Peoria Standard

Village of Dunlap Board of Trustees met April 11.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

President of the board, Jack Fennell called the regular meeting of the Village Board of Trustees to order at 7:00p.m. Trustees present were Colleen Slane, Sheila Taylor, Jack Esterdahl, Beau Feuchter, Aaron Barrington and Bob Anderson.

Jack Esterdahl made a motion to accept the minutes from the March 14, 2018 meeting. Beau Feuchter seconded the motion. Roll call vote- all approved. Motion carried.

Bills:

The bills were reviewed as follows:

Ameren Illinois 1,794.06

BP Business Solutions 1,040.33

EB Buildings & Lumber Co. 411.79

Federal Safety Compliance 298.50

Frontier 208.13

German-Bliss Equipment Inc. 24.50

Health Care Service Corporation 4,275.80

Illinois American Water 11,319.64

Illinois Municipal Treasury Association 50.00

Martin Sullivan 3.43

Mediacom 54.99

Menard's 58.77

Miller, Hall & Triggs 4,960.10

Mohr & Kerr Engineering & Land Surveying 506.00

Office Depot 58.10

PDC Laboratories Lab 146.00

Peoria County Sheriff 1,672.09

Peoria Journal Star 96.72

Physician Mutual 277.60

Power Net Global 22.11

Pro Automotive Inc. 43.96

Quality Pavement Repair 154.10

Simmons Little Johnnies 144.00

Stellar Systems Inc. 262.50

Verizon Wireless 137.09

Wigand Disposal 92.84

Wigand Disposal Company 7,697.43

Beau Feuchter 200.00

Christina R Dean 180.00

Colleen R. Slane 240.00

Dale E. Bishop 6,186.60

Dwight D. Johnson 810.00

Jason D. McGinnis 2,543.75

John A Barrington 240.00

John C. Esterdahl 280.00

John G. Fennell, Jr. 440.00

Marcus J. Loser 4,049.07

Miranda S. Donahoo-Simpson 1,225.00

Robert S Anderson 280.00

Sheila K. Taylor 200.00

Tracy N Korger 450.00

EFPTS 4,137.62

IDOR 750.32

EFPTS 2,346.62

IDES 215.63

State Disbursement Unit 1,911.50

A motion was made by Beau Feuchter to pay the bills as presented. Bob Anderson seconded the motion. Roll call vote- all approved. Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report:

Dwight Johnson reported a normal month of spending, and on budget. A motion was made by Colleen Slane to accept the treasurer’s report, and Sheila Taylor seconded the motion. Roll call vote- all approved. Motion carried.

Dale Bishop’s Report:

Village personnel have been busy taking care of several items recently: water shutoff list, spot welding on the snow plow after recent heavy snow storm, and taking classes for water and sewer operations. Additionally, the new ceiling has been finished at the pump house. The permit for the chlorine to bleach transition has been turned in, and awaiting approval from IEPA. The water report link will be included on the back of the water bill this month. Mr. Bishop, Mr. Johnson, and Mr. Sturm had a meeting regarding road work.

Individual Communication:

Anthony Fryxell, of Tee it Up for the Troops, addressed the board about the upcoming Tee it Up event, and asked for a small donation toward the cause.

Kyle Barry, attorney, and Matthew Kauffman, with Cypress Creek Renewables, addressed the board regarding their company’s interest in developing land for a solar farm. The land is located just outside the village boundaries, and has been pre- annexed. They are looking for approval from the board to proceed with pursuing a special use permit from the Peoria County Zoning Board. Mr. Kauffman reviewed the plan and recent changes to the plan based on neighboring property owner requests. Robert Price, Marie Carmody, Peg Donahoo, Craig Campbell, Bill Kulschuch and Daniel Mangan spoke out against the proposal. Their concerns were many and included but not limited to: interruption of field tiles, solar farms transfer money to the rich, solar farms do not meet the small area plan of Peoria County, lack of trees surrounding the proposed project, unsightly appearance for neighboring properties, decreasing property values, history of farmers in this area have historically rejected similar offers out of respect for neighboring property owners, and this out of town landowner doesn’t have to live with the development. Jack Esterdahl asked if Cypress Creek is looking at any other areas for solar development. Mr. Kauffmann listed several counties including Lasalle, Bureau, and Tazewell counties for proposed projects. Aaron Barrington asked if the area is mowed and maintained. Mr. Kauffmann said yes, it would be mowed once a month. The company would plant native grasses that are slow growing. Colleen Slane asked if they were planning a project in Princeville. Mr. Kauffmann confirmed that they were planning a project in Princeville. Brad Valle, of Dunlap, spoke in favor of the project with respect to others opinions and feelings about the project. If, in fact, this proposal doesn’t move forward, he would like to see a solar power development in Dunlap. Bill Kulschuch reiterated that an approval by the Dunlap Board would be seen as an overall approval by Peoria County Zoning and asked the board to not approve the request put forth by Cypress Creek. Jack Fennell stated that although this land has been pre-annexed, the County has control over its development. If the neighboring properties were annexed into the village, there would not be a problem with denying the request. As it stands, the village could face legal action if they stand in the way of a pending development. Heated discussion followed. Bob Anderson recommended that the board decline the request with a recommendation to seek a different plot of land that would be more appropriate. Mr. Anderson supports green energy, but wants to keep Dunlap a small community, not a city.

Colleen Slane empathized with the audience as she saw a bus parking lot built across the street from her house.

Aaron Barrington requested that the audience annex into the village if they want the Village Board of Trustees to make decisions in their favor.

Jack Esterdahl stated that the board has tried to keep Dunlap a small community, and prevent Peoria from encroaching on us. That is the purpose of annexation and pre- annexation. The board should have more time to look at this particular proposal. Sheila Taylor stated that she understands the neighboring homeowners position, however, she won’t put the residents of the village in a position to defend ourselves against legal action.

Jack Fennell added the board should look at whether this particular plot of land is the right fit for a solar farm. He also reminded the board that the school district could save up to 10% on utilities.

Aaron Barrington made a motion for approval of consent for a special use application by Cypress Creek for the purpose of a solar farm. Sheila Taylor seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Aaron Barrington- no, Bob Anderson- no, Beau Feuchter- no, Jack Esterdahl- no, Sheila Taylor- yes, Colleen Slane- no. Motion denied.

Aaron Barrington made a motion for a two-minute recess. Colleen Slane seconded the motion. Roll call vote- all approved. Motion carried.

The board reassembled, and Aaron Barrington made a motion to reopen the meeting. Colleen Slane seconded the motion. Roll call vote- all approved. Motion carried

Committee Reports:

Colleen Slane- The community-wide garage sale will take place on first weekend of May. Dale Bishop, Bob Anderson, and Tracy Korger will meet with Wigand Disposal on Friday to discuss yard waste and bulk waste pickup.

Jack Esterdahl- Mr. Esterdahl met the U of I extension students, and heard several recommendations for park improvements including: signs on the trail, handicap accessibility at North Park, and addition of a dog park. The next meeting will take place on April 30th. There has been some local interest in a pickle ball court.

Jack Fennell- Mr. Fennell has asked Aaron Barrington to head up a new committee for public transportation in the village. Aaron Barrington and Bob Anderson will look into technology upgrades to Village Hall.

Bob Anderson- The Zoning Board has finalized signage ordinance.

Dwight Johnson- The census paperwork has arrived. The cemetery board will meet again in July. Mr. Johnson reviewed capital items for the FY18/19 budget. Jack Esterdahl made a motion to approve Ordinance 18-02, An Ordinance Establishing a Sign Code for the Village of Dunlap. Bob Anderson seconded the motion. Roll call vote- all approved. Motion carried.

Jack Esterdahl added that the little library boxes are complete, and the Dunlap High School students, and their teacher Jodi Hale, will decorate them before installation. 323days had a great turnout and the students enjoyed the assembly honoring them. Aaron Barrington made a motion to adjourn. Jack Esterdahl seconded the motion. Roll call vote- all approved. Motion carried

Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

http://www.villageofdunlap-il.gov/uploads/1/1/4/9/11491640/2018-04.pdf