Village of Oblong
September 7th, 2022

The Village of Oblong Board of Trustees met in regular session on Wednesday, September 7th, 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 and Treasurer Jan Miller.
Absent: Trustee Lucas Inboden.
Other Present: Public Works Superintendent Gary Lanter, Resa Shaner (Crawford County Development Association), Angela Downing (Robinson Daily News), Jamey Tracy (First National Bank in Olney – Oblong Branch), Rick Catt (First Robinson Savings Bank) and Cary Bonnell.

• 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.
• The Regular Board Meeting Minutes of August 3rd. 2022, were approved with a motion by Jay, with a second by Keith. Four (4) ayes, motioned carried.
• Teresa read a resignation letter from Jeron Harris as Village Trustee. Motion by Keith, with a second by Carrie, to accept the resignation letter from Jeron Harris. Four (4) ayes, motion carried. Teresa then presented Cary Bonnell for the Board’s approval as a new Board member to fill the vacancy. The Board approved the appointment of Cary Bonnell to fill the vacancy on the Village Board until the next Consolidated Election in 2023. Ladora swore in Cary as Village Trustee.
• There were no Additions or Deletions to the agenda this month.
• 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 were no Delinquent Water Bill customers this month.
• Gary presented to the Board a request for the 5K Spooktacular Run, which will be held on Saturday October 29th starting at 8 am. The Board granted the request.
• Motion by Dave, with a second by Keith, to adopt Resolution #2022-R-3 “Homecoming Parade Permit”. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
• Motion by Carrie, with a second by Jay, to adopt Resolution #2022-R-4 “Halloween Parade Permit”. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
• Teresa stated that Gary had revised the Detached Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU’s) Policy/Application, Tiny House Policy/Application and Manufactured Home Policy/Application. (See attach copy)
• Motion by Jay, with a second by Cary, to adopt the Village of Oblong Revised Policy Involving Detached Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU’s) Policy/Application. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
• Motion by Dave, with a second by Cary, to adopt the Village of Oblong Revised Policy Involving Tiny House Policy/Application. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
• Motion by Carrie, with a second by Jay, to adopt the Village of Oblong Revised Policy Involving Manufactured Home Policy/Application. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
• The Finance Committee met with Jodi Truitt from Kemper CPA. She presented the Village’s Fiscal Year 2022 audit to the committee. The Village received a clean audit for FY2022.
• Motion by Dave, with a second by Jay, to adopt Resolution #2022-R-5 “Tax Anticipation Warrant Resolution”. Roll Call vote as follows: Jay-aye, Dave-aye, Carrie-aye. Keith-abstained, Cary-aye. Motion carried.
• Motion by Jay, with a second by Dave, to hire John Stone of Connor & Connor, Inc. to oversee the OSLAD Grant Application Process, which will include the hiring of a Grant Administrator. Five ayes, motion carried.
• Motion by Dave, with a second by Carrie, to contract with Tracy Cross & Associates, Inc. to do a housing study. Five (5) ayes, motion carried. The cost will be $2,243.59.
• There was some discussion on the proposal from Moran Economic Development for professional services. The Board had some questions on amounts in the proposal that they wanted answered before deciding to enter into the contract with Moran. It was decided to reconvene on Wednesday, September 14th at 5:15 pm.
• There was some discussion on pricing the two remaining lots in the first phase of Park Meadow. Motion by Keith, with a second by Jay, to set the price of the lots at $2,000 per lot. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
• There was a discussion on upgrading the internet speed for the Village Offices. There was only one estimate given on the cost for internet speed upgrade; it was from MediaCom. Motion by Dave, with a second by Cary, to switch from Consolidated Communications to MediaCom for the Village Offices. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
• Mayor’s Comments:
• Teresa mentioned that Ladora had made new committee cards for the Board with the new trustees’ names.
• The OSLAD grant update is the Public Hearing which will be held Tuesday, September 13th at 6pm. This is a procedure required by South Central. They will conduct the meeting, hear any public participation, present resolution of authorization & gather letters of support.
• Teresa gave a update of the Sewer Lagoon Project. She stated that Smithery Trenching Inc. has not been able to get their SAMS registration renewed. There are other contractors having the same issue. Teresa stated that she has reached out to some of her contacts to see what the holdup is.
• Teresa stated that the Board needed to vote to deny the TIF Grant Application from Blue Potato Music that was brought up at the August Board Meeting due to the revised TIF Grant Application wording. Motion by Carrie, with a second by Jay, to deny the request. Four (4) ayes, motion carried
• Teresa stated that the August Hometown Pride Award winner was The Village Stitchery, Lisa Pinkston (108 East Main Street). The Village Stitchery has been in business for 40 years.
• Teresa wanted to congratulate Angela Downing (Robinson Daily News) on her 3rd place in the Division B Featured Writing Category from the Illinois Press Association for her writing on the 25th anniversary of the May 8th, 1996, Birds Flood which she published May1st, 2021. Teresa also read an invitation from Angela to the Board inviting them to her wedding on October 15 at 2 pm at the Hutsonville Community Center.
• Teresa stated Crawford County Electronics Take-Back day is Saturday, September 17th from 8 am – 12 (Noon). It will be at the Crawford County Solid Waste, 1700 South Eaton Street, Robinson. She stated that there may be some fee on TV depending on their size.
• Teresa stated that there will be a bench trial on September 12th for Mattek (RV on South Adams Street) and 3 separate court hearing on lack of property maintenance.
• Teresa mentioned that 205 South Grant property was sold at Sheriff’s sale. She has a copy confirming the name and address of bank if we have concerns with the property.
• Fall Follies will be Saturday, October 29th.
• Teresa stated that she just learned about a “Tourism Attraction & Festivals” Grant. She has reached out to Resa Shaner to see if she is aware of this grant. Possible help with the Pavilion on South Range Street.
• Reports of Committees:
• POLICE: Jay stated that the committee will be meeting to conduct interviews with candidates for the position of Police Chief on September 8th (7pm), 9th (6pm) and 15th (6pm). Jay also stated that the Village has received a letter of resignation from Part-Time Patrolman Doyal Hofmann.
• BUILDING/PARK: Keith asked Gary to inform the Board on possible contractimg with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (INDR) for Fish Survey and possible 5-year Fishery Management Program. The INDR would stock the Lake with fish as needed to keep the fish population up. Motion by Keith, with a second by Carrie, to enter into the agreement with INDR. Five (5) ayes, motion carried. Keith asked about having an additional 250’ of the walking path at a cost of $17,000 to repair. There was some discussion on this matter and the rest of the Board thought it would be best to wait and see if the Village receives the OSLAD Grant. This Grant is for walking paths, parking area around Parks
• SIDEWALK/LIGHTS: Carrie stated that she had no report for this month.
• STREET/ALLEY: Gary stated weather permitting the Chip ’n’ Seal will be done next week.
• WATER/SEWER: Dave stated that the Village had received a notice from Robinson-Palestine Water Commission about a slight increase in rates. Dave said the Village will absorb this increase. Dave left to attend another meeting.
• FINANCE: Teresa stated that there is nothing else 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 will be getting the information to finish up the paperwork for the impounded RV, so that the Village can get rid of the RV.
• DEVELOPMENT/ADHOC (Beautification/Ordinance):
• Teresa stated that the closing was signed on Friday, September 2nd and the money was wired to complete the purchase of the undeveloped portion of Park Meadows (33 +/- acres). Deed from Colmark to the Village.
• Teresa mentioned that that there has been some great help in acquiring letters of support for the OSLAD Grant. She is very pleased with Trish and Brooke from South Central Illinois Regional Planning &Development Commission in helping lead the Village through the process for the OSLAD Grant.
• Teresa stated that she had put the notes from the August 31st meeting in the Trustees’ mail slots.
• Teresa mentioned that the Committee had discussed making some changes to the original Dumpster Agreement. One of the changes would be making it available to get Structural Cleanup and/or Residential Cleanup with the funding still coming out of what the Village receives from the “Gaming” tax monies received; with the approval from the Board to allow Teresa to make these revisions to the Dumpster Agreement. The Board was in favor of this idea.
• Teresa stated that, with the above discussion, there is a dead tree located at 209 West Illinois Street that is overhanging the sidewalk in front of this residence, The Ad-hoc Committee is recommending that the Beautification Funds be used to pay for this tree to be taken down at a cost of $350, which is less than the maximum amount of $400 for dumpster rental cost. The owners of the property are on fixed income and would be hard press to pay for the removal. Before the Village will pays this amount upon receipt of proof of insurance from the person who will be taking the tree down. Motion by Jay, with a second by Carrie, to pay the $350 to have the tree removed. Four (4) ayes, motion carried.
• Gary has sent 5 letters to residents who have shrubs, flowers or landscape blocking intersections.
• The Village has received an application from Gary Lance to place a Tiny House at 604 East Main Street and also an application from Catherine Patterson to place a Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit at 602 South Range Street. The Committee recommends approval of these two applications. Motion by Cary, with a second by Jay, to approve both applications. Four (4) ayes, motion carried.
• The Village has received a TIF Grant Application from Robinson Public Library District for the Oblong Library to purchase netting for under their awning to keep that birds from rooster (Bird waste on the sidewalk and bench) at a cost of $560. Motion by Carrie, with a second by Keith, to approve this request of TIF Grant funds. Four (4) ayes, motion carried.
• The next meeting of the committee will be September 28th at 3:30 pm.
• Motion by Jay, with a second by Keith, 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. Four (4) ayes, motion carried.
• There were no other items of business this month.
• Motion by Carrie, with a second by Jay, to recess the meeting until September 14th at 5:15 pm at 6:34 pm. Four (4) ayes, motion carried.

Respectfully submitted

 

Ladora Boyd, Clerk

Reconvene Draft Minutes

The Village of Oblong Board of Trustees met in regular session on Wednesday, September 14th, 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 Cary Bonnell and Treasurer Jan Miller.
Absent: Trustee Lucas Inboden.
Other Present: Public Works Superintendent Gary Lanter, Bill Burke and John Stone (Connor & Connor, Inc.).

• Motion by Keith, with a second by Jay, to convene Board meeting at 5:20 pm on September 14th, 2022. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
• Bill stated that the Scope of Services included everything needed to establish TIF District Redevelopment Area. The $140/hour is for any additional services such as brochures to advertise the TIF or do additional developments. Motion by Jay, with a second by Carrie, to accept the terms of agreement to contract Moran Economic Development at a cost of $28,500 ($2,000 upon signing of Agreement for Technical Services, $12,875 upon presentation of the TIF Plan to the Village Board and $13,625 upon completion of the Public Hearing). Roll call vote as follows: Jay – aye, Dave – aye, Carrie H. – aye, Keith – abstain, Cary B. – aye; motion carried.
• It was recommended to hire Taylor Law from Effingham, Illinois as the TIF attorney.
• Bill stated that the two remaining lots in Park Meadow have been sold and will need to have a Village Officials signature for the Purchase Agreements. Motion by Jay, with a second by Cary B., to authorize the Mayor to sign agreements. Five (5) ayes, motion carried. Bill stated that he would write the purchase agreements for the two lots. One is located at the corner of East Nebraska and North Harrison Streets (Chris Rumel) and the other is on North Taylor Street (Orville York) just south of the former Duane/Margaret Baker property.
• Motion by Keith, with a second by Dave, to adopt Resolution #2022-R-6 “Resolution authorizing the preparation and submission of an Illinois Department of Natural Resources Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Grant” for the walking path at the Oblong Park. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
• Motion by Carrie H., with second by Cary B., to donate $500 to the Oblong Chamber of Commerce for Fall Follies expenses from Beautification Fund (Video Gaming tax money). Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
• Motion by Dave, with a second by Cary, to adjourn the meeting at 5:32 pm. Five (5) ayes, motion carried

Respectfully submitted

 

Ladora Boyd, Clerk