Village of Steeleville raising water, sewer rates

The Village of Steeleville approved raising water and sewer rates for residents during its monthly June meeting on June 5.

Starting July 1, a resident using minimum water usage of 2,000 gallons will expect to pay an additional $1.16 on their bill. Sewer rates will also increase starting May 1, 2018, increasing an additional $1.25 for minimum usage.

In other action, the board approved amending an ordinance regarding yard sales to limit the amount per year and the length of the sale.

"Some of the surrounding communities have ordinances limiting yard sales and we felt it was a good time to do it," said Steeleville Office Manager Deb Thies.

Theis said residents will be restricted to no more than three yard sales per year and no longer than three consecutive days per sale. Violations of the ordinance, if found guilty, could result in between $75 and $750 in fines.

The new law states only one sign can be posted away from the location of the sale and cannot be erected sooner than 5 p.m. on the day before the sale.

"We looked at ordinances in other communities and basically took what they had," Thies said.

The board also approved a petition from A.J. Tretter for an area bulk variance. The Randolph County Zoning Board of Appeals previously approved Tretter's request, which is for an area south and east of Ridge Avenue.

"He has purchased seven acres in town and intends to build a house, but he wants to build a shed prior to building the house," Thies said. "In Steeleville, that requires a variance because the village requires a primary residence on the lot before constructing an accessory building.

"He just wanted to do it in the reverse order."

The board announced the annual appropriation ordinance, which consists of the village's expected revenues and expenses, is now available for public inspection and a hearing will be held during the board's July 6 meeting at 7 p.m.

The board also heard from the Steeleville Jaycees, who are doing some improvements to their park on Shawneetown Trail and asked the board for a donation.

"They're still getting all their expenses together," Thies said. "They will be back, nothing was decided.

"We did say we would help, but we haven't arrived at a dollar amount."

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The annual prevailing wage rate was approved.

The board approved a bid from Dave's Landscaping to trim a tree in Steeleville City Park.

"We are accepting bids for replacing an (emergency) siren at Steeleville City Park and there's a tree blocking where we need to put the siren," Thies said. "Dave's agreed to trim the tree at no cost as long as the city cleans it up."

The board appointed new firefighter Matthew Holdman and new part-time cook Suzanne Morris. Morris will be paid at a rate of $9.50 per hour.

Thies noted that the Illinois Department of Transportation has finished patching Route 4/150, with resurfacing set to take place after July 4.

"The railroad will be working on the crossing at the end of June," she said.

The Steeleville Fire Department will be having an open house on June 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. that will include tours of its new firehouse, equipment displays and a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m.