Sheffield qualifies for CDAP funds
SHEFFIELD — Sheffield Trustee Adrianne Ries informed the board at Monday’s village board meeting that Sheffield does meet the guidelines required to apply for grant monies through the North Central Illinois Council of Governments.
Nora Fesco-Ballerine of NCICG informed Ries Sheffield did meet the 75 percent guideline for surveys returned from residents, as well as meeting the 51 percent income guideline required to qualify.
The grant program is sponsored by the Illinois Community Development Assistance Program through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Development. The grants, which Sheffield is allowed to apply for, consist of federal funds which come to the state for disbursements as requested.
Mayor Bill Rosenow spoke to city engineer Jeffrey Snyder, Chamlin & Associates, Peru, about projects the village would like to see happen with the money the village could receive.
“I would like to see some improvements made to the lift station and water lines located on the north side of the railroad tracks.” Rosenow said. While other projects will be under consideration, the results from this income survey make it possible for the village to apply for grants through 2011.
In other business, Rosenow presented the board with a draft of a letter to be sent to the Bureau Valley School Board regarding what actions the village would like to see accomplished with the abandoned Sheffield school grounds. Rosenow presented two options. The first would have the Bureau Valley School Board deed the Sheffield school grounds, all buildings and properties to the village of Sheffield, along with funds needed to demolish the buildings. The second option would involve Bureau Valley demolishing the school building, fill in the area with good fill, seed, and deed all land and remaining building, fence, playground equipment and basketball court to the village of Sheffield.
After some discussion regarding the wording and the inclusion of some additional information, the board agreed to have Rosenow rewrite a formal letter to the school board, allowing them 60 days to respond from the date of the letter.
Regarding village policies, trustee Mary Ann Cernovich asked the board to consider writing a policy which ensures all items purchased for the village of Sheffield be bought within Sheffield, if possible. A spirited conversation ensued between Cernovich and trustee Keith VanDermeersch regarding the necessity of such a policy, with concerns about micro-managing every single item that the village requires.
“I don’t want to micro-mange every item we buy, but we should buy in Sheffield when we can to show our support of the town’s business district.” Cernovich said.
Rosenow agreed with VanDermeersch and did not understand why such a policy needs to be written when the village already does purchase within the village.
A motion was put forward by Cernovich, seconded by Ries, and with the exception of VanDermeersch who voted against it, the motion carried, and the policy will go into effect immediately.
Sheffield Police Officer Todd Marquez was also present at the meeting to give his bi-monthly report to the board. Marquez informed the board that since the contract with Animal Control services has been in effect, he has given out three “dog at large” citations, with the fine as much as $100.
In other business, the board:
• Appointed Village Clerk Pat Stier as the Freedom of Information Act officer for the village as of Jan. 1, 2010. She will be available to all residents who require copies of ordinances and other paperwork requests. She can be contacted at the village office (815) 454-2034.
• Moved the Dec. 7 village board meeting to Dec. 8, due to the absence of Rosenow and VanDermeersch. The time will stay the same at 7 p.m.
•Approved a $200 donation to the Sheffield Historical society for the annual Christmas program.
• Was informed by Rosenow the Thursday evening before each board meeting, the previous board minutes, agenda for the upcoming meeting as well as other correspondence required for discussion, will be available for pick up at the community hall.
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