Village of Oblong

March 7, 2018

The Village of Oblong Board of Trustees met in regular session on Wednesday, March 7th, 2018, in the Farley Room of the Municipal Building.

Members Present: Mayor Teresa Fielder, Clerk Ladora Boyd, Trustee Debi Wilson, Trustee Angie Fear, Trustee Jay Haines, Trustee Dave Hasty, Trustee Jeron Harris and Treasurer/Deputy Clerk Jan Miller.
Absent: Trustee Bill Burke.
Others Present: Police Chief Chad Pusey, Public Works Superintendent Gary Lanter, Chris DeWitt (WTAY/WTYE), Tom Compton (Daily News), Diane Houdasheldt (Oblong Chamber of Commerce), Andrea Rich (Oblong Chamber of Commerce) and Tim Price (Crawford County Leadership).

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

The Regular Board Meeting Minutes of February 7th, 2018, were approved with a motion by Debi, and a second by Jeron. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

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

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

Tim Price came before the Board to present the Crawford County Leadership proposal for a dog park site. The group had two options on the site size. There was some discussion on the size and exact placement of the park. Motion by Jay, with a second by Debi, to go with Option 1 which is approximately 90’x120’ with the understanding that CCL will get with Gary Lanter with the final plans before installation. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

Andrea Rich came before the Board to request the use of the Park on July 7th for the 2nd Annual Hootenanny and permission to have a beer tent at the event. The beer tent would be like what has been set up in Palestine. The Chamber has talked with the police departments and they have had no issues with the one in Palestine. She stated that the Chamber would purchase dram shop insurance; pay for extra police officers or civil defense officers; there would only be one entrance/exit into the beer tent; and the person(s) entering would need to have a photo id which shows that they are 21 years old or older (they would then receive a bracelet). The hours would be from 2 pm to 10 pm, with last call at 9pm and everyone out by 10 pm. Motion by Dave, with a second by Jay, to allow the use of the Park and for the Chamber to have a beer tent. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

Mayor’s Comments:
Teresa mentioned that the Village Spring Clean-up will be April 19th for all paid-up Republic customers. See attached sheet for what Republic will and will not pick-up during Spring Clean-Up.

Teresa stated that the Village had received a letter from Casey General Store asking if there has been any changes in the Village ordinance and the feeling of the Board about letting the local store sell beer/wine. There was no change in the Village ordinances or of the Board feeling about not issuing a license for Casey to sell beer/wine.

Teresa wanted to remind the department heads that their budgets need to be ready by March 23rd’s Finance Committee Meeting at 3 pm.

Teresa stated that the bids for the Village Solid Waste Pick-up for the residents is due back by March 22nd.

Reports of Committees:
Police: Jay stated that he had nothing to report this month. Chad stated that the Impound Lot is completed. He also stated that he will start issuing citations for vehicle on April 1st.

Building and Park: Debi stated that she had nothing to report this month.

Sidewalks and Lights: There was nothing to report this month.

Street and Alley: Angie stated that she had nothing to report this month. Gary stated that he has submitted his report for new street signs to the State.

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

Finance: Jeron stated that the Village had received a letter from Hope Weber’s (Crawford County Assessor) office about Dollar General Store requested to lower their property tax assessment. Jeron stated that the assessed value was 1.1 million dollars but the company had the evaluation and the evaluation came back at 700 thousand dollars. He stated that the Finance Committee met and their recommendation to the Board is not to have the Village challenge the request for the lower value.

Development: Teresa stated that the Ad Hoc Committee met with Alex Pleasant from CCDA to discuss how to bring more businesses and residents to Oblong. The Committee is working on ideas at this time.

Ad Hoc (Dilapidated/Unsafe Buildings): Teresa stated that the committee is still working on getting some dilapidated buildings and vacant houses taken care of. The next regular meeting is March 28th at 3:30 pm.

Motion by Jay, with a second by Angie, 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.

There were no other items of business this month.

Motion by Jeron, with a second by Dave, to adjourn the meeting at 7:26 pm. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

Respectfully submitted

Ladora Boyd