Village Farm Lease Signed, Other Development Projects Discussed

The Village of Milledgeville Board of Trustees met February 1. Village President Galen Wirth, and Trustees Doug Biller, Bill Stage, Stan Eads, Gene Behrens, and Gary Judd were present. Others in attendance were Lanark Mayor Ed Stern, Sam baughman, Marion Van Kampen, Sharon Pepin, Maintenance Supervisor Greg Miller, Treasurer Wanda Rohn, and Police Chief Jim Haag.

Wirth announced that Kal and Keith Engelkens had signed the farm lease agreement. Clerk Christy Ottens had been informed by the Carroll County Assessor that the property was no longer tax-exempt due to the farm lease. Taxes will run approximately $220, and they will be paid by Engelkens. Their first farm lease payment is March 1, 2010, and their second payment is due November 1, 2010. The second payment will have the taxes they have paid deducted from the total due.

Sharon Pepin, Community Funding & Planning Services, told the Board that Theresa Wittenauer of Blackhawk Hills RC&D/Economic Development would like to arrange a meeting for Friday, Feb. 5. A conference call with the Illinois Dept. of Labor will also take place. They have been in touch with Pepin about the Industrial Park project, seeking information on the start date. Pepin also asked the Board for approval to contact the Village web page designer to update the Industrial Park link, and add a map of the proposed project. The Board agreed.

Pepin asked the Board to approve a resolution for Support and Commitment of Funds for the State of Illinois Community Development Assistance Program (CDAP) Public Infrastructure Grant. The grant will be used toward the Old Mill Water Line project. The motion was unanimously approved.

The Board approved a motion to send Clerk Christy Ottens to the Illinois Institute of Rural Affairs’ State Convention in Peoria on March 3 & 4. Wirth told the Board that there is a lot of information presented about small towns, and attending the conference “will be very worthwhile.”

Wirth announced that the Carroll County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) held their meeting in January. The organization has been in existence for over 20 years. CEDS elected a new slate of officers. Diane Komiskey, Executive Director of the Jo-Carroll Local Redevelopment Authority (LRA) has been elected President; Wirth is now Vice President; Secretary is Bonnie Heckman-Foust, Village President of Shannon; and Tom Kocal, City of Lanark Alderman, was re-elected as Treasurer.

Jim Fox, Community Relations Director with ComEd, sent correspondence to the Village announcing that Asplundh will no longer trim trees for ComEd. Wright Tree Service is the new company hired to conduct tree trimming, and Fox wanted to notify the public that if they see Wright vehicles in the area, that they are working for ComEd.

Wirth announced that the 2010 Census is approaching, urging the public to comply with the Census. “We get statistics that help us get grants and funds that improve out town and schools,” Wirth added. “Filling out the Census form takes about 10 minutes, and all information is kept confidential for 70 years.” He will be meeting with local ministers, Wysox Twp. officials, and school officials to help spread the word, and will also be submitting information thoThe Prairie Advocate News and the Milledgeville Messenger newsletter for citizens to review.

The Board then unanimously approved passing a Resolution in Support of the Jo-Carroll Depot Local Redevelopment Authority (LRA) and Expedited Transfer of Property for Economic Development. Wirth said that approximately 80% of the land available to the LRA has been spoken for from businesses who wish to develop there. The land was supposed to be released already, but the time line keeps getting extended by the Army. They now say it may not be until 2023, an additional 9 years. The Resolution asks that the land transfer be carried out in a timely manner so businesses can proceed with their plans.

NIXLE launched in Milledgeville

During Employee Reports, Chief Haag notified the Board that he has installed a new community information service for the Village. Nixle, is designed to deliver important and timely information to residents using the web, e-mail and cell phones. Milledgeville residents will be able to receive police-related and municipal government information via Nixle.

Greg Miller reported that the generator repair work at the sewer plant has been completed. They are now developing a yearly maintenance schedule.

Sauk Valley Plumbing will assist on the repair of a valve that froze on the water tower. A loose wire on the heat tape was the culprit.

Resident water meters are being checked, as they are to be repaired or replaced as needed. They are attempting to locate the oldest meters first.

Trustee Gary Judd was again approached by a resident whose driveway is off of 1st St. The dip going into the driveway is causing the undercoating of their vehicle to be scraped off. Judd’s car also bottomed out when he turned into the drive. When 1st St. was re-done, so were residents’ drives. More research will be done.

Wirth told the Board that Roger DeVries told him that there is a possibility of the Community Center being sold. If that occurs, Village Hall may again become the site for elections and other gatherings, as has been done in the past.

The Public Works Committee announced it will meet before the next Board meeting on Feb. 15 at 7:00 p.m. to discuss a water main line break in a resident’s home.

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