Village of Oblong
Minutes

January 1st .2023

The Village of Oblong Board of Trustees met in regular session on Wednesday, February 1st, 2023, in the Farley Room of the Municipal Building.

Members Present: Mayor Teresa K. Fielder, Clerk Ladora Boyd, Trustee Jay Haines, Trustee Carrie Hays, Trustee Cary Bonnell, Trustee Dave Hasty, Trustee Keith Waldrop and Treasurer Jan Miller.
Absent: Trustee Lucas Inboden.
Other Present: Chief Colton Williamson, Public Works Superintendent Gary Lanter, Resa Shaner (Crawford County Development Association), Angela Ridgeway (Robinson Daily News), Terry Ochs and Jerry Snider.

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 January 4th, 2023, were approved with a motion by Keith, with a second by Carrie H. Five (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. Teresa stated that the Village had received the final bills for Lagoon Dredging/Cleaning Project and need approval from the Board for payment. Motion by Jay, with a second by Cary B., to approval the final bills for Connor & Connor in the amount of $9,113.25 and Smithenry Trenching in the amount of $176,664.25. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

7. Teresa stated that this resolution was a suggestion from the Illinois Municipal League (IML) to have all communities to pass in support of the Tax Increment Financing. Motion by Dave, with a second by Cary B., to adopt Resolution #2023-R-1 “A Resolution of the Village of Oblong in Support of Tax Increment Financing”. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

8. Gary stated that he had made a few wording changes to the Oblong Public Works Employee Handbook. The changes were highlighted on the pages from the handbook. (See attached pages.) Motion by Carrie H., with a second by Jay, to adopt the wording changes for the Public Works Employee Handbook. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

9. Mayor’s Comments:

a. Teresa updated the Board on the housing study that was done by Tracy Cross & Associates. She stated that the report was 50 pages long, so she did not print the whole document out. She printed pages 1.5, 1.6, 1.14 and 2.8 which pertained to Oblong for the Board. She said that if the Board members wanted the whole document she would e-mail it to them.

b. Teresa stated that Crawford County Treasurer Rikki Callaway has received and deposited the first payment released from DCEO in the amount of $35,804 for engineering costs to Connor & Connor for the Sewer Lagoon Dredging Project.

c. Teresa said that Rikki is still waiting for the funds to pay Smithenry Trenching for the first invoice in the amount of $278,442.75.

d. Teresa stated that the lawsuit by former employee Chad Pusey is in the hands of an attorney through Illinois Municipal League Risk Management Association (Village’s liability insurance). Teresa stated that at this time there are no further updates.

e. Teresa stated that the contract with Republic for trash pick-up will expire July, 2023. We will be getting bid packets together before long and will be advertising.

f. Teresa stated that Jan and Ladora would like to have the department budget figures turned in to them by March 24th. The Finance Committee will meet the last week of March to give their approval or ask questions about the budget figures and set salary figures. The FY2024 budget will be approved at the April 5th Board meeting.

g. Teresa stated that she would like to schedule a Special Board meeting some time in February so that Jason Kanallakan of Moran & Associates (who will be creating the new TIF District with the Village’s 33 acres) can come and present the eligibility study and provide the Board with information so that the Board can pass ordinances to establish the TIF in March. Bill Burke is going to check with Jason to see when he would be available.

h. Teresa stated that Resa Shaner, Bill Burke and she will be meeting with Crawford County Clerk (Beckie Staley), Treasurer (Rikki Callaway) Assessor (Hope Weber) tomorrow (February 2, 2023) to get their questions and concerns to e-mail to Jason; so that he can have those questions answered and covered by the time the Special Board Meeting is scheduled.

i. Teresa mentioned that the Oblong Chamber of Commerce Dinner will be held at The Woods Event Center on Thursday, March 23rd at 6 pm. Entertainment will be magician Christopher Bontjies, and dinner will be catered by Hartrich’s from St. Marie. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased at the Village Hall, Harmon’s, The Vault or Village Stitchery. Teresa stated that the new Chamber Office holders have worked extremely hard getting this event together.

10. Reports of Committees:

a. POLICE: Jay stated that the K9 cages in the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe and the 2017 Ford Explorer will be removed and the backseats will be put back in later this month at a cost of $2,500 this price includes trade-in value for the cages. Colton stated that he had talked with an officer about working part-time for the Village. He asked that the Board hire Janesha Western as a new part-time officer for the Village. Motion by Jay, with a second by Cary B., to hire Janesha Western as a Part-time Patrol Officer for the Village. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

b. BUILDING/PARK: Keith mentioned that the Grandstand is coming down out at the Park. He asked about the phones in the building. Ladora stated that Mr. Maxwell from Flat Rock Telephone Coop is handling the schedule for the switch over. Keith mentioned he will get with Gary about the Budget for Building/Park.

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

d. STREET/ALLEY: Teresa asked Gary if there was anything to report this month. He stated that there was not anything new to report at this time.

e. WATER/SEWER: Dave stated that the committee had a meeting on January 30th at 4:30 pm. (See Attached Minutes.) Under II. Water Department a. Increase: the committee is recommending that the minimum bill for water be increase $3 for the 1st 1,000 gallons of water. This would mean that the minimum water bill for in town
customers would go from $22 to $25 and outside of the village limits would go from $28.20 to $31.20. Motion by Dave, with a second by Cary
B., to increase the minimum water rate by $3. Five (5) ayes, motion carried. This will increase will appear on the April bill. The last raise was back in 2019.
The water tower in the next 3-5 years will need to be repainted inside and outside. The cost for the interior painting will be between $100,000 to $150,000 and the cost for the exterior will be between $ 200,000 to $250,000.
Replacement of water line in the 300 block of East Missouri Street, which has had a history of water leaks in the past, estimate cost of $50,000. Replacement of water line on South Adams Street from West Missouri Street to West Tennessee Street with valve at both ends estimate cost of $70,000-$80,000.
There is a need for a small vacuum Excavator. Cost will likely be $75,000 which will be split between General (Street/Alley), Sewer and Water.

f. FINANCE: Cary stated that the employees who have health insurance through the Village will be invited to have a video chat with the representative for the IRWA health insurance provider later on 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.

g. DEVELOPMENT/ADHOC (Beautification/Ordinance):

a. Teresa stated that there was nothing more to report for development at this time.

b. There will be a short Ad-Hoc meeting on February 22nd, 2023 at 3:30 pm to go over possible upcoming concerns and review. Colton is already following up on some concerns which will no doubt carry into Spring.

c. If anyone has anything for the Ad-Hoc committee let Teresa or Colton know before the meeting.

11. Motion by Jay, with a second by Dave, 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.

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

13. Motion by Carrie H., with a second by Jay, to adjourn the meeting 5:32 pm. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

Respectfully submitted
Ladora Boyd, Clerk