Village of Oblong
Draft Minutes
December 7, 2022
The Village of Oblong Board of Trustees met in regular session on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, in the Farley Room of the Municipal Building.
Members Present: Mayor Pro-tem Cary Bonnell, Deputy Clerk Jan Miller, Trustee Lucas Inboden, Trustee Jay Haines, Trustee Carrie Hays, Trustee Dave Hasty, and Trustee Keith Waldrop. Absent: Mayor Teresa Fielder, and Clerk Ladora Boyd.
Other Present: Public Works Superintendent Gary Lanter, Resa Shaner (Crawford County Development Association), Angela Downing and daughter (Robinson Daily News), Nick Hinterscher, Terry (Toad) Ochs, Ashley Chrisman, Vicki Cretors, with Illinois Eastern Community Colleges, and John Cretors
• The meeting was called to order at 5 pm by the Mayor Pro-tem. Cary B. asked everyone to stand and say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
• The Regular Board Meeting Minutes of November 2nd, 2022, were approved with a motion by Keith, with a second by Lucas. All ayes, motioned carried.
• There were no Additions or Deletions to the agenda this month.
• Cary Bonnell 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 were no Delinquent Water Bill customers this month.
• Nick Hinterscher, asked the board for permission to ask for an extra hour on Saturday, December 31st, for the taverns. Last call at 1:00, and everyone out by 1:30 am. The Board granted his request for extended hours for New Year’s Eve. Motion by Lucas, and a second by Jay, all ayes. Motion carried.
• Vicki Cretors, from Illinois Eastern Community Colleges, presented information and asked for volunteers to help with the Hershey/Marathon expansion through an Adult Volunteer Literacy Program to improve the communication with the expansion workers and their children when they are introduced to our community. Cary Bonnell, asked if Hershey wouldn’t also contribute to this program? Brochures and contact information is available in the Clerk/Treasurers Office.
• With no information on changing the carrier for the Municipal Building’s phone lines. It was again decided to table this item until the January Board Meeting.
• Tabled discussion from the November meeting was again addressed. Dave presented to the Board on behalf of the Paws for Prevention Group what it would possibly cost to do a blitz on the feral cat colonies in Oblong. The estimated cost for the three colonies would be $3,150. The three colonies are located around East Oklahoma, South Adams, and both mills. The Village has contributed $2,500 and $2,000 to Paws for Prevention. Facts were presented from Regina Pool, additional questions from the board, Ashley Chrisman, and more discussion of our ordinances. Further input was suggested by Terry (Toad) Ochs, on chipping the cats. Regina presented the amounts of $16,536 paid for certificates, in 2022, and $9,511 for the trapping of feral cats, a total of almost $26,000., and more traps are needed. All cats that have been fixed have their ear notched and given a rabies shot before being turned back loose from where they were collected. Carrie Hays made the motion to pay the requested $3,150, second by Dave Hasty, 5 ayes, 1 nay, motion carried. This additional funding would only be used for the Village of Oblong, and would require a month’s time, February, the time frame to complete the trapping.
• Invoices for payment of $278,442.75 to Terry Smithhenry, and $35,804.00 to Connor & Connor, our consulting Engineers were presented and approved to be submitted to Greater Wabash Valley, and then forwarded to the state to release payment. Motion by Jay Haines, second by Lucas Inboden, all ayes. Motion carried.
• Mayor’s Comments: (Cary B. read comments left by Teresa)
• “Teresa thanked Cary Bonnell for taking over the Mayor duties in her absence.
• The board welcomed Chief Colton Williamson to his first Village meeting as our new Chief of Police. Colton has already been a godsend to us and I appreciate all he has already done and is doing for our Village.
• Thanks to 54 Oblong and the Christmas in the Park Committee as our park, our Mini-Park and the Municipal Building grounds look great decorated for Christmas.
• At this time, we have not received results from the Housing Study, but expect them soon.”
• Reports of Committees:
• POLICE: Jay reported that they will have the k-nine cage removed from the Chief’s tahoe and possibly getting a reimbursement or credit from Blue Mound, on its trade-in value. Chief Colton couldn’t thank the board and employees enough, for all their support, and welcoming him and his family to Oblong. Dave Hasty contributed that Colton being at the school has been a large presence there, especially with the kids, watching Colton sitting at lunch with fourteen second graders on Hot Dog Day.
• BUILDING/PARK: With a motion by Keith, and second by Jay, to hire Terry Manhart, as a full-time employee, employment was approved, to replace Byron Sanders, all ayes, with his start date to be December 19, 2022. (A roll call vote is not necessary for employment, only for ordinances).
Byron’s last day of employment will be December 30. Dave Hasty added that Byron has been a loyal and dedicated employee for almost 23 years, the building has always been spotless, Byron has been a valued employee, and Jay added that he had done a super job. A retirement party is scheduled for Wednesday, December 14, from 12 to 1 for any trustee and every employee.
• Keith stated the playground equipment was stored and not up yet, park looks great, and the budgeted roofing for the four buildings and shelter has been completed by BlakeHintInc for $5,376.75.
• SIDEWALK/LIGHTS: Carrie Hays had nothing to report this month. Gary asked that you report if you see any street lights out.
• STREET/ALLEY: Lucas had nothing to report but bought up the drainage situation, Gary stated that one lawyer was talking to the other lawyer, were on hold with the season and will be tied up for a while. Gary also mentioned that during snow, vehicles try to park off the street so the snow can be cleared.
• WATER/SEWER: Dave mentioned a couple breaks that were repaired late in the night, and the sewer dredging bills had been presented earlier in this meeting.
• FINANCE: Cary Bonnell addressed various Insurance’s that he has viewed with some of the employees, and the positive feedback on some he has contacted. Blue Cross Blue Shield, (Health Benefits Alliance) through IRWA and Hope Trust, that the County uses, were three companies that were contacted.
• TREASURER’S REPORT: Jan stated that the Board had a copy of the Bank Balances and available cash reports. CLERK’S REPORT: Clerk was absent, no report.
• DEVELOPMENT/ADHOC (Beautification/Ordinance): “Waiting to get with Billy Burke to have a conference call with Jared from Moran Economic Development. Will try so set up a time Jared can come to make a presentation to the board about starting our new TIF District for Park Meadows Subdivision. Lots 3 & 6 are complete and ready to be signed over to Orville & Diane York
• Ad Hoc Meetings have been postponed until February of 2023. If anyone has an ordinance issue or anything needing addressed, please let Colton know, or leave a message.”
• Motion by Jay, with a second by Carrie Hays, 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 Carrie Hays, with a second by Lucas, all ayes, to adjourn the meeting 5;55 pm. All ayes, motion carried.
• Other Items of Business: Discussion on comp time, but at this time it will remain as it is.
Respectfully submitted
Jan Miller, Deputy Clerk