Chambana Sun

Village of Mahomet Board of Trustees met March 26.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

MEMBERS PRESENT: Bruce Colravy, Andy Harpst, David Johnson, Donald Lynn, Brian Metzger, and Bill Oliger

OTHERS PRESENT: Village President Sean Widener, Village Administrator Patrick Brown, Village Clerk Cheryl Sproul, Chief of Police Mike Metzler, Robert Kouzmanoff Finance and HR Director, and Village Attorney Joe Chamley and Amanda Reese.

CALL TO ORDER:

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/ROLL CALL:

Widener called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. After the pledge, Clerk Sproul called the roll, a quorum was present.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

None.

CONSENT AGENDA:

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. BOARD OF TRUSTEES – FEBRUARY 26, 2019

2. STUDY SESSION – MARCH 12, 2019

3. STUDY SESSION – MARCH 19, 2019

B. RESOLUTIONS, ORDINANCES AND OTHER ACTION ITEMS

1. TREASURER’S REPORT

2. BILL LIST

3. ORDINANCE 19-03-01, AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING APPROVAL AND PUBLICATION OF THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP

4. RESOLUTION 19-03-01, A RESOLUTION FOR THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES CONCERNING THE FINAL PLAT FOR PRAIRIE CROSSING FIFTH SUBDIVISION

5. RESOLUTION 19-03-02, A RESOLUTION FOR BOARD OF TRUSTEES CONCERNING THE CONSTRUCTION PLANS FOR SANGAMON FIELDS LSRD SUBDIVISION PHASE 1 VILLAGE OF MAHOMET, CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, ILLINOIS

6 ORDINANCE 19-03-02, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE VILLAGE WATER AND WASTEWATER RATES BY MODIFYING CHAPTER 55 ENTITLED “WATER AND WASTEWATER RATES AND FEES” AS HEREINAFTER PROVIDED

Lynn moved, Oliger seconded, “TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED.” ROLL CALL: ALL YES. Motion carried.

ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS (TO BE ACTED UPON)

ORDINANCE 19-03-03, ORDINANCE ANNEXING CERTAIN TERRITORY TO THE VILLAGE OF MAHOMET (SURROUNDED TRACT) (Briarcliff Subdivisions Property):

ORDINANCE 19-03-04, ORDINANCE ANNEXING CERTAIN TERRITORY TO THE VILLAGE OF MAHOMET (SURROUNDED TRACT) (Summit Ridge Subdivision Area Property),

ORDINANCE 19-03-05, ORDINANCE ANNEXING CERTAIN TERRITORY TO THE VILLAGE OF MAHOMET (SURROUNDED TRACT) (Robinson Properties, LLC Property)

Widener stated the Board discussed tabling these Ordinances until the April 23rd Board meeting and entertained a motion to do so.

Metzger moved, Harpst seconded, “TO TABLE ORDINANCE 19-03-03, ORDINANCE ANNEXING CERTAIN TERRITORY TO THE VILLAGE OF MAHOMET (SURROUNDED TRACT) (Briarcliff Subdivisions Property), ORDINANCE 19-03-04, ORDINANCE ANNEXING CERTAIN TERRITORY TO THE VILLAGE OF MAHOMET (SURROUNDED TRACT) (Summit Ridge Subdivision Area Property), and ORDINANCE 19-03-05, ORDINANCE ANNEXING CERTAIN TERRITORY TO THE VILLAGE OF MAHOMET (SURROUNDED TRACT) (Robinson Properties, LLC Property) –Without Township Highway) TO THE APRIL 23, 2019 BOARD MEETING.” ROLL CALL: ALL YES. Motion carried.

Widener stated the meeting on April 23rd would be held at the Cornbelt Training Center again to accommodate the anticipated large attendance.

Widener opened the floor to questions, comments, etc. from the public. He stated there had been quite a bit of discussion at the meeting last week. He asked those speaking to address new issues and to keep it brief.

Coleen Shultz, 1712 Sunny Acres. Began by reading “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” She stated she is a resident of the Village and the Board represents her, but she believed they should represent her fellow residents as well. She stated she was not affected by these annexations but stated she did not want to live in a community that does what they can, not what they should do. She encouraged the Trustees to treat others the way they would want to be treated.

She cautioned the Board when having a vision for the future to be careful because short sightedness would not be good in the long run. She asked them to do what is right and leave Briarcliff alone.

Margaret White, 1002 Briarcliff Mahomet, stated she wanted to address the safety reason that was given for the road. She read an email from Cornbelt Fire Chief Koller and distributed a copy to each Trustee. She stated she was present for the straw vote that the street would be eliminated but it meant nothing. She continued stating the road would increase traffic by 125%. She related her husband loss of his brother when he was hit by a car in first grade. She stated she wanted to keep the children safe in their neighborhood and did not want more traffic there.

Dani Tietz, 1004 Briarcliff, stated that the only good thing about annexing Briarcliff would be the Board would get to hear her talk more. She stated she was in St. Joe and overheard someone say, “if we aren’t growing, we are dying.” She asked how does that relate to Mahomet? She noted that she grew up in Indiana and related how Fisher Indiana started as a small community and now people are moving out of Fisher because it became inundated with commercialism and it changed the fiber of what the town was.

She stated when they moved to Mahomet in 2002, they had moved here for schools and enjoyed the connection she made with people. She stated that what brought her to Mahomet was people, not restaurants, businesses, etc.

She stated Mahomet was a community of connected individuals, but it seemed Mahomet was becoming more and more disconnected. She stated there are not more opportunities to come together just more places to build on or shop. She stated Fisher, IN died to what it was before because of growth. She encouraged the Trustees to remember what Mahomet is.

Carol Henke, 111 Karadan stated she was disturbed by verbiage in the documents that stated Summit Ridge inhibits or impedes the Village’s ability to service Ranch Lane. She stated Ranch Lane was unsafe because it was not 20 feet wide. She did not understand how their subdivision impeded Ranch Lane.

She stated she moved there 30 years ago and chose it due to the Forest Preserve, a marsh and that it had a country feel. She stated she did not believe the Village has service the roads it already has or its leaf collection to satisfaction. She stated she did not believe the Village could afford to add anymore.

Julie Quivey, 1307 Wildwood Lane, stated if all these subdivisions were annexed the Village would need to add more employees, which would be more salaries, pensions, etc. and asked if the Village would be able to add all the employees and equipment that would be needed.

Herb Grindley, 1307 Wildwood Lane stated Charles Oliger was Mayor and a very hard-working man. He added that even after a very long hard day of work, Oliger walked door to door to talk to talk to people about adding more tax dollars to Mahomet.

Grindley stated if the Village adds 300 more homes, how would the Village pay for the additional burden on Village resources to service those homes. He asked not to add to the tax burden and that if it is not broken don’t fix it.

He then went on to ask how much has been paid on attorneys instead of paying off debts that were owed. He stated the Village would be paying money to take them over and its not right. He stated families have been here over 100 years. He stated government entities need to get along and that the Village should get together with the Township.

He mentioned that every time you add houses you need more employees, etc. He said they were not racists, but do not want their property value to go down due to low income housing.

Jason Knauff, 1306 Briarcliff Drive stated he moved out of CU to be in a small town. He asked why Mahomet could’nt stop expanding? He stated the schools are already too small for the students they have now. He added he had heard the Village needed to move a railroad track. He asked why did the Village need to move the railroad track? Widener stated the new crossing was needed to cross South Mahomet Road.

He also asked where are the kids that will be living in the multifamily part of Thornewood would be going to school. He stated the schools already do not have enough room for the students they have now.

He also brought up the burning ban. He stated he looked at the regulations for leaf collection and stated they do not take ornamental grasses, and this would be a problem. He stated he burns his right now and that would create more work for him if he could not burn his ornamental grasses and the Village would not take them.

Eric Spritzer, 1315 Wildwood Lane, he stated he did not grow up in Champaign, but he came to Mahomet from Philo after he attended a funeral here. He sated they looked at 1 house and that is the house he lives in now. He stated what this town did for his son was amazing. He stated he never thought he would live in an environment like Briarcliff. He stated his son loves nature and has sensory issues, but due to the environment and the schools his son has been improving and doing very well. If you change the environment in Briarcliff he would move on somewhere else, but not everyone has those options. He added that people will move into those houses, but that he had never even considered moving until he received his letter. He stated that now, once his son graduates he will move on.

Tom Dewitt, 1308 Wildwood, stated he had lived there 40 years with great quality of life. and that he raised 7 kids.

He stated the reason they moved there was atmosphere, culture of the community, and that he raised his kids to enjoy the lake and was never afraid for the safety and security. He stated he likened living there to being on vacation. He added that now due to this, people would be forced to make some choices. He said with the increase in taxes, and the issue of the road they would be making choices too. He stated he would like to see the issue of the road to be permanently removed from the issue, so the residents do not have to worry about it coming up again in the future. He stated they also enjoy the community but may consider other options if the annexation goes through. He asked the Board to consider the impact it would have as they make their decision. He noted that he had also heard the school was already on a “watch list”.

Mary Alexander, 904 Riverview, stated she had lived there 40 years and she was now retired, but when she was working she would come home from work and it was nice to come to the nice little town of Mahomet. She added that now she was seeing beautiful trees being cleared out, which was very sad. She stated the environment was being destroyed to bring more asphalt and concrete. She stated this community was changing and stated you cannot go back once you cut down the trees and lose the habitat. She stated she was very disappointed in the direction that Mahomet was going for the children and the children’s children. She encouraged the Board to do not let the developers come in. She stated some growth was good, but they should not be allowed to rape the land.

Ron White, 1002 Briarcliff Drive, asked what the avenues would be between now and April 23rd. Widener stated the annexations were tabled to April 23rd. He noted that the Board and staff would address all of the questions of media and private residents. He encouraged people to contact him and added that there is a lot of misinformation being posted on social media.

Ron White stated he had seen a woman post something about having a 5-acre lot on South Mahomet and when she was surrounded and annexed, Village started telling them what they could and could not do and they moved out. He asked if that was the Village goal with Briarcliff. White also stated between Briarcliff and Thornewood the first issue was building a road now it seems there is a “wall”. He stated that is not good and need to figure out how to go forward.

Bud Parkhill, 808 N. Prairieview Rd., stated he did not agree with the over reach to get subdivision where people have purchased their properties to live in rural area, and it was not right for 7 people to overreach and increase these people’s taxes and tell them what to do. He stated it is morally wrong. He said Mahomet is a great community and thriving the way it is without imposing higher taxes. He added that some people would lose their homes because they cannot afford the higher taxes.

Brent Helmuth, 1310 Wildwood Lane, stated his main concern was with the road and safety. He related he has 3 small children and the oldest likes to ride his bike to his friend’s house and if the road goes through he would not be allowed to do that. He also added that his family likes to walk and if the road goes through they would not be doing that anymore. He noted that more traffic is not a good idea. He stated there are a lot of teenagers who do not pay attention or regulate their speed as they should. He stated the residents would now have to watch out for speeders and the additional people driving home from work. He stated he had lived in Country Ridge and moved because he hated the noise from the traffic on Route 47. He stated he can see deer, fox, etc and if more homes are added that will cease. He stated if you look at the Mahomet logo it is a Village not a City.

Widener stated as he stated previously, his response was he was committed to the removal of the road and the Trustees also committed to it. He stated the straw vote was not binding, but he stated as far as he was concerned the issue of the road had been taken care of and moving in the direction of eliminating the road.

Margaret White, 1002 Briarcliff asked what the benefits were to the residents of Briarcliff to annex. Widener stated those questions were answered previously.

Richard Eardley, 113 Karadan asked what the Village bond rating was. The exact rating was not known at that time, but it was noted that it had been upgraded and that Mahomet was one of two non-home rule communities to be upgraded.

Eardley requested that the annexation be added to the April 16th Study Session agenda. Widener stated public comment section is provided at each meeting, but it would not be on the agenda until April 23rd. Widener stated any new information would be heard during the public comment portion of the Study Sessions.

Eardley stated people are very angry and there would be a lot of animosity in the Village over this due to the Village telling them what to do and taking their money. He stated he does not want to walk down the street and feel this animosity and the Board should not want to feel that way either.

Eardley also asked who on the Board would benefit from these annexations, and suggested they remove themselves from voting. Widener stated there was zero conflict on this Board, but Eardley argued that a realtor would benefit from selling the houses that could go on the market because of this annexation.

Henke brought up the fact again that Summit Ridge did not impede the Village. Widener stated there were factors of consideration and not each annexation met the same factors, but the factors were a guideline for consideration. He stated there are different ways to impeded growth other than logical boundaries.

Jeff Burnet, 303 E. Franklin, stated he had been around Mahomet for a long time, and was not against growth, but was against the kind of growth that would overload the schools. He related that he had to sit in line for 45 minutes to pick up his grandson from school. He stated apartment complexes devalue properties, overload the school and end up as slums in 30 years. He added that took much “junk” is being built in Mahomet and that the people who build them do not live here, they build them and go home somewhere else.

Burnett asked how many teachers can afford to live here? He stated they love their large salaries but do not live here. Burnett stated most people live here while their children go to school and then when they graduate they move somewhere else.

Matt Vogel, 1005 Hillside Lane stated his wife was born and raised in Mahomet and she also taught here. He stated he is a teacher also but came from upper Illinois. He said he never heard of Mahomet until he got married. He added his wife convinced him to move to Mahomet, and after a lot of discussion and taking a pay cut he agreed. He stated now he had to convince his wife to not move out of Mahomet. He stated something was very wrong when someone that Mahomet has meant so much to, wants to move away because she does not recognize Mahomet anymore. He stated just because the Board was legally allowed to do this, does not make it right.

Tim Jongsma, 1208 Lakeside Lane stated he was probably one of the newest members of Briarcliffe and moved there for what everyone had been saying no traffic, no lights, wave at everyone, etc. He stated the residents do not want people telling them what to do. He stated there are already a lot of apartments in Mahomet and there was not a need for any more. He stated they love living in Mahomet that way it is, they love their neighborhood, businesses are doing great.

Cora Carlson,1210 Briarcliff, stated they in love with Briarcliff, her neighbors are her best friends, she also owns a business which they moved to Mahomet from Champaign. She asked that the Board consider that her and her neighbors do not want this.

Mary Schwenk, 1207 Charter Oaks Circle, stated they moved here 30 years ago and had lived in the Village, but then built outside of the Village, due to less regulations and more space. She stated she heard that there would be more expansion after this and asked how far this will go. She stated it is getting closer and closer to her.

Widener stated the subject annexation are the only ones being considered at this time, and they are the only ones allowed at this time. He added that time will tell what the future holds, but there are other subdivision out there that have kickers to annex upon becoming contiguous. He stated there are no “targets” out there.

There had been a statement from the audience that they had been told someone in the Lake View Subdivision was told they had to sign an annexation agreement before they could get a building permit.

Joe Goglia, 1701 Spring Lake, asked if there was a plan for annexation and a strategic plan. Widener stated there was a comprehensive plan in place and there have been 3 of them over the years. Goglia stated he found it interesting that these residents cannot vote for the Board but the Board can take their authority and force them to annex. Widener stated annexing wholly bounded property was allowed and legal through the State of Illinois.

Eardley asked how the comprehensive plan came into being. Widener stated no one on the Board was involved in the first one, but the latest one was developed through interviews, surveys etc. community wide to get an idea of what the residents saw and wanted in Mahomet for the future.

Tietz spoke and addressed the time of this issue. She stated when the Board voted on the Annexation Policy in June of 2018 Brown had stated it would be talked about in the Spring of 2019. She stated she had been told by the County that in order for Briarcliff to have a write in candidate on the ballot for Board they would have needed to be annexed by January 31st. She stated the Board waited until the last minute to send out the letters in order to make sure the Trustees had secure their positions for the next 2-4 years.

Louis Luksander, 1100 Pearl Drive, stated he had witnessed previous boards and how they worked. He stated this proposed annexation plan had a different dynamic. He stated this time it was more disconcerting. He stated this Board can make a plan and by resolution proclaim providence over a group of residents that did not get to vote for them and seize their property for taxes and control their land. He likened this to the “old country”and the reason his forefathers fled to the new world for democracy. He stated the disenfranchised are made powerless by a government they did not elect, denied constitutional rights and protection under the law, and that it is was fundamentally, morally and ethically wrong. He stated it was a direct violation of the 14th amendment and the Board should be ashamed to take the constitutional rights of your neighbors because you would not want that happening to you. He asked the Board to consider their constitutional rights.

RESOLUTION 19-03-03, A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT WITH THE ILLINOIS BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS, LOCAL NO. 26:

Widener stated this was the topic of the Executive Session last week. There being no further discussion or comments, Colravy moved, Lynn seconded, “TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 19-03-03, A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT WITH THE ILLINOIS BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS, LOCAL NO. 26.” ROLL CALL: ALL YES. Motion carried.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

PRELIMINARY FY/2020 BUDGET AND CIP DISCUSSION (PRELIMINARY CIP WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AT THE MEETING)

Brown stated his review would be brief. Brown reviewed the small changes made to the Capital Improvement Plan.

He stated on the Transportation side, projects have not been finalized and staff was still waiting for the final property tax numbers from the County. Brown stated he anticipated the preliminary budget at the end of April and the final budget at the Board meeting in May.

Brown entertained any questions from the Board and stated he would email them the work sheets for their review.

MAYOR’S REPORT:

Widener stated the meeting schedule for April would be Study Sessions on April 9 and 16 at 6:00 p.m. and the Board meeting would be held April 23, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. Widener stated the April 23rd Board meeting would be held at the Cornbelt Fire Station in their Training Center due to the large number of attendees.

Widener asked the Trustees if they anticipated any absences for April, there were none expected.

Widener stated there would be another Community Advisory Group meeting April 4th and expected information from the design team. He anticipated a good turn out and stated the last meeting there were around 100 people and they gave very good feedback. Brown stated those meeting are open to Village and non-Village residents.

Widener stated the Craft Beer Festival was scheduled for April 20th and anticipated it being a little different than last year. He anticipated it being less cramped and that Main Street would be closed a little further to the east.

NEW BUSINESS:

Johnson wanted to verify that only the Board meeting would be held at the Fire Station and the Study Sessions would be held at the Administration Building. Widener stated that was the plan.

ADJOURN:

There being no further business, Harpst moved, Oliger seconded, “TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:35 P.M.” ROLL CALL: ALL YES. Motion carried.

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