Peoria Standard

Village of Bellevue Village Board met Nov. 23.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

I. CALL TO ORDER

The Village of Bellevue Mayor Merriman called the Village of Bellevue meeting to order at the Village Hall.

The Meeting was called to order at 6:04 p.m.

II. ROLL CALL

Mayor Merriman asked for Roll Call Attendance to be taken by Mrs. Pesch, acting Village Clerk.

Present: Trustee Aaron Lannert, Trustee Judith Wight, Trustee Martin Schuettler, Trustee Sandra Cooper, Trustee Leroy Wiseman

Absent: Trustee Jenny Wilson

Also in Attendance: Mayor Dean Merriman; Lane Alster, Village of Bellevue Attorney; Steve Wilson, Village Public Works; Matt Raible, Village Zoning Officer; Deputy Vincent Cogdal, Peoria County Sheriff’s Department; Theresa Noel, Village Treasurer

III. APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 9, 2021 MINUTES

Trustee Lannert moved to approve the November 9, 2021 minutes. Trustee Wight seconded the motion. There was no further discussion.

Voice Vote: All Ayes

Motion Passed

IV. APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 23, 2021 BILLS

Trustee Lannert moved to approve the November 23, 2021 Village of Bellevue bills. Trustee Wight seconded the motion. There was no further discussion.

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: 5

Nays: 0

Motion Passed

V. DISCUSSION FROM RESIDENTS

Chad Murphy, Village of Bellevue resident, brought up concerns regarding drug issues in the Village. Trustee Lannert suggested to work with the landlord in regards to the issue. Mr. Murphy stated that he could smell the odor in his home from the drugs. Mayor Merriman commented about getting a warrant. Deputy Cogdal informed Board members that he has put out messages for the third shift Peoria County Sheriff’s Department. It is a frustrating issue. Deputy Cogdal mentioned that he has done what he can on his shift. An email was sent out to all Lieutenants and Detectives in the Peoria County Sheriff’s Department. Attorney Alster inquired about the Peoria County Commanding Officer in charge of narcotics. Deputy Cogdal responded that the Peoria County Sheriff’s Department no longer has a narcotics division. Mayor Merriman stated that he would contact Captain Watkins. Trustee Lannert said that he was concerned about Mr. Murphy’s property and safety. Deputy Cogdal stated that several individuals have been arrested for selling drugs in the area. Every single car has been documented and 75 names of people have been reported in connection with the house next to Mr. Murphy’s home. Deputy Cogdal said that he will do everything he can to help with the situation. To get them evicted is a better scenario than being arrested. Mayor Merriman asked Mr. Murphy to get the name of the landlord. Mayor Merriman said that the Village could try condemning the property and clean it up. Attorney Alster stated that the Village might have enough evidence for a nuisance violation.

VI. DISCUSSION FROM BOARD/EMPLOYEES

Trustee Lannert inquired about the Christmas lights this year. Mayor Merriman asked the Board members if they were interested in doing the lights as they have done the last three years. The best house would receive $100. He asked Board members to show their hands if interested in the lights this year. Trustee Lannert stated putting the information on Facebook. Most people have their lights up by the 14th.

*Item not on the agenda.

Trustee Lannert asked Board members if they were cancelling the Board meeting at the end of December. Mayor Merriman stated that it was not on the agenda and asked Board members for a show of hands to cancel the December 28, 2021 Board meeting. Mayor Merriman asked for a motion to cancel the meeting because of the close proximity to Christmas. Trustee Lannert made a motion to cancel the December 28, 2021 meeting. Trustee Wight seconded the motion. There was no further discussion.

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: 5

Nays: 0

Motion Passed

Trustee Wight thanked everyone that allowed the Food Pantry to use the Village Hall building for the past two months. There was over 600 people during this time.

Trustee Cooper stated that she had a couple Village homeowners call her in regards to Classy Grass burning in the Village. The smoke was really bad. Mayor Merriman asked Mr. Raible if he had talked to the business owner. Mr. Raible stated that he had a discussion with them. Trustee Cooper wanted to personally thank Trustee Wight for her dedication with the Food Pantry. Trustee Wight has helped a lot of elderly people.

VII. DISCUSSION OF PURCHASE OF TIRES FOR F550 DUMP TRUCK

Mr. Wilson shared the estimate information with Board members. Trustee Lannert commented that he would like to keep the business local but the prices were significantly different.

Mayor Merriman informed Board members that Brian’s quote was $1,834.00 and Gem City Tires had a quote of $1,327.44. Mr. Wilson commented that Brian Stufflebeam does not get a government discount like the other business. Mayor Merriman asked for a motion to accept the bid from Gem City Tires for the Ford 550 truck. Trustee Lannert made a motion to accept the bid from Gem City Tires. Trustee Wight seconded the motion. There was no further discussion.

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: 5

Nays: 0

Motion Passed

*Item not on the agenda

Mayor Merriman asked for a motion to appoint Susan Pesch as the acting Village Clerk. This will be until she decides to be the full-time Village Clerk or does not want to do it at all. Trustee Lannert made a motion for Susan Pesch to be the acting Village Clerk. Trustee Wight seconded the motion. There was no further discussion.

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: 5

Nays: 0

Motion Passed

VIII. DISCUSSION BOSCH ROAD LOAN PAYMENT

Mayor Merriman informed Board members that the payment of the concrete for Bosch Road comes due on December 2nd or 12th, This is the payment of the Bosch Road TIF (Tax increment financing). Mrs. Noel commented that it was due on December 1st. Mayor Merriman stated that he is going to proceed and use the $29,000 and round it up to $100,000 and pay off one of the five notes that the Village is carrying. Mrs. Noel stated that the checks were written. She explained that the Village took out $500,000 over six loans. They are interest only loans. Every year one will become due to be paid off completely. They should be paid off in five years. Mrs. Noel said that she wanted to inform Board members.

IX. DISCUSSION OF AMERICAN RELIEF FUNDS

Attorney Alster stated that he gave Board members a handout with the information. I pulled the actual government issued questions, as to how the money could be spent. They expect every community to come up with their own use of the money and how they are going to spend it with a broad category. The money needs to be tied to COVID relief. We have the money that we can allot for whatever purpose and determine how the money is spent based on the guidelines. Attorney Alster gave examples with the business and residential options. Come up with a plan and adopt it. If the Government says it is used improperly, the money needs to be paid back. There is literature on how other municipalities are spending the money. There is a broad range of things that we could do. It is the decision of the Board members. Mayor Merriman asked Board members to think about ideas on how the money can be disbursed. We have $280,000. I would like to use the money for drainage and waste water. It would be foolish not to do some of that work. We will get the ball rolling at the next meeting.

X. VILLAGE SPEED BUMPS

Mayor Merriman asked for a show of hands in regards to the speed bumps. He asked Board members if they wanted the speed bumps. It has been on the agenda for two months. Board members were not interested at this time in regards to the speed bumps.

*Item not on the agenda.

Trustee Lannert inquired about the CD (certificate of deposit) from Busey Bank. Mrs. Noel stated that the CD matured on Sunday. She commented that the funds would be deposited in the general reserve account. She explained Sweep accounts to the Board members. The Village has two Sweep accounts currently, the general reserve and MFT (motor fuel tax) reserve account. CD rates are terrible. The best rate is at CEFCU. The Sweep account funds are insured and the money is available as needed.

XI. DISCUSSION OF CULVERT EXENDITURES-Mayor Merriman removed this item from the agenda until the next meeting.

XII. DISCUSSION TO ALLOCATE MFT FUNDS FOR VILLAGE STREETS FOR NEXT YEAR

Mayor Merriman commented that Mr. Wilson has the bids for the paving of the streets. We have $200,000 to spend or a little less. Mr. Wilson gave Board members options and repair estimates for the work. The section on Anna is in bad shape from Main St. to the bridge. Mayor Merriman stated that Board members need to decide which section to repair and stay under the $200,000. Board members discussed the work to be completed and whether to tar and chip or resurface sections. Money would be taken out of general funds for the labor. Trustee Lannert made a motion to explore widening the road a couple of feet from Main Street to the bridge with laying tar and chip on the section of the bridge to Anna. Trustee Wight seconded the motion. Mayor Merriman stated that the work would consist of repaving Clausen Road from Main Street to the 474 overpass and explore making it two feet wider so there is more room to walk on. There was no further discussion.

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: 5

Nays: 0

Motion Passed

XIII. APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE

Attorney Alster reviewed Ordinance 807 with the Board members. He commented that information was sent out four weeks ago in the mail. Trustee Lannert made a motion to approve the Village Ordinance to levy the taxes for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. Trustee Wight seconded the motion. There was no further discussion.

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: 5

Nays: 0

Motion Passed

XIV. ADJOURNMENT

Mayor Merriman asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Wight made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Lannert seconded the motion. There was no further discussion.

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: 5

Nays: 0

Motion Passed

MEETING ADJOURNED AT 6:51 p.m.

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