Village of Oblong
DRAFT MINUTES
November 7, 2007
The Village Board of Trustees met in regular session on November 7th, 2007, in the Farley Room of the Municipal Building.
Members Present: Mayor Randy Rich, Clerk Ladora Boyd, Trustee Rick Catt, Trustee Joe Campanella, Trustee Ken Russell, Trustee Tony Madlem, Trustee Debi Wilson and Treasurer Jan Miller.
Absent: Trustee Rick Houdasheldt.
Others Present: Police Chief Chad Pusey, Public Works Superintendent Gary Lanter, Tom Compton (Robinson Daily News), Nick Hinterscher, Angie Fear, Shannon Woodard (Connor & Connor, Inc.), Daniel Fritchie and Dee Ferguson.
1. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Mayor Rich.
2. The Regular Board Meeting minutes of October 3rd, 2007, were approved with a motion by Rick C. and a second by Tony. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
3. There was one addition to the agenda this month. Nick Hinterscher came before the Board to asked for an hour extension on Wednesday, November 21st, for the taverns in Oblong. Nick stated that the taverns, in Robinson, in the past have stayed open later on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Motion by Joe, with a second by Tony, to allow the taverns in Oblong to stay open until 1 am instead of 12 am (Midnight). Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
4. There was one water bill customer at the meeting this month. Ms. Ferguson came before the Board to ask for an extension. She stated that she was not working and had not been able to find work yet. She could not give a definite time as to when she would be able to pay her late water bill. There was some discussion. It was mention that the water bill is in the landlord’s name, Lynn Carbonneau. Randy stated to Ms. Ferguson that the Board could not let her have an extension without a time frame for payment. He suggested to her that maybe she could get assistance from the Oblong Benevolent Fund or Oblong Township. The Board agreed to give her some time to make contact and get some help with her water bill.
5. Shannon Woodard came before the Board to give an update on the Route 33 Expansion Project. Shannon stated that it looks like the expansion will be in 2008. Shannon mentioned about the Village having received a letter from Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunities. The letter stated that the Village would not receive the CDAP grant for 2007, but the Village may reapply for 2008. Shannon stated that there are four areas that the Village is scored in for the CDAP loan. The areas are 1. low to moderate income, 2. project readiness, 3. cash on hand, and 4. what have you done to help yourself. The CDAP grant is to be spent in two years after it is granted. Shannon stated that DCEO does not like to grant extension after the two years are up. Shannon stated that he understood that the Village is resubmitting the application for the CDAP grant. Shannon suggested that the Village only apply for the cost of the construction of the project and inspection and not have engineering design cost in the estimate. Shannon also feels that the Village would have a stronger chance at the CDAP grant if the Village already had a construction permit from IEPA. It normally takes 3 months to get a construction permit. There was some discussion on this issue. Shannon stated that the cost of the design fee is based on a percentage of the cost of the project. For example, if the cost of the project is less than the estimate then the design fee is less. Shannon stated if the cost of the project is more then the estimate then Connor & Connor could charge more for the design fee, but they normally elect not to charge more than the estimate. The design fee includes the designing of the project and project management, but does not include the inspection fees. The inspection fees are paid hourly not at a set fee scale. The design fees break down is normally 70% of design fee is for the design and 30% of design fee is for management; but, CDAP has a different breakdown of 50% for the design and 50% for management. The Board will make a decision at the December Meeting on whither or not to go ahead and apply for a construction permit from IEPA. Shannon stated that he will be at the December Meeting.
6. Motion by Rick C., with a second by Joe, to grant the Modular Home Permit request from Danny and Heidi Fitts. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
7. Under Mayor’s Comments : Randy stated that he had only one thing to bring up tonight. Randy stated that this is something that has been discussed previously, but, nothing was put in writing. There was some discussion on the issued. Motion by Rick C., with a second by Ken, that employees must use all their vacation, personal and sick days before they can use the banked IMRF sick days, if needed, and they must use a full banked day only. Ayes: Rick C., Joe, Ken, Tony, Debi. Motion carried. (Amendment of 12-5-07) Motion by Rick C., with a second by Joe, that vacation, personal and sick days be taken either as ½ day or whole day. Ayes: Rick C., Joe, Rick H., Ken, Tony, Debi. Motion carried.
8. Reports of Committees:
A. Police: Chad stated that everyone had a copy of the monthly report and new schedule. There will be a Night Qualification Shoot on November 13th. ITOA Conference on November 17th - 20th. One of the Part-time officer is already on the schedule. The other still needs some more ride along time.
B. Building and Park: Joe stated that Sherry Catt went to Springfield to do the presentation for Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and that he understood it went well. Jan stated that the Village may not hear if the Village gets the money until January.
C. Sidewalks and Lights: Debi stated that she had nothing to report at this time.
D. Street and Alley: Tony stated that he had received some complaints on the stop signs at the corner of East Ohio and North Taylor Streets. There was some discussion before the Board agreed to leave the signs as is for now.
E. Water and Sewer: Ken stated that he had four items to be updated to the Board. 1. The Master Meter Replacement Project on the Village’s portion is completed; but Robinson-Palestine’s portion is not finished yet. 2. The Crawford County Highway Department Barn project is almost completed. This project was to install a larger line.
3. Gary stated that the 525E and 900E Project is about finished. 4. Gary stated that he is hoping to work on the information that Mr. Bowersmith requested in the next few days.
F. Finance: Rick C. stated that he had three items to bring up. 1. Jan and Ladora would like to attend their quarterly SEICTA meeting on December 6th, in Neoga. The Board granted the request. 2. Rick asked for a volunteer to initial the bills for the month of November. Joe volunteered to come in an initial the bills for November. 3. Rick stated that the Finance Committee would like permission to go ahead and set Christmas Bonuses for the employees at their meeting on November 28th. Motion by Tony, with a second by Joe, to grant the Finance Committee the power to go ahead and set the Christmas Bonus. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
9. Motion by Ken, with a second by Tony, 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. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
10. There was two other items of business this month. Randy stated that he and Ken had attended a class on the 2010 census in Effingham on Tuesday, November 6th. Randy also mentioned that the application to Mary Heath Foundation for a police dog has been submitted last month.
11. Motion by Rick C., with a second by Debi, to adjourn at 7:50 pm. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
Respectfully submitted
Ladora C. Boyd
2007 Meeting
Dates