Chambana Sun

Village of Mahomet Board of Trustees met September 12.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

Members Present: Bruce Colravy, Dave Johnson, Andy Harpst, Don Lynn, and Bill Oliger

Members Absent: Brian Metzger

Others Present: Village President Sean Widener, Village Administrator Patrick Brown, Village Clerk Cheryl Sproul, Chief of Police Mike Metzler, Community Development Director Kelly Pfeifer, Village Planner Abby Heckman, Transportation Superintendent Eric Crowley, Jim Evans, Village Attorney, and Fred Kroner editor of the Mahomet Citizen.

Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance/Roll Call

President Widener called the meeting to order at 6:11 p.m. Since the meeting followed a Special Board meeting and the Pledge of Allegiance had already been said, it was not said again.

Public Participation:

None.

Ordinances/Resolutions/Other Motions:

Transportation:

A Resolution Authorizing The Purchase Of A Wanco Wvtm Message Board From Midwest Construction Rentals For A Total Amount Of $14,550.

Crowley stated in 2014 the Village purchased an SMC 400 Mini three-line message board, and noted it had become a valuable tool for several different events. He added, Staff routinely utilizes the message board for infrastructure maintenance and special events. He stated Staff had discovered that one message board was not enough due to the many projects and events in the Village. He stated having only one message board made it difficult when street closures were needed on both sides of a street and the information was needed in both directions or information was needed in a larger area, such as the Sangamon River Music Festival.

Crowley stated he had contacted four different vendors for quotes on the same or similar equipment. He reported the following three quotes:

Reagan Traffic Control SMC 400 Mini $14,800.00

Midwest Construction Rentals Wanco WVTM $14,550.00

Construction Products Wanco WVTM $18,571.00

He noted, Midwest Construction Rentals in Champaign, Illinois has the lowest price message board, and recommended the Board approve the purchase from this vendor.

He noted the item was $550 over budget due to higher than expected freight costs.

Brown stated it was more beneficial to purchase than to rent a second one.

Lynn moved, Harpst seconded, “To Place A Resolution Authorizing The Purchase Of A Wanco Wvtm Message Board From Midwest Construction Rentals For A Total Amount Of $14,550 On The Consent Agenda For The September 26, 2017 Board Meeting.” Roll Call: All Yes. Motion carried.

Community Development/Planning:

Omnibus Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment

Heckman stated the proposed omnibus zoning ordinance text amendment was presented to the PZC on December 6, 2016 and a public hearing was held and closed at that time. She added, no one from the public was present to make comment regarding the proposed text amendment. Heckman stated, the PZC tabled the text amendment to a later date to allow staff to make minor adjustments and on August 1, 2017 the proposed zoning ordinance text amendment was discussed by the PZC. She added, at that time the PZC adopted a resolution unanimously recommending approval of the proposed text amendment dated July 27, 2017.

Heckman stated the majority of the amendments were to definitions. She noted that some were removed, some added and some revised.

Pfeifer stated one the major amendments was concerning the designation of single-family residential districts. Pfeifer stated the revisions were proposed to attempt to make it easier to communicate to others. She stated currently there were three single family residential districts, RS (residential suburban), RU and R-. Pfeifer stated staff was proposing R-1 A. B, C. to eliminate confusion and it should make it easier for communication and easier to understand.

Heckman reviewed other changes which included the following:

C-4 Planned Mixed Use District (152.030), would be added to allow for planned mixed use developments containing a creative mix of commercial and residential uses.

All of the intent statements will be moved to the beginning of each district chapter. This will reduce the need to look in multiple locations in the zoning ordinance for district information.

Proposed changes to eliminate the need to flip back and forth between chapters to determine allowed uses within a district and some changes were made to permitted and conditional uses to better align the allowed uses with the intent of each district.

A new section, 152.046 (G), addresses private residential swimming pools. This section provides standards for safety, maintenance, lighting and fencing for pools.

Fencing regulations, currently 152.091(E) (3), had been moved to a new section (152.050 (D)) and expanded to better clarify the allowed location, height, and finished look for allowed fencing.

Section 153.053 Standards for Drive-Through Uses had been added to guide future drive-through use development.

Signage definitions had been added (152.066(D)) to support existing and proposed text within the signage chapters of the zoning ordinance.

Brown noted the proposed amendments to address private pools brings the Village into compliance with State Law.

Harpst asked if the existing pools would need to become compliant. Pfeifer stated it would be difficult to find all the pools in the Village since some pools were installed without permits. She added that if a property owner with a permanent pool were to apply for any permit for an improvement, such as a fence or shed, that property would be evaluated and if a violation was found, they would have to become compliant before a new permit would be issued.

Heckman noted that another stipulation had been added that the capacity had to be more than 200 gallons, addressing permanent pools.

Brown stated Staff had also reviewed the permitted uses and conditional uses and made revisions in order to reduce issues needing Board and Commission approval that were not necessary.

Heckman noted a prepared Resolution would be included in the Board packet for the September 26th meeting for Board consideration on the Regular Agenda.

Widener commended Pfeifer, Heckman and staff for the time and effort spent on this task. He stated this had been needed for a long time but due to the lack of staffing could not be a priority. He stated this effort allowed the Village to be more user friend to developers/contractors and consistent with neighboring communities.

Harpst asked if electronic fences were going to be addressed. Brown stated it is already a violation to place an electronic fence in the right-of-way, but sometimes they are installed without a permit. He noted one resident had placed 20 feet of electronic fence in the right-of-way unknown to the Village and it was ripped out when an ash tree had been removed.

Pfeifer stated staff knew this issue would have to be addressed so the definition was added. Pfeifer stated people have a different perception as to what is their yard and think the right-of-way is their yard.

Widener stated the right of way belongs to the Village, so if people install anything on a right of way they take a risk of losing the improvement without having to be replaced.

Pfeifer stated staff had been discussing some of the changes with those that would be affected for feedback, such as the drive-through section.

Johnson stated he thanked them for making it more user friendly because as a newcomer it had been tough to figure it out.

Heckman stated once it was in place and being used, other revisions may be needed.

Administrator’s Report:

Departmental Reports:

Water/Wastewater:

No questions or comments.

Transportation:

Harpst asked what the feedback had been on the tree removal. Brown stated communication had been very good and hardly any feedback had been minimal and not negative.

Brown reported the contractor wanted to move on to Phase 2 and bill the village next fiscal year.

Colravy commended the contractor on stump grinding and stated they did a good job.

Harpst asked if the trees were being replaced. Brown stated no tree replacement would be done until all the trees were removed and the project was completed. Brown added, he asked the Chairman of the Tree Commission to investigate grants that might be available to help with the cost of tree replacement. He added that Trustee Colravy was also looking into Tree City USA to see what may be available.

Community Development/Planning:

There were no questions.

Mayor’s Report:

September Meeting Calendar:

Widener stated signs had appeared on Route 150 announcing IDOT work on the Sangamon River Bridge on Route 150. Widener stated he was told the work on I-74 would be completed before the Bridge Work begins.

Widener stated Fred Kroener was waiting for several of the Trustees to provide him with their information. Widener stated Chairman Dave Parsons did a great job on the Festival. He also stated there had been a large amount of staff commitment and community involvement for this event. Widener stated the goal of the Committee is to break even and they are gathering the final expenses now. He believed it was a success even if the attendance on Friday night was lower than expected. He noted there were a lot of other activities competing for that weekend in the County.

Colravy stated the Duck were sold out for the first time. He noted the proceeds were split between Mahomet Recreation and the Conservancy. Colravy added that he had never lived in a community where so many people volunteered and were involved in Community events.

Colravy reported on the Mussel Survey that was held on Saturday. He said 60 people showed up to assist. He noted that 1,061 mussels were found, and 18 different species. Colravy mentioned that a “monkey face” was found and explained that this was an intolerant species and when they are found that is a good thing. He added that another species was found that was one step away from being on the endangered list.

Widener stated September 30th at 11:30 a.m. would be the dedication for the history plaque. He noted in addition to the dedication, a Discussion Roundtable, that would include a local historian, local churches, a Champaign County representative and others would be involved and a Q & A format would be used. Widener stated more details would be forthcoming.

New Business:

Brown announced the Village had received a letter stating the Wastewater Treatment Plant had been nominated for an award and was one of 4 finalists. He stated the Village had been nominated by the Illinois EPA.

Harpst asked Pfeifer if there was any activity on Country Ridge 6 to the south. Pfeifer stated there is a “spite strip” of undeveloped land that exists between the two sections of property and would be needed for access. He noted the owner of the property was not interested in cooperating.

Harpst stated he had seen Dave Parsons working security at the U of I football game and asked Chief Metzler if Mahomet was paid to provide security at the U of I football games. Metzler stated there was a contract and wages and benefits were paid to the Village for the officers. Metzler stated many communities provide officers to work security at the games. He stated he did not know how much longer Mahomet would be able to and that Village needs come first.

Widener announced that Dan Olson had resigned from the Champaign County Forest Preserve and accepted a job with the Champaign County Park District.

Adjournment:

Harpst moved, Lynn seconded, “To Adjourn at 6:56 p.m.”. Roll Call: All Yes. Motion carried.

http://www.mahomet-il.gov/vertical/Sites/%7B8D137460-5EE3-4B54-9DF0-146867CF080D%7D/uploads/9-SS_09122017_minutes_Study_Session_as_approved.pdf