Village Board — Minutes

Village of Benton November 08, 2023 Board Meeting Minutes Members present: Scott Cruse, Chuck Wartner, John Perkins, Jill Knight, Kenneth Farrey, Joe Slater, Cal Robbins Absent members: Village employees present: Sonya Silvers, Jim Goffinet, Brian Hammill Others Present: 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, November 8th, 2023. 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 (Robbins, Slater) to approve the minutes from the regular Village Board meeting held on October 18th, 2023 as presented. Voice-all ayes. Carried Jim Goffinet reported that Iverson’s finished the black top on the Water Street project. Leaf pick up was completed and brush pick up will be tomorrow. Committee Reports:  The Police Committee will meet Thursday, November 9th at 9:00 a.m.  The Street Committee will meet Monday, November 13th at 9:00 a.m.  The Park Committee has not received the tree plan from Cory Ritterbusch. They received highlights from the plan that they will work with. The ash tree will be left alone until it needs to be taken down. Eric will take some weight off a few trees and will follow up with Leland on tree removal. The pads will be poured this year for benches and the water fountain will also try to be installed.  The Personnel Committee received the attorney’s notes for the police contract. Brian Hammill has had several complaints about speeding and he has been heavy on traffic enforcement. Sonya Silvers announced that the trustee’s up for the Spring Election on April 2nd, 2023 will be Chuck Wartner, John Perkins, and Cal Robbins. Trustees can circulate nomination papers starting December 1st, 2023 and must be returned by January 2, 2024. Scott Cruse called Zephyr Homes on October 6, 2023 and October 7, 2023 regarding the covenants with lot 10 in Roling Oak Height’s Subdivision with no response received. The lot is to have construction started within a year of purchase and completed construction within 18 months. It has been past the 12 months and no construction has begun. A letter was than mailed on October 11, 2023 asking Zephyr Homes to follow up with the Village on the plans for lot 10. The lot in the business park that Leland Felderman owns was discussed. Scott and Sonya will do some follow up work regarding the purchase. Scott explained how the levy limit and general debt obligation works in connection with property taxes. The $175,000 loan that was previously approved will be decreased down to $120,000. The 2024 preliminary budget was presented. Motion (Farrey, Robbins) to approve the 2024 preliminary budget as presented with the loan being reduced from $175,000 to $120,000. Roll-all ayes. Carried Village of Benton November 08, 2023 Board Meeting Minutes Scott presented funding information and an estimated timeline with a contract from Vierbicher for the Main Street water main project. The street committee will review the contract at the next meeting. Pay the claims against the Village. Motion (Knight, Slater) to pay the claims against the Village. Voice-all ayes. Carried Meeting adjourned at 7:19 p.m. Motion (Slater, Perkins) to adjourn. Voice-all ayes. Carried