Village of Oblong
December 2, 2020

Draft Minutes

The Village of Oblong Board of Trustees met in regular session on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020, in the Activity Center Room of the Municipal Building.

Members Present: Mayor Teresa Fielder, Clerk Ladora Boyd, Trustee Angie Fear, Trustee Jay Haines, Trustee Dave Hasty, Trustee Bill Burke, Trustee Keith Waldrop, Trustee Jeron Harris and Treasurer Jan Miller.
Others Present: Public Works Superintendent Gary Lanter, Police Chief Chad Pusey, Terry Manhart, Cory Groves, Terry Ruddell, Benji Kirk (Hometown Wireless), Todd Kessler, Steve Buechsenschuetz, Brian Maus, Nick Hinterscher and Angela Downing (Daily News).

The meeting was called to order at 5 pm by Mayor Fielder with everyone standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Regular Board Meeting Minutes of November 4th, 2020, were approved with a motion by Angie and a second by Keith. All ayes, motion carried.

There was one addition to the agenda this month. Teresa stated that the Village has received a manufactured home application from Rodney and Angie Shook. They are wanting to move a 2000 Fleetwood Mobile Home on to the property located at 302 South Roosevelt Street. The existing mobile home will be demolished that is on the property. Gary stated that there is enough square footage and that there is already off-street parking. Motion by Bill, with a second by Angie, to approve the application from Rodney & Angie Shook pending the home inspection of mobile home since it is not a brand new one. All ayes, motion carried.

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

Teresa opened the sealed bids received for the 2003 Ford Ranger Pickup. They are as follows:

Terry Ruddell 2,425.00
Steve Buechsenschuetz 250.00
Loren Polley 2,000.00
Julio Crispin 1,151.00
Todd Kessler 1,000.00
Brian Maus 826.00
John Inboden 2,925.00
Terry Manhart 1,500.00

Teresa stated that if anyone of the bidders want to bid more than 2,925, they could. There were additional bids from Steven Buechsenschuetz and Terry Manhart. Steve Buechsenschuetz was the winning bid of $3,400. Motion by Bill, with a second by Jay, to accept the bid of $3,400 from Steve Buechsenschuetz. All ayes, motion carried.

Nick Hinterscher came before the Board to ask permission for extended hours on Thursday, December 31st, for the Village Tap and Floyd’s Place, with last call at 1am and everyone out by 1:30am. Motion by Jay, with a second by Jeron, to allow the taverns to stay open until 1:30 am on Thursday, December 31st with the understanding that the state could make a mandate which would mandate a different time of closure. Five (5) ayes, one (1) abstain; motion carried.

Benji Kirk came before the Board to give an update about bringing Broadband high-speed internet service to the Village. He stated that he is officially moving forward. He is hoping to speak with Bob Glezen from Mont Eagle Mills about placing antennas on his business’ bins located at Outer West Main Street and a bin located south of East Kentucky Street between South Grant and South Taylor Street. The third antenna will be located on the Village’s water tower. He stated that this would cover the Village access to the wireless internet thru his company (Hometown Wireless). He stated that he has found another company in the area with fiber optics already buried so may be able to get the High-Speed internet going sooner than with Metro.

Motion by Jeron, with a second by Bill, to adopted Ordinance #2020-O-617 “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 27 Entitled “Offenses” of the Revised Code of Ordinances for the Village of Oblong, Illinois”. Roll call vote as follows: Angie – aye, Jay – aye, Dave – aye, Bill – aye, Keith – aye, Jeron – aye; motion carried.

Motion by Keith, with a second by Dave, to adopted Ordinance #2020-O-618 “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 30 Entitled “Public Safety” of the Revised Code of Ordinances for the Village of Oblong, Illinois”. Roll call vote as follows: Angie – aye, Jay – aye, Dave – aye, Bill – aye, Keith – aye, Jeron – aye; motion carried

Mayor’s Comments:

Teresa stated that the Board would like to extend their sympathy to Ladora and her family in the loss of her stepdad, Duane Centers.
Teresa wanted to thank Jan, who came in during days off, when the Village found out that the CARES ACT was accepting police officer pay during the pandemic (up to the allotted amount for the Village of Oblong). It was found out on Tuesday, November 24th and the deadline date to turn in the report was Tuesday December 1st.
Teresa reminded those who are planning to run for Mayor or Trustee; the election packets are to be returned between December 14th to December 21st, in the Clerk/Treasurer’s Office.
Teresa stated that she had an update regarding the County grant for the Sewer Dredging Project. She stated that there will be another Public Hearing for the Hutsonville Project on December 10th. She stated that she will be at the meeting. Heather, from Great Wabash Regional Planning, stated that Oblong’s Project is still being reviewed.
Teresa wanted to remind everyone that the Employee/Board Christmas Party will be December 14th. The time for the party was discussed and decided on 6 pm.
Teresa stated that the owner of the property located at 202 North Washington Street, has until December 11th, to reply to the Village’s request to surrender the property to the Village; try to sell the property or bring it up to code. After December 11th, if no action has been taken Chad will start issuing tickets,
Teresa mentioned that Vickie Ruddell is organizing a group of volunteers to be at the Oblong Park collecting donations to help “Christmas in the Park” on December 4th & 5th, 11th & 12th, and 18th & 19th. They will begin at 5:30 pm at entrance of the Park the end time will be decided later. If there is anyone who would like to help with this, please let Teresa know and she will put them in touch with Vickie.
Teresa stated that the water tower exterior has been cleaned and looks good.
Teresa mentioned that the Oblong Fire Department is taking names for Toys for Kids until December 11th. The Department needs monetary donations, which can be given to Gary (dropped off at Oblong Public Works) or at NAPA or Rusty Nail Hardware.
Teresa mentioned that the November & December IML Review Magazine has new financial estimates and also a list of new laws that go into effect on January 1st, 2021.

Reports of Committees:
Police: Jay stated that the evidence camera has quit working so a new one has been ordered other than that he had nothing else to report this month.
Building & Park: Keith stated that the committee had a meeting on November 18th, about replacing the Garage beside the Municipal Building. It was decided that the building would need to be a 32’ width x 36’ length with 12’ walls and 10’x10’ garage doors. It will be put out for bids. There was some discussion about what type of building to have built. It was decided that the committee will meet again in January to decide what the bid package will need to be, Motion by Keith, with a second by Jeron, for Gary to move forward with the design of the garage. All ayes, motion carried. Cory Groves came before the Board to see if the Village could donate $1,500 towards the Disc Golf course equipment expenses. There was some discussion on this issue. The Board decided to table any action until the January Board Meeting.
Sidewalks & Lights: Bill stated that he had nothing to report this month.
Street & Alley: Angie stated that she had nothing to report this month.
Water & Sewer: Dave stated that he had nothing to report this month.
Finance: Jeron stated that he had nothing to report this month.
Development: Bill stated that he has nothing new to report this month.
Ad Hoc (Dilapidated/Unsafe Buildings & Ordinances): Teresa stated that the Committee will start meeting again next Spring.

Motion by Jay, with a second by Bill, 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. Ladora thanked everyone for the condolences and the Village employees for the memorial plaque that she received.

Motion by Jeron, with a second by Angie, to adjourn the meeting at 5:57 pm. Five (5) ayes, one (1) nay; motion carried.

Respectfully submitted

 

Ladora Boyd
Clerk