Teutopolis village trustees agreed to consider a program for improving commercial building facades during their regular meeting Wednesday night.
The village praised efforts to improve the fronts of Repking Eyecare and Community Support Systems. The discussion covered the possibility of setting up a façade improvement fund to offer partial reimbursement to building owners changing their fronts. Trustee Dan Zerrusen suggested having the question covered by a board committee, which could be under the jurisdiction building and grounds. Other board members were supportive of that approach.
Trustee Dave Tegeler said some residents have asked if the village could become a train-horn free zone similar to what Effingham has done with intersections along Canadian National Railway. Train horns warn motorists and pedestrians at crossings, including those with automatic lighted crossing gates blocking traffic as the train passes. The question is whether the roadway crossings could be changed to prevent accidents when drivers or walkers pass through the crossing arms at the last second. That would include placing barriers to prevent violations of the crossing arms.
A horn-free zone would be welcomed by homeowners living by the railroad as well as the grade school where the noise can temporary disrupt classes.
Zerrusen said it will be costly and complicated to qualify for a no-horn designation. He noted it took Effingham years to get it done. The width of the streets at rail crossings would be an issue as well as other factors. He doubts that could be done for now.
The board approved a number of payments to contractors. The village will pay $153,083 to Effingham Asphalt for replacement of a box culvert on John Street and two payments totaling $165, 578 to MBI Construction for work on Harvester Street. The Trustees voted to pay Salem Tire and Auto $678 for new tires for Teutopolis Police vehicle. Wabash Fire in Effingham is affiliated with Salem Tire and Auto.
The votes were unanimous with Zerrusen, Tegeler, Rachel Collins, Robin Imburgia, Greg Oseland and Chris Mette answering roll call.
Teutopolis Park District will receive $10,000 in Tax Increment Financing money to help pay for parking lot resurfacing, estimated at $31,500.
Village health insurance for employees will increase by 3 percent.
The village is checking for leaks in underground pipes. Tegeler wants a total use of underground camera technology to detect problems.
Discussion continued from the public hearing regarding the proposed third TIF district. One question is whether the village should add a lift station, but engineering reports indicate that might not be necessary.
During a closed session, board members offered answers to three property owners with land that would be part of the new TIF district. Lawyers for the village and landowners will now take up the issue.
A bus purchase assisted by TIF funds was criticized by the village auditor. The TIF advising firm has offered to contact the auditor. Adam Shaw, the village’s TIF adviser, said state courts have supported municipalities on their power to decide on TIF fund use as long as there are no outrageous expenditures. When Shaw was asked tongue-in-cheek by a news reporter if building a ballroom with TIF funds would be outragious, several Trustees started laughing.
After an evening with tense moments on TIFs, it was fine time for a good laugh.