Village of Oblong
February 1, 2006
MINUTES
The Village Board of Trustees met in regular session on February 1st, 2006, in the Farley Room of the Municipal Building.
Members Present: Mayor Randy Rich, Clerk Ladora Boyd, Trustee Rick Catt, Trustee Bonnie Finn, Trustee Rick Houdasheldt, Trustee Ken Russell, 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), Charlotte Cannon (Oblong) and Public Works Office Manager Dale Davis.
1. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Mayor Rich.
2. The Regular Board Meeting minutes of January 4th, 2006, were approved with a motion by Rick H. and a second by Debi. All ayes, motion carried.
3. There were no additions or deletions to the agenda this month.
4. There were no water bill customers at the meeting this month.
5. Under Mayor's Comments:
A. Randy stated that he has left some messages with the owner of the building in the 100 block of South Range Street. Randy stated that he would like to get a contact number for insurance company of the owner, so that he can talk to them. The story Randy is getting is that the insurance company is holding up the process.
B. Randy stated that all the health insurance packets have been given out and he has given the insurance companies a deadline to submit their bids. The deadline is Wednesday, February 8th, by noon.
C. Randy stated that the dog waste in the business district is getting really bad. Randy stated that he had personally seen an owner let the dog do its business and then just walks away. Randy feels that there has been enough in the papers that there are no reason for the police department to issue warning instead of tickets. The board agreed with Randy that the police department can start issuing tickets for this problem.
D. Randy mentioned that the Village had received a renewal notice from Illinois Sheriffs’ Association for annual membership dues. He wanted to know if the Trustees stills want to have the Village be a member or not. The board was in agreement to continue with the membership. Motion by Sherry, with a second by Bonnie, to pay the $50 membership fee to the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association. All ayes, motion carried.
E. Randy mentioned that he had received a letter from Frank Weber, Village Attorney. Randy read a couple excerpts from the letter “I am please to advise that the discrimination case brought against the Village by Jean Ann Randolph in federal court has now been dismissed. Enclosed herein you will find a copy of the ORDER and JUDGEMENT which were entered in that case on January 17th, 2006.” And to summarize “I believe this will conclude the long and costly litigation involving this issue.” Randy stated that if we had any other questions we can contact Frank.
6. Jan stated that she had given everyone the monthly report. This will be the report that she will be giving each month. The report breaks down each month’s income and expenditures.
7. Motion by Debi, with a second by Rick C., to pay the bills that were on the warranty list and any utility bills, bills that will incur a late charge or reimbursements to employees. All ayes, motion carried.
8. Reports of Committees:
A Police: Rick H. stated that Chad had finished his Hazmat training last week. The rooms upstairs are about finished for the police evidence/storage and the township storage. The mayor asked about the bill for this project should it be paid or wait until next month to be paid. It was stated that the amount had already been approved. Chad stated that there will be a couple of training session this month. On February 15th, there will be a training session on RT for Chad. On February 17th, there will be a training session on Hot Topic Law Review in Robinson that Chad, Kristin and Paul will be attending. Chad stated that the school had requested that the police department help with the parking in the Fire Lane. Chad stated that he had issued some warning already, but will start issuing some citations. There was also, some discussion about parking right next to a stop sign at the corner of West Missouri and South Jefferson. A solution to that problem was brought up that there could be a sign placed stating NO PARKING FROM HERE TO CORNER.
B. Buildings and Park: Sherry stated that she had been asked about having a small water heater put in under the sink in the kitchen. Sherry stated that she had Byron look into the price for a small water heater. Byron had left a page from internet that he had printed off on price for a 10 or 20 gallion electric water heater. Randy stated that they would need to get an estimate on the electrically wiring for the heater. Sherry stated that she would look a little more into the cost and come back later with a cost estimate.
C. Sidewalks and Lights: No report at this time.
D. Street and Alley: No report at this time. Gary stated that the guys had been doing some ditch clean out lately.
E. Water and Sewer: Ken stated that until the Finance Committee gets some figures together and sees which direction finances are going. Gary stated that he wanted to remind the Board that Travis and he will be attending the Illinois Rural Water Association Annual Conference in Effingham on February 21st - 23rd.
F. Finance: Rick C. stated that there had been a couple of finance committee meetings this past month. The committee was looking at reports and trying to decide which report they would like to have every month and every quarter. There will be another meeting on Tuesday, February 7th, at 1 pm. This meeting is to decide on how much income will possibly be coming in for next fiscal year and possibly get some figures together for budgeting.
9. Under other business:
Randy mentioned about the underpinning issue. He is wanting to do a little more research and also get with Chad and go over the wording in the Manufactured Home Chapter.
10. Motion by Rick C., with a second by Sherry, to adjourn at 7:24 pm. All ayes, motion carried.
Respectfully submitted
Ladora C. Boyd