The Dwight Village Board of Trustees met in regular session at 6:00 p.m. with the meeting being called to order by President Bill Wilkey.  Roll call was as follows:

 

                                                Present:

                                                            Bill Wilkey                        President

                                                            Mike Woods                     Trustee

                                                            Jared Anderson                       ˝          

                                                            Jerry Curtis                              ˝

                                                           

                                                Absent:

                                                            Angie Airgood                  Trustee

                                                            Justin Eggenberger                  ˝

                                                            Ron Skinner                           ˝

                                                           

Other Village officials in attendance were EMS Director Al Metzke, Police Chief Tim Henson, Public Works Director David Bozarth, and Village Attorney Gary Neville.

 

President Wilkey led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. 

 

A motion was made by Anderson and seconded by Woods to approve the minutes of the November 30, 2009 regular Village Board meeting.  Roll call was as follows:  Woods–aye; Anderson–aye; Curtis–aye; Wilkey–aye.  Motion carried.

 

The bills were presented for payment from the various funds in the amount of $112,036.02.  A motion was made by Woods and seconded by Curtis to pay the bills as submitted and approved by the Village Trustees.  Roll call was as follows: Woods–aye; Anderson–aye; Curtis–aye; Wilkey–aye.  Motion carried.

 

A motion was made by Curtis and seconded by Anderson to approve the November 2009 Treasurer’s Report as submitted by Treasurer Diane Jensen.  Roll call was as follows:  Woods–aye; Anderson–aye; Curtis–aye; Wilkey–aye.  Motion carried.

 

President Wilkey presented Ordinance No. 1278, an ordinance for the levy and assessment of taxes for the tax year 2009.  The total of said levy is $632,000.00.  A motion was made by Curtis and seconded by Anderson to pass Ordinance No. 1278.  Roll call was as follows:  Woods–aye; Anderson–aye; Curtis–aye; Wilkey–aye.  Motion carried.

 

ORIDNANCE NO. 1278 IS ON FILE IN THE VILLAGE CLERK’S OFFICE

 

President Wilkey next presented Ordinance No. 1279 abating the tax levied for the Year 2009 to pay the principal of and interest on $1,275,000 General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 1997 re-issued as $630,000.00 General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2009, of the Village of Dwight, Livingston and Grundy Counties, Illinois.  The amount to be abated is $104,395.00.

 

A motion was made by Curtis and seconded by Anderson to pass Ordinance No. 1279 as stated in the above paragraph.  Roll call was as follows:  Woods–aye; Anderson–aye; Curtis–aye; Wilkey–aye.  Motion carried.

 

ORDINANCE NO. 1279 IS ON FILE IN THE VILLAGE CLERK’S OFFICE

 

President Wilkey then presented Ordinance No. 1280 abating the tax levied for the Year 2009 to pay the principal of and interest on $3,500,000 General Obligation Waterworks Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 1994, of the Village of Dwight, Livingston and Grundy Counties, Illinois.  The amount to be abated is $324,757.50.

 

A motion was made by Anderson and seconded by Woods to pass Ordinance No. 1280 as stated in the above paragraph.  Roll call was as follows:  Woods–aye; Anderson–aye; Curtis–aye; Wilkey–aye.  Motion carried.

 

December 17, 2009

 

ORDINANCE NO. 1280 IS ON FILE IN THE VILLAGE CLERK’S OFFICE

 

The last ordinance President Wilkey presented was Ordinance No. 1281 abating the tax levied for the Year 2009 to pay the principal of and interest on $1,000,000 General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2005, of the Village of Dwight, Livingston and Grundy Counties, Illinois.

 

A motion was made by Anderson and seconded by Woods to pass Ordinance No. 1281 as stated in the above paragraph.  Roll call was as follows:  Woods–aye; Anderson–aye; Curtis–aye; Wilkey–aye.  Motion carried.

 

ORDINANCE NO. 1281 IS ON FILE IN THE VILLAGE CLERK’S OFFICE

 

During the public forum, resident Tom Tock of 410 W. Delaware St., inquired as to whether there would be a committee meeting to discuss the downtown rehabilitation loan program.  President Wilkey said that he and Administrator McNamara would be getting together next week to discuss the loan program, then it will be brought to Committee.

 

Mr. Tock also asked whether there had been a resolution on the dispute with the Dwight Correctional Center regarding raising the rates on their water bills.

 

Village Attorney Neville said the Correctional Center had challenged the water rate increase, and the Village may have to go along with the State’s interpretation on the contract, whereby the water rate could only be increased if everyone’s rate increased.  Since only the rate on the large users was increased and not the rate for all residents, the State contended that their rate could not increase per the contract they have with the Village,

 

President Wilkey reported on the following regarding local businesses:  nothing is happening at Dempsey’s; Curves has closed; Kevin Rowland is making some nice improvements at his business downtown; volunteers have been painting at the Teen Center; Pamida seems to be doing well; Top Crop building is going up; Love’s Travel Center is up to date with flood plain forms being sent off.

 

President Wilkey announced that he will be giving away Chamber of Commerce gift certificates as a Mayor’s Award for the best Christmas decorations around town.  His wife, Jeanette, and a couple of her friends will be judges for the contest.  First prize will be worth $100, second prize $50, and third prize $25.

 

Administrator McNamara reported on the following:

 

�         The last day to register to vote for the February primary is January 5^th;

�         Census jobs are available, testing is being conducted in a couple communities in Livingston Co.

�         The Village received a $1500 check from the Christmas Under the Windmill Concert proceeds to go toward Windmill Park.  Christmas for Kids and Love Boxes also received checks;

�         Rt. 66 America’s Byway received federal money for interpretive exhibits.  Dwight’s portion will fund exhibits for Ambler/Becker Station, Arrow/Strufe Motel, Dwight Lions Lake, and the first stoplight south of Chicago.

 

Chief Henson reported that there continues to be break ins around town.  Also, Dwight police were called by State police to respond to an accident east of town on Rt. 17.

 

President Wilkey said the Village had received a variance request from Nila Giles at 307 N. Washington St.  Work had already begun without permits and they have been told to stop.

 

A motion was made by Curtis and seconded by Anderson to refer to the Zoning Board of Appeals the variance request from Nila Giles, 307 N. Washington St.  The request is to reduce the rear yard requirement.  Roll call was as follows:  Woods–aye; Anderson–aye; Curtis–aye; Wilkey–aye.  Motion carried.

December 17, 2009

 

Trustee Anderson asked if anything had been looked into regarding repealing Impact Fees.  Attorney Neville stated that the Board has the authority to do so, but should develop a plan first before going to the other taxing bodies involved.

 

The next item on the agenda was approving gift certificates for Christmas.  President Wilkey recommended only giving certificates to those who aren’t paid, like the Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals.  After some discussion, the Trustees felt that the employees should also be included since no one received a raise this past year.

 

A motion was made by Anderson and seconded by Woods to give $50 Chamber Gift Certificates to the Plan Commission members, Zoning Board of Appeals members, and Village employees.  Roll call was as follows:  Woods-aye; Anderson-aye; Curtis-aye; Wilkey-no.  Motion did not pass.  Village Attorney Neville reminded everyone that a majority of the Corporate Authorities needs to approve the expenditure of Village money, therefore four votes are needed.

 

President Wilkey then changed his vote to “aye” since all the Trustees present were in favor.  He stressed that he still did not agree with giving the employees gift certificates.  Motion then passed, 4-0.

 

Due to the passing of Trustee Ron Skinner, a motion was made by Woods and seconded by Curtis to vacate his seat.  Roll call was as follows:  Woods–aye; Anderson–aye; Curtis–aye; Wilkey–aye.  Motion carried.

 

President Wilkey then nominated Nick Kester to fill the vacancy left by Trustee Skinner.

 

A motion was made by Anderson and seconded by Curtis to approve the appointment of Nick Kester to the Village Board. Roll call was as follows:  Woods–aye; Anderson–aye; Curtis–aye; Wilkey–aye.  Motion carried.

 

Trustee Kester was then sworn in by President Wilkey.  Trustee Kester’s term will expire in April of 2011.

 

There being no further business, a motion to adjourn was made by Anderson and seconded by Woods.  All voted aye.  The meeting adjourned at 6:26 p.m.

 

 

APPROVED:

 

                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                    Bill Wilkey, Village President

 

ATTEST:

 

                                                _______         

Patricia E. Drechsel, Village Clerk