Chambana Sun

Village of Mahomet Board of Trustees met April 9

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

1. CALL TO ORDER: Meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: After the pledge a moment of silence was held in remembrance of Former Mahomet Seymour Coach John Dutton.

3. ROLL CALL: Mohr called the roll, Trustees Colravy, Tompkins, Harpst, Preston, Oliger and Metzger are all present. Additionally, Sean Widener – Village President, Patrick Brown – Village Administrator, Joe Chamley – Village Attorney, Eric Crowley – Transportation Superintendent, Mike Metzler – Chief of Police and Dawn Mohr – Village Clerk are all present.

4. PUBLIC COMMENT: No public comment presented.

5. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND OTHER ACTIONS:

A. TRANSPORTATION:

1. A Resolution Authorizing the Award of the Curbside Brush and Tree Limb Collection to Mahomet Landscapes for the Collection Week not to Exceed Amount of $18,900.00. Crowley explains that Mahomet Landscape was the only company that submitted a bid and highlighted the terms of the bid. Metzger questioned whether the rate was ever less than the $18,900, the answer was yes there are times when the work load is lighter and the expense is less. Harpst asked if there would be an occasion when the maximum amount would have been met before completion and would they continue the pick up in such an event. Crowley answered that they would still complete the week. Crowley also explained that there have been changes to the pick up program that should help reduce the time spent. Metzger asked if there was a limit of material on the monthly drop offs and Crowley answered no there is no limit. Widener asked if there were any other questions or comments, none are presented. Widener called for a motion to move the resolution to the consent agenda, Colravy moved and Tompkins seconded. Mohr called the roll ALL VOTES YES 6-0. Resolution is moved to the consent agenda.

B. ADMINISTRATION:

1. A Resolution Authorizing the Village Administrator to Execute Orders for Purchasing & Leasing Vehicles. Brown explains that this item is something that has to be renewed each year for the duration of the program. Widener asks if there are any questions or comments, none are presented. Widener calls for a motion to move the item to the consent agenda. Preston moved and Tompkins seconded. Mohr called the roll ALL VOTES YES 6-0. Resolution is moved to the consent agenda.

6. ADMINISTRATORS REPORT:

A. Departmental Reports:

1. Engineering. Brown briefly goes over the report and then states that the bid is open for the downtown first phase project. Metzger asks if the timeframe is going to work for the music festival. Brown answers that there are safeguards in the contract to allow downtown to host the festival. Will the project be complete, no, but it is to be at a point where it is safe to use for the festival. Harpst questioned if it is going to effect the car show, Brown answered that the show would be moved further east to avoid the 400 block of Main Street. Brown states that he and Ellen both have been in communication with Nick and Justin Taylor in reference to the details and logistics. Brown also states that the soda fest will not be impacted by the construction.

2. Transportation:

3. Water/Wastewater

B. Preliminary FY 2025 Budget and FY 2025-2029. Brown states that staff is 2 weeks away from submitting the budget for their review.

7. MAYOR’S REPORT:

A. April 2024 Board Meeting Calendar Widener asks if there are going to be any absences for the upcoming. No members plan to be absent.

1. April 16, 2024, Study Session 6:00 PM

2. April 23, 2024, Board of Trustees Meeting 6:00 PM

3. April 29, 2024 Joint Meeting with School Board 7:00 PM

B. Arbor Day Proclamation: Proclaiming April 26th as Arbor Day in the Village of Mahomet. Widener reads the proclamation aloud and declares April 26th is Arbor Day in the Village of Mahomet.

8. NEW BUSINESS: Widener gives an update on the Governors attempt to repeal the 1% grocery tax. He reiterates that this tax is not a tax the state actually recieves. It is a local tax and the Village of Mahomet grosses $350,000 annually. He states that he would like the trustees to think about the impacts to the Village and whether they would support the Village maintaining the tax for groceries. Oliger asked what the impact the tax has on families. Is it a large amount of money on average. Widener did a quick figure and it would impact roughly $70 annually based on 10,000 residents. Metzger states that yes it is a large amount of money for the Village to lose however he would like to see real numbers on how it impacts the village with budget cuts. Widener asks Brown how much does a new officer cost the Village. Brown answers for the last 2 hires roughly $200,000 is spent, he broke down a few expenses that a new officer would require. Widener asked Crowley what a new tandem truck would cost, Crowley answered. Widener agreed with Metzger about the budget being tightened up however we don’t have a lot of fluff in the budget to begin with. Preston states that Mahomet is a growing community and that at a time of growth it is not wise to take away quality of life and or security for the residents. Metzger thanked Widener for understanding examples he was looking for. Tompkins stated that people want to see the numbers and impact. Harpst stated that it isn’t just Schucks that is effected by the Village not repealing the tax. That it is anywhere that sells groceries i.e. chips Colravy stated that he did not want to lose a tax that we may not be able to get back in the future. That his concern would be to lose services already in place. Widener states that he would like the Trustees to think more about the topic and that they could talk about it again at the next meeting.

9. ADJOURNMENT: Widener calls for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Oliger moved and Metzger seconded. Mohr called the roll, ALL VOTES YES 6-0. Meeting adjourned at 6:51 PM. 

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