Chambana Sun

Village of Mahomet Board of Trustees met August 15.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

The Village of Mahomet Board of Trustees met, Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. at the Village of Mahomet Administrative Offices, 503 E. Main St., Mahomet, IL.

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

Others Present: Village President Sean Widener, Village Administrator Patrick Brown, Village Clerk Cheryl Sproul, Village Treasurer Jeanne Schacht, Chief of Police Mike Metzler, Village Planner Abby Heckman, 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 6:00 p.m. After the Pledge of Allegiance, Roll Call was taken and a quorum was present.

Public Participation:

None.

Ordinances, Resolutions and Other Actions:

Finance Department:

Treasurer’s Report:

Schacht reviewed her Treasurer’s Report that was included in the meeting packet.

She stated revenues were at 25% and expenses were 11%.

She highlighted the quarterly report, listing major revenue and expenses.

Schacht stated video gaming tax receipts would start reflecting the Lake of the Woods Liquor gaming receipts.

Schact reported she received a payment from Mediacom for $11,663.39, for the franchise fee, but was not sure how many more the Village would be receiving.

Schacht stated all the paper work for the recent annexations had been submitted to the State and the Village would start receiving revenue from them after the State processes it.

Harpst asked if the payments made to the Village would be retroactive to the date of passage. Evans stated the state will use their own date to start the distribution.

Metzger moved, Oliger seconded, “To Place The Treasurer’s Report On The Consent Agenda For The August 22, 2017 Board Meeting.” Roll Call: All Yes. Motion carried.

Bill List:

Schacht stated she would have 2 additional bills for the final Bill List presented at the Board meeting.

Brown reported the Mahomet interstate sign located at the Public Works property would be lighted. He stated

Colravy moved, Harpst seconded, “To Place The Bill List On The Consent Agenda For The August 22, 2017 Board Meeting.” Roll Call: All Yes. Motion carried.

Parks And Recreation:

A Resolution Of Support For An Application For Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program Funds By The Village Of Mahomet:

Brown stated Staff was requesting the Board give permission to staff to apply for this grant. He stated the Village did not receive a grant the last time and are now applying for the next rounds of grants for the connection of the multi- purpose pathway system between Barber Park and the Sangamon River Greenway.

Metzger asked how much of this would be funded by the grant. Brown stated the grant was 80% funded.

Brown stated the Village had been successful in using these funds to build other bike paths.

Widener stated these was the second project that has been lobbied for by Champaign County First.

Brown stated this connection had been a priority to connect the Forest Preserve to the Village.

Widener stated this project also involved a bridge which the Village could not afford to build on its own.

Lynn moved, Johnson seconded, “To Place A Resolution Of Support For An Application For Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program Funds By The Village Of Mahomet On The Consent Agenda For The August 22, 2017 Board Meeting.” Roll Call: All Yes. Motion carried.

Planning And Development Department:

A Resolution Concerning The Preliminary Plat For Hunters Ridge Subdivision (Phases 4 - 8):

Heckman asked to discuss items 1 and 2 together since they concerned the same subdivision.

She stated the request was to rezone 9.8 acres and the area was the remainder of unplatted acreage in Hunter’s Ridge Subdivision.

She reviewed the request and stated the developer anticipated building 2-4 unit townhomes for a total of 8 units.

Heckman stated the area was currently zoned AC (Conservation). She noted staff encouraged developers to zone drainage areas AC to protect these areas from development in order to reduce drainage problems.

She noted the developer was requesting the proposed construction area be rezoned from AC to RU. Heckman stated RU allows slightly smaller lot requirements than an R-1.

Heckman stated the Plan and Zoning Commission voted unanimously in favor of the zoning amendment and the Preliminary Plat as presented.

Metzger asked if the people that had been opposed to the previous planned development had agreed with the RU zoning. Heckman stated 4 of the surrounding residents had attended the meeting and asked questions were satisfied with the answers they received and were agreeable to the RU zoning. Widener stated he had attended the meeting and they

Lynn moved and Colravy seconded, “To Place A Resolution Concerning The Preliminary Plat For Hunters Ridge Subdivision (Phases 4 - 8) On The August 22, 2017 Board Meeting.” Roll Call: All Yes. Motion carried.

An Ordinance Concerning Amending The Zoning Map Classification Of A Vacant Parcel, Part Of Hunters Ridge Subdivision, In The Village Of Mahomet, Champaign County, Illinois:

Harpst moved, Lynn seconded, “To Place An Ordinance Concerning Amending The Zoning Map Classification Of A Vacant Parcel, Part Of Hunters Ridge Subdivision, In The Village Of Mahomet, Champaign County, Illinois On The Agenda For The August 22, 2017 Board Meeting.” Roll Call: All Yes. Motion carried.

An Ordinance Regulating The Operation Of Dirt-Bikes And Go- Karts On Private Property In Residential Zones:

Heckman stated the amendment included additional language to chapter 93 to regulate dirt bikes and go-karts on private residential property. She stated staff had received complaints recently and in the past from property owners complaining about people riding these vehicles on their property in residential areas.

She stated definitions were included for, dirt bike, go-karts and ATV and that residential property had also been defined.

She stated the current ordinance did not address these type of nuisances.

Metzger stated he would be voting no to this proposal because he rides 4-wheelers and so does his neighbor who bought 15 acres for the purpose of riding. He stated he has a problem with how the regulations are written. He said he could not vote in favor of something he would be violating from time to time.

Metzler stated the primary driver of this amendment has been complaints received regarding the noise these vehicles make. He stated trying to find a method to address these concerns had been difficult. He stated the police would respond to specific complaints. He added the officers would not be patrolling for these violations but if a complaint was issued they would respond and handle it accordingly.

Metzger suggested a property density designation be defined in the ordinance. Brown stated Staff could investigate options and present it again at the Board meeting on Aug. 22.

Johnson suggested a specific time period be included.

Brown stated there had been an incident where someone bought several acres and built a dirt track just a block from the office right in the middle of town which created complaints from the neighbors.

Widener stated the current noise ordinance targeted construction and states 7 a.m.-10 p.m. was the allowable time.

Heckman stated with regards to construction, there is a time when the construction will end, but in the situation of the dirt bikes, go-karts and other off road vehicles, that noise would continue and happen daily.

Metzler suggested this issue was similar to the barking dog ordinance. His department would respond to complaints. He stated they do not go out looking for barking dogs. He stated the additional regulations would give the police a tool in order to address and handle the complaint.

Widener stated it was difficult to dissect everything but stated perhaps including a buffer or density issue could be considered.

Brown stated this could be discussed in the next few days and an amended Ordinance could be brought back next week.

Harpst asked if there were other ordinances to address ATVs, on Village streets.

Metzler stated the vehicle code addressed those issues.

Evans stated the language of license drivers and registered vehicles had also been included in the new proposed language.

Metzler stated golf karts have come up several times since he had been employed with the Village.

Colravy stated if the noise is the issue, it doesn’t matter how big the area is, complaints could still happen. He did agree that larger areas could do something to reduce the news.

Brown stated as more and more development occurs these type of issues would be raised.

Administrator’s Report:

Departmental Reports:

Water/Wastewater:

Harpst asked how many shut offs occur for non-payment. Schacht stated Sproul may have a better idea. Sproul estimated 10 a month.

Transportation:

Brown stated a lot had happened in this department last month.

He stated staff had started marking trees for removal.

He noted that the oil and chip and boiler slag projects had been completed.

Brown stated Heid and Crowley would be helping out with preparation for the Festival.

Harpst asked if IDOT had mowed the approach to Route 150. Brown stated the request had been made but IDOT only mows twice a year. Brown stated Crowley would probably mow it if IDOT does not come back.

Brown stated Staff had been working with developers in order to convince them to mow their property to the road or at least as close as they can. Brown stated some have complied. He added that the HOA for Hunter’s Ridge was informed they were required to mow to the road just like Sandy Ridge Subdivision.

Lynn stated there was an island on Tin Cup and Lake Drive where the weeds are extremely high. Brown stated the township maintained some of the county areas, but he was not sure who was responsible for that area.

Parks and Recreation:

Brown stated Soccer started last Saturday and was underway.

Police/ESDA:

Widener asked about animal calls. Mike stated there has not been an increase, for the calls that had come in the department had been successful in addressing the issues, now that they no longer use the County services.

Metzler stated there have been repeat offenders that end up costing their owners quite a bit of money.

Economic Development/Planning:

He stated there has been a lot of coordination with department staff to get and keep projects progressing.

He stated progress has been evident on the Churchill and Main Street projects.

Brown stated staff has directed people looking for space to these areas.

Mayor’s Report:

August Meeting Calendar:

Widener stated the August Board meeting would be held August 22, 2017 at 6:00 p.m.

Lynn stated the Legion would not be involved in the Festival this year. He stated it was not worth it financially for them.

Widener stated applications had been used for food vendors and tried to select one of each type of vendor.

Widener reviewed the festival committee and the Village officials and staff that have volunteered. He stated there were still openings for volunteer positions if anyone was interested in helping out.

Widener stated there was something new this year and explained the “Upgrade Ticket”. He stated a tent was being provided for individuals who purchased the ticket and would provide, shelter, chairs, refreshments and a private porta-potty.

New Business:

Harpst stated he had been receiving complaints that residents of County Ridge are contacting the Police Dept. about speeders on County Ridge Drive. He asked the status on the decision for a stop sign to slow people down.

Brown stated he talked to a resident and explained it is residents who are the not people passing through and he also told them

Mike stated the trailer had been placed there once or twice and he believed the data collector was plugged in. He stated he can do that again in order to show the speeds and frequency of the speeders.

Brown stated 2 speed signs that are mobile have been purchased. He stated they would be used in areas that the pattern needed to change and then they would be moved elsewhere. He stated the flashing indicator could be turned off and still record the data. He added that they could be turned off, collect the data and then turned on for 3 months.

Lynn stated he had been approached with a complaint about the speed reduction in front of Thornewood on Route 47. Brown stated the State implemented that reduction.

Metzler stated there had also been an increase in passing in non-passing zones.

Colravy reminded everyone to buy their ducks for the Duck Race being held on August 26th.

He stated ducks would be for sale Saturday morning at the IGA or from other sources.

Adjournment:

Harpst moved, Johnson seconded, “To Adjourn at 7:10 p.m.”. Roll Call: All Yes. Motion carried.

http://www.mahomet-il.gov/vertical/Sites/%7B8D137460-5EE3-4B54-9DF0-146867CF080D%7D/uploads/8-SS_08152017_minutes_Study_Session_as_approved.pdf