Village Board Meeting — Minutes

Village of Benton February 19, 2025 Board Meeting Minutes Members present: Scott Cruse, John Perkins, Jill Knight, Kenneth Farrey, Chuck Wartner Absent members: Cal Robbins, Joe Slater Village employees present: Sonya Silvers, Jared Roling Others Present: Michelle Savatski, Greg Droessler The regular board meeting of the Benton Village Board was called to order by village president Scott Cruse at 6:30 p.m. in the conference room of the Benton Business Incubator Building at 244 Ridge Avenue on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. In compliance with the open meeting law, proper notice of the meeting had been posted in four public places: the Zephyr Depot, Benton State Bank, Benton Post Office, and the Benton Business Incubator Building. The minutes from the previous village board meeting were presented. Motion (Farrey, Knight) to approve the minutes from the regular village board meeting held on January 17, 2025, as presented. Voice-all ayes. Carried Resolution #2025-01 authorizing the conveyance of real estate was presented. This resolution is needed to convey property at 31 W. Main Street, owned by the Village of Benton to the Benton Community Development Authority Corporation (CDA). This is the site of the new community center and the Village of Benton will lease the community center from the CDA. Motion (Perkins, Wartner) to approve Resolution #2025-01 authorizing the Village of Benton conveyance of real estate at 31 W. Main Street to the Benton Community Development Authority Corporation. Roll-all ayes. Michelle Savatski has been in contact with Kou from USDA and business is running as usual and USDA funds are being dispensed daily. Scott Cruse mentioned that the congressional funding for the Main Street water main project is currently unknown. Committee Reports:  Water/Sewer Committee has met several times to discuss the facilities plan and the rehab/replacement of the sewer interceptor.  The Finance Committee will meet Monday, February 24th at 10 a.m.  The Police Committee will meet Monday, February 24th at 11 a.m. A recommendation from the Zoning Board of Appeals to approve Petition #2025-001 from Steve Brink regarding parcel #107.0312.1000 at 590 E. Main Street was presented. The variance is regarding a side yard setback for a shed at 10 feet instead of the required 45 feet. Motion (Knight, Wartner) to approve the Petition #2025-001 from Steve Brink regarding parcel #107.0312.1000 at 590 E. Main Street to allow a side yard setback on a shed to be 10’. Roll-all ayes. Carried Scott Cruse will call and send a letter to Zephyr Homes, owners of 442 White Street in the Roling Oak Heights subdivision to offer the village to purchase the parcel back. The letter will include a deadline of at least 30 days to respond. Middle Mile Infrastructure is in search of property near Highway 11 to place hubs for fiber internet they are running to Monticello and they are interested in a parcel located in the Benton Business Park. Scott Cruse, Jill Knight, and Sonya Silvers met with Braxton Doshier to discuss possibilities. A permanent easement from the Village would be needed on approximately two acres of land. A monetary value would be discussed. Jared Roling reported that both wells are operational. The sanitary survey results were present to the board. Many recommendations from the DNR were listed. Jared is working on some of the recommendations such as, distribution map with a free QGIS program, drafting written mutual aid agreements, and acquiring painting quotes. Village of Benton February 19, 2025 Board Meeting Minutes Greg Droessler presented information from the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) facilities plan with associated cost. The next step in completing the facilities plan is for the board to determine if they will be completing phase one and two of the plan as one project or separating it and doing phase one now and phase two down the road. Phase one consist of Rehabs or replacements at the WWTP that have been deemed high priority. Phase two consist of rehabs or replacements at the WWTP that have been deemed medium priority. The cost for each phase was presented as well as the effects on the sewer rates. The WWTP interceptor will be replaced in 2025. Greg will determine if the funding for the interceptor can be added to the grants and loan funding for the facilities plan. Motion (Farrey) to replace the WWTP inceptor in 2025 and complete the facilities plan as one project by completing Phase one of the facilities plan in 2026, and completing phase two of the facilities plan in 2027. Motion Failed due to lack of second. The board held additional discussion and determined that phase one and two would be completed as two separate projects due to financing, funding, and the impact it would have on sewer rates. Final approval will be needed when the facilities plan is complete. Pay the claims against the village. Motion (Knight, Wartner) to pay the claims against the village. Roll-all ayes. Carried The meeting was adjourned at 8:51 p.m. Motion (Perkins, Wartner) to adjourn. Voice-all ayes.