for those houses and businesses that are connected to the sewer system and
they are going to send that bill to the Village and then you will have thirty
days from receipt of the bill to pay the bill or you can pay it in installments
over the sixty months. President Pro Tem Mecklenburg asked Clerk Adams if the
village’s billing system is capable of billing part of our residents as opposed
to billing all of our residents. Clerk Adams explained in detail how the utility
billing system is capable of billing residents as they are connected to the
sewer system. Mr. Patterson stated that it is important to note that there has
been a lot of time and thought put into how the system is going to work in this
office; we are not re-inventing the wheel. Mr. Patterson stated the rate
structure is simple; Rochelle can’t raise the rates without justifying that in
relation to their expenses and Hillcrest does not have to change transition fees
and impact fees to match Rochelle’s every time they change those rates; but
Hillcrest does have to match the rates every five years; however there is some
flexibility there. Mr. Patterson stated I think it is important to talk about
the economy.
Trustee Salsbury stated I want to talk about the map; let’s
go back to the map you have been kind of vague on the map. Trustee Salsbury
stated with 400 plus households in the community I am sure that will have an
effect on that. Trustee Salsbury stated I guess for my constituents they need to
know what this is going to cost them; I think we need to get down to the numbers
they don’t understand $2.81 per cubic feet. Trustee Salsbury stated I don’t
think most people know how much water they use. Clerk Adams stated all the
residents have to do is call and ask I can provide them with that information.
Trustee Salsbury became confrontational with the attorney and the engineer about
the numbers. President Hicks called point of order and stated the purpose of the
meeting was to discuss the agreement between Rochelle and Hillcrest not how the
village is going to bill its residents.
Mr. Patterson stated the point
that he was trying to make is that the rate Rochelle is charging the village is
less than the rate it charging its customers and it is slightly higher than what
it charges Creston. Mr. Patterson stated that Creston has been serviced by
Rochelle for a number of years so their rate is going to be lower; Creston has
stability; they have lots that are serviced by sewer. Mr. Patterson stated for
people who want to escape the urban jungle Creston can provide them with
something they understand; people who live in urban communities don’t understand
septic systems. Mr. Patterson stated you as trustees can bring some stability to
your community and enhance the village without changing its character by
bringing in the sewer system; so that other people who might want to get out of
the metro area can get into a house that they understand.
Mr. Patterson
stated some of the points that he wanted to make concern the timing and the
need; timing is very important the village has to be able to get applications to
the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and those applications will not be
processed unless there is an agreement between the two entities. Mr. Patterson
stated the agreement includes some very loose time limits related to the date by
which a permit should be secured and by which construction should be completed;
the agreement states the village should have their permit from Illinois
Environmental Protection Agency within five years from the date of the
agreement. Mr. Patterson stated Rochelle has wastewater capacity that it can’t
fill; they need customers so that they can pay down their debt service that is
why they want to service the areas of Hillcrest that are developed so they can
start receiving revenue as soon as possible. Mr. Patterson stated the hope is
that Hillcrest will secure a permit within five years and a system to serve the
developed portions of Hillcrest will be completed within seven years; however
Rochelle has agreed that as long as Hillcrest is pushing forward to secure an
application there will be no ramification. Mr. Patterson stated if Hillcrest
decides to do nothing the only ramification is Rochelle won’t issue a permit for
sewer for new developments. Mr. Patterson stated if Hillcrest doesn’t build this
system and you don’t get permits and a developer applies for a zoning permit for
a new subdivision they will not be able to connect to Rochelle’s sewer system.
Mr. Patterson stated so this agreement sets the stage for what could be done and
what should be done over the next few years. Mr. Patterson stated timing is
really not that much of a negative and Rochelle is going to acknowledge in the
agreement that as long as Hillcrest is pushing toward completion they will issue
permits; conceivably even if Hillcrest hasn’t finished the system in seven years
and a development comes into Hillcrest in his opinion it would be in Rochelle’s
best interest to let them connect anyway because that is more customers for them
and that helps them pay down their debt service on their treatment
plant.
President Pro Tem Mecklenburg expressed his concern that whatever
happens with the sewer agreement and the sewer system the village has a one
person office and he is concerned that the billing procedures will fit into the
current system and not totally overload the clerk.
Mr. Patterson asked if
the village had water meters and if there was a need for a second meter. Mr.
Fischer stated that one meter per user was enough; the wastewater will be
metered at the manhole. Mr. Patterson asked what the wastewater costs would be
based on. Mr. Fischer stated potable water consumption. Mr. Patterson stated so
it is based on the meters. Mr. Fischer stated that is correct. Mr. Patterson
stated so there should be no question. Clerk Adams stated the one thing that
Jerry Bever of Baxter & Woodman Consulting Engineers has stressed over and
over again is if the village has any issues with the current water meters it
needs to get that solved as fast as possible. Clerk Adams stated the village
does have residents that are not very cooperative about allowing maintenance
entry to their homes to repair the meter. Mr. Patterson stated as long as every
user has a meter and you know which houses are connected to the sewer system it
is a very simple manipulation of the data on a monthly basis every month until
the process of connection to the sewer is complete. Mr. Patterson stated this is
something that you will know about in advance; so that you can do practice
runs.
Trustee Salsbury stated since this is going to affect 400 homes are
we going to have to hire a full-time maintenance person to monitor this however
many miles of piping that is required. Mr. Fischer stated the he did not have
any numbers related to staff. Mr. Patterson stated this is not refuse pick up;
this is a sewer system and once it’s in place you won’t really need to touch
it.
Mr. Fischer stated if you hear nothing else that is said here tonight
please hear me on this; Rochelle is going to charge you based on how much
wastewater the village sends to them; you get paid on how much potable water is
used by each of your water customers. Mr. Fischer stated if your sewers leak and
there is ground water coming into those sewers Rochelle is going to bill you for
transporting and treating that water; but you didn’t get paid for that because
that water is not going into your customers homes and businesses as potable
water; so please build your sewer system as tight as possible; do not build it
shoddily so it leaks like a sieve because you will pay. Mr. Fischer stated you
can imagine if the village has a lot of ground water going into your sewer
system Rochelle is going to send you a great big bill that your customers
haven’t paid for then you will have a discrepancy between the bill that you
received and the revenue that you have collected and the village will have no
choice; but to take that discrepancy and prorate that out over the 450 customers
that you have.
Trustee Salsbury stated it sounds like there is a lot of
maintenance involved. Mr. Fischer stated I would envision that initially the
village would hire that out instead of hiring staff to do it; I would foresee
you hiring Creston or Rochelle or a private company to do that; however when the
village becomes much bigger I can see you hiring your own staff.
Mr.
Fischer stated one of the things that we still need to discuss is do we put a
pump station in this system when it is initially built; there is a bit of a hill
from the north to the south and we either cut through that which is a relatively
deep excavation to maintain gravity flow or we build a pump station. Mr. Fischer
stated what we are waiting for is the soils analysis and hopefully you will
approve that soon and then we will get that done, we simply cannot proceed with
the design without that information. Mr. Fischer stated Illinois Environmental
Protection Agency will not approve the facilities plan until the village shows
them that you are going to have wastewater treatment and this is what is needed
to move forward.
Mr. Fischer stated he wanted to look at the boundary
agreement again and pointed out that everything west I-39 Rochelle has
everything south of Twombly Road and Scott Avenue and Hillcrest has everything
north. Mr. Fischer stated on this west dashed line that goes up to Bethel Road
everything west of that is Rochelle’s; everything east is Hillcrest’s; but when
you get north of Bethel Road it is wide open whoever gets there first gets it.
Mr. Fischer stated the same is true on I-39 there is no agreement east of I-39
whoever gets there first; whoever can provide service it gets it.
Trustee
Elliott stated doesn’t the village have property north of Bethel Road. Clerk
Adams stated yes, there is a very small subdivision north of Bethel Road that is
in the village. Trustee Elliott stated then that goes to Rochelle. Mr. Fischer
stated no, that has already been annexed into the village. Mr. Fischer asked if
the trustees had any questions.
Trustee Elliott stated the contract talks
about Rochelle coming into the village to service sewer lines. Mr. Fischer
stated what that is addressing is sewer lines that Rochelle builds and owns that
are actually in your village; remember that Rochelle wants to build this
interceptor sewer parallel to the Kyte Creek the village has already annexed
that land so that would be a sewer that Rochelle owns, operates, maintain and
manages; but it is in your community; so Rochelle needs through this agreement
the right, the ability to service their sewers. Trustee Elliott stated there
really aren’t many manholes in the older part of the village. Mr. Fischer stated
that for the purpose of tonight’s meeting he didn’t show all of the manholes in
the system.
Trustee Elliott stated you mentioned a lift station. Mr.
Fischer stated my preference would be not to build any lift stations; but we
have got to find out if it is economically feasible to build a gravity sewer
through that hill. Trustee Elliott asked if you had to put one in where would
that be. Mr. Fischer stated it would be in the area of Wayne Road and Windover
Park Drive. Trustee Elliott asked if lift stations are maintenance free. Mr.
Fischer stated I would not say they are maintenance free because they have to be
visited on a regular basis, at least every other day. Mr. Fischer stated in
today’s world where you have more automation the service people that you hire
would be notified through an automated system of any problems.
Clerk
Adams asked if Mr. Fischer was anticipating only one lift station. Mr. Fischer
stated initially that is all that would be needed. Clerk Adams stated okay, no
the village would not have to hire someone else to handle that because Mr.
Villatoro makes his rounds every day to perform the daily water testing; so that
is just one more stop that he would add to his daily route. Trustee Stewart
stated in the building of the sewer line next to Kyte Creek that Rochelle wants,
Hillcrest has the property west of that; would they then service from that line
any of the residential area that would be built there. Mr. Fischer stated yes,
we envision any development in this area here will flow down in this direction
and tie into a metering station and then into Rochelle’s interceptor sewer.
Trustee Stewart stated so, that would go to Rochelle and they would be
responsible for collection, the rates and the bills. Mr. Fischer stated no that
is still Hillcrest’s people Hillcrest is measuring the flow before it goes to
Rochelle; at this point this is still Hillcrest’s wastewater once it goes
through the metering station then it is Rochelle’s obligation.
Trustee
Elliott asked if there were any plans to carry the sewer lines to Kings. Mr.
Fischer stated yes, if you recall it was Hillcrest, Rochelle, Ogle County Health
Department and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency were all talking about
that at one time and we were trying to figure out how those groups would solve
Kings problems; well it got to a certain point and Rochelle said we can handle
it; with that being said Hillcrest backed out of it and said go for it. Mr.
Fischer stated that Baxter & Woodman Consulting Engineers on Hillcrest’s
behalf went to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and told them we
could build our sewer system to accommodate Kings; but it was going to costs two
million dollars and who was going to pay the two million dollars; it certainly
wasn’t going to be the residents of Hillcrest. Mr. Fischer stated Illinois
Environmental Protection Agency stated that they did not have two million
dollars to pay for the sewer to extend to Kings.
Trustee Mecklenburg
stated you mentioned the possibility of a gravity feed sewer system or a lift
station; who makes that decision Hillcrest or Rochelle. Mr. Fischer stated this
contract does not address that issue because that is on Hillcrest’s property, it
is your sewer system; you make that decision.
Trustee Elliott stated as
far as grants and other money; what is available to Hillcrest. Mr. Fischer
stated there is the unsewered community grant; however that is going away unless
the State legislature refunds it. Mr. Fischer stated there is the loan program
through September 30, 2011 the interest rate is 1.25% and the village could
possibly get 25% forgiveness if the village’s average median household income is
less than the State’s average median household income. Trustee Elliott asked if
Hillcrest’s average median household income was less than the State’s. Mr.
Fischer stated that it wasn’t before the last census; if you suspect the
Hillcrest has been hit harder than other communities in the State and your
average median income has dropped you can go out and survey and try to find out
what that number really is. Trustee Mecklenburg stated that people aren’t really
willing to divulge what they make.
Mr. Fischer stated at one point in the
contract negotiations we hit an impasse and that was concerning school impact
fees and transition fees and so there is article nine in the agreement that is
very specific about that. Mr. Fischer stated article nine requires Hillcrest to
take some action within 120 days of the signing of this agreement: 1) pass an
impact fee ordinance; 2) pass transition fees ordinance; 3) amend agreement with
Burke Farms development that forces them into the impact fees that are listed on
schedule E. Mr. Fischer stated you might recall that Hillcrest’s current
agreement does not require Burke Farms to do that; it was instrumental in the
negotiation of this agreement that development say yes, we will pay impact fees
even though their agreement with Hillcrest doesn’t say they have to. Mr. Fischer
stated we did negotiate special impact fees for Burk Farms they are listed in
schedule E as part of the agreement that are different than any other new
development that would come into Hillcrest.
Trustee Mecklenburg stated I
am sorry; but I am not following all of this. Trustee Mecklenburg is Burke aware
of this. President Hicks stated for the record Mr. Burke was a part of this.
Trustee Salsbury stated and when was this. President Hicks stated it was over a
year ago. Mr. Fischer stated when we hit the impasse Mr. Burke and Ken Albers
got together apart from the rest of the meeting participants and reached a
settlement on the fees and then came back to the group and those are the numbers
in the agreement.
Trustee Mecklenburg stated the whole issue was that
Hillcrest wanted to call the fees by a different name so that the money could be
used for operating expenses and not just bricks and mortar projects. Mr.
Patterson stated that we worked this agreement hard and we were not able to work
around this particular issue; however in my opinion the time to sign this
agreement is now. Mr. Patterson stated Hillcrest still has a couple of years
planning and if you get things in motion this will put you in a good position
with the State; if you wait other municipalities in the State are going to get
ahead of you in line for funding.
President Hicks asked Mr. Fischer to
explain the paperwork that is involved. Mr. Fischer stated qualifying for
funding through Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s water pollution
control loan program Hillcrest must submit applications for pre-approval every
year by March 31st. Mr. Fischer stated Hillcrest has done that in the past and
you are going to have to do it again; now I want you to understand that if you
don’t pre-apply Hillcrest doesn’t have any chance to get this funding. Mr.
Fischer stated the paperwork is done; it has been signed and I will forward this
to Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
Trustee Stewart asked if
there is anything is this contract that says that in the future Hillcrest cannot
build its own treatment plant; does this keep Hillcrest strictly hinged by sewer
to Rochelle. Mr. Patterson stated no; but remember how much more expensive that
is. Trustee Stewart stated I know that. Mr. Fischer stated Rochelle wants
Hillcrest to hook into their system remember that they built that capacity for
industry that is now gone. Mr. Patterson stated remember you are working
together with Rochelle; you are a house united.
Trustee Mecklenburg
stated at this point in time we are getting down to the nitty gritty it seems to
me that if we accept this wastewater agreement Hillcrest is one step closer to
getting sewer; one step closer to Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s
desire for Hillcrest to have sewer; one step closer to generating more revenue;
one step closer to securing more retail in turn Hillcrest collects more sales
tax and can use that money to start growing this community and enhance our
quality of life. Trustee Mecklenburg stated not only that it keeps Illinois
Environmental Protection Agency off our heels; because if Hillcrest doesn’t sign
this Illinois Environmental Protection Agency will demand to know what we intend
to do about our unsewered community because our soils will not tolerate this
kind of concentration for very long. Mr. Fischer stated as you are aware the
design standards for septic systems have changed since Hillcrest was originally
built; today you could never build on lots as small as the ones that exist in
Hillcrest.
Trustee Salsbury stated so what about the new Hillcrest that
has two-thirds of an acre lots; our systems are set up so that after twenty to
thirty years when those septic fields fail we have enough property to set up
another field for another system. Trustee Salsbury asked if there was a way that
everybody can be happy. President Hicks stated no. Trustee Salsbury asked does
the system have to go into the new Hillcrest; there is really two Hillcrest’s.
In unison President Hicks, Trustee Stewart and Clerk Adams stated no, there is
one Hillcrest. Trustee Salsbury reiterated that the size of the lots at the
north end of the village are two-thirds of an acre. Mr. Patterson asked Trustee
Salsbury if he would like to have a grocery store. Trustee Salsbury stated the
issue is the system. Mr. Patterson stated I think the issue is the overall
success of the future of Hillcrest and I think the issue is if you want grocery
stores or light manufacturing or other kinds of commercial enterprises that
might create jobs and bring in revenue Hillcrest is going to have to have a
sewer system.
Trustee Stewart stated let’s say that Hillcrest is set up
and we have sewer what would make a big box store come here as opposed to any
place in Rochelle considering that we are dealing with the same impact fees and
so forth. President Hicks stated Hillcrest’s elevation is twenty five feet
higher than Rochelle, not to mention the cost of land and the costs of the
foundation. Trustee Stewart stated I know that Hillcrest is going to have to
offer businesses something if our fees are going to be the same as Rochelle’s
and as far as doing this for one half of Hillcrest as opposed to doing it for
the other half of Hillcrest; we are in fact all Hillcrest and whatever gets done
at whatever rate it is going to just totally benefit the whole entire village
and any future subdivision that comes about as a result of installing sewer.
Trustee Stewart stated I may not like it at this particular juncture because it
is so new and different from what we are used to but in the overall scheme of
things it has to be better.
President Hicks called for a motion to sign
the agreement between the City of Rochelle and the Village of Hillcrest for
wastewater conveyance including the boundary agreement and the recapture
agreements. Mr. Patterson stated one thing that still needs to be discussed is
the recapture agreement. Mr. Fischer explained basically what that means is if
Hillcrest or one of its developers builds a piece of pipe and it is to
Rochelle’s advantage Rochelle will have to pay a recapture fee and vice
versa.
President Hicks called for a motion to approve the agreement
between the City of Rochelle and the Village of Hillcrest for wastewater
conveyance including the boundary agreement and the recapture agreement and the
change negotiated by the attorney and the engineer. Trustee Mecklenburg made a
motion to approve the wastewater conveyance agreement between the City of
Rochelle and the Village of Hillcrest; the associated reciprocal recapture
agreements and the associated boundary agreement subject to the changes
negotiated by Hillcrest’s attorney and engineer following Rochelle’s approval of
the contract that was passed December 13, 2010; Trustee Elliott seconded the
motion. Vote as follows: Mecklenburg – yes, Elliott – yes, Salsbury – no, Hicks
– yes, McMullin – yes, Stewart – no. Trustee Stewart stated that she was voting
no because the contract would have to come before the board again when the final
changes have been made. Mr. Patterson stated the only language that will be
added in has already been approved by Rochelle’s city attorney and the city
manager with the consensus of the city council. Trustee Stewart stated that she
wanted her vote to remain no. Motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT
No
public comment at this time.
There being no further business to transact
a motion to adjourn was made by Trustee McMullin; Trustee Salsbury seconded the
motion. Vote as follows: Mecklenburg – yes, Elliott – yes, Salsbury – yes,
McMullin – yes and Stewart – yes. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting
adjourned at 7:24 pm. The next regular monthly meeting will be held April 13,
2011 at 7:00 p.m. at the Hillcrest Village Hall.
Respectfully
submitted,
Teresa J. Adams,
Village Clerk
Posted: 4/19/2011 |
Updated: 4/19/2011