December 2nd, 2015

The Village of Oblong Board of Trustees met in regular session on Wednesday December 2nd, 2015, in the Farley Room of the Municipal Building.

Members Present: Mayor Randy Rich, Clerk Ladora Boyd, Trustee Rick Catt, Trustee Dave Hasty, Trustee Jay Haines, Trustee Ken Russell, Trustee Teresa Fielder, Trustee Debi Wilson and Treasurer/Deputy Clerk Jan Miller.

Others Present: Public Works Superintendent Gary Lanter, Chief Chad Pusey, Tom Compton (Daily News), Tony Collins (WTYE/WTAY), Adena Rivas (Elevate Energy), Susie Tracy and Nick Hinterscher.

The meeting was called to order at 7 pm by Mayor Rich; with everyone standing and saying the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Regular Board Meeting Minutes of November 4th, 2015, were approved with a motion by Jay, and a second by Debi. All ayes, motion carried.

There was one addition to the agenda this month. Dave Hasty mentioned the recently passed Minimum Care for Pets Law, which goes into effect on January 1st, 2016.

There were no Delinquent Water Bill customers at this month’s meeting.

Nick Hinterscher came before the Board to ask permission for the taverns to stay open until 1:30 am, with last call at 1 am, on New Years’ Eve. The Board granted Nick’s request.

Adena Rivas, from Elevate Energy (a Non-Profit Organization), made a short presentation on how the new digital meters for the electric and gas will be helpful in the future with brownouts, blackouts, surges and electrical supply being in the red. Eventually individuals will be able to log-on and see their own electric usage, this will be available in 2017. She stated that there is a short video on YouTube (www.YouTube.com\user\DepartmentofEnergy).

Rick Hamilton came before the Board with the Village’s Insurance Renewal figures. He stated that the workers’ comp went down from $15,676 to $14,638, but the liability and property insurance went up from $20,239 to $20,591. Motion by Rick C., with a second by Teresa, to accept the insurance renewal at a total cost of $35,229. All ayes, motion carried.

Motion by Ken, with a second by Debi, to adopted Ordinance #2015-O-573 “An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 38, Utility Section 38-3-88 Water Rates of the Revised Code of Ordinances of the Village of Oblong, Illinois”. Roll call vote: Rick – Aye, Dave – Aye, Jay – Aye, Ken – Aye, Teresa – Aye, Debi – Aye. Motion carried.

Motion by Teresa, with a second by Ken, to approve the Amendment to the Service Agreement with Good Energy. Roll call vote: Rick – Aye, Dave – Aye, Jay – Aye, Ken – Aye, Teresa – Aye, Debi – Aye. Motion carried.

Motion by Rick, with a second by Dave, to adopted Resolution #2015-R-5 “A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Service Agreement for the Supply of Electricity for Residential and Small Commercial Retail Customers Who Do Not Opt-Out of Such a Program (Electric Aggregation). Roll call vote: Rick – Aye, Dave – Aye, Jay – Aye, Ken – Aye, Teresa – Aye, Debi – Aye. Motion carried.

Mayor’s Comments: Randy stated that the Santa Train will be here Sunday December 6th from 11:15 am to 12:15 pm. Ken mentioned that the 1st Baptist Church will be serving Hot Chocolate from Debbie Russell’s Concession Stand Trailer and then there will be soup and sandwiches at the church for anyone who wants to eat.

Reports of Committees:
Police: Teresa stated that she had nothing to report this month. Chad stated that there has already been some vandalism out at the Park with the cutting of some light cords. Chad stated that if the department catches anyone damaging the items out at the Park there will be no tolerance, they will be charged with a felony. Chad also stated that he had given the Board a copy of a letter from the Police Training Board concerning the cutting of training due to the State’s budget impasse.

Building and Park: Debi stated that the lights and Christmas decorations were very nice.

Sidewalks and Lights: Dave stated that he had nothing to report this month.

Street and Alley: Jay stated that he had nothing to report this month.

Water and Sewer: Ken stated that he had nothing to report this month.

Finance: Rick stated that the girls had complied a list of contract renewal dates that should be put in the minutes this month. Motion by Rick, with a second by Jay, to accept and put the list of contract renewal dates in with this month’s Board Meeting minutes. All ayes, motion carried. Rick stated that the TIF money will need to be in a separate checking account for audit purposes. Motion by Rick, with a second by Teresa, to move the TIF money into a new separate checking account. All ayes, motion carried. Rick mentioned that all the TIF Ordinances will also be put with this month’s Board Meeting minutes. Rick stated that again this year the Employees’ Christmas Bonus will be the same $115 for full-time and $85 for part-time. This was discussed during the budget talks back in March. Motion by Rick, with a second by Debi, to give the same amount for Employees’ Christmas Bonuses as last year. All ayes, motion carried. Ladora mentioned that Jan and I would be attending our quarterly SECICTA meeting in Newton on December 10th.

Development: Randy stated that there was nothing to report this month.

Motion by Debi, with a second by Ken, 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.

There was one other item of business this month. Rick stated that he has been hearing comments about how good it looks that all the buildings in the downtown area have business in them again. Randy stated that he thought that Shop at Home Saturday went well.

Motion by Rick, with a second by Teresa, to adjourn the meeting at 7:41 pm. All ayes, motion carried.

Respectfully submitted

Ladora Boyd, Clerk