Village of Matherville Village Board Met Dec. 7.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
ROLL CALL
Roll call showed Trustees Harry Stuart, Karen Wilson, Jerry Wilson, Jim Flannery and Jay Zimmerman were present by Zoom and Bruce Stickell present in person at the meeting. No one was absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Attorney Scott.
CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 16, 2020
Mayor Dawson asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of November 16, 2020.
There being none, Trustee Stuart moved to approve them as written and Trustee Stickell seconded the motion. All Trustees voted “Aye”. Motion carried.
CONSIDERATION OF THE ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Administrator Seiver stated December is a busy month for bonds and taxes. He will be presenting the 2021 Tax Levy Ordinance at the December 21, 2020 Board Meeting. There was no increase in the % to be levied so no public hearing or publication will be necessary.
Abatement of four Bond Issue Taxes will be considered at the December 21st meeting and later in this meeting the Police Pension Board will present its request for taxes to be levied for the village’s portion of their pension.
The BNA public hearing was held before this meeting commenced. On December 14th a special meeting will be held to consider issuing taxable general obligation bonds, series 2021. By refinancing the 2010 bonds the village will save approximately 60 – 70 thousand dollars in interest fees. An agreement with Bernardi Securities to administer the bonds will also be discussed.
Mayor Dawson asked for a motion on the Administrator’s Report if there were no questions of Mr. Seiver.
Trustee Zimmerman moved to approve the Administrator’s Report as presented and Trustee Stuart seconded the motion. All Trustees voted “Aye”. Motion carried.
INSPECTORS’ REPORT
Trustee Stickell stated the permits were down from last month due to colder weather. If there are no questions, Trustee Stickell moved to approve the report as presented. Trustee Jerry Wilson seconded the motion. All Trustees voted “Aye”. Motion carried.
DEPARTMENT HEADS’ REPORTS
Superintendent Farrell stated everything is running smoother due to the cooler weather. He received confirmation from EPA that the entry point to the distribution supply has passed testing levels set by the Division of Public Water Supply. The water tested below the minimum reporting levels set by IEPA.
Police Chief Shawn Johnson stated the department is running along smoothly. It has been reported that a few officers have tested positive for Covid-19 but they have very slight symptoms and are doing well.
Superintendent Pannell stated this is the third five-year contract we are doing with Moline and Rock Island for a bid for dumping. Ten years ago when we bid alone we were at $22.00 a ton but combining with Moline and Rock Island we are now paying $12.80 a ton, with an average over 5 years of $19.24. We also contract together for yard waste and refuse with a similar savings. The estimate average savings on landfill fees for the past ten years is $65,000.
Mr. Pannell stated the levee inspection was done and there were a couple of people encroaching onto the levee property. He went out and talked with them to resolve the problem.
There being no questions on the department head reports, Trustee Stickell moved to approve them as presented. Trustee Karen Wilson seconded the motion. All Trustees voted “Aye”. Motion carried.
CONSIDERATION OF THE OCTOBER 2020 TREASURER’S REPORT
Treasurer Cox presented the October report. She stated the first revenue from the 3% cannabis tax was received this month in the amount of $39,906. The business is flourishing so the amount of tax revenue will be going up.
The General Fund revenues were $779,048 and expenditures were $358,245 providing for a surplus of $420,803 for the month. Notable expenses were a rotary lift and jack for the street department, $34,395 and a replacement light poles for the Girls Softball Diamond, $14,935. Due to returned deposits at the Camden Center and it not being open due to the Coronas pandemic, the Camden Center account had a deficit of $2,367. The Water and Sewer Fund showed a surplus of $51,046 after expenses including payments for $30,357.50 interest on the 2014 G.O. Bond and payment for a dump truck in the amount of $13,000.
There being no questions on the treasurer’s report, Trustee Zimmerman moved to approve it as presented and Trustee Karen Wilson 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 in the amount of $545,036.23. The larger bills being Hometown National Bank for the 2020 Series bond/interest payment, Lynco Distribution TIF Agreement property tax rebate $67,740, Brandt Construction water main repair $63,668, Mid-American for gas/electricity $15,291 and Blick & Blick Oil for gasoline/oil $10,495.
He stated there were two miscellaneous bill runs. One for eye and dental reimbursement in the amount of $2,223 and one for a Business Assistance Loan in the amount of $10,000 to Bowlyou’s.
The total payment amount is $557,259.32. If there are no questions on the bills he moves to pay the bills in that amount. Trustee Jerry Wilson seconded the motion. Roll call vote showed Trustees Karen Wilson, Jerry Wilson, Bruce Stickell, Jim Flannery, Jay Zimmerman and Harry Stuart voted “Aye”. Motion carried.
The bills will be paid from the following accounts:
General Fund $368,457.27
Garbage 7,126.92
Motor Fuel Tax 6,824.76
Camden Centre 6,941.18
Special Tax Allocation I 67,740.31
Special Tax Allocation II 26.43
Camden Centre Deposit 1,000.00
Insurance Reserve 1,148.80
Water/Sewer Fund 97,993.65
TOTAL $557,259.32
CONSIDERATION OF THE MILAN POLICE PENSION BOARD’S MUNICIPAL COMPLIANCE REPORT AND ANNUAL TAX LEVY REQUEST
Police Pension Secretary/Treasurer Cox presented the Municipal Compliance Report for year ending April 30, 2020. The report showed a total cash and investment of the fund at market value and the total net position of $10,263,606 which is slightly below last fiscal year. This is due from a volatile market due to the Covid 19 pandemic. The actual investment return this year was .76% versus 6.57% the preceding year. Since these numbers were calculated April 30, 2019 the market has recovered and the Pension Fund investments have shown an increase of 1.8 million dollars. Hopefully this trend will continue and the net position of the fund will increase accordingly. The report showed that the village employs fifteen officers with ten retired, one disabled and three survivors and child benefits. The Police Pension is funded through three sources, member contributions, investment interest and municipal contributions. The Illinois Department of Insurance states the Police Pension Fund is 69.03% funded in this current year. Ms. Cox presented the tax levy request from the Milan Police Pension Board which is calculated by their financial consultant firm, Lauterbach & Amen, LLP. On Lauterbach’s recommendation the Milan Police Pension Board is recommending the Village levy $705,328 to fund the Village’s portion of contributions to the fund for the 2020 property taxes to be collected in 2021. This amount includes the employer’s normal contribution of $259,500 and an unfunded liability amortization payment of $445,829. The total levy is approximately 63.1% of the estimated total payroll ($1,116,422) for the police department for fiscal year 2020-2021.
There being no questions on the reports, Trustee Karen Wilson moved to approve both the Police Pension Board’s Municipal Compliance Report and their Tax Levy Request. Trustee Zimmerman seconded the motion. All Trustees voted “Aye”. Motion carried.
CONSIDERATION OF A VIDEO GAMING LICENSE FOR HINERCO DBA LEGENDS CORNER BAR & GRILLE Mayor Dawson stated it was discussed to consider issuing more video gaming licenses instead of putting a moratorium on them. We have received a video gaming license application from Greg Hiner, co-owner of Legends Bar & Grille for three video gaming machines. Mayor Dawson stated the intent of video gaming licenses were that established business with a liquor license would get them. Then the State allowed anyone with a liquor license could get them. Mr. Hiner fills the original intent of the licenses. Although the Governor at this time has closed all gaming facilities as part of the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr. Hiner would like to be ready to open when it is possible. All bars and restaurants are struggling to meet the bills of the business and the video gaming has helped them do that.
Trustee Zimmerman moved to approve the license and Trustee Jerry Wilson seconded the motion. All Trustees voted “Aye”. Motion carried.
Trustee Karen Wilson stated she would like to see an amendment to the Video Gaming Ordinance which would set a limit on gaming licenses. This would keep too many licenses from watering down the profit for those who own the license.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Trustee Stuart would like an update on Metro-Net.
Administrator Seiver stated he has not received any communication with Metro Net and at the last Administrator/Manager meeting with surrounding municipalities they have not heard anything either.
Trustee Karen Wilson stated she spoke with Chief Johnson regarding checking in on bars and restaurants regarding following the Covid-19 restrictions set by the Governor. He said they have been doing them. Mayor Dawson stated in his capacity as Liquor Commissioner, he visited three bars and informed them to comply with the restrictions set by the governor or he would be forced to suspend their liquor licenses. It is not something he would want to do as they are struggling to hold on to their business, but it is in the best interest of the customers and themselves.
Trustee Flannery asked if any businesses were getting the money for relief from the Brissman Foundation.
Administrator Seiver stated so far Bowlyou’s is the only one.
Trustee Karen Wilson would like to put it on the Village webpage. She asked about an update on the Census.
Administrator Seiver or Mayor Dawson said they haven’t heard anything so far, the census deadline is December 31, 2020. Maybe we will get information before that. Trustee Karen Wilson said she heard on the news that Rock Island is considering merging with Iowa American Water. If they do, what effect will it have on the village when we need to purchase water from Rock Island.
Mayor Dawson stated he can’t see that happening, but if it does we would make sure the village is a vendor of them.
Mayor Dawson stated the village will hold a Special Meeting on December 14, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. by Zoom to discuss the Roll Over Bond Ordinance and the Refunding Bond Ordinance.
CITIZENS OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE VILLAGE BOARD
Mayor Dawson asked if anyone from the public attending the zoom meeting would like to address the board. No one answered.
ADJOURN
There being no further business to come before the Board, Mayor Dawson asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Trustee Zimmerman moved to adjourn the meeting and Trustee Jerry Wilson seconded the motion. All Trustees voted “Aye”. Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
http://www.milanil.org/docs/agenda_minutes/20201207minutes.pdf
Alerts Sign-up