Wilsonville’s Community Center will get a new sign to identify the building as a result of action taken Monday night by the Wilsonville Village Board. The board also approved a resolution calling upon state government leaders to release motor fuel tax funds currently held in limbo by the state budget stalemate, cited a village resident for an ordinance violation, placed ditch mowing responsibility on residents and discussed billing residents for water used if a fire occurs at their residence.

The board selected one of three designs presented by local graphic artist Brandace Cloud and asked Cloud to produce the design in burgundy and gray to coordinate with the cream colored siding on the Community Center. They also asked Cloud to add the slogan “The Little Town that Roared” to the design, a reference to the village’s landmark battle four decades ago to force the Earthline Corp. to remove toxic materials from a dump site adjoining the village.

Cloud will present a revised version of the design, before transferring it to a piece of three-quarter-inch plywood. The logo’s irregular shape will be cut out of the plywood panel before the sign is mounted on the side of the building, replacing a decades-old sign that recently was taken down.

Board votes to cite resident with ordinance violation

Board members met in executive session for about 30 minutes before voting to cite a village resident for allegedly tampering with a corporation turn-on and illegally cutting off a lock on a meter setter valves. The ordinance violation carries a fine of $75. The board directed the city police chief to serve the citation on Martin.

Board places ditch mowing responsibility on residents

By a vote of 5-1, the board approved a new ordinance requiring village property owners to mow grass in ditches adjoining their property and maintain culverts associated with the ditch. The ordinance includes provisions for the city to mow ditches if the property owner fails to do so at a cost of $1 per lineal foot with a minimum of $25. It also authorizes city workers to maintain culverts when necessary at a cost to the property owner of $20 per hour with a minimum of $40, plus the cost of equipment rental.

Trustee Dave Day initially objected to the ordinance, saying it was unfair to elderly property owners who may not be physically able to mow their ditches and maintain culverts. The ordinance also makes no provision for ditches that may be too steep or too deep to mow.

“I don’t think it’s fair to penalize older people because they can’t cut their grass,” Day said. Day also suggested the fees outlined in the ordinance are excessive.

“I wanted to make it steep because I don’t want us to get into the business of cutting the grass in ditches,” said Trustee John Veres, who chairs the ordinance committee. Expecting further reductions in state and federal funding to the village, Veres said residents must start taking more financial responsibility for maintaining infrastructure. “It’s not an entitlement. Small communities like ours cannot afford to do this kind of work. This puts the onus back onto the property owner.”

After the discussion, Day moved to adopt the ordinance with a second by Pam Zaksas. The measure passed with Carr casting the single dissenting vote.

Village considering billing residents for water used to fight fires

Trustee Veres told the council that he plans to research policies in place in nearby communities regarding water usage during firefighting activities. He indicated that he wants to propose an ordinance that would bill property owners for water usage when fire fighters respond to a fire on their property. It would be relatively easy to estimate the amount of water used during an incident, he said, but he noted that some communities charge a flat fee for water usage. Such fees, he said, should be covered by the property owner’s insurance policy.

“If you’re talking 20,000 gallons, look at how much we’re losing,” he explained.

Village calls on State of Illinois

On a motion by John Veres, seconded by Bob Carr, the council voted unanimously to approve a resolution calling upon the state government to release motor fuel tax funds as well as other non-general fund tax collections. The state has withheld distribution of such funds to local municipalities because the budget stalemate precludes appropriating the funds for distribution. The resolution argues the funds are collected for specific purposes and should not be subject to appropriation while the legislature and governor continue to debate the budget.

The state has been without a budget since the close of the last fiscal year on June 30. Copies of the resolution approved Monday night will be sent to the governor, senate president, speaker of the house, and majority and minority leaders in both houses of the legislature.

Board tables noise ordinance

The board tabled action on adopting a noise ordinance suggested by a village resident until each of the trustees has a copy of an updated ordinance book so they can compare the existing ordinance on noise to the proposal. The resident had suggested that the board adopt an ordinance based on the noise ordinance in place in the City of Benld, which bans excessive noise that disturbs the peace from vehicles, sound amplification systems and from shouting or yelling, and sets a fine of $75 for a first offense and up to $750 for subsequent offenses.

“Is this more detailed than ours?” Zaksas asked.

“They are pretty much the same,” said Day, who is compiling updated ordinance books for board members. “Ours is actually better than theirs.” Day said the existing Wilsonville ordinance not only is more detailed in defining the types of excessive noise covered, but also provides for a permit residents can purchase if they are hosting a party or some other event likely to result in higher noise levels for a temporary period of time.

Other business action

• As a result of discussions taking place in executive session, the board voted to retain Flower’s Sanitation to remove debris from around a shed owned by Danny Holden on Washington Street at Stemme Street. The property reportedly was previously deemed a public nuisance, but has not yet been cleaned up by the property owner.
• Board members also voted to issue an ordinance violation citation to the owner of a burned out mobile home located in the 100 block of Mor Street.
• Board members voted unanimously to repair a pump from the Liberty Lift Station at a cost of $1,315. Mayor Annetta Veres said the repair bill will be turned in to the village’s insurance company. The policy carries a $500 deductible. John Veres said the repair will give the village its third working pump available for back-up.
• Upon the recommendation of Zaksas, the board voted unanimously to reinvest a $16,165 certificate of deposit coming due on Dec. 4. Zaksas will check with local banking institutions and reinvest the CD at the best available interest rate.
• Board members also voted unanimously to reappoint Trustee Deno Filippini to represent the village on the Gillespie/Benld Area Ambulance Service board of trustees for a two-year term. “I started with the Ambulance Service in 1988,” said Filippini, “and I’m going to stay with it.”
• Mayor Veres announced three upcoming events scheduled at the Community Center. A free turkey dinner and dance is set for Saturday evening, Nov. 7, with the meal served at 5:30 p.m. and dancing to begin at 6:30 p.m. Those attending are asked to being a side dish. A children’s Christmas Party for children of village residents is set for Dec. 5. The annual senior citizens Christmas party, catered by Fema’s of Benld, is set for Dec. 13. The cost for the village is $9 per person, but is free for village seniors.
• Veres also announced the city recently purchased 100 new chairs for the Community Center. On her recommendation, the board declared the old chairs as surplus property and offer them for sale for $5 each. Village residents will have the first opportunity to purchase used chairs at the Community Center on Saturday, Nov. 7. Tables also will be available at a cost of $20 for smaller tables and $30 for the larger ones. Furniture remaining after Saturday will be offered for sale on a regifting Facebook site.
• Mayor Veres asked board members to consider pledging money privately for her participation in a One Step at a Time challenge sponsored by the Illinois Coalition for Community Services to raise money for youth and family programming in Wilsonville. Through the challenge, supporters can pledge $1 per step. Each step is about 2.5 feet in length. Veres said her goal is to raise $20,000–the equivalent of 10 miles. Money raised locally will remain in the community, she said. The walk will take place later this month.
• Trustee Carr reported that McKay Auto Parts had donated to the city a Porta Power jack to be used for opening collapsed culverts.
• The board voted to pay $14,351 in dues to the Illinois Municipal League, The amount includes a $145 discount for early payment.
• The board voted to pay $1,351.70 bill from Sievers Equipment for repairing a tractor radiator and to submit the bill to the village’s insurance company.

NEXT MEETING: The Wilsonville Village board will meet again on December 7, 2015, at 7 p.m.

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