New Village Council members sworn in

New Village Council members sworn in
Newly elected Dundee Village Council members and Village President Jim Roe were sworn in and officially took office on Tuesday, April 6.

Newly elected trustees were Janet Bunch and Chad Lazette. J.C. Meehling was re-elected, as was Mr. Roe. Mrs. Bunch also has served on the Council in the past.

Long-time Council member Vaughn Massingill was named Village President Pro-Tempore, who will serve as president if Mr. Roe is unable or unavailable on some occasions.

Debbie Westbrook was reappointed as Village Clerk and Gertrude Rod was reappointed as Village Treasurer. These two positions are no longer elected, but appointed by the Village President and approved by the Council.

Council voted to have the engineering firm of David Arthur Consultants Inc. design the new industrial park at a cost of $79,200. It was the lowest proposal received. The next lowest proposal, $82,900 came from Arcadis FPS.

The firm will design the new industrial park’s roads, water and sewer lines, electrical conduit and ditches.

“It will be a full-service industrial park,” said Village Manager Patrick Burtch of the 153 acres recently acquired from Monroe Bank and Trust. The area is now called Industrial Park III.

In a related matter, Council approved having a company called TTL (formerly TolTest), perform a Phase I environmental survey and do soil borings on the new industrial park property. Some of the borings will determine the depth all the way to bedrock. Cost is $11,150.

Mr. Burtch said that half of the cost of marketing the property will be paid by Monroe Bank & Trust. The cost of the environmental testing, is determined to be part of the marketing aspect. A total estimate of marketing costs is $90,000.

Council agreed to contribute $5,000 toward the Mayfly Music Festival, sponsored by the Dundee Area Business Association. That group just set the date for the festival of June 25-26. Money from the Village will be used for such things as police protection, porta-johns and security.

Village Council members voted to lease the first floor of the former Dundee Antiques Shop to a florist. The Council could have rented the property to a group of doctors, but members said it was important to keep retail downtown, and it was less expensive to renovate the property for retail than for doctors’ offices. The space will be rented with a five-year lease.

Village Council originally purchased the building to relocate the building inspector’s offices. The building inspector still may use the basement of the building, which has walk-out access in the back, said Mr. Burtch.

Mr. Burtch said the rent from the first floor will make the payments on the building. He said he would try to help the doctors find a more suitable space, since parking is limited downtown, anyway.

Mr. Burtch also reported that the Lonestar Steak House soon will be under construction, as will the new Tractor Supply.also going in on M-50.

In additional discussion about the building inspection fund and fees, Mr. Burtch said the Village may soon go to a flat fee per square foot to determine the building inspection fees. Currently, the fees are based on the cost to construct a house.

“We will get a slightly lower fee, but that will take away the incentive to not be honest about what a house costs to build, so they can save on the permit fee,” said Mr. Burtch.


New Village Council members sworn in Newly elected Dundee Village Council members and Village President Jim Roe were sworn in and officially took office on Tuesday, April 6. Newly elected trustees were Janet Bunch and Chad Lazette. J.C. Meehling was re-elected, as was Mr. Roe. Mrs. Bunch also has served on the Council in the past. Long-time Council member Vaughn Massingill was named Village President Pro-Tempore, who will serve as president if Mr. Roe is unable or unavailable on some occasions. Debbie Westbrook was reappointed as Village Clerk and Gertrude Rod was reappointed as Village Treasurer. These two positions are no longer elected, but appointed by the Village President and approved by the Council. Council voted to have the engineering firm of David Arthur Consultants Inc. design the new industrial park at a cost of $79,200. It was the lowest proposal received. The next lowest proposal, $82,900 came from Arcadis FPS. The firm will design the new industrial park’s roads, water and sewer lines, electrical conduit and ditches. “It will be a full-service industrial park,” said Village Manager Patrick Burtch of the 153 acres recently acquired from Monroe Bank and Trust. The area is now called Industrial Park III. In a related matter, Council approved having a company called TTL (formerly TolTest), perform a Phase I environmental survey and do soil borings on the new industrial park property. Some of the borings will determine the depth all the way to bedrock. Cost is $11,150. Mr. Burtch said that half of the cost of marketing the property will be paid by Monroe Bank & Trust. The cost of the environmental testing, is determined to be part of the marketing aspect. A total estimate of marketing costs is $90,000. Council agreed to contribute $5,000 toward the Mayfly Music Festival, sponsored by the Dundee Area Business Association. That group just set the date for the festival of June 25-26. Money from the Village will be used for such things as police protection, porta-johns and security. Village Council members voted to lease the first floor of the former Dundee Antiques Shop to a florist. The Council could have rented the property to a group of doctors, but members said it was important to keep retail downtown, and it was less expensive to renovate the property for retail than for doctors’ offices. The space will be rented with a five-year lease. Village Council originally purchased the building to relocate the building inspector’s offices. The building inspector still may use the basement of the building, which has walk-out access in the back, said Mr. Burtch. Mr. Burtch said the rent from the first floor will make the payments on the building. He said he would try to help the doctors find a more suitable space, since parking is limited downtown, anyway. Mr. Burtch also reported that the Lonestar Steak House soon will be under construction, as will the new Tractor Supply.also going in on M-50. In additional discussion about the building inspection fund and fees, Mr. Burtch said the Village may soon go to a flat fee per square foot to determine the building inspection fees. Currently, the fees are based on the cost to construct a house. “We will get a slightly lower fee, but that will take away the incentive to not be honest about what a house costs to build, so they can save on the permit fee,” said Mr. Burtch.
			The Hon. Pamela Moskwa (right) administered the oath of office to newly elected and re-elected Dundee Village Council members (left to right): Village President Jim Roe, and Trustees Chad Lazette, Janet Bunch and J.C. Meehling.