Village of Oblong
Minutes
July 7, 2021
5 pm
The Village of Oblong Board of Trustees met in regular session on Wednesday, July 7th, 2021, in the Farley Room of the Municipal Building.
Members Present: Mayor Teresa Fielder, Clerk Ladora Boyd, Trustee Jay Haines, Trustee Dave Hasty, Trustee Bill Burke, Trustee Keith Waldrop, Trustee Jeron Harris and Treasurer Jan Miller,
Absent: Trustee Angie Fear.
Others Present: Public Works Superintendent Gary Lanter.
The meeting was called to order at 5 pm by Mayor Teresa Fielder with everyone standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Regular Board Meeting Minutes of June 2nd, 2021, were approved with a motion by Keith and a second by Jay. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
There was one addition to the agenda this month. It was brought up under Reports of Committees - Building/Park.
There were no Delinquent Water Bill customers at the meeting this month.
Teresa stated that Gary, Bill and she had met with the Village Attorney, Frank Weber, to discuss whether hiring a structural engineer would be beneficial to the Village for property located at 107 & 109 South Range Street. The attorney advised against hiring a structural engineer, because there will be engineer on-site with the South Range Project. Motion by Bill, with a second by Keith, to not enter into an agreement with Bacon, Farmer, Workman Engineering & Testing Inc. to have a structural engineer look at 107 & 109 South Range Street. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
Jeron stated that the resolution to be passed will give the Village Board authority to reimburse for costs incurred with the South Range Street Project, if needed. Motion by Dave, with a second by Bill, to adopt Resolution #2021-R-3 “Resolution expressing official intent regarding certain capital expenditures to be reimbursed from proceeds of an obligation”. Roll call vote as follows: Angie – absent, Jay – aye, Dave – aye, Bill – aye, Keith – aye, Jerson – aye; motion carried.
Mayor’s Comments:
Teresa stated that the Village Police Department received the Mary Heath Grant in the amount of $6,585 for the purchase of 6 new officer’s body cameras.
Teresa mentioned that she had received some pamphlets from Redeeming Love Ministries. Their mission is to advocate for woman and families and unborn infants by providing transportation for medical care, in-house ultrasounds, classes to develop life skills, private adoption services, unending emotional support and counseling services. The group will be renting the clinic building behind Harmon’s for their services.
Teresa stated that Lifeline Screening will be taking place at the Oblong Municipal Building on Tuesday, July 20th. A very generous donor has offered to pay for the screenings of all Oblong Fire Department personnel.
Teresa mentioned that the Crawford County Fair will be July 24th – 31st at the Park. She stated that there will not be a Legion Auxiliary Dinner on this year. Bill stated that there will be inflatables for the kids. The Fair Board was unable to secure carnival ride.
Teresa stated that the Family of Bill Roberts had listed the walking path around the lake as a possible donation in lieu of flowers. The donation will be sent to the Lake Restoration Group.
Teresa mentioned that the next Red Cross Blood drive will be August 12th at the Municipal Building from 1-6 pm.
8. Reports of Committees:
Police: Jay stated that he has nothing to report this month. Teresa mentioned that the numbers were up for service call last month.
Building & Park: Keith stated that he had received an estimate from Tarr for walls to be put up in police department office for a soundproof interview room. The estimate was for $4,151. Keith stated that he had not received estimate in time to call a committee meeting or have it put on the agenda. There was some discussion on this matter. Gary stated that he could give Tarr the okay to start without getting the Board approval since the estimate is under $5,000. Gary brought up to the Board that the 3 ponds in the Park Meadows Subdivision (TIF 1) has duckweed on them which will cause duckweed to form on the Lake. He has been in contact with the company that the Village has for lake maintenance and has received an estimate on what it could cost for treatment of 2 of the ponds. The estimate is $1,270. Gary feels that all three ponds should be treated; so, the cost will be more with the additional pond being treated. There was some discussion on this matter. It was decided to have Ladora talk with the Village TIF attorney to see if the cost of treatment could be paid from the Village portion of the TIF property tax money that has been received. Gary will contact Aquatic Control to have all 3 ponds treated for the duckweed.
Sidewalks & Lights: Bill stated that he had nothing to report this month. Gary mentioned that the Village has received the insurance check for the damage street light pole in the 100 block of West Main Street. He stated that he has ordered the replacement pole and light.
Street & Alley: Gary stated that he had sent in the MFT request form for the annual street maintenance program.
Water & Sewer: Dave stated that he had nothing to report this month.
Finance: Jeron stated that he had nothing more to report this month. Treasurer’s Report: Jan stated that everyone had copy of the monthly reports for finance. Clerk’s Report: Ladora stated that she had nothing to report this month.
Development: Bill stated Alex Pleasant has resigned from the Crawford County Development Association about two weeks ago. He mentioned that the CCDA Board is working on reorganizing.
Ad-Hoc (Beautification/Ordinance) Committee:
1. Bill brought the Board up to date on what he found out about the property located at 103 West Illinois Street. He stated that there is two years of back taxes. He is trying to get in contact with the owner. He stated that the front porch is unsafe and the basement has water in it. The garage on the property is in good shape.
2. Teresa stated that the abandon property at 103 East Alabama has been deeded over to Tyler Kessler. Bill stated that Tyler has gutted the inside and renovating the house.
3. Teresa stated that she has received two dumpster agreement applications that the committee would like to have approval from the Board to pay $400 dumpster fee reimbursement to the two individuals when they bring in their paid receipts. The properties are 414 East Georgia Street and 304 South Range Street. Motion by Bill, with a second by Jay, to approve the dumpster fee cost up to $400 for each property. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
4. Teresa stated that she has received a TIF Grant application from Tiffany Boldrey for reimbursement of repairs cost to the front of her building. The verbal estimate is $11,000. The Board discussed this and decided to reimburse Tiffany $3,500, which is the maximum amount unless the Board wants to up the amount. Motion by Bill, with a second by Dave, to award $3,500 to Tiffany Boldrey from the TIF 2 grant upon paid receipt of that amount. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
5.Teresa stated that Chad had the abandoned motor home in the alley off of North Grant Street towed to the Village’s impound lot. If the current owner does not claim it within 60 days, Chad can file for junk title and then the Village can sell it.
6. Teresa stated that the committee is following up on property maintenance complaints.
7. The Ad-hoc meeting will be July 28th at 3:30 pm.
9. Motion by Jay, second by Jeron, 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 were two other items of business this month. Keith stated that the Annual IML Conference will be September 23rd-26th in Chicago. He asked permission for Jan, Ladora and him to go. Motion by Jeron, with a second by Bill, to allow Keith, Jan and Ladora to attend the Annual IML Conference in Chicago on September 23rd-26th.
Dave stated that there will be a meeting on July 19th at 6:30 pm about the 54 Oblong Club
11. Motion by Jeron, second by Jay, to adjourn the meeting at 5:55 pm. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
Respectfully submitted
Ladora Boyd
Clerk