Village of Peotone Village Board met March 27.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
I. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor March at 6:00 pm.
II. Roll call
Village Clerk, Stacey Hartwell, conducted the roll call and following persons were present: Trustee Bowden, Trustee Hudson, Trustee Jones, Trustee Marevka, Trustee Sluis and Trustee Strba. Also present were Village Administrator, Aimee Ingalls, Police Chief DeMik. Public Works Manager, Bob Hennke, Village Engineer and Village Attorney.
III. Public Comments:
Jodi Becker from Rathje Road stated she would appreciate a no vote to chickens, would it then progress to having other livestock type animals. Jolane Walenga proposed to allow backyard chickens, she presented examples of prefabricated coops to the Board as an option, Trustee Bowden asked a few questions about coop and enclosed free space, the Mayor asked what she thought a reasonable permit fee would be and if she was open to inspections, Trustee Bowden asked if they require heaters in the winter and how long do they live, it was asked how long they lay for. Kathryn Mahn stated she is in support of backyard chickens, Trustee Bowden brought up ordinances that were previously presented, it was stated by a resident that a 6' fence should be required. Ed Nelson stated he would be a no vote on the chickens, asked if anyone was at the meet and greet a few weeks ago, he stated that there needs to be transparency, people can attend a meeting or read the Vedette. Catherine Jakubowski who lives on Rathje Road spoke in regards to the Planning & Zoning item being voted on, she doesn't understand the vision of the Village and the Board, she asked if it needed to be posted, it was posted as required for the Planning & Zoning Meeting, she asked if there was any news on the airport, Mayor replied there is a bill that was passed by the house but hasn't been finalized, she brought up concerns about the truck stop and current concerns with trucks regarding signage and what streets they are allowed on in the Village and enforcement concerns, Mayor replied they should be on approved routes and there are some issues that the Police Department is working on enforcing, it is a work in progress. Virginia Hamann, the Peotone Township Tax Assessor spoke regarding issues and problems she had contacted the Administrator about some answers and requested copies of ordinances on consolidation of adjoining lots before breaking ground and setbacks but had not received responses on, Administrator responded there is not an ordinance for consolidation of lots. Ed Nelson spoke again and stated that he felt if the current Code Enforcer was working one or two days a week that before chickens are considered that position needs to be filled because codes need to be followed and enforced. Catherine Jakubowski spoke again and brought up Elwood as an example regarding trucks and trains, it is all outlined there with signage. She stated that Planning & Zoning Commission said an environmental study was done and asked if that was accurate, Village Engineer said there was a Site Assessment done, she wanted to know what the benefit would be for the residents and where was the posting, Mayor replied it was in the Vedette. The Administrator offered the Village website as a resource for the planning materials, comprehensive plan, zoning map, Business and Tif Districts.
IV. Approval of Consent Agenda:
Mayor moved the Home Occupation Permit from the Consent Agenda to New Business.
A. Approve the Minutes of the March 13, 2023, Regular Village Board meeting.
B. Approve Payroll/Accounts Payable
C. Accept the Resignation of Full Time Police Officer, Nathan Hess
D. Accept the Resignation of Full Time Police Officer, Kenneth Hopman
E. Accept the Resignation of Full Time Public Works Laborer, David Baker
Moved by Trustee Marevka, Seconded by Trustee Sluis
Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Trustee Bowden, Trustee Hudson, Trustee Jones, Trustee Marevka, Trustee Sluis and Trustee Strba
Nays: None
Absent: None
Motion passed.
V. Staff Committee Reports:
A. Aqua - Angie had nothing new to report, asked if there were any questions. Mayor asked about the restoration around the water tower, she said it will be getting done as soon as possible. Trustee Marevka asked about the chemical feed building and if they are large and if they smell, Angie replied Aqua met with the Park District, they are not big (approx. 12 x 8) and they do not smell.
B. Public Works - Brush pick up starts next week, please follow the guidelines; interviews will be held next week for his department; trees are being planted this week and thank you to Peotone Township for the use of their skid steer; touch a truck is coming up Thursday night in New Lenox; the Peotone PTO reached out and they want public works to participate in a family night touch a truck event.
C. Engineer - MFT project starting on design work, taking pavement cores in Mill Trace; RR Street landscaping, parking blocks and crosswalks remain, will come up with a fix for the back lot entry and it will be done when contract is done for Mill Trace.
D. Police Chief - Lost two officers, current officers have been great and accommodating schedule needs, a couple officers are scheduled and will be attending truck enforcement school.
E. Administrator Still looking for Building/Zoning Coordinator which may encompass Code Enforcement, will be open until filled, interviews next week; Rebel Ice Cream is moving along with renovations; the taxing bodies met at the end of February; the next blood drive will be May 23 from 11-6 at the Fire District; business/liquor/tobacco/amusement applications were mailed out; at 206 N. Second Street the awarded contractor for demo does not want to adhere to the scope of work, she reached out to a local contractor and they do not want the job, it will be rebid.
VI. Mayor's Comments - Administrator and Mayor will be attending the Will County Lobby Day in Springfield; working with Finance Consultant & Trustee Bowden on maximizing interest on the Villages accounts; construction at I-57 and 88th Avenue is set to begin mid April; Community garage sales will be handled by the Village as the Chamber decided not to, more info will be forthcoming.
VII. Old Business: None
VIII. New Business:
A. APPROVE HOME OCCUPATION PERMIT, DIVA ME BELLA LLC (HAIR & MAKEUP ARTISTRY) DANIELLE LEIGHTON, 1021 BONNIE LANE, PEOTONE, IL
She is a traveling booking agent for hair and makeup, 80% wedding/20% commercial, mostly bridal trials, one or two a month, parking will be in her driveway, there will be no signage in her yard.
Moved by Trustee Marevka, Seconded by Trustee Sluis
Roll Call Vote: Trustee Bowden, Trustee Hudson, Trustee Jones, Trustee Marevka, Trustee Sluis and Trustee Strba
Nays: None
Absent: None
Motion passed
B. DISCUSS VILLAGE CODE 91-09 (KEEPING LIVESTOCK
Trustee Hudson stated he is trying to keep an open mind, some people are for and some are against. would this be something that would go to committee? Mayor replied that the Board will discuss and if they decide to move forward then it would go to a committee. Trustee Marevka had contacted some other Villages that allow chickens to see what some of the issues are and they included: people not getting the required permits, chickens getting loose and other people's animals getting them, no issues with them smelling. She feels it would be easier with a full time code enforcer. Trustee Jones asked what about ducks or turkeys, where do you draw the line? Trustee Bowden stated he likes the pre fab coops and that he has learned a lot and thinks it should go to the building committee and that pro and anti chicken people should attend and discuss and that it would need careful consideration, he is not a no but not yet. Trustee Sluis agrees with it going to a committee and discussing further. The Mayor thinks it should require a 6' privacy fence around the entire yard, a coop or pre fab building, a building permit and annual registration, code enforcement is not currently allowed access to backyards and this would require a provision for an annual inspection to renew. Tax Assessor Hamann asked if this would be considered a permanent structure and would it be considered an accessory building where current code only allows one? Mayor stated the building committee will have a meeting in the next couple weeks to review.
C. ORDINANCE APPROVING A CLASS M-2 LIQUOR LICENSE FOR SUZY'S SALOON LOCATED AT 111 N. SECOND STREET, PEOTONE, IL
M-2 allows entertainment/performances in addition to a regular liquor license as approved by the liquor commissioner. List can be given for the entire year, all indoor and during regular class hours.
Moved by Trustee Sluis, Seconded by Trustee Marevka
Roll Call Vote: Trustee Bowden, Trustee Hudson, Trustee Jones, Trustee Marevka, Trustee Sluis and Trustee Strba
Nays: None
Absent: None
Motion passed
D. RESOLUTION TO APPROVE SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH STANARD & ASSOCIATES FOR RECRUITMENT OF POLICE OFFICERS NOT TO EXCEED $1500.00
Chief gave description. As Village is under 5000 residents there are no rules on how we hire within reason. This will help him recruit officers and establish an eligibility list. Applicant pays a $45.00 fee.
He has spots reserved in the academy. Trustee Bowden asked how long the contract is for, it is a one test deal.
Moved by Trustee Hudson, Seconded by Trustee Jones
Roll Call Vote: Trustee Bowden, Trustee Hudson, Trustee Jones, Trustee Marevka, Trustee Sluis and Trustee Strba
Nays: None
Absent: None
Motion passed
E. MOTION TO APPROVE SIDE LETTER OF UNDERSTANDING & AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE VILLAGE OF PEOTONE AND ITS POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS, 700 LOCAL REPRESENTING THE PEOTONE POLICE OFFICERS
A copy of the letter drafted was given to the Trustees. Union members have agreed to it, trying to change the structure of pay to encourage lateral employees from other towns. The Mayor stated the starting salary is lower than adjacent towns and that is causing difficulty with recruitment and retaining current officers, trying to make it a more level playing field. The Mayor thinks it is a good start and we can make adjustments if necessary. This will just be for new officers and will put the Village in a better position.
Moved by Trustee Bowden, Seconded by Trustee Marevka
Roll Call Vote: Trustee Bowden, Trustee Hudson, Trustee Jones, Trustee Marevka, Trustee Sluis and Trustee Strba
Nays: None
Absent: None
Motion passed
F. MOTION TO APPROVE IDOT RESOLUTIONS FOR 2023 RESURFACING PROJECT IN MILL TRACE NEIGHBORHOOD (HANS BRINKER, AMSTERDAM & VAN GOGH) AND ENGINEERING AGREEMENT
Required IDOT forms to use MFT and Rebuild IL bond funds for this type of project. Mayor asked Bob how streets being done were determined? Bob said they are determined by condition and age and that the cores will tell the Village a lot. Mayor stated there was also a street study done a few years ago by CMAP. Trustee Jones asked if it was possible to move the sidewalk back, Mayor replied, no because there are no setbacks and there is no parkway there
Moved by Trustee Sluis, Seconded by Trustee Marevka
Roll Call Vote: Trustee Bowden, Trustee Hudson, Trustee Jones, Trustee Marevka, Trustee Sluis and Trustee Strba
Nays: None
Absent: None
Motion passed
G. ORDINANCE APPROVING REQUEST FOR REZONING FROM R-1 ONE FAMILY RESIDENCE TO B-3 AUTO ORIENTED AND SERVICE BUSINESS DISTRIC FOR 8650 W. WILMINGTON ROAD, PEOTONE, IL
Neal Piggush from Piggush Engineering presented a concept plan and the first step that the developer has put together. It is not set in stone and nor are there any potential tenants. The property was purchased by the developer last year and there are no current commitments. They are talking to potential tenants and were waiting for zoning to be reviewed. Trustee Bowden asked why it is being marketed the way it is if they don't have any potential tenants, he stated he is completely against this whole concept, he doesn't feel it needs to be rezoned at this time and it should be marketed and create a beneficial plan and then apply to rezone it, Trustee Jones stated he agrees 100% and asked about a turn in as he thought there was only one turn in allowed at that parcel of property. The Engineer was unsure and that on the East side it is a right in right out and they are not the same, he said it is a County highway and not IDOT and he said that the Planning & Zoning recommended it and that it follows the comprehensive plan. Trustee Bowden made a motion to deny. The Mayor clarified that they are not against development there, they just want the right development there and would love to have a conversation with the developers themselves.
Motion to Deny: Moved by Trustee Bowden, Seconded by Trustee Jones
Roll Call Vote: Trustee Bowden, Trustee Hudson, Trustee Jones, Trustee Marevka, Trustee Sluis and Trustee Strba
Nays: None
Absent: None
Motion passed
H. ORDINANCE APPROVING A REQUEST FOR SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR A TWO FAMILY DWELLING UNIT IN THE R-3 ONE FAMILY RESIDENCE DISTRICT AT 440 E. CRAWFORD ST, PEOTONE, IL
This went to the Planning Commission and was unanimously approved. This property currently has a special use and is an existing two family dwelling. The property is being sold and it was requested to allow to the special use for the sale to go through.
Moved by Trustee Hudson, Seconded by Trustee Marevka
Roll Call Vote: Trustee Bowden, Trustee Hudson, Trustee Jones, Trustee Marevka, Trustee Sluis and Trustee Strba
Nays: None
Absent: None
Motion passed
I. ORDINANCE APPROVING A REQUEST FOR SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR HARDCORE HAMMERS LLC AT 1201 TEAL ST, PEOTONE, IL
This went before the Planning Commission and was unanimously approved. This special use would allow the business to occupy the vacant half of the warehouse building that is currently unused behind Circle K. It would be fabrication and painting, everything would be contained inside, the company has been in business for 13 years, it would employ approximately five full time employees, no retail sales, mostly direct to consumer, ships worldwide, no retail sales, can pick up from location but will be minimal.
Moved by Trustee Marevka, Seconded by Trustee Sluis
Roll Call Vote: Trustee Bowden, Trustee Hudson, Trustee Jones, Trustee Marevka, Trustee Sluis and Trustee Strba
Nays: None
Absent: None
Motion passed
J. GO INTO CLOSED SESSION
Moved by Trustee Sluis, Seconded by Trustee Jones
Roll Call Vote: Trustee Bowden, Trustee Hudson, Trustee Jones, Trustee Marevka, Trustee Sluis and Trustee Strba
Nays: None
Absent: None
Motion passed
K. MOTION TO RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION
Moved by Trustee Marevka, Seconded by Trustee Sluis
Roll Call Vote: Trustee Bowden, Trustee Hudson, Trustee Jones, Trustee Marevka, Trustee Sluis and Trustee Strba
Nays: None
Absent: None
Motion passed
IX. Questions of the Press: None
X. Correspondence/Communications/Petitions: None
XI. Adjournment:
Motion by Trustee Jones, Seconded by Trustee Sluis All said AYE
Nays: None
Absent: None
Adjournment at 7:33pm
https://villageofpeotone.com/wp-content/uploads/Regular-Village-Board-Meeting-March-27-2023.pdf
Alerts Sign-up