Peoria Standard

Village of Bellevue Board of Trustees met Aug. 9.

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.

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

Absent: Trustee Judith Wight, Trustee Ross Pesch

Also in Attendance: Mayor Dean Merriman; Attorney Lane Alster; Steve Wilson, Village Public Works; Matthew Raible, Village Zoning Officer; Susan Pesch, Village Clerk; Village Business Owner Tim Menefee

III. ACTION ITEMS

A. Trustee Lannert moved to approve the Regular Session Minutes held on July 26, 2022. Trustee Schuettler seconded the motion. There was no further discussion.

Voice Vote: All Ayes

Motion Passed

B. Trustee Lannert moved to approve the Bills for August 9, 2022. Trustee Wiseman seconded the motion. There was no further discussion.

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: 4

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.

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 the Board that he would be on vacation September 7th which is the clean-up date. He asked if the Village should put it off for the week. Mayor Merriman stated that it would be difficult to postpone it and that he would assist Mr. Raible. He commented that others were welcome to volunteer.

Trustee Lannert asked for clarification on the Hamptons Crossing retention pond. He commented that he was under the impression that the Village was liable for any fines. At the last meeting, Attorney Alster stated that as long as the Village of Bellevue does their due diligence to inform the property owner of the problem, the Village would not receive the fine.

Mayor Merriman stated the people want to ignore the situation. They think it is going to go away or it would go to the vote for taxpayers and they could vote it down. There are enough votes out there, if it is explained to the people in the other part of town, it could be passed.

Attorney Alster commented that the Village has an obligation formally to notify the property owner to have the issues resolved and avoid negligence.

Mr. Wilson stated that he would contact the Erosion Control Manager at the IEPA.

Mayor Merriman said that a small group of people in the Hamptons Crossing are against forming the HOA. If they control the HOA, they could set their own restrictions and maintain the retention pond. Mayor Merriman also stated that he has not heard from anyone in regards to a meeting.

Attorney Alster stated that the Declaration of Restrictions in the Hamptons Crossing is a legally binding document filed in Peoria County. The Village needs to get firm answers from the IEPA. He stated that he is willing to go to a meeting with the residents. The Village has no way to compel them to form the HOA. The Village is willing to solve a problem that is falling on one of their residents by spending $40,000-$100,000 to avoid drainage issues and also to avoid raising the money in another way. The Village was offering labor and free services to correct the situation. The Village would then work with the HOA moving forward to ensure proper maintenance. The Village has ARPA funds to use towards correcting the issues with the retention pond. There is a time limit for the Village to spend the ARPA funds. Time restraints are going to pass due to the weather.

Mr. Menefee stated that this is not a unique situation with Hamptons Crossing. It happened in Trails Edge in Peoria and is happening to other subdivisions in Peoria. The City of Peoria is not helping the property owners in those subdivision. Mr. Menefee commented that to make things clear, the Village of Bellevue is willing to use their ARPA funds to pay for the issues with the retention pond in the Hamptons Crossing even though they are not responsible for it. The HOA that should have been formed, should be responsible. Because the HOA was never formed and one of the retention ponds was sold for taxes, the homeowner that purchased the property adjacent to Denver Ct., is responsible. It is unfair to the property owner that she is in this situation. The Village is trying to help the homeowner and resolve the issue by spending their ARPA funds. This is a great solution. Mr. Menefee suggested that the Village send a letter to all residents in the Hamptons Crossing.

Trustee Lannert stated that if the Village is liable for any fines, the Village needs to take care of it and fix the issues. There needs to be a resolution to avoid a continuous issue.

Trustee Cooper inquired about the resident that lives on the corner of Closen Rd. and Schweer Ct. The weeds need to be cut in the backyard. Weeds are visible above the privacy fence. Mr. Wilson stated that this might have been taken care of today. He would have Mr. Raible check into it and issue a fine if needed.

Attorney Alster stated that the property on Middle Rd. was sold. There was conversation with the new property owner before closing. It was communicated that they need to be in compliance.

VI. EXECUTIVE SESSION

Trustee Lannert made a motion to enter into Executive Session. Trustee Schuettler seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: 4

Nays: 0

Motion Passed

Entered Executive Session at 6:40 p.m.

VII. ACTION ITEMS

A. Trustee Lannert made a motion authorizing to raise the Treasurer’s salary to $576.00 bi-weekly. Trustee Wiseman seconded the motion. There was no further discussion.

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: 4

Nays: 0

Motion Passed

VIII. INFORMATION / DISCUSSION ITEMS

A. Next Village of Bellevue Meeting – August 23, 2022

IX. ADJOURNMENT

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

Voice Vote: All Ayes

Motion Passed

MEETING ADJOURNED AT 6:48 p.m.

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