Village of Milan Board of Trustees met June 15.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
ROLL CALL
Roll call showed Trustees Bruce Stickell, Jim Flannery, Jay Zimmerman and Karen Wilson present. Trustees Jerry Wilson and Harry Stuart were absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Dawson.
CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES OF MAY 18, 2020
All Board Members received a copy of the May 18, 2020 Board Meeting Minutes. There being no additions or corrections, Trustee Flannery moved to approve them as presented. Trustee Stickell seconded the motion. All Trustees voted “Aye”. Motion carried.
CONSIDERATION OF THE SEMI-MONTHLY AND MISCELLANEOUS BILLS
Trustee Zimmerman stated there was one run of semi-monthly bills and no miscellaneous bills. The larger bills were the normal Mid-American Energy, Blackhawk Bank Visa Account and Blick and Blick Oil Inc. Other larger bills were to the Rock Island County Collector for property tax on the Milan Industrial Park Lots and Schimberg Company for a lift station assembly.
There being no discussion on the bills presented, Trustee Zimmerman moved to pay the semi-monthly bills in the amount of $93,082.89. Trustee Karen Wilson seconded the motion. Roll call vote showed Trustees Jim Flannery, Jay Zimmerman, Karen Wilson and Bruce Stickell voted “AYE”. Motion carried. The bills will be paid from the following accounts:
General $ 55,812.83
Garbage 5,520.53
Motor Fuel Tax 2,946.86
Camden Centre 1,161.47
Special Tax Allocation II 25.39
Water/Sewer 27,615.81
TOTAL $ 93,082.89
PRESENTATION OF THE FISCAL 2020-2021 BUDGET OVERVIEW-MARK HUNT
Administrator Seiver stated Mr. Hunt had an emergency call and had to leave to take care of it. He will fill in for him.
Mr. Seiver stated the Finance Directors and Department Heads and he have been working on the budget for the new fiscal year. It has been somewhat hard to come up with projected revenue due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The village was on track to finish April 30, 2020 in a positive position until the State slow-down of appropriations to municipalities due to the COVID Pandemic. The “Stay At Home” order issued by the State has slowed the economy and it is hard to predict the effect on sales and income tax we will be receiving. The State taxes are always received from 60 to 120 days after the State receives them, so our last appropriation will not get here until after the new fiscal year begins. Even with the delay of funds Milan is much better off than some of the surrounding Municipalities.
The first Property Tax payment is due tomorrow so we will see how many are able to pay on time and how much we will collect. If people lose their houses we will see a decrease in the property tax and EAV of the village. This will not show up until 2023 if it happens.
Income Tax will be effected by Milan businesses opening back up or closing. It would determine if people are hired back or if they lose their jobs.
Mr. Hunt entered the Council Chambers and added the following comments.
He stated the General Fund was covered by Mr. Seiver so he will go to the Garbage Fund. He stated it is in good shape and hopefully won’t have any large purchases in the next fiscal year.
The MFT Fund has enough money appropriated for the street lights, salt and enough to do half of the blacktop and seal coat projects. The MFT Fund will hopefully build up enough funds to finish the street projects next fiscal year.
Camden Centre has been devastated by the COVID Pandemic. No large gatherings will be allowed until Phase 5 of the Governor’s Re-Opening the State Plan. Phase 5 will open larger than 50 people gathered together after there is a vaccination and cure for the COVID Flu. Right now the scientists predict a vaccination in the late Fall or maybe not until next year. Luckily the only cost for the Centre is utilities and we are trying to cut down on lighting, etc. The Camden Centre Director has been working in the Clerk’s Office until we can get the Camden Centre open again. That is the only payroll now and it is coming out of General Fund.
The Water/Sewer Department has a nice cushion right now. The Council decided to help residents during tough financial times caused by the pandemic by elevating penalties on late water/sewer bills due in March, April and May until June. Mr. Hunt stated most people are paying and staying current on their bills. A few are taking advantage of the offer, but the water/sewer fund is not being effected badly by it. Mr. Hunt would like guidance on extending this courtesy another two months.
After some discussion, Trustee Karen Wilson moved to extend the program another two months to June and July. Trustee Flannery seconded the motion. All Trustees voted “Aye”. Motion carried.
Administrator Seiver stated both the FOP and AFSCME contracts are due this year. With all the uncertantes of revenue coming into the village, we can’t promise any wage and benefit increase at this time. We may extend the current contract with AFSCME.
Mr. Hunt stated the State is proposing to increase the number of Marijuana Licensed facilities in Illinois, so even though we expect an increase in the recreational marijuana tax beginning in July, we do not know if the revenue will be sustained if more licenses are issued.
Mr. Hunt stated the TIF Funds won’t be impacted by the pandemic, but we will still have to pay the TIF Agreement reimbursements and pay the TIF Surplus amounts to the Rock Island Treasurer.
Mr. Hunt stated the Commercial Business Assistance Loan Program which had $50,000 allotted to it has been a great success. The program allots $2,500 in loans which can be paid back or forgiven according to the businesses circumstances. So far sixteen loans have been approved and paid out. Mr. Hunt stated he has the final four loan applications ready for approval.
Another gesture of village has made was the Mayor Dawson, as Liquor Commissioner, has allowed bar owners to extend payment of their licenses. Bars have been shut down due to the COVID Pandemic causing stress on their businesses. Mr. Seiver stated during Phase 3, they have been allowed to serve at outside seating areas. If we reach Stage 4 on June 26 they will be able to have inside seating.
Mayor Dawson stated he feels the village has done a good amount of programs to help the residents as well as the businesses during the rough times of the Pandemic. Hopefully a vaccine will be found soon so we can get back to somewhat normal activities and feel safe about doing it.
CONFIRMATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF ARION COX AS FINANCE DIRECTOR/TREASURER
Mayor Dawson stated with the resignation of Mark Hunt as Finance Director/Treasurer he would like to appoint Arion Cox. She will not be doing the Economic Development portion of Mr. Hunt’s job, but will continue to do the work she was assigned as Associate Finance Director.
There being no discussion, Trustee Zimmerman moved to approve the appointment of the Mayor. Trustee Stickell seconded the motion. All Trustees voted “Aye”. Motion carried.
CONSIDERATION OF QCOMM911 ROOF DECKING PROPOSAL
Administrator Seiver stated when QCOMM911 moved into the 3rd floor of the Milan Municipal Building, a proposal was taken from Mbrico, LLC to build a rooftop patio on the 2nd floor roof. The village agreed to this so that the dispatchers of 911 could have some sort of a break from their work space as they are not allowed to leave the building for breaks or lunch. Mr. Seiver stated Mbrico is willing to honor the proposal given in January. They gave a proposal of $18,310.89 for a 24 x 24 surface deck or $22,022.52 for a 440 sq. ft. deck. They require a 50% deposit before the work starts.
Trustee Karen Wilson moved to accept the proposal from Mbrico LLC in the amount of $22,022.52 for a 440 sq. foot tile deck. Trustee Zimmerman seconded the motion. All Trustees voted “Aye”. Motion carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Steve Moller gave an update on buildings going up in Milan. He stated a new one story house with golf range and basketball court is being built on Knoxville Road, Nature Treatment is building a new parking lot off Tech Drive, Tom Steel is putting in a French drain at the South end of his property South of the RIA Credit Union where he will be building one rectangular building to house several offices and the Granet project is beginning to move dirt on the project which is located just North of the new Blackhawk Bank and Trust, along the Milan Beltway.
Trustee Zimmerman was contacted with a complaint of the garbage cans for the Bike Path being overflowing. He would like to have Mr. Pannell check that they are being emptied regularly.
Administrator Seiver stated the Corp of Engineers will be starting restoration along the base of the Hennepin Canal. This will be a two year project. The village must provide a staging area and construction easement for the project. Mr. Seiver stated he is working with the Corp and a realtor, regarding the price of a temporary 2 year right of way. The proposed staging area will be behind Joe Proctor’s car lot.
CITIZENS OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE VILLAGE BOARD
Mr. Dave Krouth wanted to thank Mr. Hunt for his leadership on the Planning Commission. He would like to know if Arion will be taking his place working with the Planning Commission.
Mayor Dawson stated later on the Board will decide what they will do about the economic development position. Right now Arion will have her plate full with her new position. Building Inspector Steve Moller will continue to work with the Planning Commission.
ADJOURN
There being no further business to come before the Board, Mayor Dawson asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Trustee Flannery moved to adjourn the meeting and Trustee Karen Wilson seconded the motion. All Trustees voted “Aye”. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 6:42 p.m.
http://www.milanil.org/docs/agenda_minutes/20200615minutes.pdf
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