Village of Oblong
Minutes
April 6, 2022

The Village of Oblong Board of Trustees met in regular session on Wednesday, April 6th, 2022, in the Farley Room of the Municipal Building.

Members Present: Mayor Teresa Fielder, Clerk Ladora Boyd, Trustee Angie Fear, Trustee Jay Haines, Trustee Dave Hasty, Trustee Carrie Hays, Trustee Keith Waldrop, Trustee Jeron Harris and Treasurer Jan Miller.
Others Present: Police Chief Chad Pusey, Public Works Superintendent Gary Lanter, Bill Burke, Angela Downing (Robinson Daily News), Nathan Jeffries (Central United Methodist Church minister), Randy Stevenson Sr., Stephen Buechsenschuetz, John Bruner, Brent Parker, Nick Hinterscher and Resa Shaner (Crawford County Development Association).

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

2. The Regular Board Meeting Minutes of March 2nd, 2022, were approved with a motion by Jeron and a second by Jay. All ayes, motion carried.

3. There were no Additions or Deletions to the agenda. Teresa introduced Nathan Jeffries as the new minister at Central United Methodist Church.

4. There were no Delinquent Water Bill customers present.

5. Nick Hinterscher came before the Board stating that he has been looking into having a car show on South Range Street either July 16th or August 6th. He stated that he is planning to have food vendors along with the car show. He stated that he is hoping to make this an annual event. He asked if the Board would consider letting this event happen. The Board felt this would be a good event to have in Oblong. They will vote on this at the next Board Meeting.

6. Teresa opened the sealed bids that were received for the Polaris. They are as follows:
a. Steven Buechsenschuetz bid $200
b. John Bruner bid $275
c. Brent Parker bid $200
d. Randy Stevenson Sr. bid $500
Teresa stated that if one of the other bidders wanted to put in a bid for more that $500 they could. There were no additional bids. Motion by Angie, with a second by Jeron, to accept Randy Stevenson Sr. bid of $500 for the Polaris. All ayes, motion carried.

Teresa opened the only sealed bid for the salt spreader. It was for $300 from Kyle Stout. Jeron asked Gary what he thought the salt spreader was worth. Gary stated that it was worth $500. Jeron asked if the Village had to accept this bid. Gary stated that the Board could reject the bid if they wanted to. He mentioned that he had listed both items on Craig List (Mattoon and Terre Haute areas) and it was posted on the Mayor’s page. Gary gave his opinion that the bid was probably the best option. Motion by Jay, with a second by Jeron, to accept Kyle Stout bid of $300 for the salt spreader. All ayes. motioned carried.

7. Gary, as a representative for the Oblong Chamber of Commerce, asked for permission for the Hootenanny to use of the Park on June 25th and have a beer and wine garden. The Board agreed to the request.

8. Jeron stated that the total Working Budget for FY2023 is $1,899826.11 which is an increase of $630,809.27 over FY2022 Working Budget. Jeron stated that part of the increase includes repairs to the walkway path ($80,0000) and the Sewer Lagoon Dredging Project ($425,000); which hopefully will be covered by grant money. Motion by Keith, with a second by Dave, to accept the FY2023 Working Budget as printed. All ayes, motion carried.

9. Mayor’s Comments:
a. Teresa stated that the Village had received a Thank You card for the $2,500 donation from Paws for Prevention. She mentioned that in the FY2023 Working Budget the Paws for Prevention will receive a $2,000 donation.
b. Teresa stated that April is Safe Digging Month. She read a proclamation for Safe Digging Month.
c. Teresa mentioned that she had given the Trustees a copy of the e-mail from Heather Neumann, Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission. The funds for the Sewer Dredging Project may possibly be available in 10 days.
d. Teresa had Resa Shaner speak about and upcoming workshop on helping working parents and available child care in the Crawford community.
e. Teresa just wanted to remind the Trustees about having committee meeting during the Spring and Summer month to discuss ordering/purchasing items. Committees are required to meet/agree before buying or purchasing, Any permission granted to any contractor on your own risks not being approved got payment.
f. Teresa stated that Carrie Hays, Jay Haines and Gary Lanter have volunteer to be on the Grand Stand Project Committee for the Village. Bill Burke stated that right now the Fair Board is going through the legal procedures right now. The next step will be organizing fundraisers and get pledges from local businesses. The Project is estimated to be around $300,000; once 75% of the cost has been reached the project will begin. The Fair Board is still planning to demolished the existing grandstand after the Oblong Antique Tractor and Engine Show in August this year.
g. Teresa informed the Board that the Village will be purchasing two piece of playground equipment for toddlers in addition to other playground equipment being purchase by 54 Oblong Club, Oblong Chamber of Commerce, the Masons and some individuals from the community.

10. Reports of Committees:
A. Police: Jay stated that he had nothing to report this month. Chad stated that he had nothing to report.
B. Building & Park: Keith stated that the only thing he had to mention was the new chairs for the Board Room.
C. Sidewalks & Lights: Carrie stated that there will be a bike rack ordered to be place in front of the Blue Potato building.
D. Street & Alley: Angie stated that she had sent an e-mail to find out about the Rebuild Downtown Illinois Grant. She had received an e-mail back stated that the awarding of the grant will possibly be in sixty days. She stated that if Oblong does not receive one this time; we can reapply for the next go around.
E. Water & Sewer: Dave stated that had nothing to report this month.
F. Finance: Jeron stated that he wanted to thank everyone who had work on the budget figure for next fiscal. Jeron also informed the Board that the Village had received some quotes from Miller Office and Kemper for a new copier/printer/fax. He stated that there were enough funds in the FY2022 Administration Budget to go ahead and purchase one. The decision was to purchase a refurbished copier from Miller Office for $2,295 (this price includes trade-in for current copier/fax machine). Jan submitted her monthly reports to the Board. Jan stated that the money in the Cares Act Fund is for new radios that we have not received yet. Ladora stated that she had nothing to report this month.
G. Development: Teresa asked Bill if had any updates for the Board. He stated that he did not have any updates at this time.
H. Ad-Hoc (Beautification/Ordinance) Committee:
a. Teresa stated that on May 6th & 7th there will be a Rabbit Show out at the Park.
b. Teresa mentioned that English Days will hopefully be out at the Park in 2023.
c. Teresa stated that the Trustees have a copy of the Ad-hoc committee meeting on March 30th.
d. Teresa stated that there was a TIF Grant Application from Jan Miller. There was some discussion about the application. Jan stated that she had give all the Trustees a copy of her letter in answer to some of the question that the committee had with the application. Motion by Keith with a second by Dave, to reimburse half the cost of the requested amount for reimbursement upon receiving a copy of the paid in full invoice. All ayes, motion carried.
e. The next meeting for the committee will be April 27th, at 3:30 pm.

11. Motion by Jay, 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. All ayes, motion carried.

12. There were no other items of business this month.

13. Motion by Jeron, second by Angie, to adjourn the meeting at 5:57 pm. All ayes, motion carried.

Respectfully submitted

Ladora Boyd, Clerk