Village of Oblong
Minutes
March 2nd, 2022

The Village of Oblong Board of Trustees met in regular session on Wednesday, March 2nd, 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 (Crawford County Fair Board – Vice President) Angela Downing (Robinson Daily News) 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 February 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.

4. There were no Delinquent Water Bill customers present.

5. Teresa stated that the Vacation Day sell back policy is an option that is included in the following resolution; if the Board choose to approve this option.

6. Teresa stated that the changes in the Village of Oblong Employee Guidelines are in Bold and Italic print. Motion by Dave, with a second by Angie, to adopt Resolution #2022-R-1 “Resolution to Adopt the Village Employee Guidelines Policy. Roll Call vote as follows: Angie – aye; Jay – aye; Dave – aye; Carrie – aye; Keith – aye; Jeron – aye. Motion carried.

7. Mayor’s Comments:
a. Teresa stated that there has been a TIF Grant Application turned in from Diane Houdasheldt for a new awning for Henpeck Merchantile in the amount of $3615.20. Motion by Jeron, with a second by Angie, to approve the TIF Grant for a new awning for Henpeck Merchantile in the amount of $3,615.20. Five (5) ayes and one (1) abstain; motion carried.
b. Teresa stated that there is still no word from Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission that our lagoon dredging money is available
c. Teresa mentioned that Republic’s Spring Clean-up will be March 29th. She will be posting on the Mayor’s Facebook page what will be picked up and what they will not pick up.
d. Teresa mentioned that on March 8th, Robinson Monical’s will be teaming up with Paws for Prevention. Monical’s will donate 20% of all pizza orders to Paws for Prevention.
e. Teresa stated that the Oblong Easter Egg Hunt will be on April 9th starting at 10 am.
f. Teresa mentioned that the Oblong Hootenanny is set for Saturday, June 25th. There will be a live band and fireworks.
g. Teresa mentioned that the Crawford County Fair is scheduled for Saturday, July 23rd through Saturday, July 30th. Teresa asked Bill to give an update on the Grand Stand rebuild project and expanding of the length on the east and west ends by 20’. Bill stated that at the Fair Board meeting; they had set up a committee for the Grand Stand Project. He wanted to know which Village committee would be working with the Fair Board committee for the Grand Stand Project. Teresa asked for volunteers for this committee. (After the meeting, the following people volunteered for the Grand Stand Project Village Committee: Gary Lanter, Jay Haines and Carrie Hays.) Bill stated that the removal of the old Grand Stand will start after the 2022 Oblong Antique Tractor and Engine Show in August. Bill mentioned that the Grand Stand Project may be done in stages.

8. Reports of Committees:
A. Police: Jay stated that he had nothing to report this month. Chad stated that the Board had a copy of his monthly report for February. He stated that he will be in mandated training next week in Effingham.
B. Building & Park: Keith stated that the fence at the Mini Park has been taken down except the vertical pole. Keith stated that the estimate to redo the Board Meeting table was $4,000. He passed around a furniture catalog with meeting tables in it. There will be a committee meeting later on this month and the committee will bring a recommendation to the April Board meeting for a new meeting table. Keith stated that he and the Mayor met with mural painter last month for the wall of the building on the southside of the Mini Park. There was some discussion about going ahead and having the painter start a mural after he finishes the one on the eastside of the Napa Store. Motion by Keith, with a second by Dave, to proceed with the Mini Park mural and pay it out of TIF Grant Fund. Two (2) ayes and four (4) nays. Motion failed. The Mini Park Mural will be discussed after the pavilion is built. Gary asked the Board approve to list the Polaris for sale by sealed bid to be opened at the April Board Meeting. Motion by Jay, with a second by Keith, to allow Gary to advertise the Polaris for sale. All ayes, motion carried.
C. Sidewalks & Lights: Carrie stated that she had nothing to report.
D. Street & Alley: Angie stated that she had nothing to report this month. Gary asked the Board approve to list the old salt spreader for sale by sealed bid to be opened at the April Board Meeting. Motion by Angie, with a second by Keith, to allow Gary to advertise the old salt spreader for sale. All ayes, motion carried
E. Water & Sewer: Dave stated that Gary would like the Board’s permission to purchase some of items (Chop Saw, set of tires and a tear-a-mat) he had budgeted for.
F. Finance: Jeron stated that the committee will have budget meeting in a couple of weeks. Jan submitted her monthly reports to the Board. Ladora stated that she had nothing to report this month.
G. Development: Bill stated that the rest of the acreage in Park Meadows is up for sale.
H. Ad-Hoc (Beautification/Ordinance) Committee:
a. Teresa stated that there have been two structures demolished in February (706 South Range Street & garage/workshop at 201 South Taylor Street.
b. Teresa mentioned that a Surplus sale at 103 West Illinois Street will probably take place this summer or fall.
c. She stated that there are a lot of properties the committee is looking at for clean-up of inoperable vehicles, furniture thrown out and general clean-up items.
d. Teresa mentioned that Hometown Pride Awards will probably begin in March or April.
e. Teresa stated that the next meeting for the committee will be March 30th, 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. All ayes, motion carried.

10. Motion by Jeron, with a second by Angie, to go into Executive Session at 5:44 pm to discuss Personnel [Section 2(c)(1) of the Open Meetings Act]. All ayes, motion carried.

Motion by Jeron, with a second by Angie, to come out of Executive Session at 6:04 pm. All ayes, motion carried.

Jeron stated that during the executive session, the discussion of extending the probation period of an employee for an additional six (6) months due to training progression. Motion by Jeron, with a second by Angie, to extend the probationary period for an employee an additional six (6) months with supervisor/employee review of training progression in 3 months. All ayes, motion carried.

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

12. Motion by Jeron, second by Angie, to adjourn the meeting at 6:06 pm. All ayes, motion carried.

Respectfully submitted

 

Ladora Boyd, Clerk