Peoria Standard

Village of Bellevue Board of Trustees met Jan. 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 the Village Clerk.

Present: Mayor Dean Merriman, Trustee Aaron Lannert, Trustee Sandra Cooper, Trustee Paul Eichhorn, Trustee Judith Wight, Trustee Leroy Wiseman, Trustee Ross Pesch

Absent:

Also in Attendance: Attorney Lane Alster; Steve Wilson, Village Maintenance; Matthew Raible, Village Zoning Officer; Susan Pesch, Village Clerk; Theresa Johanson; Brian Stufflebeam, Village Business Owner; Tim Menefee, Village Business Owner; Terry Elston, Village Resident; Deputy Winder, Peoria County Sheriff’s Department

III. ACTION ITEMS

A. Trustee Wight moved to approve the Regular Session Minutes and Executive Session Minutes held on December 12, 2023. Trustee Eichhorn seconded the motion.

Voice Vote: All Ayes

Motion Passed

B. Trustee Wight moved to approve the bills for January 09, 2024. Trustee Pesch seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: 6

Nays: 0

Motion Passed

IV. PRESENTATION FROM THE AUDIENCE

*All public comments are limited to 3 minutes per person

Mr. Menefee informed the Board members that there is a property on Starr Lane that needs to be cleaned up. The resident is dumping garbage in the backyard. The garbage is running onto his property. Attorney Alster said that he was over there in the spring and will go back. Mr. Menefee said that he asked one of the residents to attend a meeting to discuss the situation. The trash looks horrible as people drive into the Village. Mayor Merriman asked if pictures could be taken. Attorney Alster stated that public pictures can be taken.

Mr. Stufflebeam stated that the new hall looks very nice. He was informed that the property taxes have been raised and possibly a sales tax increase. Mayor Merriman responded that they are researching information to raise the Village sales tax. Mr. Stufflebeam stated that the Village already receives 1% sales tax. The Village should check into what other municipalities are receiving before raising the sales tax. Adding 1% is a good jump. Mayor Merriman said that the Village has not gotten a breakdown. Mr. Stufflebeam stated that the Village needs to check and make sure each business owner has an up-to-date license. There are a lot of businesses in the Village. The Village should make sure that revenue is received from each business owner. People on Bosch Rd. might assume that they are in Bartonville. Mayor Merriman said that the Village is in the research stage. Mr. Stufflebeam commented that it will be the first time in years that it will be increased. Mayor Merriman said that property taxes should have been raised 6 or 7 years ago. Mr. Wilson stated that property taxes have not gone up enough to make a dent for the Village. Mayor Merriman said that the Village does not make enough in property taxes to even pay for snow plowing. Mr. Stufflebeam responded that he would rather see the sales tax go up .25% instead of 1%.

Officer Winder informed the Board members that residents need to keep their doors and car doors locked. The vehicle burglaries have quieted down. Residents should not keep their keys in the car.

Mr. Elston commented that the Village is losing money on the variances. It is costing the Village approximately $500 each time.

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

Mr. Wilson stated that the Village needs to look at raising sales tax in the Village to generate money. Sidewalks will need to be replaced in the future. The Village could increase the sales tax by .50% or 1.00%. Attorney Alster responded that the Village could discuss it at the next meeting.

Trustee Cooper stated that she has been following the community page. Several people have complimented Matt and Steve and appreciate them.

Trustee Cooper asked if there are security cameras at the new hall. Mayor Merriman stated that there are security cameras in several areas.

Trustee Wight thanked Steve and the guys for all of their hard work.

Trustee Wight stated that everyone on the Board needs to give Susan an apology. No one stopped the negative and hateful comments that were previously made. Residents cannot bad mouth others. The cussing needs to stop. Board members should not have to put up with this at meetings.

Trustee Pesch thanked Steve, Matt, and Michael for all of their work on the new Village Hall. It is a point of pride for the Village.

Trustee Pesch thanked Trustee Wight for sticking up for Susan and echoes her sentiments. Trustee Pesch stated that it was not appropriate at that particular meeting for him to make comments.

VI. ACTION ITEMS

A. Trustee Lannert moved to approve the employment hourly rate for Michael Mosher to $24.00, full medical insurance coverage, and IMRF. Trustee Wiseman seconded the motion. Board members inquired about Mr. Mosher having a CDL license. Mr. Wilson stated that he needs to take the test.

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: 6

Nays: 0

Motion Passed

B. Trustee Wight moved to approve the purchase 1800 gallons of diesel fuel. Trustee Eichhorn seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: 6

Nays: 0

Motion Passed

C. Trustee Wight moved to approve the lumber purchase. Trustee Eichhorn seconded the motion. Mayor Merriman informed Board members that Pekin High School has offered to build the Village a table for the new hall. It will cost an estimated $4,000 for lumber purchase. Trustee Pesch stated that Mr. Wilson designed the new table. The Village will not have to pay for the labor cost.

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: 5

Nays: 0

Abstain: 1

Motion Passed

D. Trustee Lannert moved to approve the fee to $200 for a solar permit fee and $200 fee if the homeowner requests an electrical service inspection. Trustee Pesch seconded the motion. Attorney Alster stated that the Village could adopt a new fully updated fee schedule.

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: 6

Nays: 0

Motion Passed

E. Trustee Pesch moved to approve the video gaming fee per machine to $50.00. Trustee Wight seconded the motion. Mr. Wilson stated that if the Board starts raising the fee to $300, you will start losing businesses. Trustee Pesch reviewed revenue data with the Board members. He commented that he thinks the fee should be raised. He asked Board members if they wanted to increase the fee to $300 or raise it to $100 and hold it there. Trustee Lannert asked if that was $100 or $300 per machine. Trustee Pesch stated that he does not think that the Board wants to raise it to $300. Mayor Merriman commented that the Board quit collecting fees for pool tables and dart machines. Trustee Lannert commented is it worth raising the fee and doubling it, even if it was $50 per machine. The Village is making over $100,000 per year in revenue. These establishments are not corporations. They are Mom and Pop businesses. We are raising a stink over $1,000 and still making over $100,000 that we have never had before. This is an average of $10,000 per month and we are going to worry about raising their permits. The people that have the machines are local and have families to feed. They are not getting rich. I would hate to lose an establishment. Trustee Pesch asked Mayor Merriman if he was fine with increasing the fee for each machine to $50. Mayor Merriman stated that he was comfortable raising the video gaming fee to $50 for each machine. Trustee Pesch stated that the Board had a couple of individuals previously inquire about gaming parlors. Trustee Lannert stated that he is not comfortable adding more bars in the community. There was discussion about the number of gaming machines that are currently in the Village and the revenue that is received annually. There was concern whether adding additional bars and gaming facilities would be needed for Bellevue.

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: 4

Nays: 2

Motion Passed

VII. INFORMATION/DISCUSSION ITEMS

A. Next Village of Bellevue Meeting – January 09, 2024

VIII. ADJOURNMENT

Mayor Merriman asked for a motion to adjourn. Trustee Pesch moved to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Eichhorn seconded the motion.

Voice Vote: All Ayes

Motion Passed

Meeting Adjourned @ 6:50 p.m.

https://villageofbellevueil.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Minutes-01-09-2024-amended.pdf