Peoria Standard

Village of Bellevue Board of Trustees met April 11.

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 Sandra Cooper, Trustee Judith Wight, Trustee Leroy Wiseman, Trustee Ross Pesch

Absent: Trustee Martin Schuettler

Also in Attendance: Attorney Lane Alster; Steve Wilson, Village Public Works; Matthew Raible, Village Zoning Officer; Theresa Johanson, Village Treasurer; Susan Pesch, Village Clerk; Peoria County Deputy Winder; Jimmy Johnson, Village Resident; Doris Cloud, Village Resident

III. ACTION ITEMS

A. Trustee Lannert moved to approve the Regular Session Minutes held on March 28, 2023. Trustee Wight seconded the motion.

Voice Vote: All Ayes

Motion Passed

B. Trustee Pesch moved to approve the Bills for April 11, 2023. Trustee Wight seconded the motion. Trustee Wight inquired about the amount of overtime. Mayor Merriman responded that no one has brought it up before. They are working on the building. Trustee Wight said that it should be an 8-hour day. It is a lot of money in overtime. She does not feel that they should have overtime when they are only working on the building. It is nothing against them because they are doing a great job. Trustee Pesch discussed the need for Mr. Wilson and Mr. Raible to work overtime on the construction at 414 S. Main St. to save the Village money. They are working their regular duties and working construction at the new Village Hall.

Trustee Lannert stated that Steve and Matt are doing a great job with the renovation project. They are saving the Village a lot of money by doing the work. It would cost more if the Village paid to have this done.

Trustee Lannert inquired about the financial status of the project. Mrs. Johanson stated that she would check into the expenses and have the total cost to date for the Board members.

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: 5

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.

Mr. Johnson said that there is a sign at Steve’s place that is blocking the view at the stop sign on the corner of Bellevue Ave. Mayor Merriman asked if it was a road construction sign. Mr. Johnson stated that it is a gambling sign.

Mr. Johnson asked Board members about the owner of the property in front of his bar and stated that he is done mowing it. He inquired about the state or Bellevue being responsible for the mowing. Mayor Merriman responded that it is the easement of the state. Mr. Johnson said that he wants the Village to mow in front of his bar. The Village is responsible, not the state. He is tired of it looking like a mess in front of his bar.

Mr. Johnson asked about the status of the drainage issue on his property. Mayor Merriman explained that the engineer looked at the property last year. The engineer stated that it was not the responsibility of the Village to fix the drainage issue. This has already been discussed between Board members.

Mr. Johnson stated that the Village needs to clean up and mow. He asked when the Village was going to hire someone for mowing. Mayor Merriman said that the maintenance position posted was more than just mowing. The position has been posted with the requirements.

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.

Trustee Lannert inquired about the status of the Hamptons retention pond. Attorney Alster stated that he has talked with the property owner’s attorney. Board members discussed that it is the responsibility of the homeowner to clean up the retention pond or start the HOA. If the HOA was formed, the Village Board members could discuss cleaning up the retention pond. Trustee Lannert stated that the ARPA funds could be used for the new Village Hall if the Hamptons do not want to do their part by forming the HOA. Trustee Pesch said that the ARPA restrictions have changed in regards to how the funds can be spent. Attorney Alster responded that the Village has approximately $130,000 from the second installment to be used.

Trustee Cooper inquired about the resident that needed a permit for her front porch. Mr. Wilson responded that she was going to tear down the porch since it was built incorrectly. Mr. Wilson stated that it needs to be built structurally safe for the resident. The resident would need to get a permit. Trustee Pesch discussed the benefits and liabilities of creating waivers for senior residents. Mayor Merriman stated that the Village has to pay for inspections. This can be costly. The majority of the fee will be applied toward the inspections. Permits are comparable with other municipalities. Mrs. Cloud stated that residents can call 211. It is a United Way Helpline. They have information that can assist seniors.

Trustee Wight informed Board members that there is a house behind her neighbor with four panels of the privacy fence that are down. The dogs behind the fence are aggressive. She asked Board members if there was anything that the Village could do, or if the homeowner could be approached to fix the fence. The dogs have tried to jump the fence. Mayor Merriman said if the dogs are vicious to call PCAPS. Matt can take a look at the fence. If it is unsafe, we can issue a ticket. Trustee Wight explained to Matt that it was Vicki and Tony. They have called PCAPS four times and nothing was done. It is the neighbor behind them. Board members discussed the location of the property with the fence down and did not know the exact address.

Trustee Wight said she has a friend that sells fireworks on Farmington Rd. She asked Board members if her friend could set something up in Bellevue. The fireworks are not left out overnight. Mayor Merriman stated that they could discuss it at the next meeting and asked for a copy of her permit.

Trustee Wiseman thanked everyone that was part of the election. He thanked current Board members and welcomed new Board members.

Trustee Wight inquired about the i3 Broadband in the area. Mayor Merriman explained that individuals would need to petition it for the Village.

VI. ACTION ITEMS

A. Approval to Purchase Copier and Maintenance Agreement.

*Item removed from the agenda.

VII. INFORMATION / DISCUSSION ITEMS

A. New Copier with Maintenance Agreement-Mayor Merriman informed Board members that Susan is checking into other companies for a new copier. Mrs. Pesch stated that she has reached out to three companies and is waiting for estimates.

B. Next Village of Bellevue Meeting – April 25, 2023

VIII. ADJOURNMENT

Mayor Merriman asked for a motion to adjourn. Trustee Lannert moved to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Wight seconded the motion.

Voice Vote: All Ayes

Motion Passed

MEETING ADJOURNED AT 6:30 p.m.

https://villageofbellevueil.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Minutes-04-11-2023.pdf