10/12/11: Minutes - October 12, 2011 - Regular Monthly Meeting

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10/12/11: Minutes - October 12, 2011 - Regular Monthly Meeting

The Hillcrest Village Board of Trustees met in regular monthly session
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at the Hillcrest Village Hall. President Kim Whalen
called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. answering the roll call was trustees
Jim McMullin, Jeanie Sparacino, Rich Elliott, Randall Salsbury and Rick Rhoads.
Trustee Vicki Stewart was absent due to illness.

President Whalen called
for a motion to approve the minutes of the September 14, 2011 regular monthly
meeting. The minutes of the September 14, 2011 regular monthly meeting were
approved upon a motion made by Trustee Elliott; Trustee McMullin seconded the
motion. Vote as follows: McMullin – yes, Sparacino – yes, Elliott – yes,
Salsbury – yes and Rhoads – yes. The motion passed unanimously.

Trustee,
Jeannie Sparacino gave the treasurer’s report as of September 30, 2011 the
general fund had a balance of $136,609.09, motor fuel tax fund had a balance of
$167,450.35 and the water fund balance had a balance of $204,137.70. A motion to
approve the treasurer’s report was made by Trustee Rhoads; Trustee Salsbury
seconded the motion. Vote as follows: McMullin – yes, Sparacino – yes, Elliott –
yes, Salsbury – yes and Rhoads – yes. The motion passed
unanimously.

President Whalen called for a motion to approve the claim
sheet. Trustee McMullin questioned the bill for Abe’s Tree & Lawn Care
Service. Trustee Rhoads explained that a large tree located at 215 Jeffrey
Avenue had fallen across the road and was removed from the roadway. A motion to
approve the bills as submitted for September 2011 was made by Trustee Rhoads;
Trustee Elliott seconded the motion. Vote as follows: McMullin – yes, Sparacino
– yes, Elliott – yes, Salsbury – yes and Rhoads – yes. The motion passed
unanimously.

DEPARTMENT UPDATES
ORDINANCES: Trustee McMullin reported
the code update should be completed in a couple of weeks and he reminded the
residents that the Village does have a snow ordinance to please be considerate
of personnel as they are clearing Village streets.

FINANCE: Trustee
Sparacino reported there is no new business to report.

WATER: Trustee
Elliott reported that two chemical pumps in the pump house and some piping
needed to be replaced at a cost of approximately $1,200.

HEALTH &
WELFARE: Trustee Salsbury reported there is no new business to
report.

STREETS: Trustee Rhoads briefly recapped the removal of a tree on
Jeffrey Avenue and stated that he was still working with Ogle County Engineer,
Curtis Cook to secure grant money concerning the new street sign upgrade that
will go into effect January 1, 2012. Trustee Rhoads stated that the paperwork
will be completed by October 24th and if all goes well the Village could receive
up to $10,000 in grant money to upgrade the signs throughout the Village.
Trustee Rhoads stated that maintenance supervisor; Robert Villatoro is getting
the equipment ready for the winter season. Trustee Rhoads stated parts have been
ordered for the small Ford truck and maintenance supervisor; Robert Villatoro is
having trouble locating parts for the plow on the International truck; other
than that normal maintenance is being performed.

BUILDINGS &
GROUNDS: No report was available due to Trustee Stewart’s absence.

POLICE
DEPARTMENT: Chief Danny White reported in the month of September the police
department had seven calls for service; twelve traffic stops breakdown as
follows: five traffic citations; two written citations and five verbal
warnings.

BUILDING DEPARTMENT: Building & Zoning Administrator,
Casper Manheim reported that there was no new business to report.


ATTORNEY COMMENTS: Attorney Temple was absent due to illness; no report
was given.

VISITORS: No visitor comments at this time.

OLD
BUSINESS
President Whalen stated the first item under old business is The
Auto Hub. Brad Dyer, owner of The Auto Hub addressed the Board of Trustees and
thanked them for their time. Mr. Dyer asked the Board of Trustees if they had
anything that they would like to review. President Whalen asked the Board of
Trustees if they had any questions. Trustee Elliott asked Mr. Dyer to present
his proposal. Trustee Salsbury stated I thought we buried this last month; now
we are picking it up again. President Whalen stated what you are proposing here
is that Auto Hub would allow the Village to retain all sales tax revenue for the
first six months of the newly expanded location thereafter; The Auto Hub would
receive fifty percent (50%) of the revenue generated, over the first $600 each
month, for a period of three years; correct. Mr. Dyer stated that is correct.
President Whalen stated you have stated that the average from last year was $600
per month in sales tax revenue that the Village received; correct. Mr. Dyer
stated correct. President Whalen stated so what you are proposing is that that
$600 does not change; that $600 is still guaranteed to the Village; correct. Mr.
Dyer stated based on the average; if I don’t sell any vehicles; so it is not a
guaranteed; no. Mr. Dyer stated that is our average off of 2010. President
Whalen stated for the first $600 the Village had been receiving that still goes
to the Village; whatever is above that is split fifty-fifty between Auto Hub and
the Village. Mr. Dyer stated correct; that average actually carries over for the
last six years; the actual average was $565 and I went ahead and gave the
Village the benefit of the doubt and run it up to $600. Mr. Dyer stated I look
forward to the opportunity to growing with the Village; I would like to keep my
business here and I am looking forward to it.

Mr. Dyer stated the other
concern that I have as we are moving forward here is if I perceive this parking
lot permit correct is that the fee is $75 for the first 7,500 square feet;
thereafter it appears to me that it is five cents a foot. Mr. Dyer stated the
way I interrupt this is the first 7,500 square feet is a penny a foot; it seems
to me that you are penalizing a guy for having a bigger parking lot. Mr. Dyer
stated we are not talking about a residential; we are talking about a commercial
parking lot; in the big scheme of things this will benefit the Village also. Mr.
Dyer stated on that note I would like to ask you if the Village would be willing
to reduce that parking lot permit to one penny per square foot. President Whalen
stated which comes out to. Mr. Dyer stated if I choose to hard surface it 17,500
square feet that is $175. Trustee Rhoads asked Mr. Dyer what is the square
footage. Mr. Dyer stated 17,500 square foot of hard surface.

Trustee
Salsbury stated I think there is a reason for that and I am sure most of it is
for water runoff or water retention. Mr. Dyer stated the reason I choose that
magic number is because I was instructed that anything less than sixty percent
of the acreage there is no water retention involved; that is another reason why
I choose to maintain business here or move otherwise. Mr. Dyer stated the lot is
31,250 square feet; that means you are looking at 17,700 square feet or 17,800
square feet with no water retention and I am not looking to change that at
all.

Trustee Elliott stated that is something that we could not change
now; this would have to be on next month’s agenda for an ordinance change.
President Whalen stated there is no ordinance change necessary. Trustees
Elliott, Salsbury and McMullin stated at the same time there is an ordinance.
Trustee Elliott stated this is in the ordinance; right. Clerk Adams stated
permit fees are governed by your ordinances you just can’t decide that you are
not going to follow your own ordinance. Trustee Elliott stated you would have to
put it on the agenda first. Clerk Adams stated and the Board of Trustees just
raised those permit fees for the reason of generating revenue. Trustee Rhoads
stated so we can just pass this next month, right.

Trustee Salsbury
stated this is new to us so we will have to wait. Mr. Dyer stated well I guess
what I am looking at guys; I spoke with a couple members of the GEDCO board
members and other communities and they have a lot of enticing packages to lure
new business or current businesses to expand. Mr. Dyer stated and one of the
attributes that they suggested would be to waive permits. Mr. Dyer stated I am
not asking you to waive the permit; I am asking you to reduce it. Mr. Dyer
stated the first 7,500 square feet are at a penny per square foot which is
reasonable; thereafter it appears to me that over the 7,500 square foot it
changes to five cents per square foot and it seems to me that you are penalizing
here a little bit; that is the way I am perceiving it.

Trustee McMullin
asked Building & Zoning Administrator, Casper Manheim if there is a reason
for the price difference. Building & Zoning Administrator, Casper Manheim
stated all municipalities are set up this way commercial accounts cost more;
even though there is no retention for water runoff the Village still has to use
the services of our engineers to review plans that are submitted. Building &
Zoning Administrator, Casper Manheim stated the way I perceive it is that you
are getting the cart before the horse; I suggest that the Village wait until I
get the application from Mr. Dyer and figure out what the fees are, then if you
want to decide, it is up to the council to decide if they want to reduce the
fees or not. Building & Zoning Administrator, Casper Manheim stated the
Village doesn’t even know if this is going to go through or not. Trustee
Salsbury stated so this has not even been engineered or anything. Building &
Zoning Administrator, Casper Manheim stated we are still waiting to get some
plans; it is pretty much laid out how it is going to go we still need to get the
application in and have the Village engineer approve the plans. Building &
Zoning Administrator, Casper Manheim stated so there are some fees coming from
the engineering aspect that is probably why there are additional fees. Mr. Dyer
stated I went ahead and turned that in; but I am the one that was charged to
create that drawing by the architect; so it goes both ways; but I just ask that
you work with me a little bit; appreciate it.

Trustee Rhoads stated
everyone pretty much knows what my opinion is I think we are giving up a slice
of breed now for a whole loaf later. Trustee Rhoads stated the comment was made
last month that we would have to look at any business in town that would want
this same thing and we would be legally obligated to give it to them; which
really isn’t true; I don’t think. Trustee Rhoads stated if someone is going to
come in and quadruple the size of their business. President Whalen stated how
many square feet have you. Mr. Dyer stated the current building that we are in
is 2,300 square feet and the building we are remodeling is 9,000 square feet; we
are most definitely doubling or tripling our business. Trustee Rhoads stated you
are looking to double your workforce right off the bat, right. Mr. Dyer stated
that is for sure a go. Trustee Rhoads stated with expansion later on down the
road as far as maintenance and stuff like that. Mr. Dyer stated absolutely.
Trustee Rhoads stated if Best Welding came to us and said hey, or Casey’s came
to us and said hey, I want the same deal as him and they were going to quadruple
the size of their pumps and double the size of their workforce I would be all
for giving them a tax break; the same tax break because in the end we are going
to end up making more money for the Village. Trustee McMullin stated and
businesses would have to do something to get the tax break. Trustee Rhoads
stated when was the last time we had a business grow in this Village; we have
had new businesses come in; but they have pretty much stagnated where they are
at. Trustee Rhoads stated to me this is going to be an incentive to either have
businesses grow or come to our Village. Trustee McMullin stated I agree; we
don’t have any other incentives to give. Trustee Rhoads stated I don’t feel that
we are being careless with the Village’s money; I feel that we are actually, I
don’t want to say set bait out there for other businesses to come our way or to
expand the businesses inside the Village that we already have.

Trustee
Sparacino stated I think this has to be worded very carefully; if that is where
you are going and we are without an attorney tonight. Trustee Salsbury stated
without a sewer we are not going to expand a whole lot; either way our hands are
tied. President Whalen stated we got to untie them; we have to untie our hands.
Trustee Salsbury stated well you had better talk to the State of Illinois about
that. Trustee Rhoads stated the sewer problem I believe only the large
manufacturer is going to want sewer; we are talking about Best Welding they
don’t have a whole lot of water or sewer going out of Best Welding or Casey’s or
Auto Hub or the bowling alley; right now what they have is more than adequate to
handle that. Trustee Rhoads stated what we got to look at is if we are going to
start getting businesses in here we have to start somewhere and I think this is
a great way to show them that we are business friendly in Hillcrest. Trustee
McMullin stated I agree.

Mr. Dyer stated to answer your question Jeannie
I did note a figure in there and we are unfortunately exceeding that number on
the renovation as most budgets are set and exceeded whether you are building a
house or renovating an old furniture building; it happens; but I understand your
perspective. Mr. Dyer stated I shared an article with a few of you on Ken Nelson
with his expectation with these new manufacturers he also listed improvements
that he is looking to make this year and he is actually asking for twenty years;
so to have a little documentation that is not a problem. Mr. Dyer stated let’s
say the owner of the bowling alley wanted to put a supper club in and he spent
$50,000 to remodel to put the supper club in; why wouldn’t you guys work with
him. Mr. Dyer stated maybe if Casey’s wanted to spend a million dollars maybe
they would get a little bigger and lengthier tax break if they wanted to add on
a service center or what have you. Mr. Dyer stated I agree with your perspective
on noting some numbers and I did do that; I think that is a good valid point I
have no problem in providing you with some numbers.

Trustee Rhoads stated
I think a comment that was made last month was that this is usually used to
entice new businesses into a village or a city; I just had a brain freeze.
Trustee Salsbury stated you know how I feel. Trustee Rhoads stated oh yeah, that
you had already purchased the building; were already remodeling it and had
already done all of this stuff and now you are coming to us when you should have
done this in the planning stages; to me I almost feel as if some people want to
punish you for being over enthusiastic to set roots in this town because the
last building you had you were leasing; now you own. Mr. Dyer stated correct.
Trustee Rhoads stated if you do bring in the service center to me other than
selling cars you are in business. Mr. Dyer stated correct. Trustee Rhoads stated
I like to hear that people want to set roots; I believe you said three quarters
of a million dollars; that is a heck of a big root. Mr. Dyer stated well the way
I am looking at it is that in this tough economy how can I generate more revenue
and more positions; I want to sell more vehicles; we all want to make more money
whether we are a carpenter, a doctor, a salesmen; whatever the deal is. Mr. Dyer
stated I am looking to grow my business and add different segments to it and the
bottom line is we can grow together; share a slice of bread for the whole loaf.
Mr. Dyer stated that is a great analogy and that is what we are looking at; how
can we grow together.

Trustee Rhoads stated I would like to make a motion
that we accept Brad’s proposal. Trustee Rhoads stated do I need to read the
entire proposal. Clerk Adams stated you can make a motion to accept the proposal
as written. Trustee Rhoads stated as written; thank you. Trustee McMullin stated
I second. Vote as follows: McMullin – yes, Sparacino – no, Elliott – yes,
Salsbury – no and Rhoads – yes. President Whalen stated am I supposed to say
motion passed. Clerk Adams stated yes. President Whalen stated motion passed.
Jeff Leon of WRHL radio asked President Whalen if the proposal is a three year
tax abatement. Trustee Rhoads stated yes. Mr. Dyer stated I look forward to
growing with the community and I appreciate your time. Trustee Rhoads stated
good luck. President Whalen stated thank you, Brad.

President Whalen
stated the next item on the agenda is Errett Warehousing. President Whalen asked
if there was a representative for the business; no representative was present.
Trustee Rhoads made a motion to table Errett Warehousing; Trustee Elliott
seconded the motion. Vote as follows: McMullin – yes, Sparacino – yes, Elliott –
yes, Salsbury – yes and Rhoads – yes. The motion passed
unanimously.

President Whalen stated the next item on the agenda is the
police department. President Whalen stated we have an individual to hire an
additional police personnel for the Village; Doug Lockhard. President Whalen
stated does anybody have any questions they would like to ask him. Trustee
Rhoads asked Mr. Lockhard to address the board from the podium. President Whalen
stated does anyone have any questions; we are not increasing the hours for the
police force we are splitting the fifteen hours as Chief White deems how he
splits them. Trustee Elliott asked Mr. Lockard to give the Board of Trustees a
summary of his qualifications. Mr. Lockard addressed the Board of Trustees and
stated he grew up in Creston and he lived in Hillcrest for a few years. Mr.
Lockard stated he is starting his seventeenth year with the Ogle County
Sheriff’s Department serving as a patrol officer, a canine officer, a
corrections officer and as a detective. Mr. Lockard stated that he currently
lives in Stillman Valley. Trustee Salsbury stated if the Chief thinks this is
the man for the job, then I make a motion to hire Doug Lockard; Trustee Rhoads
seconded the motion. Resident, Jim Mecklenburg asked Mr. Lockard if he is
currently a police officer. Mr. Lockard stated I currently work for the Ogle
County Sheriff’s Department and I am starting my seventeenth year. Mr.
Mecklenburg stated okay, somehow I missed that; so you have had all of the
necessary training. Mr. Mecklenburg stated I am sorry I didn’t mean to
interrupt; I didn’t hear that part of the presentation. Vote as follows:
McMullin – yes, Sparacino – yes, Elliott – yes, Salsbury – yes and Rhoads – yes.
The motion passed unanimously. Clerk Adams stated excuse me would you like to
tell Mr. Lockard how much you are going to pay him, that needs to be part of the
motion, that needs to be part of the public record. Chief White stated it was
agreed upon fifteen dollars per hour. Trustee Rhoads stated yeah. Mr. Lockard
thanked the Board of Trustees. President Whalen asked now do I swear him in, is
that how it works. President Whalen stated you read this and I raise hands.
Trustee Rhoads stated you read it to him, he raises his right hand. President
Whalen stated I read this to him. Clerk Adams stated yes, you read it to him and
he repeats it back to you. President Whalen swore in Mr. Lockard as a Hillcrest
police officer and congratulated him.

President Whalen stated the next
agenda item under old business is the municipal code update. Trustee McMullin
stated he already covered that in his department update. Trustee McMullin stated
it should be done in a couple of weeks, right Teresa. Clerk Adams stated we had

to make a change that is currently being addressed, then a new set of indexes
needs to be made and the update should be finished; so it should be
approximately another two weeks.

NEW BUSINESS
President Whalen stated
the first agenda item under new business is salaries. President Whalen stated
Casper (Building & Zoning Administrator) and Shane (Village Attorney) have
graciously agreed to donate a portion of their salaries; Casper seventy-five
dollars and Shane five hundred dollars to help initially support the police
department for six months; so for the next six months that portion that
seventy-five dollars from Casper and five hundred dollars from the attorney that
salaries will be put into salaries for the police department for the next six
months at the end of the six months that will stop. President Whalen stated they
agreed to step in and help kick start the police department until they get their
feet on the ground. President Whalen stated we need to vote on that; correct.
Clerk Adams stated I would make two motions on for each of them. Trustee Rhoads
stated we need two motions. Clerk Adams stated you need two motions; you need to
state the name of the person, the amount of money and for the length of time.


Trustee Rhoads made a motion to accept Shane Temple’s reduction in
salary of five hundred dollars for the next six months to help support the
police department; Trustee McMullin seconded the motion. Vote as follows:
McMullin – yes, Sparacino – yes, Elliott – yes, Salsbury – yes and Rhoads – yes.
The motion passed unanimously.

Trustee Rhoads made a motion to accept
Casper Manheim’s reduction in salary of seventy-five dollars for the next six
months to help support the police department; Trustee McMullin seconded the
motion. Vote as follows: McMullin – yes, Sparacino – yes, Elliott – yes,
Salsbury – yes and Rhoads – yes. The motion passed unanimously. Trustee McMullin
thanked Building & Zoning Administrator, Casper Manheim and Attorney Temple
for their support of the police department.

President Whalen stated the
next item on the agenda is the snowmobile route; Trustee Stewart had asked that
this be on the agenda and she is not here tonight; so we should table this until
next month. Trustee McMullin stated what is this about. President Whalen stated
I did not put this on here; she had some concerns about routes and how they
could possibly be changed. Trustee McMullin stated we already have snowmobile
routes. Clerk Adams stated there are certain portions of the roadway that
Trustee Stewart feels that snowmobiles shouldn’t be on and she wanted to discuss
that with the Board and hopefully come to a conclusion and get something in
writing before the snow flies. Trustee Sparacino made a motion to table the
snowmobile route; Trustee Elliott seconded the motion. Vote as follows: McMullin
– yes, Sparacino – yes, Elliott – yes, Salsbury – yes and Rhoads – yes. The
motion passed unanimously.

PUBLIC COMMENT
Val Mortensen, 202 Windward
Court, addressed the Board of Trustees and stated good evening; I have a concern
about rumors regarding the old Del Monte warehouse. Ms. Mortensen stated I came
to the meeting tonight to get the facts; so I am asking you what are the facts
regarding the Village and the warehouse. President Whalen stated what I can tell
you is that they (Errett Warehousing) asked to be put on the agenda three months
ago, they were put on the agenda, they were here for the first meeting, it was
Tim Hayden the real estate representative that presented himself to the Board
that night, they weren’t here last month and they are not here this month. Ms.
Mortensen stated who is they. President Whalen stated the owners; you see and I
don’t, I have heard, I have not seen, I don’t know who owns it, I have heard.
President Whalen stated in the meeting three months ago it was ended that they
were talking about remodeling the building and we had asked them to present a
proposal because that would allow for the building permit and again for the
runoff to maintain the grass because you just can’t make it all building; they
needed to present that to the building inspector to make sure to apply for the
permit; that has not been done to my knowledge. President Whalen stated the
other thing from that meeting that was talked about was compensating for the
roads and there was a possible number that was mentioned a couple of different
times and I had asked them to come back and put something is writing and they
haven’t come back; that is all I know.

Ms. Mortensen stated okay, it is
a light industrial zone; correct and they want you the Village Board to change
this to agriculture. Several board members responded, no. President Whalen
stated let’s talk to Casper (Building & Zoning Administrator). Building
& Zoning Administrator, Casper Manheim stated it is zoned light industrial,
the way I interrupted our ordinance based on what they were wanting to put in,
bulk storage of grain that would fall under agricultural which means they would
have to apply for rezoning; but they were saying that there were other items in
the code that said they didn’t need to rezone it that it would be alright to use
it under light industrial; so there is a little bit of a legal issue there as
well. Building & Zoning Administrator, Casper Manheim stated that is the way
I read it; it says grain storage and it fell under agricultural and as far as I
was concerned it would have to be rezoned to agricultural; they stood here and
stated under other items for light industrial they felt that bulk storage of
grain fell under light industrial; so there is a little bit of a
discrepancy.

Ms. Mortensen stated as a homeowner out there I would really
hope that the Village would stand behind this light industrial; I think that
building was built out there by Leonard before there was a house put out there;
I don’t even think ABC Lumber was there and he (Leonard Carmichael) was the one
that came in and asked for it to be changed to light industrial. Ms. Mortensen
stated I just don’t want to see the trucks; I don’t want to see the dust and I
don’t want to see the rodents and with all of that, that is what comes and then
I don’t know what is going to happen to my property values; so these are all
genuine concerns and not just for Windover Park also for all of those streets
that join up over there on the sides of Errett Road and Linda Avenue. Ms.
Mortensen stated I don’t want to be an unfriendly neighborhood; but we are a
modern subdivision out there now and hopefully you will be able to come to terms
with these new owners and support your citizens, thank you.

Jim
Mecklenburg, 313 Hillcrest Avenue, addressed the Board of Trustees and stated I
don’t really know where to start; you mentioned revenues Trustee Rhoads and I am
wondering what this Board is doing to raise more revenues for this Village; is
the used car lot the only effort we have got going. President Whalen stated no;
we are trying; we are now working on the enforcing the ordinances; there are
many of them that have not been enforced for years; that is revenue. Mr.
Mecklenburg stated are we going to use police fines as a source of revenue.
President Whalen stated there are many others out there that are outstanding
that have not been enforced. Mr. Mecklenburg stated alright; I am just wondering
where the revenue is coming from because if we are just so freely giving it away
in tax rebates, then we have got to be replacing it with something else. Mr.
Mecklenburg stated you know the condition of our State; the State can stop their
checks at any time; you know it as well as I do we see it in the paper and we
see it on television; they can stop sending their checks; they can just say
don’t mail them, we will mail them two months from now. Mr. Mecklenburg stated
just like they said they were not going to pay their bills over at Northern
Illinois University for fiscal year 2011; which ended in June they just changed
the deadline to December and they can do the same thing here, too. Mr.
Mecklenburg stated when revenues come to them they don’t have to send them to
you; they can keep them and use them for their own use until they are ready to
send them to you; meanwhile you are out on a limb; just dangling on the limb
trying to make your bills.

President Whalen stated we are dangling on a
limb now. Mr. Mecklenburg stated yeah, you are dangling on a limb now and you
are cutting salaries of people or you are contemplating cutting salaries of
people that are your most valuable assets. Trustee Rhoads stated for one thing
they volunteered that; that is not something that we are not doing without their
prior approval. Mr. Mecklenburg stated yes, yes, it was suggested to them.
President Whalen stated it was not suggested; it was asked. Mr. Mecklenburg
stated you are saying that they came up with the idea all by themselves.
President Whalen stated it was asked it was not suggested. Mr. Mecklenburg
stated oh, I am sorry; it was asked if they would. President Whalen stated they
could have said no. Mr. Mecklenburg stated okay. President Whalen stated there
would have been no consequences for them saying no. Mr. Mecklenburg stated as
long as they know that. President Whalen stated they do.
Trustee Rhoads
stated so what you are saying is that as far as growing we should do nothing,
then. Mr. Mecklenburg stated no, I am saying you should be doing other things
besides this one thing. Trustee Rhoads stated there are other things that are
being looked into right now that we are trying to do to generate more businesses
in this Village and I am trying to choose my words very carefully.

Mr.
Mecklenburg stated is anything happening with the sewer because if that gets in
we do get a lot of revenue. Trustee Elliott stated there are no grants out
there. Mr. Mecklenburg stated is anyone contacting the politicians to find out
if there is. President Whalen stated yes, I am in contact with everybody that I
have contacts for that support. Mr. Mecklenburg stated because that is the only
way we are going to get any revenue or loans. President Whalen stated we can’t
do anything with the sewer right now because if we open the door right now it
will cost every homeowner $190 per month without any grants; without any
additional funding coming in to support that. Mr. Mecklenburg stated well of
course, the money that you are looking for is to reduce that amount. President
Whalen stated yes. Mr. Mecklenburg stated so this $190 would be lower. President
Whalen stated yes. Mr. Mecklenburg stated right but; you have got to be looking
for the money. President Whalen stated there is nothing right now until January
first; then it starts all over; everything was missed this last year. Trustee
Rhoads stated we are looking into to it; we are not just sitting here doing
nothing.

Mr. Mecklenburg stated well, I speculate that the employees that
did agree to this question of reduction in salary were very reluctant to say
that. President Whalen stated they didn’t tell me that. Mr. Mecklenburg stated
well, maybe they want to keep their jobs. President Whalen stated their jobs
were not threatened. Mr. Mecklenburg stated I am not saying that they were
threatened; I am saying maybe they were very reluctant. Mr. Mecklenburg stated
the truth is you know; you know that I have been on this board before and Casper
has not had a raise for three years; I know that. President Whalen stated there
is many people in this State in this; in this Country that have not had raises
for three or four years. Mr. Mecklenburg stated you are not running this State
and this Country; you are running this Village. President Whalen stated and we
are all in the same boat and we are agreeing to pitch in and do whatever it
takes to get it started. Mr. Mecklenburg stated well, it seems as if the loaf of
bread is getting mighty thin slices anymore. President Whalen stated it is our
first slice; we haven’t started yet. Mr. Mecklenburg stated well, just be
careful because if you lose some key people here and you are really going to
have a hard time; I have been out here twenty-three years and we went through a
number of maintenance people out here before we finally found Robert and he is
good. President Whalen stated he is an incredible employee. Mr. Mecklenburg
stated yes, and you’re Village Clerk, too. President Whalen stated is an
incredible employee; all of the employees are incredible. Mr. Mecklenburg stated
yes and they haven’t had raises in three years; not even a half of a percent;
nothing. President Whalen stated there is no money; how can you justify a raise
when you are losing money. Mr. Mecklenburg stated you got one last year.
President Whalen stated you just told me not to compare the Village with the
State; I work for the State let’s keep it separate. Mr. Mecklenburg stated
alright. President Whalen stated okay. Mr. Mecklenburg stated okay. President
Whalen stated alright.

Mr. Mecklenburg stated okay fine; we need to
increase these revenues; but giving it away in tax rebates doesn’t do it.
President Whalen stated we are not giving it away. Mr. Mecklenburg stated you
just gave away money in a tax rebate. President Whalen stated how can we give
away money that we don’t have. Mr. Mecklenburg stated you just voted on it; you
passed a law or next month it will become a law that he (Brad Dyer) doesn’t pay
his taxes for those months; for three years. President Whalen stated no, no that
is not. Mr. Mecklenburg stated he (Brad Dyer) will be paying a limited tax; a
reduced tax; I would like a reduced tax, too. Trustee Rhoads stated we are not
losing any money; we are going to be getting the same amount of money that we
have been getting for years. Mr. Mecklenburg stated let’s see; if you are
entitled to the money because he sells cars in those three years. President
Whalen stated we are helping him (Brad Dyer) for the next three years; thank you
very much and I am proud to be helping him and any other business that wants to
come in and put three quarters of a million dollars and triples the size of
their business. Mr. Mecklenburg stated where did you get those numbers. Trustee
Rhoads stated which numbers are those. Mr. Mecklenburg stated three quarters of
a million dollars. Trustee Rhoads stated from the business owner. Mr.
Mecklenburg stated yeah; wouldn’t he be optimistic. Trustee Rhoads stated I
would like to think that my house is worth more than it really is,
too.

Steve Dodson, 313 Erickson Road, stated as far as the light
industrial code the Board needs to look at it and change it because you can have
a mess like you have sitting down there on River Road go in that building; it
needs to be changed; rezoned; everything. Mr. Dodson stated that is how we got
that mess down there because it fell into the same category as light industrial
and I don’t want to see the Village get another mess like that.

Teri
Gregory, 208 Roy Avenue, stated I have been here almost thirteen years; I do
live next door to Regional Ready Mix and I want to know if any of you board
members have been able to come down there and really check it out. Ms. Gregory
stated have you been able to drive by where Regional Ready Mix is located next
to my house at 208 Roy Avenue. Trustee Rhoads stated I drive all of the streets
at least once a week. Ms. Gregory stated I just want to know; Randy you have;
Kim you have; I know and I see you all of the time; so what have you all
discussed about this problem next to my home; anything. Ms. Gregory stated that
Ms. Mortensen was worried about the grain dust and everything and the trucks and
the noise; you all know where I live; you all know what I put up with; so has
anybody come up with any solutions. Ms. Gregory stated what is Regional Ready
Mix actually bringing into the Village of Hillcrest as far as revenue; did they
get tax breaks. Clerk Adams stated no. Ms. Gregory stated alright; but are they
paying; it is public record correct, Teresa. Clerk Adams stated what are you
referring to. Ms. Gregory stated if they are paying any taxes from their revenue
that they generate for the Village of Hillcrest. Clerk Adams stated I don’t have
an attorney here tonight he can answer that question for you. Trustee Elliott
stated that is all sent into the State. Ms. Gregory stated that is okay, a
neighbor of mine has requested that information from Teresa; then we will find
out.

Ms. Gregory stated the thing is that it is there; the prior board
members allowed it and it has been allowed to continue. Ms. Gregory stated how
can we as residents and as this community together solve this problem for me; my
husband is home on Sunday morning; he leave Monday night he never gets any
enjoyment, period. Ms. Gregory stated it is not right; do you all think it is
fair that this was brought in without any consequences; without any regard to
us. President Whalen stated no. Ms. Gregory stated well, it is up to the board
members, I found that out through another party to please come up with a
solution or else it will be a real mess because I can’t stand it anymore; now
Richard Hicks the prior mayor has his house up for sale; so he is not putting up
with that anymore. Ms. Gregory stated I am not going to put my house up for
sale; I won’t be able to sell it anyway being that close to them (Regional Ready
Mix) and it is portable; so they can move; that is the reason why it is built
temporary; it is on wheels; okay. Ms. Gregory stated thank you.

Victor
Ramos, 100 Windward Lane, this is my first meeting; so I am a little nervous.
Mr. Ramos stated the warehouse issue if that were to go through for some reason;
God forbid; can we have a plan to deal with the rodents if it comes to that. Mr.
Ramos stated I have been out there seven or eight years; I guess it was filled
with corn before I was out there; but as a board can we have a plan set off to
the side in case this were to happen; so we can take action. President Whalen
stated that was one of the other things that we asked them; they talked about a
plan for the rodents and we had asked them to come back in writing with their
plan. Trustee Salsbury stated they are only going to use Maple Avenue; they are
only going to the stop sign they are going to put up an entrance on the East
side of that building to load and unload grain. Trustee Salsbury stated they are
going to shut off the overhead doors on the West side of the building and they
will only come on to Maple Avenue and also they did talk about putting some
money into escrow to build Maple Avenue up, too. Mr. Ramos stated okay that is
something that I was going to ask you too. Mr. Ramos stated the traffic
situation; like I said I have been out there seven, eight years and I have seen
the DelMonte traffic that we had before sometimes the truckers they don’t care
they just park wherever. Mr. Ramos stated that is a really bad area for kids
because they are always playing and stuff. Mr. Ramos stated for safety concerns
if there is any way we can make them park just on Maple Avenue; maybe we could
widen the road that way they could have a parking lane all to themselves.
President Whalen stated like I said there were several things that we were
looking at and we asked them to come back with something in writing so we could
look at it. Mr. Ramos stated so; this is not final. Trustee Salsbury stated oh,
no. Mr. Ramos stated it is still in the works. President Whalen stated yes. Mr.
Ramos stated I can sleep better tonight; okay, thank you.

Brent Braski,
102 Windward Lane, stated how long can you keep tabling this or putting it on
the agenda before they actually have to bring a complete proposal to you.
Trustee Rhoads stated the warehouse. Mr. Braski stated yes. President Whalen
stated at what point does it come off of the agenda if they don’t respond. Clerk
Adams stated that is up to you. President Whalen stated it is up to me. Clerk
Adams stated it is up to the Board. Mr. Braski stated and what is the actual
business that they were proposing. Trustee Salsbury stated well, it was
originally built to store grain by Leonard Carmichael and it did hold grain.
Trustee Rhoads stated the way it was explained to us Consolidated holds the
grain until the prices go up; that grain could sit in there for years before it
ever moves; before you ever see another truck come in and start hauling it out.
Trustee Salsbury stated they need to make room in another elevator for corn.
Trustee Rhoads stated so they can free up some of their other elevators. Trustee
Elliott stated the corn is coming out of the fields right now and they don’t
have a place to store it. Trustee Salsbury stated I think we are as surprised as
everybody that they haven’t come back because at the time they acted as if they
were two months behind on their plan. President Whalen stated I don’t know if
that building has actually sold because it is still listed on the realtor’s
website for sale. Mr. Braski stated well, I know they are in there working.
President Whalen stated maybe because it is still up for sale; maybe I don’t
know. Trustee Salsbury stated maybe it could be something less desirable.
President Whalen stated it is not a done deal because they have never come back
to us. Trustee Rhoads stated any business that goes in there; if it is not the
grain storage would hopefully bring a proposal to the board; so that we can make
sure the traffic issues and all of this are going to be addressed.

Val
Mortensen, 202 Windward Court, stated if they just come and they start putting
grain in it; what are you prepared to do to stop it. President Whalen stated
that is a question for the attorney at this point as far as what can be done to
stop it. Ms. Mortensen stated they are working on it everybody in the whole
subdivision knows that. President Whalen stated I have seen it, too. Trustee
Salsbury stated but we don’t know what they are doing; they may just be working
on the sprinkler system. Ms. Mortensen stated we are just expecting the trucks
to roll in because we understood. Trustee Salsbury stated well, there is no way
to unload them the way things are set up now. Ms. Mortensen stated I know it is
not set up correct; but I wondered what your process is going to be if they just
start and they get that done. Ms. Mortensen stated so the attorney has to.
President Whalen stated I would like to talk to that attorney to find out
exactly what our options are. Ms. Mortensen stated okay, thank you. President
Whalen stated thank you.

President Whalen called for a motion to enter
into executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel, pending
litigation and to review executive session minutes. Trustee McMullin made a
motion to enter into executive session to discuss personnel and pending
litigation and to review executive session minutes; Trustee Elliott seconded the
motion. Vote as follows: McMullin – yes, Sparacino – yes, Elliott – yes,
Salsbury – yes and Rhoads – yes. The motion passed unanimously.

President
Whalen stated I would like to make; I am not real sure how this works; sorry.
President Whalen stated I would like to go into executive session. Trustee
Rhoads stated don’t we go in and ask her to leave. President Whalen stated no,
no, no. President Whalen stated I would like to entertain a motion to discuss
personnel issues in executive session and the clerk remains out here; I will
entertain a motion; yes. Trustee Rhoads stated I vote that we have executive
session without the presence of the City, Village Clerk; Trustee Sparacino
seconded the motion. Trustee Rhoads stated is that what you are asking.
President Whalen stated yes. Resident and former Trustee, Jim Mecklenburg stated
that violates the Open Meetings Act. President Whalen stated no it doesn’t. Mr.
Mecklenburg replied yes, it does. Clerk Adams stated you have to appoint
somebody. Trustee Rhoads stated right. Trustee Elliott stated to run the
recorder. Clerk Adams stated not only that; you have to appoint them to do those
minutes. President Whalen stated okay I appoint Jeanie. Clerk Adams stated would
you like to state that again. Trustee Rhoads stated I make a motion we go into
executive session without the Village Clerk, with Jenny being appointed
secretary for that meeting; Trustee Sparacino seconded the motion. Vote as
follows: McMullin – no, Sparacino – yes, Elliott – no, Salsbury – no and Rhoads
– yes. Clerk Adams stated your motion didn’t carry. Trustee Rhoads stated the
first one was already passed as far as executive session; correct. Clerk Adams
stated yes. President Whalen stated yes, but there is nothing to discuss then,
is there. Trustee Rhoads stated review executive session minutes. The Board of
Trustees went into executive session at 8:03 p.m.

President Whalen
called for a motion to return to open session. Trustee McMullin made a motion to
return to open session; Trustee Elliott seconded the motion. Vote as follows:
McMullin – yes, Sparacino – yes, Elliott – yes, Salsbury – yes and Rhoads – yes.
The motion passed unanimously. The Board of Trustees returned to open session at
8:15 p.m. President Whalen stated no action taken.

There being no
further business to transact a motion to adjourn was made by Trustee Salsbury;
Trustee Rhoads seconded the motion. Vote as follows: McMullin – yes, Sparacino –
yes, Elliott – yes, Salsbury – yes and Rhoads – yes. The motion passed
unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:17 pm. The next regular monthly meeting
will be held November 9, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. at the Hillcrest Village
Hall.


Respectfully submitted,

Teresa J. Adams,
Village Clerk

Posted: 10/12/2011 | Updated: 10/12/2011