Village of Orion Village Board met Feb. 3.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
The regular meeting of the President and Board of Trustees was held at 7:00 p.m., at Village Hall, 1202 4th Street, Orion, Henry, Illinois. The following members were present: Cooper, Newman, Nelson, Mitton, Hancock, Dunlap, and Drucker. Absent: None.
President Cooper called the meeting to order and led the board in the Pledge of Allegiance. He thanked the board for flowers sent to him in the hospital after he suffered a heart attack last week. President Cooper said he felt grateful to be alive.
It was moved by Drucker, seconded by Newman to approve the minutes of the meeting held January 20, 2020. Ayes: Newman, Nelson, Mitton, Hancock, Dunlap, and Drucker. Noes: None. Absent: None.
Pastor Dave Schultz, a member of the board and treasurer of Main Street Orion, asked the village to contribute $10,000 to MSO as it has in past years. He outlined past and upcoming events, achievements, and programs such as façade improvements and the CIBP, which pays down interest for qualifying business loans. Welcome bags are distributed to newcomers and filled with information about local businesses. Pastor Schultz said several people are involved in overseeing the finances and bank accounts, ensuring the safety of the organization’s money. The Coulter Trust and the Village of Orion are the largest single contributors to MSO’s budget of just under $50,000. Pastor Schultz said the Orion Fall Festival pays MSO $1,000 per event hosted by the organization over the Labor Day weekend, totaling $3,000. MSO requested street closures of 4th Street between 10th and 11th Avenues on September 19, 2020, between noon and 11:00 p.m., for Eat in the Street and 11th Avenue at the 4th Street intersection on October 30, 2020, from 4-5 p.m. for the Halloween Hustle parade. Liquor licenses were also requested for the September 19th event and the August 1, 2020 Cruise-In at Central Park. These requests will be included on a future agenda.
Trustee Newman said the Finance Committee discussed using TIF funds to purchase additional ornamental lighting for the business district. He suggested MSO be involved in the project as the organization was instrumental in the effort to install the first 12 lights.
Mr. Ron Thompson said the Central Park Christmas tree will be taken down at 1 p.m., Sunday, February 9, 2020. All able bodies were invited to assist.
Street Superintendent Neil Dahl said he and Trustee Nelson met with Mr. Shane Larson from Hutchison Engineering to discuss acquisition of easements for the 5th Street drainage project. It is hoped the easements can be obtained in the current fiscal year. A rough estimate will be provided by the engineering firm to improve 5th Street. Street Supt. Dahl invited input from the board.
Street Supt. Dahl hopes to get minimal improvements done on 7th Street this year. This will include grinding the surface, reshaping, and seal coating. An issue at the corner of 7th Street and 15th Avenue will also be fixed. Street Supt. Dahl said a better surface for 7th Street can be applied in a subsequent year.
Maintenance on the red dump truck was briefly discussed. Repairs had recently been performed by Dan Myers Automotive. Street Supt. Dahl said replacement of the existing truck could cost from $75,000 to $95,000. The truck is a 2008 model.
Sewer Superintendent Chris Lundburg is working on the VLRs and digester pump at the sewer plant. He has also begun to work on the department’s FY 2021 budget.
Trustee Drucker said his department is reviewing water mains on 5th Street and deciding what action might need to be taken before the street rehabilitation project begins. He and Water Superintendent Arnie Sandberg will be meeting with an engineer from Klingner & Assoc. to discuss potential capital improvements.
Trustee Dunlap will be considering how to best utilize the acreage annexed into the village limits, adjacent to Love Park. Input by the public could be requested. Trustee Newman felt work should begin immediately to formulate a plan, and the funds budgeted for the 14th Avenue extension, a project that was scrapped, should be used.
Trustee Drucker said the new meter reader quit her position. She recently got a fulltime position elsewhere and couldn’t fit the meter reading job into her schedule. Advertising for a replacement has begun. MSO posted the opening on its Facebook page immediately and the position will be advertised on the village’s website and in the Henry County Republic.
It was moved by Drucker, seconded by Mitton to approve a donation to Orion After Prom of $250: $125 in $25 MSO gift certificates and $125 in cash. Ayes: Newman, Nelson, Mitton, Hancock, Dunlap, and Drucker. Noes: None. Absent: None.
Trustee Drucker asked that FY 2021 budget requests be returned by March 15th. The Finance Committee will meet on March 25th to compile a proposed budget to be presented to the village board on April 6th. Budget adoption is expected April 20th.
It was moved by Drucker, seconded by Mitton to approve the expenditure of FY 2020 TIF funds, in the amount of $22,458, in the following order: Ornamental lighting in the business district, Christmas decorations for Central Park, and sidewalk improvements. Ayes: Newman, Nelson, Mitton, Hancock, Dunlap, and Drucker. Noes: None. Absent: None.
The board discussed the number of ornamental lights that could be purchased and that some could be purchased this fiscal year and the remainder next fiscal year. President Cooper suggested donations could be sought, as they were with the first round of ornamental lighting, and an application be made to Coulter Trust. The area of 11th Avenue from 4th Street to 6th Street was suggested.
The next Finance Committee meeting will be held February 12, 2020 at 4 p.m. in the village hall.
Trustee Newman said the Finance Committee at its last meeting listed the 5th Street rehabilitation project as the village’s number one capital improvement priority.
Trustee Newman said the police department addressed the situation of youths driving in Love Park with potential suspects.
Trustee Mitton asked that the snowman decoration in Central Park be taken down as soon as weather allows.
Trustee Mitton said he is looking at options for a village hall. President Cooper added that the village was unable to come to terms with the Petersons on their building at 1000 4th Street.
President Cooper said he is continuing to talk to taxing bodies regarding the extension of the TIF district. He feels there is resistance from some taxing bodies and has enlisted the help of Henry County’s administrator and economic development director to explain the importance of the extension. Trustee Newman said the Finance Committee believes the extension of the TIF district is of overarching importance.
The school board was reluctant to contribute to flashing cross walk signs to be purchased by the village for the safety of school children. The village was asking for a contribution of $1,000. Coulter Trust gave a donation to the village board and Orion Fall Festival will also donate toward the purchase.
It was moved by Mitton, seconded by Hancock to enter executive session at 7:51 p.m. to discuss litigation on the cat issue. Ayes: Newman, Nelson, Mitton, Hancock, Dunlap, and Drucker. Noes: None. Absent: None.
President Cooper reconvened the meeting in open session at 8:16 p.m.
There being no further business to come before the meeting it was moved by Mitton, seconded by Drucker to adjourn. Ayes: Newman, Nelson, Mitton, Hancock, Dunlap, and Drucker. Noes: None. Absent: None.
https://orionil.org/government/meetings/2014-03-09-05-52-59/1195-minutes-2020-02-03-pdf/file
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