Peoria Standard

Village of Bellevue Board of Trustees met June 28.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

I. CALL TO ORDER

The Village of Bellevue Mayor called the Village of Bellevue meeting to order at the Village Hall. He indicated that an audio tape recording was made of all discussions during the Regular Session.

The Meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.

II. ROLL CALL

Mayor Merriman asked for Roll Call Attendance to be taken by Mrs. Pesch. Mrs. Pesch stated that all visitors needed to sign their name on the visitor’s sheet.

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

Absent: None

Also in Attendance: Mayor Dean Merriman; Steve Wilson, Village Public Works; Matthew Raible, Village Zoning Officer; Theresa Noel, Village Treasurer; Susan Pesch, Village Clerk; Kathie Brown, Greater Peoria Economic Development Council Director of Rural Outreach and Development; Jimmy Johnson, Village Resident; Ross Pesch, Village Resident; Francis Heskett, Village Resident; Marcia Merriman, Village Resident; Terry Elston, Village Resident

III. ACTION ITEMS

A. Trustee Wight moved to approve the Regular Session Minutes held on June 14, 2022. Trustee Lannert seconded the motion. Trustee Wight stated that the minutes reflected information that Jimmy Johnson has been in business for 25 years. She commented that Jimmy has been in business for 32 years and requested the minutes to be amended to reflect the correct years.

Voice Vote: All Ayes

Motion Passed

B. Trustee Lannert moved to approve the Bills for June 28, 2022. Trustee Wiseman seconded the motion. There was no further discussion.

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: 5

Nays: 0

Motion Passed

C. Mayor Merriman asked for a motion to appoint Ross Pesch as the replacing Trustee for Jenny Wilson. Trustee Lannert made a motion to appoint Ross Pesch as Trustee. Trustee Wight seconded the motion. There was no further discussion.

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: 5

Nays: 0

Motion Passed

D. Mayor Merriman asked for a motion to appoint Francis Heskett as the new Zoning Board Member. Trustee Lannert made a motion to appoint Francis Heskett as the new Zoning Board Member. Trustee Wiseman seconded the motion. Mayor Merriman informed Board members that Tommy Schafer had resigned from the Zoning Board.

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: 6

Nays: 0

Motion Passed

IV. PRESENTATION FROM THE AUDIENCE

Mayor Merriman thanked the visitors in attendance and gave them an opportunity to address the Village Board.

Kathie Brown informed Board members that Peoria County is taking part in the Broadband Internet Survey through the Economic Development Council. They made an application to the State of Illinois for the Broadband Planning Program. Communities across Illinois are working to enhance Broadband service. She encouraged individuals to participate in the survey. Families have limited access. The map outlines the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) guidelines of what is adequate service. Anything that reflects below service as indicated on the map is considered unserved and inadequate. The federal money is to help support these areas. There is a lot of work to do in the Region to stay competitive. Ms. Brown commented that she is visiting many communities and collecting data. The survey is open until mid-July. She gave each Board member a document with information. I3 is a great local company. They are doing work around the Region. Stratus is another Peoria-based company. They serve OSF and businesses within the Peoria area. Board members discussed broadband within the Village. Mayor Merriman stated that Comcast pays the Village a franchise fee. The Village could entertain a possible change once the contract comes due. Attorney Alster takes care of the contract. Ms. Brown stated that there are programs to offer a reduced rate. There is the American Connection Program. It is a complicated process. Mayor Merriman thanked her for attending the meeting and giving them the information.

Jimmy Johnson inquired about who had fixed the water issue in front of Wilson’s house. Mr. Wilson stated that he redirected the water to the creek. A resident stated that her basement is leaking and she had to pay $10,000 due to how the road slopes down on Byron Court. There is no drainage system. She stated having pictures of the water. It is like a river of water going through the yard. Mayor Merriman said that the water issue has been that way since he delivered papers when he was 13 years old. She asked Board members if something could be done. Mayor Merriman stated that they could contact the engineer Mohr & Kerr in regards to putting curbs and gutter to redirect the water.

A resident mentioned that there are a couple of kids riding bikes and motorized bikes in the street. He asked if someone could speak to the parents and was worried the child might get hit. Mayor Merriman said that they could find out and speak with the parents and the individual riding the motorized bike.

Mr. Heskett inquired about cutting weeds at the property, Magoo’s, on Plank Rd.

V. NON-AGENDA BUSINESS BY BOARD MEMBERS AND VILLAGE EMPLOYEES

Mayor Merriman asked if there was any non-agenda business to be brought before the Board from either Village Trustees or the Village Employees.

Mr. Wilson informed Board members that the Shar Inn has been having smoke parties. Peoria County might have taken possession of the property for back taxes. Mr. Wilson stated that it needs to be boarded-up.

Trustee Pesch thanked Board members for giving him the opportunity and looks forward to working with the Mayor and Board members.

Trustee Wight thanked Steve and Matt for cleaning out her culvert.

VI. ACTION ITEMS

A. Item removed from the agenda.

Ordinance Amending Ordinance 446 Liquor Control Ordinance

Trustee Wight inquired about a grandfather clause in regards to Jimmy’s liquor license and thought Jimmy was grandfathered in for the 4:00 a.m. liquor license. Mayor Merriman stated that the Village Attorney informed him that there is no such thing as a grandfather clause liquor license. Trustee Wight asked if Jimmy could be the only one to have a 4:00 a.m. liquor license. Mayor Merriman stated that it has been tabled for an indefinite period. Trustee Wight asked why it had been tabled. Mayor Merriman commented that the Attorney advised the Village that Jimmy would sue the Village if they took his 4:00 a.m. liquor license. Trustee Wight asked if there could be an ordinance only for Jimmy to have a 4:00 a.m. license. She explained that they would not issue others for 4:00 a.m. except Jimmy’s liquor license. Mayor Merriman stated this would be a mandate not an ordinance and they needed to wait for Attorney Alster to discuss it. Trustee Cooper asked if Jimmy’s liquor license is being renewed. Mayor Merriman responded that he was renewing liquor licenses the following day. Jimmy Johnson asked what he would do if the Village decided 3 or 4 years down the road to take his liquor license away again. Trustee Wiseman stated that it was discussed to take it away because of the problems from 2:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. Trustee Wiseman informed Mr. Johnson that other 4:00 a.m. liquor licenses were stopped a long time ago. Other people have asked for a 4:00 a.m. license and the Village has denied it. Trustee Wiseman asked that trouble be kept to a minimum. Individuals with a 2:00 a.m. license would be getting the same conversation.

B. Trustee Lannert made a motion to approve the Ordinance Defining Meeting and Adopting Procedures for Electronic Attendance at Meetings. Trustee Pesch seconded the motion. Mayor Merriman stated that individuals would be able to sit at home and join meetings virtually if unable to attend in person. Board members briefly discussed electronic ways for the meetings. Mayor Merriman said that meetings could be by phone. This is the latest federal mandate. The Village needs to approve the ordinance. Language was used from the Illinois Municipal League. Using this language and format will save legal fees.

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: 5

Nays: 1

Motion Passed

VII. INFORMATION / DISCUSSION ITEMS

A. Next Village of Bellevue Meeting – July 12, 2022.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT

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

Voice Vote: All Ayes

Motion Passed

MEETING ADJOURNED AT 6:37 p.m.

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