Village of Oblong
October 5, 2022

The Village of Oblong Board of Trustees met in regular session on Wednesday, October 5th, 2022, in the Farley Room of the Municipal Building.

Members Present: Mayor Teresa K. Fielder, Clerk Ladora Boyd, Trustee Lucas Inboden, Trustee Jay Haines, Trustee Carrie Hays, Trustee Cary Bonnell, Trustee Dave Hasty and Treasurer Jan Miller.
Absent: Trustee Keith Waldrop.
Other Present: Public Works Superintendent Gary Lanter, Resa Shaner (Crawford County Development Association), Angela Downing (Robinson Daily News), Police Chief Chad Pusey, Michelle Meese (Superintendent of Oblong Schools), Jerry Snider, Rex Finn and Bill Burke.

1. 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.
2. The Regular Board Meeting Minutes of September 7th. 2022, and reconvene Board Meeting Minutes of September 14th, 2022, were approved with a motion by Cary B., with a second by Jay. Fiver (5) ayes, motioned carried.
3. There were no Additions or Deletions to the agenda this month.
4. 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.
5. There were no Delinquent Water Bill customers this month.
6. Dave stated that Kim Russell, with Guardian Center, was unable to come this month to the Board Meeting. He stated that she is going to try and come to next month’s Board Meeting.
7. Teresa stated that last year in honor of Doctor Szigethy she recognized October is Hungarian Freedom Month and Hungarian Freedom Fighters Day, which will be October 23rd this year.
8. Motion by Lucas, with a second by Carrie H., to adopt the revised Village of Oblong Dumpster Agreement. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
9. Teresa stated that the fees for spraying/neutering are from $90 to $200. The group has done fundraiser Last year the Paws for Prevention gave 250 certificates ($12,000) to individuals to help with the cost of spraying/neutering and fixed 165 feral cats (cost of almost $12,000) and collected donations from all municipalities to help with their cause. Teresa stated that the Village contribution of $2,000 was printed this month. Teresa stated that she had made copies of the article that was in the Saturday, October 1st edition of the Daily News for the Board. Dave stated that the problem of feral cat colonies is starting to grow in population again. It was discussed about giving some additional money just for Oblong’s feral cat colonies spray/neuter. This will be put on the November agenda to discuss the possibility of donating extra money for just feral cat colonies in Oblong only.
10. Mayor’s Comments:
a. Teresa stated that there is a county wide burn ban on at this time. There will be an announcement when it is lifted.
b. Teresa stated that the VFW Commander called to ask permission to use the 4-way stop on Saturday, November 5th for Poppy Distribution. The Board granted the request.
c. Teresa mentioned that on Thursday, October 13th from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm there will be a Red Cross Blood Drive at the Oblong High School. The Blood drive will be hosted by the school. Red Cross is sending Type O blood products to patients who have been impacted by Hurricane Ian in Florida.
d. Teresa mentioned that contractors for Ameren well be in the Oblong and Oblong Township are doing their annual tree trimming that could interfere with electric lines.
e. Teresa wanted to remind everyone that the Oblong Fall Follies will be Saturday, October 29th. It looks like everything is coming together pretty good.
f. Teresa stated that the Crawford Country Sheriff is hosting a DEA Drug Take Back Day on October 29th from 10 am to 2 pm at Crawford Memorial Hospital and the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office. They asked that no needles permitted.
g. Teresa stated that the Village did not receive the Rebuild Illinois Grant. She stated that she emailed the Board members with links to find those who did receive the grants.
h. Teresa stated that Resa verified that Smithenry Trenching Inc.had their SAMS (System Award Management) renewal. They are the contractor for the Sewer Dredging Project. The project can now start moving forward.
i. Teresa mentioned that the OSLAD Grant Application for the Oblong Park and Lake has been submitted.
j. Teresa mentioned that Tracy Cross & Associates (House Survey Reps) have scheduled a phone call for tomorrow (October 6th) morning. The study should be completed by the end of October.
k. Teresa mentioned that the Oblong Dog Park had received $225 donation in memory of Scott Akins. She stated that the Village would send Charlotte Akins’ family a Thank You card for the donation.
l. Teresa mentioned that some of the Village employees are having some issues with the current health insurance “United Healthcare”. She stated that there are some other options available. She named the following options: Illinois Rural Water Association (IRWA) (Gary mentioned this one); IMRF endorsed companies; BlueCross/BlueShield; Hope Trust (which is what the Crawford County has). Teresa suggested getting information and have the Finance Committee and employee met to hear an proposals from any of the companies. Cary asked that he be kept in the loop with any information sent from the companies
11. Reports of Committees:
a. POLICE: The committee will have their report following the vote on payment of bills.
b. BUILDING/PARK: Gary stated that the new metal roofs on the Collings Shelter and Northside Bathroom has been completed. Gary also stated that the contractor who will be doing the roof treatment for the Old Museum Building had contacted Gary to let him know that the contractor is hoping to start doing the treatment this coming weekend. Bill asked to update the Board about the Grand Stand Project being done by the Crawford County Fair Board.
c. SIDEWALK/LIGHTS: Carrie H. stated that she had no report for this month.
d. STREET/ALLEY: Lucas stated that he had no report for this month. Gary stated that the department have done a couple of more patches on South Range Street with the help of the Crawford County Highway Department.
e. WATER/SEWER: Dave stated that he would let Gary tell the Board about an issue that has come up. Gary stated that he just found out that the “Guard Dog Program” subscription through Pace Analytical for the Village had expired. They have a lot of the paperwork that Gary needs for letters to the water customers. He stated that to reinstate the program it cost will be $290. Motion by Jay, with a second by Cary, to pay the subscription fee of $290 to Pace Analytical for the “Guard Dog Program”
f. FINANCE: Teresa stated that the Christmas in the Park Group would like to put a lighted display in front of the Municipal Building and some at the Downtown Mini Park this year. The Board felt that this would be a nice thing. 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 Oblong Chamber of Commerce had brought in their Certificate of Insurance for Fall Follies. She also mentioned that the Village had received the letters from IDOT for the Homecoming and Halloween Parade permits. Ladora stated that she had the election packets for the April 4th, 2023 Consolidated Election available in the Clerk/Treasurer’s Office. She stated that there are three (3) 2year unexpired terms and three (3) 4year unexpired terms to be fill.
g. DEVELOPMENT/ADHOC (Beautification/Ordinance):
a. Bill stated that he has signed contacts for the two lots of in the original TIF Phase 1. He also stated that he, Dave Hasty, Gary Lanter and Mayor had a nice phone conversation with Moran. The properties in Phase 1 are under the old covenant. Bill stated that he would get with the Mayor for signatures.
b. Teresa stated that the September Hometown Pride Award winner was Joe & Virginia Bayless. They were also the Grand Marshals for the Homecoming Parade. They are former Oblong School Teachers.
b. Teresa updated the Board that there are four court cases that will be going to court again on October 17th.
c. The next meeting of the committee will be October 26th at 3:30 pm.
12. Motion by Jay, with a second by Lucas, 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. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
13. There was one other item of business this month. Ladora updated the Board that the Village’s Chapter 23 on Manufacture Homes would cover the moving in of FEMA Homes. Anyone wanting to bring in a FEMA Home would have to fill out a Manufactured Home Application and abide by the rules of Chapter 23.
14. Motion by Jay, with a second by Carrie H., to enter into executive session at 5:31 pm to discuss personnel. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
15. Motion by Jay, with a second by Dave, to come out of executive session at 5:45 pm. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
16. Motion by Jay, with a second by Carrie H., to hire Colton Williamson as the new Police Chief for Oblong. Five (5) ayes, motion carried. He will start on November 7th, 2022.
17. Motion by Cary B., with a second by Lucas, to adjourn the meeting 6:49 pm. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

Respectfully submitted

Ladora Boyd, Clerk