Council Minutes and Agenda's

DRAFT MINUTES

November 5, 2003

The Village Board of Trustees met in regular session on November 5th, 2003, in the Farley Room of the Municipal Building.

Members Present: Mayor Keith Waldrop, Clerk Ladora Boyd, Trustee Bill Hatch, Trustee Bonnie Finn, Trustee Jack Gallion, Trustee Carole Jones, Trustee Sherry Catt, Trustee Debi Wilson and Treasurer Jan Miller.

Others Present: Public Works Superintendent Gary Lanter, Police Chief Chad Pusey, Tom Compton (Daily News), Gerald Adams, Charlotte Cannon (Oblong Gem), Shannon Woodard (Connor & Connor, Inc.), Sean Helmer, Ron Finn, Michael McReynolds II, Mike McReynolds, Cindy McReynolds, Elizabeth Inboden, Sara (Hill) Brotherton, Todd Criswell (Jamax Corp.), Frank Weber (Village Attorney), Emmalee Priest (Kim Priest's Daughter) and Rex Finn.

1. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Mayor Waldrop. The Mayor wanted to thank Debi for standing in while he was out of town and everybody that helped out.

2. The Regular Meeting minutes of October 1st and Special Board Meeting minutes of October 27th were approved with a motion by Bill and a second by Bonnie. All ayes, motion carried.

3. There were no additions or deletions to the agenda this month.

4. There was one delinquent water bill customer at the meeting this month. Kim Priest's daughter asked for an extension on her mother's water bill until November 19th. The extension was granted by the board.

5. Michael McReynolds II came before the board to speak about a concern he has about the need for an ordinance officer for the Village. Mr. McReynolds had sent and talked to all the board members. (See attached memo) Mr. McReynolds would like to be considered for the position of Ordinance Officer. The Mayor stated that the board could considered this proposal and possible budget for it next fiscal year.

6. Todd Criswell (Jamax Corp.) came before the board to give some information and answer some questions. Mr. Criswell stated that they do tone down the back up beep until the sunrise, so as not to disturb the residents. Carole asked if Jamax was licensed in Illinois (She had heard that Jamax was not). Mr. Criswell stated that Jamax is licensed to run in Illinois. Carole asked if Jamax will be picking up appliances on Friday, November 7th (Fall Clean-Up). Mr. Criswell stated that Jamax would pick-up washers, dryers and stoves. Mr. Criswell stated that the company will pick-up refrigerators if the compressor unit is taken off. It was asked how long the current contract was for. The contract will expire June, 2005. Mr. Criswell stated that if there are any problems, it would be best to contact the Vincennes Office instead of the Terre Haute Office.

7. Shannon came before the Board to bring bills for the Water Tower Project. The pay out is as follows: David L. Krick ($ 28,121.42) and Connor & Connor, Inc. ($ 4,296.11). Motion by Bonnie, with a second by Jack, to pay the bills on the Water Tower Project with approval from the Illinois EPA. All ayes, motion carried. Shannon stated that the steel for the new water tower will be delivered in two weeks but the welders may not be here for a month. Shannon stated that there are a couple small diameter lines that run parallel to the new lines that would be best to replace them now instead of later. The lines are locate on East 975th Avenue (Southeast side of Oblong). The cost of replacing the lines would be between $3,500 to $5,000. Motion by Bill, with a second by Carole, to replace the small diameter lines on East 975th Avenue. All ayes, motion carried.

8. Bill stated that the Animal Committee had a discussion on the animal issue and ordinances involving animals in the Village. Bill stated that the committee asked the mayor if it would be alright for the committee to set up a meeting with the Village Attorney, Frank Weber. The committee met with Frank Weber and discussed making some changes to the ordinance dealing with animals inside the village limits. Bill stated that so far the Village has dealt with 2 complaints which involved public safety and nuisance. Therefore the Village enforced that ordinance as it is written.

9. Mr. Weber has some suggestions on changing the Village animal ordinances. Mr. Weber suggested changing the ordinance to accommodate 4-H projects and possibly have pleasure horses (Not Work Horses) with the owner getting a permit from the Village. Mr. Weber will draft the changes and give to the

animal committee to look over and share the draft with the rest of the board. The board will vote on the changes to the Animal Ordinance at the next board meeting possibly.

Mr. Weber stated that he had been contacted by the Police Chief about making a change to the ordinance contained in Chapter 21, Section 21-3-20. Mr. Weber would like to research the State Statutes and bring the changes back next month.

10. Under Mayor's Comments: a.) Keith stated that he had received a letter from Dani Pitt (Crawford County Health Department). Dani stated in the letter that she had investigated the property at 601 East Kentucky Street. Mr. Weber asked if he can give the Village some advice on how to precede with the condemning of this property. Motion by Carole, with a second by Debi, to adopt an ordinance to have the property at 601 East Kentucky condemned. All ayes, motion carried.

b.) Keith stated that Larry Fear is in the hospital with kidney problems. Keith wondered if the board would like to get a card and have everyone sign it and send it to him. Chad stated that for now Larry has been taken off the police schedule.

c.) Keith stated that the Village had received a Thank You card from Betty Lindsay for the Grapevine Wreath that was sent to Max's Memorial Service.

d.) Keith stated that the Village Police and Public Works Department are having an open house out at the park on November 14th from 3 pm to 7 pm, to show the community the new Public Works Building and the new vehicle (Police and Public Works). There will be tours given of the new building. There will be a Free Feed (Pork Burger, Hot Dogs, Chips and Pop). First Robinson Savings Bank is going to loan the Village their big grill.

e.) Keith stated that the Village Trustees' and Employees' Christmas Party will be December 19th at 6 pm. The party will be held at the HiWay Cafe. Keith stated that he will need to know how many will be attending about a week before December 19th.

f.) Keith stated that the VFW would like to use the 4-Way Stop for Poppy Day, on November 8th from 8 am to 12 (noon). Motion by Jack, with a second by Sherry, to allow the VFW to use the 4-Way Stop for Poppy Day. All ayes, motion carried.

11. The treasurer's report was given by Jan. Jan suggested that the Village close out Repo # 15055. She needs to transfer $10,000 into the Unemployment Fund.

12. There was some discussion on the bills that were on the vouchers. Motion by Debi, with a second by Bonnie, to pay the bills that were on the voucher and any utility bills, bills that will incur a late charge or reimbursements to employees. All ayes, motion carried.

13. Reports of Committees:

A. Police: Carole stated that everyone had a copy of the monthly police report. Carole stated that she has received a couple of complaints of too many stops by the police. Carole stated that she had a letter commending the Chief on handling a child custody problem. The letter was from James and Penny Carman. Mayor asked the Chief in the last three weeks how many of the businesses uptown have been found with unlock doors. The Chief stated that there have been seven businesses found with their doors unlock, one of them being the dentist office.

B. Buildings and Park: No Report.

C. Sidewalks and Lights: Jack stated that Gary and the guys have completed the majority of the sidewalk repair needing to be done.

D. Street and Alley: Gary felt that things are going pretty smooth with the leaf pick-up. The leaf vacuum will be running on Monday the whole month of November. The Public Works Department will pick-up bagged leaves anytime during the week.

E. Water and Sewer: Gary stated that the new water booster station construction may start the end of this week. Gary ask Jan a question about the water fund. Jan answered Gary's question.

F. Finance: Motion by Debi, with a second by Bill, to close out Repo #15055 and transfer it to the general checking account. All ayes, motion carried.

14. Under other items: a.) Keith stated that the Oilfield Museum's parking lot will be black topped shortly and also, that the construction on the Oilfield Store building is coming along. Keith stated that the Museum board is hoping to move pictures, documents and other information that is inside the old museum building out to the new museum building. Keith stated that he had seen where the Museum board has applied for some more grant money.

b.) Debi stated that some concerned citizens had contacted her and asked her why the mail is not being delivered to the Clerk's Office instead of the Public Work's Office and also, about the copier usage.

c.) Bonnie asked the Chief if Officer Plummer had been released from the doctor. The Chief stated that Officer Plummer had been released.

15. Motion by Jack, with a second by Bonnie, to adjourn at 8:18 pm. All ayes, motion carried.

Respectfully Submitted,

Ladora Boyd, Clerk