Village of Franklin Board of Trustees met April 1.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
Mayor Paul Turpin called the regular monthly meeting of the Village of Franklin Board of Trustees to order at 7:00 pm on Monday, April 1, 2019 in the town hall. Trustees present were Jason Ford, Wyatt Smith, Josh Slaughterback, Tami Thompson and Nicole Fromme.
To begin the meeting Mayor Paul Turpin expressed his understanding that many guests were present for the meeting concerning the wind turbines. He read a letter stating the 1.5 mile jurisdiction many are concerned about is pulled from the zoning regulations from ICLS Division 13-zoning. The legal document specifically states what the Village is allowed to do and what it cannot do. Mayor Paul Turpin continued to inform the guests in order to change the 1.5 mile radius the Village would have to do a land-use study, a comprehensive plan for the zone, and finally approve an ordinance. Each would take time and money. Mayor Paul Turpin spoke with the Village attorney, Daniel Beard and the Morgan County Board.
Guest Mike Woodyard asked if Mayor Paul Turpin and the Village Board are open to the wind turbines being placed anywhere. Mayor Paul Turpin responded there is nothing that the Village can do without the land-use study and an ordinance. He stated everything is time sensitive at this point in the project; and the Village does not have enough time to conduct the things necessary to provide a 1.5 mile jurisdiction before Morgan County puts in their new ordinance. It is expected to go into place within the next couple of months and would override what the Village puts in. Mike Woodyard agreed with Mayor Paul Turpin and said he has personally looked into it also but is concerned with the counties statutory. Mike Woodyard informed the room that Douglas County is currently going through the same thing and House Bill 2998 passed the Senate in two readings and is now going on the 3rd reading before going to the Governor for signing. Mike Woodyard stated that the Bill would prevent the county’s jurisdiction from trumping the Village jurisdiction. If passed, it would go into effect Wednesday, April 3rd. Mike Woodyard also said he spoke with Brad Zellar and Dusty Douglas, County Commissioners, to see who would receive the revenue from the wind turbines and they replied the county would receive it all. Mayor Turpin replied that indeed the only financial benefit will be for the school district. Mike Woodyard expressed his concern for declining property values. Mayor Turpin said he will look into the House Bill Mike Woodyard referenced but at this point we are under the law read to the attendees at the beginning of the meeting. Mike Woodyard added that he would like to see the Village write a resolution to put a 1.5 mile buffer zone in place. Mike Woodyard said he spoke with his attorneys and there is a 1.5 mile buffer from the county for the Village but the county disagrees. Mayor Paul Turpin gave a brief explanation of what a land-use study would involve. He said it is very costly and takes a lot of time.
Guest Paul Jon Turpin asked what the next steps would be. The Village is going to look at the cost and the time to do the three things to get the mile and half buffer. The county is expected to release their ordinance in the next few weeks. Paul Jon Turpin then asked about the 1000 feet which Mike Woodyard responded it could be 1000 feet from the foundation of a home. He also said there is a larger distance from cell towers and such. Mayor Turpin informed the Town Hall the closest wind turbine that could be placed near the Village is currently measured at 4665 feet. Chris, an Apex respresentative, spoke out and said due to bat habitats, waterways, etc. the closest to the Village township is measured at 4665 feet. Paul Jon Turpin then asked about the Good Neighbor Grant Apex provides. Chris responded only if you are within a 1/2 mile of the turbine then you are eligible. Mike Woodyard said he did not believe the 4600 feet and Chris offered to measure it out with him sometime. Mayor Paul Turpin said as of this moment, unless Morgan County changes things, he has his hands tied with what exactly the Village can and can't do. Mike Woodyard agreed but feels as if the Village has a good window of opportunity to put in a resolution. Another guest, Gary Funk, asked if there would be another public hearing about the decisions made. Mayor Paul Turpin said all meetings are open to the public. The Village has done their due diligence to figure things out and make the best decisions based on the information and research they've conducted, along with the monetary side of things. Mike Woodyard asked village trustees to be more transparent and Mayor Paul Turpin said the Village Board responded to his FOIA request.
In addition, guest Tracy Leadhill Mulquin came in response to a letter her father received about the vehicle ordinance. She reported to the Board her father is an 82 year old man who's lived in the same location since 1965. He has a passion for trucks and has always kept his property in great condition. Mayor Paul Turpin spoke up and said unfortunately the ordinance reads the vehicle must be licensed, running and cannot be seen from the roadway. Tracy said she does not believe the alley is part of the Village of Franklin. Mayor Paul Turpin said they would check into that. Tracy asked if her father put a license plate on the vehicle, if that would be good enough. Mayor Turpin stated the vehicle still had to be moved every 30 days. Tracy questioned why the ordinance is all of a sudden being enforced and Mayor Paul Turpin responded the number of vehicles non-compliant with the ordinance has become substantial and the Board is working hard to clean up the Village. Tracy explained the time frame the letter provided was unreasonable in her opinion. Mayor Paul Turpin said the attorney would send out another letter of explanation if it were not cleaned up in the time allotted. The Board agreed to check the alleyway.
Village Treasurer, Heather Reed presented the Treasurer's report for March 2019. Tami Thompson made a motion to approve the Treasurer's Report for March 2019. Jason Ford seconded the motion. The voting was as follows: Wyatt Smith-yes, Josh Slaugtherback-yes, Nicole Fromme-yes, and Jason Ford-yes. The motion carried. Heather Reed then presented bills paid and to be paid for March 2019. Josh Slaughterback made a motion to accept the bills paid and to be paid for March 2019. Tami Thompson seconded the motion. The voting was as follows: Josh Slaughterback-yes, Nicole Fromme-yes, Jason Ford-yes, and Wyatt Smith-yes. The motion was carried.
The Board members noted one spelling error that needed to be made. Jason Ford made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from March 2019. Wyatt Smith seconded the motion. The voting was as follows: Nicole Fromme-yes, Jason Ford-yes, Wyatt Smith-yes, and Josh Slaughterback. The motion was carried.
Buildings, Roads, and Drainage - Trustee Josh Slaughterback reported he currently spoke with the salesman from Morton Buildings. He should receive a detailed quote soon. Trustee Jason Ford discussed concern about areas on Dahman Road that needs repaired. Josh Slaughterback said he would have Andy look into them to see what needs to be done. Mayor Turpin also said Benton & Associates came to the Village to review the road conditions and should be reporting back in a month.
Finance/Payroll - There is nothing to report from the committee.
Insurance - Tami Thompson reported Curt Reznicek is checking into the ICRMT Unemployment Insurance. She also spoke with Debbie Leonard from RMA Insurance about policies. RMA will not cover municipal’s business but will cover the other businesses. Tami will look further into it. Tami presented quotes for policies on health insurance for Village employees. Trustees agreed to continue with Blue Cross Blue Shield and would offer three different policies to Village employees. Tami will present the options to the employees.
Personnel - Wyatt Smith informed the Board he spoke with the new hire who will fill in for Reitha when she is out of the office. Mayor Turpin said there needs to a schedule developed for her to come in for a week or two to train and then schedule regular refresher days throughout the year. Reitha will also need to make a binder for her to reference if needed.
Utility Reconnect - There is nothing to report from this committee.
Utilities - There is nothing to report from this committee.
Mayor Paul Turpin presented the Board with the budget. He read the report and explained the projected spending. The Trustees discussed ways to improve spending and agreed Treasurer, Heather Reed, has done an excellent job itemizing the spending. Tami Thompson made a motion to accept the budget. Nicole Fromme seconded the motion. The voting was as follows: Jason Ford-yes, Wyatt Smith-yes, Josh Slaughterback-yes, Tami Thompson-yes, and Nicole Fromme-yes. The motion was carried.
For abandoned property legal action Mayor Paul Turpin reported the attorney sent a letter to someone not in compliance with the ordinance and they recently removed the old trailer. After all of the costs are totaled up, a bill will be sent to the landowner.
Mayor Paul Turpin said he would review the ordinance again to check on the stipulations with having a license plate. The Board agreed that everyone needed to be in compliance with the ordinance in order to help clean up the Village.
Tami Thompson said there are currently 185 people signed up for the One Call Now Alerts. Mayor Turpin suggested advertising on Facebook periodically to remind people.
Tami Thompson updated the Board on the playground project. The old mulch is ready to be removed when the project begins. Then the area will be filled with sand, a barrier, and then the new rubber mulch. Andy Fairless will provide measurements and fix the drainage in the playground area. Andy will also lower the benches. A tentative date for the project to begin is June 2019.
Mayor Turpin spoke with the Village attorney about Skyping for meetings and he is working on providing an ordinance for Skyping for future meetings.
The waterway at the lagoons project will begin when the weather improves. Ed Wright will contact Andy Fairless before to inform him of a start date.
Mayor Turpin is waiting on the attorney to get back with the him about the Franklin Electric Franchise.
The grain bin sale will be in the May 2019 paper for the public.
The Board discussed the moratorium on mobile homes. Trustees discussed the possibility of banning mobile homes from being placed on lots that currently to do not already have an existing mobile home on the property, but newer mobile homes could be brought in to replace old mobile homes. The moratorium continued.
Andy Fairless discovered a third telephone line could be added that would be able to transfer calls to the emergency line after business hours. Mayor Turpin said it would save approximately $80 per month and would eliminate the cell phone.
Jason Ford made a motion to keep all executive session minutes closed. Tami Thompson seconded the motion. The voting was as follows: Nicole Fromme-yes, Jason Ford-yes, Wyatt Smith-yes, Josh Slaughterback-yes, and Tami Thompson-yes. The motion was carried.
Tami Thompson made a motion to transfer the sewer surcharge for $8900 to gas. Nicole Fromme seconded the motion. The voting was as follows: Wyatt Smith-yes, Josh Slaughterback- yes, Tami Thompson-yes, Nicole Fromme-yes, and Jason Ford-yes. The motion was carried.
Wyatt Smith made a motion to appoint Lincoln Hill to the Board. Nicole Fromme seconded the motion. The voting was as follows: Josh Slaugtherback-yes, Tami Thompson-yes, Nicole Fromme-yes, Jason Ford-yes, and Wyatt Smith-yes. The motion was carried.
Wyatt Smith informed the Board of a complaint made by a Village resident who believes the vacant house nearby has animals inhabiting in it. Mayor Turpin said a letter would be sent to the owners.
Wyatt Smith also discussed a Village resident would like to know if the alleyway near him could be closed. Andy Fairless will have to make sure there are no lines running under it or nearby that the Village would need access to.
Wyatt Smith made a motion to adjourn. Jason Ford seconded the motion. The voting was as follows: Josh Slaughterback-yes, Tami Thompson-yes, Nicole Fromme-yes, Jason Ford- yes, and Wyatt Smith-yes. The meeting adjourned at 9:09 pm.
http://www.franklinillinois.net/assets/april-2019.pdf
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