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All five zoning board members removed; Mayor Todd looking for “fresh start”
with new board
The Riverton Village Board met Aug. 2 at 7 p.m. The minutes from the July 19 meeting and bills for payment were approved 6-0.
“People on the Agenda” included Tim Raycraft, who spoke to trustees regarding Riverfest. He requested permission to place a second volleyball area in the softball outfield;
there will be a tournament. Trustees discussed not having any surface damage done to the field, which Mr. Raycraft assured would not be the case. The parameters for beer
sales and consumption were also reviewed, as well as permit types. Mr. Raycraft mentioned that perhaps tavern owners may be interested in selling mixed drinks; ordinances
and Riverfest insurance were discussed. Trustees agreed the attorney would need to be consulted about this (Mr. Myers, village attorney, was not present).
The carnival area will be located north of the creek, Mr. Raycraft continued, and there has been discussion on shortening the parade route. Trustees agreed whatever route is
decided upon, it needs to be well advertised for the public to make arrangements for alternate traffic paths that morning.
Ms. Brenda Kelley, Riverton Library, reviewed the annual report with trustees. They had already been provided copies. The library was complimented on its popularity and
continued progress; Mayor Todd inquired if they would be interested in monitor or computer donations? Ms. Kelley recommended that Ms. Kocis be consulted for those
answers. Three new computers/monitors have already been purchased through a grant, and three more are anticipated this fall. She thanked trustees for the budgetary
support, and trustees thanked her for the informative report.
Mr. Jack Derry was on the agenda to talk about the utility deposit of $300 required of all renters in Riverton. He stated he had lived in Dawson for 12 years while a renter there,
but had an excellent record with Ameren, always paying in full and on time. He provided trustees copies of payment history. Mr. Derry requested the utility deposit be waived in
his case, due to this. He also stated the ordinance is not necessarily applicable to all renters nor is it welcoming. “It is draconian” was Mr. Derry’s opinion. Mayor Todd advised
the ordinance applies to all renters and it would not be waived. Mr. Derry responded he would take the protest elsewhere in another form.
Mr. Ralph Willoughby was up next and asked Mayor Todd if he wanted all the zoning board members to resign? Mayor Todd responded that was correct, and all have complied
except for Mr. Sloper and him. Mr. Willoughby asked: “Then you want us to turn around and sign another paper to be considered for a zoning board position, and there will be
five members. There are five now, and I don’t understand why you need us to resign. It’s a five-year term, right?” Mayor Todd answered: “That’s correct. As the decision was
made as to what we’re doing with the zoning board, which will come up in this meeting for a vote, we’re starting fresh because for members who have been on there for 20
years, they don’t all remember what their start date was. So the Board has decided to keep the zoning board with a fresh start. That’s why I sent the letters to you and other
members, to ask for the resignation and if you’re interested in reapplying, you’re more than welcome to do so.” Willoughby then asked: “Are you going into closed session on
this?” Mayor Todd responded: “It’s on the agenda tonight to vote on the ordinance.”
Willoughby said, “I don’t think I’m going to resign.” Mayor Todd replied “Okay. One thing that I could do right now, Ralph, is give you a prepared document which removes you
from your office of the Riverton Zoning Board and Plan Commission effective immediately. The cause for your removal is for your intemperate remarks made at the public
hearing to the effect that the village board intended to disband the Zoning Board in order to pave the way for Section 8 housing in the village. Not only is this remark completely
untrue, but it potentially subjects the village to liability under federal law. It also brings both the village and zoning board in disrepute and most importantly it casts serious doubt
on your ability to ever consider zoning matters in a fair and impartial manner. So that’s my decision as of tonight.”
Mr. Willoughby asked for a copy of the document, which Mayor Todd provided him. After that, Mayor Todd stated, “The board can override my decision with a 2/3 vote if they
believe my decision is not in the village’s best interest.”
Ms. Anita Bauswell, representing Wolf Den #46, stated she’d approached Trustee Tina Raycraft about their service project, repainting the sign at Center Park. This is
tentatively scheduled for Aug. 21. This was agreed to by trustees, and some donated money for the project on the spot. They also approved a $60 donation from the board.
Ms. Viki Risley asked trustees if the area around her house at 3rd and Madison could be blocked off during the impending demolition. This will be a 6-10 hour job during the
daytime hours; it was scheduled for Wednesday (according to an e-Lert notification sent out Tuesday morning, Aug. 3). Trustees discussed, and approved.
“Old Business” included an update on the water plant; Mr. Lyons informed trustees that Petersburg Plumbing & Heating has been working every day on it. The Lucky
Horseshoe lift station had bypasses completed; PP&H and B&B are working on this project. One portion of it will be re-bid and a change order will be reviewed at the next
meeting.
Trustee Joe Bartley advised that the ditches are being cleared on Third Street overlay project. He hopes the engineer can speak with him this week.
The “Ordinance Reorganizing and Reconstituting the Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals” was considered. Trustee Bartley motioned for a vote, Trustee Faires
seconded. The vote was 6-0 to approve. The five members who are appointed will have different term lengths (one, two, three, four and five years, with each successive
appointment being for a five-year term). Also, while before the zoning board was to meet once a quarter, now it is “whenever requested by the committee of the Village Board
having jurisdiction over planning and zoning to discuss matters of interest to that committee.”
“New Business” was the hiring of village personnel. It was mentioned there were five applicants. Trustee Pottier motioned, Trustee Faires seconded and it was approved 6-0
to hire Chris Beattie as permanent full-time. They will decide in the fall if a second person is needed, but the summer help has been working out well.
Trustee Pottier commented on the IMUA mutual aid agreement/resolution. It provides for sharing resources in cases of emergencies as its goal. A vote will be taken at the
next meeting.
The superintendent’s report was reviewed by Mr. Lyons. The capacitors that were approved for order last month are 6-8 weeks out. There was a power outage that affected
Third Street and Riviera Subdivision, as well as the new Dollar General. $3500 was the least expensive bid for new wiring. Trustee Jack Rader advised that line breaks are
causing the outages. “It’s an old set up that’s been there awhile.” Trustees approved the bid 6-0.
It was mentioned there will be two trees removed on Lincoln Street, one near the middle school and another near the 7th Street intersection. Both will be done free of charge
by IDOT.
A cold patch purchase, $60/ton, was discussed. This would come out of the motor fuel account. It was approved. The chip and oil, and additional grading, was reviewed for
Washington Street. This is projected for mid-September.
Progress on the Field of Dreams concession stand and parking lot was updated with trustees.
Chief Dave Smith recommends drug and alcohol awareness training, which is required for village employees, and also applies to contracted workers. Trustees then
discussed allowing an individual to do 240 hours of community service in Riverton. Insurance liability was weighed but the individual will be cleaning or painting to earn those
hours. Also, grass ordinance violations continue to be monitored.
Ms. Linda Viola, Office Manager, met with Ray Hickman last week on the audit review. Finalized copies will be distributed to trustees when available. Tim Laffey, Treasurer,
stated $1.78 million in total funds is what the village has. Restricted money is part of that amount.
The state owes the village five months of payments; this is approximately $102,000 behind this same time last fiscal year. Trustees discussed. Mr. Laffey mentioned they’re
looking into transferring available money into a higher interest-bearing fund. The early retirement fund was also mentioned.
Trustee Pottier, Administrative Committee, asked that IMEA-provided coupons be included with utility bill mailings.
Trustee Faires, Safety Committee, had nothing new to report.
Trustee Rader, Utilities Committee, advised that $12,300 for replacement parts supply for transformers is budgeted. Trustee Faires motioned for a vote, Trustee Pottier
seconded and this purchase was approved 6-0.
Rader also singled out a “three-way dead end pole” at Third and Jefferson Streets for replacement. This is budgeted at $3,000 in contractual services for the electric
department. Trustee Faires motioned for a vote, Trustee Pottier seconded and this was also approved 6-0. Trustees discussed manpower, expertise and experience needed
for this job.
Trustee Tina Raycraft, Parks Committee, told trustees that the school district does not want the football practice field used by the circus company. Trustees then discussed the
area north of the Eagles Club. It seems a better location. They will contact the circus company.
The tennis courts are improved, Trustee Raycraft noted, and the concession stand at the FOD may be ready to use this year by JFL and high school soccer. Blueprints were
mentioned by Mr. Lyons.
There was nothing else on streets, Trustee Bartley said.
Trustee Dave Charles, Maintenance Committee, noted the library door has been caulked; shingles were delivered for another building but those won’t be put on until the
weather cools off.
No executive session was held. The meeting was adjourned at 8:09 p.m.
with new board
The Riverton Village Board met Aug. 2 at 7 p.m. The minutes from the July 19 meeting and bills for payment were approved 6-0.
“People on the Agenda” included Tim Raycraft, who spoke to trustees regarding Riverfest. He requested permission to place a second volleyball area in the softball outfield;
there will be a tournament. Trustees discussed not having any surface damage done to the field, which Mr. Raycraft assured would not be the case. The parameters for beer
sales and consumption were also reviewed, as well as permit types. Mr. Raycraft mentioned that perhaps tavern owners may be interested in selling mixed drinks; ordinances
and Riverfest insurance were discussed. Trustees agreed the attorney would need to be consulted about this (Mr. Myers, village attorney, was not present).
The carnival area will be located north of the creek, Mr. Raycraft continued, and there has been discussion on shortening the parade route. Trustees agreed whatever route is
decided upon, it needs to be well advertised for the public to make arrangements for alternate traffic paths that morning.
Ms. Brenda Kelley, Riverton Library, reviewed the annual report with trustees. They had already been provided copies. The library was complimented on its popularity and
continued progress; Mayor Todd inquired if they would be interested in monitor or computer donations? Ms. Kelley recommended that Ms. Kocis be consulted for those
answers. Three new computers/monitors have already been purchased through a grant, and three more are anticipated this fall. She thanked trustees for the budgetary
support, and trustees thanked her for the informative report.
Mr. Jack Derry was on the agenda to talk about the utility deposit of $300 required of all renters in Riverton. He stated he had lived in Dawson for 12 years while a renter there,
but had an excellent record with Ameren, always paying in full and on time. He provided trustees copies of payment history. Mr. Derry requested the utility deposit be waived in
his case, due to this. He also stated the ordinance is not necessarily applicable to all renters nor is it welcoming. “It is draconian” was Mr. Derry’s opinion. Mayor Todd advised
the ordinance applies to all renters and it would not be waived. Mr. Derry responded he would take the protest elsewhere in another form.
Mr. Ralph Willoughby was up next and asked Mayor Todd if he wanted all the zoning board members to resign? Mayor Todd responded that was correct, and all have complied
except for Mr. Sloper and him. Mr. Willoughby asked: “Then you want us to turn around and sign another paper to be considered for a zoning board position, and there will be
five members. There are five now, and I don’t understand why you need us to resign. It’s a five-year term, right?” Mayor Todd answered: “That’s correct. As the decision was
made as to what we’re doing with the zoning board, which will come up in this meeting for a vote, we’re starting fresh because for members who have been on there for 20
years, they don’t all remember what their start date was. So the Board has decided to keep the zoning board with a fresh start. That’s why I sent the letters to you and other
members, to ask for the resignation and if you’re interested in reapplying, you’re more than welcome to do so.” Willoughby then asked: “Are you going into closed session on
this?” Mayor Todd responded: “It’s on the agenda tonight to vote on the ordinance.”
Willoughby said, “I don’t think I’m going to resign.” Mayor Todd replied “Okay. One thing that I could do right now, Ralph, is give you a prepared document which removes you
from your office of the Riverton Zoning Board and Plan Commission effective immediately. The cause for your removal is for your intemperate remarks made at the public
hearing to the effect that the village board intended to disband the Zoning Board in order to pave the way for Section 8 housing in the village. Not only is this remark completely
untrue, but it potentially subjects the village to liability under federal law. It also brings both the village and zoning board in disrepute and most importantly it casts serious doubt
on your ability to ever consider zoning matters in a fair and impartial manner. So that’s my decision as of tonight.”
Mr. Willoughby asked for a copy of the document, which Mayor Todd provided him. After that, Mayor Todd stated, “The board can override my decision with a 2/3 vote if they
believe my decision is not in the village’s best interest.”
Ms. Anita Bauswell, representing Wolf Den #46, stated she’d approached Trustee Tina Raycraft about their service project, repainting the sign at Center Park. This is
tentatively scheduled for Aug. 21. This was agreed to by trustees, and some donated money for the project on the spot. They also approved a $60 donation from the board.
Ms. Viki Risley asked trustees if the area around her house at 3rd and Madison could be blocked off during the impending demolition. This will be a 6-10 hour job during the
daytime hours; it was scheduled for Wednesday (according to an e-Lert notification sent out Tuesday morning, Aug. 3). Trustees discussed, and approved.
“Old Business” included an update on the water plant; Mr. Lyons informed trustees that Petersburg Plumbing & Heating has been working every day on it. The Lucky
Horseshoe lift station had bypasses completed; PP&H and B&B are working on this project. One portion of it will be re-bid and a change order will be reviewed at the next
meeting.
Trustee Joe Bartley advised that the ditches are being cleared on Third Street overlay project. He hopes the engineer can speak with him this week.
The “Ordinance Reorganizing and Reconstituting the Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals” was considered. Trustee Bartley motioned for a vote, Trustee Faires
seconded. The vote was 6-0 to approve. The five members who are appointed will have different term lengths (one, two, three, four and five years, with each successive
appointment being for a five-year term). Also, while before the zoning board was to meet once a quarter, now it is “whenever requested by the committee of the Village Board
having jurisdiction over planning and zoning to discuss matters of interest to that committee.”
“New Business” was the hiring of village personnel. It was mentioned there were five applicants. Trustee Pottier motioned, Trustee Faires seconded and it was approved 6-0
to hire Chris Beattie as permanent full-time. They will decide in the fall if a second person is needed, but the summer help has been working out well.
Trustee Pottier commented on the IMUA mutual aid agreement/resolution. It provides for sharing resources in cases of emergencies as its goal. A vote will be taken at the
next meeting.
The superintendent’s report was reviewed by Mr. Lyons. The capacitors that were approved for order last month are 6-8 weeks out. There was a power outage that affected
Third Street and Riviera Subdivision, as well as the new Dollar General. $3500 was the least expensive bid for new wiring. Trustee Jack Rader advised that line breaks are
causing the outages. “It’s an old set up that’s been there awhile.” Trustees approved the bid 6-0.
It was mentioned there will be two trees removed on Lincoln Street, one near the middle school and another near the 7th Street intersection. Both will be done free of charge
by IDOT.
A cold patch purchase, $60/ton, was discussed. This would come out of the motor fuel account. It was approved. The chip and oil, and additional grading, was reviewed for
Washington Street. This is projected for mid-September.
Progress on the Field of Dreams concession stand and parking lot was updated with trustees.
Chief Dave Smith recommends drug and alcohol awareness training, which is required for village employees, and also applies to contracted workers. Trustees then
discussed allowing an individual to do 240 hours of community service in Riverton. Insurance liability was weighed but the individual will be cleaning or painting to earn those
hours. Also, grass ordinance violations continue to be monitored.
Ms. Linda Viola, Office Manager, met with Ray Hickman last week on the audit review. Finalized copies will be distributed to trustees when available. Tim Laffey, Treasurer,
stated $1.78 million in total funds is what the village has. Restricted money is part of that amount.
The state owes the village five months of payments; this is approximately $102,000 behind this same time last fiscal year. Trustees discussed. Mr. Laffey mentioned they’re
looking into transferring available money into a higher interest-bearing fund. The early retirement fund was also mentioned.
Trustee Pottier, Administrative Committee, asked that IMEA-provided coupons be included with utility bill mailings.
Trustee Faires, Safety Committee, had nothing new to report.
Trustee Rader, Utilities Committee, advised that $12,300 for replacement parts supply for transformers is budgeted. Trustee Faires motioned for a vote, Trustee Pottier
seconded and this purchase was approved 6-0.
Rader also singled out a “three-way dead end pole” at Third and Jefferson Streets for replacement. This is budgeted at $3,000 in contractual services for the electric
department. Trustee Faires motioned for a vote, Trustee Pottier seconded and this was also approved 6-0. Trustees discussed manpower, expertise and experience needed
for this job.
Trustee Tina Raycraft, Parks Committee, told trustees that the school district does not want the football practice field used by the circus company. Trustees then discussed the
area north of the Eagles Club. It seems a better location. They will contact the circus company.
The tennis courts are improved, Trustee Raycraft noted, and the concession stand at the FOD may be ready to use this year by JFL and high school soccer. Blueprints were
mentioned by Mr. Lyons.
There was nothing else on streets, Trustee Bartley said.
Trustee Dave Charles, Maintenance Committee, noted the library door has been caulked; shingles were delivered for another building but those won’t be put on until the
weather cools off.
No executive session was held. The meeting was adjourned at 8:09 p.m.
Issue Date: Aug. 5, 2010
