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Zoning board vote delayed; Parks Committee decides against Field of
Dreams usage for circus
The Riverton Village Board met July 19 at 7:02 after John Myers, village attorney, arrived.
The minutes from July 6 and bills were motioned for a vote by Trustee Faires, seconded by Trustee Bartley, then approved 5-0. Mayor Todd told those in the audience that
since Trustee Jack Rader was not in attendance, people on the agenda to talk about utility issues, those decisions would be forwarded to the Utility Committee. Of those
people present, one, Missy Prior, was told the village can go back two years to correct errors in billing. (She was being billed an out-of-town rate, which was incorrect). The
other, Michelle Landess, addressed the board on behalf of her employer, which forwards original bills to their main office in Pennsylvania for payment. Mayor Todd and
trustees discussed solutions; it’s possible the bill could be pulled and scanned, saving time and future late fees.
Cecil Funk, a member of the Zoning Board, addressed trustees. (There was a Zoning Board meeting held last week). He stated he’d reviewed past minutes regarding
checking out properties; according to what he’d found, that had fallen under Chuck Stone’s job scope. Regardless, some members of the Zoning Board have also done this.
Mayor Todd asked Mr. Funk how many of the Zoning Board had looked at the Trader property? Mr. Funk responded he didn’t know, but his original understanding was that
Mr. Stone was providing aerial photos and property information. Mr. Funk went on to briefly recap the county’s decision on annexation, and Riverton’s village board
overturning the Zoning Committee’s decision (at the end of 2009), which “puts Riverton in a bad spot and spends the village’s money needless for legal costs.”
Mayor Todd responded he would take it under advisement, and it would go to the Administrative Committee, whether to keep or disband the Zoning Board. Mr. Funk
reiterated that these types of things should not be under one person’s control; that way politics or favoritism does not come into play. In his opinion, this is an excellent
reason for keeping the Zoning Board. Mr. Funk also requested that communication from the village to the Zoning Board members should be clear and as consistent as
possible. Mayor Todd thanked him, and stated there would be no decision made tonight. Todd said Tuesday morning that the Administrative Committee will meet
Thursday (July 22), and a vote on the future of the Zoning Board is expected at the Aug. 2 meeting.
Jim Mileham, another member of the Zoning Board, addressed trustees and referenced the previous week’s meeting as well. He noted that trustees had brought up
“redundancy” as a reason to disband the Zoning Board.
Mr. Mileham told trustees that won’t go away; an appeals process for anyone who may not be happy with a zoning decision would still have to be in place. Mr. Mileham said
he has enjoyed serving on the Zoning Board and hopes to stay on.
Ralph Willoughby asked trustees about Supt. Alex Lyons’ hours and health insurance, to which trustees responded his hours for the village were no less than 20 hours per
week, and no more than 30. Mr. Lyons continues to keep his position with Clear Lake Township. The insurance is split between the two entities, Mr. Lyons stated, and he is
on call as needed for the village. Mr. Willoughby also inquired if the superintendent’s position had been offered to any current village employee? Mayor Todd responded that
any employee who was interested could have approached him or any board member, and that did happen, but “it is a personnel matter.” Trustee Faires asked Mr.
Willoughby to please “not put words in their mouths” regarding village employee qualifications.
Trustee Bartley noted that as a point of order, at the Zoning Board meeting’s outcome last week it was agreed they go from seven to five members. Trustee Pottier asked
Attorney John Myers to clarify, which he did: state law says that every zoning matter requires that before a village board can adopt an ordinance regarding zoning, there has to
be a hearing. It can be held by a zoning board, planning commission or hearing officer. “You can elect not to have a zoning board or a plan commission, but instead have a
one man or one woman hearing officer. That is what the ordinance proposed was.” On the subdivision side of the equation, Mr. Myers further stated “there is no requirement
for subdivision plans but that those have to be reviewed by a competent group, in conjunction typically with the village engineer. The idea is that over time, for instance, a plan
commission will develop a technical knowledge or familiarity. The reality is that if you’re only dealing with subdivision plans every other year, you have to re-learn it. . . part of
the ordinance that was proposed is that the subdivision responsibility would be delegated to a committee. And taking the zoning function to a one man or one woman
hearing officer.” There was a bit more discussion amongst trustees.
“Old Business” began with an update on the water plant. Supt. Lyons stated the filter is due to be delivered tomorrow, equipment in and possibly starting next week.
On the Lucky Horseshoe lift station, there have been problems with the pump getting hot and about two foot of sludge has been pumped out, Lyons reported, but weather
permitting, he hopes they’ll start on it Monday.
Trustee Bartley followed up with the Third Street overlay project; $11,000 remains. It will take $2-3,000 for additional ditching. Driveways and surface problems/drop-offs
have been identified. Bartley hopes the project will be closed out during August.
“Appropriation Ordinance of the Village of Riverton FY ending April 2011,” Treasurer Tim Laffey reported the public hearing for comment resulted in no comment. Trustee
Pottier motioned for a vote, Trustee Bartley seconded. The ordinance was approved 5-0.
“Ordinance Approving Maintenance Agreement for Basketball Courts,” Mayor Todd stated this was with All Weather Courts Inc. for the amount of $9,998. This was also
approved 5-0.
“Intergovernmental Agreement between the Village of Riverton and Clearlake Township,” Mayor Todd stated overlapping geographical area allows equipment and
personnel to be used. “This is nothing new, we’re just formalizing it.” Trustee Bartley motioned, Trustee Faires seconded, and the ordinance was approved 5-0.
Supt. Alex Lyons gave his report, and recommends an upgrade in the capacitor rack, in conjunction with what the IMEA has advised. Trustees discussed, and this was
approved 5-0. The warning siren on South 7th Street has been repaired.
The contractor for the new Dollar General has finally erected a fence, and reshaped the ditch. The contractor had actually gone over onto the Lamkey’s property earlier this
year, and corrected this recently. Mr. Lyons also mentioned the two new employees’ taking care of their tests and licenses. There are other employees who will need to
satisfy credit hours; trustees discussed. This was approved 5-0.
Progress on the Field of Dreams concession area continues. Mr. Lyons anticipates trusses are 4-6 weeks out. Water, gas and electric connections were also mentioned.
The rainy weather may slow some additional progress. Todd said Tuesday he does not foresee any issues with the RHS boys soccer team or JFL using the Field of
Dreams while concession stand construction is going on.
Trustee Bartley made a motion that lumber and trusses be ordered according to the supply list. This was approved 5-0.
Mr. Lyons asked trustees if they wanted to stock Veterans Pond with fish; this is usually done once or twice per year through stock provided by Sangamon County. Trustees
discussed, and since it was just done in April, it was agreed to hold off until next year.
Police Chief Dave Smith and Office Manager Linda Viola were not in attendance. Treasurer Tim Laffey stated there was $1.6 million available; the appropriation information
needs to go to county by the end of the month; trustees and Attorney Myers discussed.
Committee reports began with Rich Pottier, Chair of Administrative Committee. He attended Sangamon County’s Hazard Mitigation meeting. There is an IMEA board
meeting this week. There will be some things he has for executive session, he stated.
Trustee Joe Bartley, Streets Committee, discussed generally the amount prior to early retirement incentives (ERI) and the amount to be saved after ERI so that money can
be set aside in a separate account, so that can be paid out in December. Bartley asked other trustees when the last time the village had received a check from the state?
Five months ago was the consensus.
Trustee Pat Faires, Public Safety Committee, said he has a meeting scheduled with Supt. Mulligan regarding the school resource officer position, which is funded through
August.
Trustee Tina Raycraft, Parks Committee, gave an update on the circus company that approached the village at the last meeting. The committee has decided against having
the circus set up on the Field of Dreams; other locations are being looked into, like the high school football practice field. The Boy Scouts are still planning on painting. Oil
and chipping the parking lot at Field of Dreams is being postponed for awhile, until weeds can be sprayed.
Trustee Dave Charles, Building and Equipment Committee, said roof shingles have been ordered for the garages. He will discuss in detail other things that have been
brought up at previous meetings.
Trustees voted to go into closed session at 8:04 p.m., after a short break, began closed discussion at approximately 8:08 p.m. The board came back to open session
sometime before 9:17 p.m.; Mayor Todd came out and told those waiting outside the room that the meeting had adjourned without any votes being taken, though no
indication was given by the board that it had returned from closed session.
Dreams usage for circus
The Riverton Village Board met July 19 at 7:02 after John Myers, village attorney, arrived.
The minutes from July 6 and bills were motioned for a vote by Trustee Faires, seconded by Trustee Bartley, then approved 5-0. Mayor Todd told those in the audience that
since Trustee Jack Rader was not in attendance, people on the agenda to talk about utility issues, those decisions would be forwarded to the Utility Committee. Of those
people present, one, Missy Prior, was told the village can go back two years to correct errors in billing. (She was being billed an out-of-town rate, which was incorrect). The
other, Michelle Landess, addressed the board on behalf of her employer, which forwards original bills to their main office in Pennsylvania for payment. Mayor Todd and
trustees discussed solutions; it’s possible the bill could be pulled and scanned, saving time and future late fees.
Cecil Funk, a member of the Zoning Board, addressed trustees. (There was a Zoning Board meeting held last week). He stated he’d reviewed past minutes regarding
checking out properties; according to what he’d found, that had fallen under Chuck Stone’s job scope. Regardless, some members of the Zoning Board have also done this.
Mayor Todd asked Mr. Funk how many of the Zoning Board had looked at the Trader property? Mr. Funk responded he didn’t know, but his original understanding was that
Mr. Stone was providing aerial photos and property information. Mr. Funk went on to briefly recap the county’s decision on annexation, and Riverton’s village board
overturning the Zoning Committee’s decision (at the end of 2009), which “puts Riverton in a bad spot and spends the village’s money needless for legal costs.”
Mayor Todd responded he would take it under advisement, and it would go to the Administrative Committee, whether to keep or disband the Zoning Board. Mr. Funk
reiterated that these types of things should not be under one person’s control; that way politics or favoritism does not come into play. In his opinion, this is an excellent
reason for keeping the Zoning Board. Mr. Funk also requested that communication from the village to the Zoning Board members should be clear and as consistent as
possible. Mayor Todd thanked him, and stated there would be no decision made tonight. Todd said Tuesday morning that the Administrative Committee will meet
Thursday (July 22), and a vote on the future of the Zoning Board is expected at the Aug. 2 meeting.
Jim Mileham, another member of the Zoning Board, addressed trustees and referenced the previous week’s meeting as well. He noted that trustees had brought up
“redundancy” as a reason to disband the Zoning Board.
Mr. Mileham told trustees that won’t go away; an appeals process for anyone who may not be happy with a zoning decision would still have to be in place. Mr. Mileham said
he has enjoyed serving on the Zoning Board and hopes to stay on.
Ralph Willoughby asked trustees about Supt. Alex Lyons’ hours and health insurance, to which trustees responded his hours for the village were no less than 20 hours per
week, and no more than 30. Mr. Lyons continues to keep his position with Clear Lake Township. The insurance is split between the two entities, Mr. Lyons stated, and he is
on call as needed for the village. Mr. Willoughby also inquired if the superintendent’s position had been offered to any current village employee? Mayor Todd responded that
any employee who was interested could have approached him or any board member, and that did happen, but “it is a personnel matter.” Trustee Faires asked Mr.
Willoughby to please “not put words in their mouths” regarding village employee qualifications.
Trustee Bartley noted that as a point of order, at the Zoning Board meeting’s outcome last week it was agreed they go from seven to five members. Trustee Pottier asked
Attorney John Myers to clarify, which he did: state law says that every zoning matter requires that before a village board can adopt an ordinance regarding zoning, there has to
be a hearing. It can be held by a zoning board, planning commission or hearing officer. “You can elect not to have a zoning board or a plan commission, but instead have a
one man or one woman hearing officer. That is what the ordinance proposed was.” On the subdivision side of the equation, Mr. Myers further stated “there is no requirement
for subdivision plans but that those have to be reviewed by a competent group, in conjunction typically with the village engineer. The idea is that over time, for instance, a plan
commission will develop a technical knowledge or familiarity. The reality is that if you’re only dealing with subdivision plans every other year, you have to re-learn it. . . part of
the ordinance that was proposed is that the subdivision responsibility would be delegated to a committee. And taking the zoning function to a one man or one woman
hearing officer.” There was a bit more discussion amongst trustees.
“Old Business” began with an update on the water plant. Supt. Lyons stated the filter is due to be delivered tomorrow, equipment in and possibly starting next week.
On the Lucky Horseshoe lift station, there have been problems with the pump getting hot and about two foot of sludge has been pumped out, Lyons reported, but weather
permitting, he hopes they’ll start on it Monday.
Trustee Bartley followed up with the Third Street overlay project; $11,000 remains. It will take $2-3,000 for additional ditching. Driveways and surface problems/drop-offs
have been identified. Bartley hopes the project will be closed out during August.
“Appropriation Ordinance of the Village of Riverton FY ending April 2011,” Treasurer Tim Laffey reported the public hearing for comment resulted in no comment. Trustee
Pottier motioned for a vote, Trustee Bartley seconded. The ordinance was approved 5-0.
“Ordinance Approving Maintenance Agreement for Basketball Courts,” Mayor Todd stated this was with All Weather Courts Inc. for the amount of $9,998. This was also
approved 5-0.
“Intergovernmental Agreement between the Village of Riverton and Clearlake Township,” Mayor Todd stated overlapping geographical area allows equipment and
personnel to be used. “This is nothing new, we’re just formalizing it.” Trustee Bartley motioned, Trustee Faires seconded, and the ordinance was approved 5-0.
Supt. Alex Lyons gave his report, and recommends an upgrade in the capacitor rack, in conjunction with what the IMEA has advised. Trustees discussed, and this was
approved 5-0. The warning siren on South 7th Street has been repaired.
The contractor for the new Dollar General has finally erected a fence, and reshaped the ditch. The contractor had actually gone over onto the Lamkey’s property earlier this
year, and corrected this recently. Mr. Lyons also mentioned the two new employees’ taking care of their tests and licenses. There are other employees who will need to
satisfy credit hours; trustees discussed. This was approved 5-0.
Progress on the Field of Dreams concession area continues. Mr. Lyons anticipates trusses are 4-6 weeks out. Water, gas and electric connections were also mentioned.
The rainy weather may slow some additional progress. Todd said Tuesday he does not foresee any issues with the RHS boys soccer team or JFL using the Field of
Dreams while concession stand construction is going on.
Trustee Bartley made a motion that lumber and trusses be ordered according to the supply list. This was approved 5-0.
Mr. Lyons asked trustees if they wanted to stock Veterans Pond with fish; this is usually done once or twice per year through stock provided by Sangamon County. Trustees
discussed, and since it was just done in April, it was agreed to hold off until next year.
Police Chief Dave Smith and Office Manager Linda Viola were not in attendance. Treasurer Tim Laffey stated there was $1.6 million available; the appropriation information
needs to go to county by the end of the month; trustees and Attorney Myers discussed.
Committee reports began with Rich Pottier, Chair of Administrative Committee. He attended Sangamon County’s Hazard Mitigation meeting. There is an IMEA board
meeting this week. There will be some things he has for executive session, he stated.
Trustee Joe Bartley, Streets Committee, discussed generally the amount prior to early retirement incentives (ERI) and the amount to be saved after ERI so that money can
be set aside in a separate account, so that can be paid out in December. Bartley asked other trustees when the last time the village had received a check from the state?
Five months ago was the consensus.
Trustee Pat Faires, Public Safety Committee, said he has a meeting scheduled with Supt. Mulligan regarding the school resource officer position, which is funded through
August.
Trustee Tina Raycraft, Parks Committee, gave an update on the circus company that approached the village at the last meeting. The committee has decided against having
the circus set up on the Field of Dreams; other locations are being looked into, like the high school football practice field. The Boy Scouts are still planning on painting. Oil
and chipping the parking lot at Field of Dreams is being postponed for awhile, until weeds can be sprayed.
Trustee Dave Charles, Building and Equipment Committee, said roof shingles have been ordered for the garages. He will discuss in detail other things that have been
brought up at previous meetings.
Trustees voted to go into closed session at 8:04 p.m., after a short break, began closed discussion at approximately 8:08 p.m. The board came back to open session
sometime before 9:17 p.m.; Mayor Todd came out and told those waiting outside the room that the meeting had adjourned without any votes being taken, though no
indication was given by the board that it had returned from closed session.
Issue Date: July 22, 2010
