Village of Oblong
August 3rd, 2022

The Village of Oblong Board of Trustees met in regular session on Wednesday, August 3rd, 2022, in the Farley Room of the Municipal Building.

Members Present: Mayor Teresa K. Fielder, Clerk Ladora Boyd, Trustee Jay Haines, Trustee Dave Hasty, Trustee Carrie Hays, Trustee Keith Waldrop, Trustee Jeron Harris and Treasurer Jan Miller.
Other Present: Police Chief Chad Pusey, Public Works Superintendent Gary Lanter, Lucas Inboden, Debbie Parker (Girl Scouts), Chris Hinterscher, Resa Shaner (Crawford County Development Association), Clint Delong, Jerry Snider, Rex Finn, Bill Burke, Angela Downing (Robinson Daily News) and Gage Postlewaite.

• The meeting was called to order at 5 pm by the Mayor. Teresa asked everyone to stand and say the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag.

• Teresa stated that she was moving the approval of resignation letters from under Mayor’s Comments. Teresa stated that the Village Board needed to vote to accept Chad’s resignation letter. Motion by Jay, with a second by Jeron, to accept Chad Pusey’s resignation letter as Oblong Police Chief. Five (5) ayes, motion carried. Teresa read Angie Fear’s resignation letter as Village Trustee. Motion by Keith, with a second by Carrie, to accept the resignation letter from Angie Fear. Five (5) ayes, motion carried. Teresa then presented Lucas Inboden for the Board’s approval as a new Board member to fill the vacancy. Motion by Jeron, with a second by Dave, to approve the appointment of Lucas Inboden to fill the vacancy on the Village Board until the next Consolidated Election in 2023. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
Ladora swore in Lucas as Village Trustee.

• The Regular Board Meeting Minutes of July 6th. 2022, were approved with a motion by Jeron, with a second by Dave. All ayes, motioned carried.

• There was one Addition to the agenda this month. Debbie Parker came before the Board thank them for allowing the Girl Scouts to place their GAGA Pit in the Oblong Park. She also came to ask for permission to use the Park on August 27th from 3pm to 6 pm for Registration event for the Girl Scouts Fun in the Sun (Family Night). The Board granted her request to use the Park on August 27th. She stated that the Girl Scouts use places here in Oblong because it is centrally located for Crawford and Jasper County girls.

• Teresa asked if there was any one in the audience that wanted to comment on anything that was on this month’s agenda. There were no public comments made.

• There was one Delinquent Water Bill customer at this month. Clint Delong asked if he could have until the end of August to fully pay his water bill. The Board granted his request.

• Teresa asked if Chris Hinterscher had any updates for the Board. He stated that he came to see what the Board had decided about possible changes to the Chapter 21 “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 21, Entitled “Liquor” of the Revised Code of Ordinances for The Village of Oblong, Illinois”.

• Motion by Keith, with a second by Dave, to adopt Ordinance #2022-O-630 “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 21, Entitled “Liquor” of the Revised Code of Ordinances for The Village of Oblong, Illinois”. Roll call vote as follows: Lucas -aye; Jay-aye; Dave-aye; Carrie-aye; Keith-aye; Jeron-ayes. Motion carried.

• Teresa stated that she had a letter from Shannon Woodard of Connor & Connor explaining how the process will be done with the Lagoon Project invoice.

• Teresa read the Tiny House Policy and Application that Gary has put together. (See attach copy) Motion by Jeron, with a second by Lucas, to adopt the Village of Oblong Policy Involving Tiny House Policy and Application. All ayes, motion carried.

Mayor’s Comments:
• Teresa stated that the July Hometown Pride Award winner was Dennis & Laurie Jenkins (505 North Range Street).

• Teresa mentioned that the Village had received a letter from MediaCom about some upcoming changes to rates. (See attached letter)

• Teresa stated that the Village had received a letter from Casey’s General Store regarding liquor license

• Teresa mentioned that August 8th – 12th, 2022 is Illinois Municipal Treasurer’s Week.

• Teresa stated that the Village had received a TIF Grant Application from Blue Potato Music for a Mural on the west of the building at a cost of $3,500. There was some discussion on this issue. Motion by Keith to approved the request. There was no second TIF grant was denied.

• Teresa stated that the memorial service for former Mayor Betty Cunningham will be sometime in 2023. She stated that as soon as the date is set she will let everyone know.

Reports of Committees:

• POLICE: Jay thanked Chad for his service to the Village. Jay stated that there will be a committee meeting Thursday, August 11th at 7 pm for personnel.

• BUILDING/PARK: Teresa stated that the Village had received one bid for Pathway Repairs. The bid was from D&P Masonry, LLC of Robinson for $47,750.00. Motion by Keith, with second by Jeron, to accept the bid of $47,750.00 from D&P Masonry, LLC to repair 600’ of the Pathway around the Lake. All ayes, motion carried. Keith asked about going ahead and have D&P Masonry also fix about 250’ of Pathway on the northside of the Lake. It was discussion and decided to want and see if an Oslad Grant would become available to try for. Keith stated that the new phones for the Village Offices have been put in. He thanked Jay for spear heading this project.

• SIDEWALK/LIGHTS: Carrie stated that she had no report for this month.

• STREET/ALLEY: Gary stated that the 98 Ford truck has been at Sparks Autocare for repair work. Have not been able to find good used parts for the repair. Sparks said new parts and repairs would run around $5,500. Gary stated this would be cheaper than trying to replace the truck. The Board agreed.

• WATER/SEWER: Dave stated that the sewer pipe collapse on East Wisconsin Street has been repaired.

• FINANCE: Jeron stated that he had nothing to report this month. TREASURER’S REPORT: Jan stated that the Board had a copy of the Bank Balances and available cash reports. CLERK’S REPORT: Ladora stated that she had nothing to report this month.

• DEVELOPMENT/ADHOC (Beautification/Ordinance):

• Teresa stated that everyone had a copy of July minutes – not a lot to report, mostly follow ups.

• Teresa asked Ladora if she had heard anything from Lenny or Chelsea Hanson. Ladora stated that she had not heard from them. Chad stated that the camper is not licensed.

• The next meeting of the committee will be August 31st at 3:30 pm.

• Motion by Jay, with a second by Jeron, to pay the bills that were on the Warranty List and any utility bills, bills that will incur a late fee or reimbursements to employees-AC renters-Water Customers. All ayes, motion carried.

• Motion by Dave, with a second by Keith, to enter into executive session to discuss possible purchase of real estate (Section 2(5) of Open Meetings Act) at 6:15 pm. Vote as follows: Lucas -aye; Jay-aye; Dave-aye; Carrie-aye; Keith-aye; Jeron-ayes. Motion carried. Teresa asked Bill and Gary stay for the executive session.

• Motion by Keith, with a second by Jeron, to come out executive session at 7:17pm. Vote as follows: Lucas -aye; Jay-aye; Dave-aye; Carrie-aye; Keith-aye; Jeron-ayes. Motion carried.

• Motion by Dave, with a second by Carrie, to purchase of 33+/- acres from Roger Colmark in the amount of $212,000.00 with a sixty (60) day closing pending financing from 2 local banks and give Teresa the authority to sign purchase agreement. All ayes, motion carried.

• Motion by Jeron, with a second by Jay, to retain the service of Taylor Law from Effingham for a new TIF project. All ayes, motion carried.

• There were two other items of business this month. Bill stated that there will be a meeting on August 10th at 4pm. Keith asked if a date had been set for the sign on southside of the Municipal building. Gary stated that the sign is being worked on and does not have an exact day that it will be put up.

• Motion by Jeron, with a second by Keith, to adjourn the meeting at 7:24 pm. All ayes, motion carried.

Respectfully submitted

 

Ladora Boyd, Clerk