Village of Oblong
Minutes

January 4th, 2023

The Village of Oblong Board of Trustees met in regular session on Wednesday, January 4th, 2023, 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, Trustee Keith Waldrop and Treasurer Jan Miller.
Other Present: Public Works Superintendent Gary Lanter, Resa Shaner (Crawford County Development Association), Angela Ridgeway and daughter (Robinson Daily News), Terry Ochs, 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 December 7th. 2022, were approved with a motion by Jay, with a second by Dave. All 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 TIF payment to Roger Colmark will be the final payment because the TIF for Park Meadows expired December 31st, 2021. Motion by Keith, with a second by Lucas, to send the property payments, which is 75% of TIF property taxes collected for 2021, in the amounts of $21,867.11 to Roger Colmark and $20,394.45 to Westmore Equity. All ayes, motion carried.

7. Jan stated that the Investment Policy is the as it was last year the only change is the date. Motion by Cary B., with a second by Jay, to approved the Investment Policy. All ayes, motion carried.

8. Mayor’s Comments:
a. Teresa wanted to thank everyone who has taken an interest in Oblong and community service and has chosen to run for office in April. She feels that everyone should serve on a board of some type at least once in their lives. This is an eye-opening experience, but also can be very rewarding. Teresa also wanted to thank the current Board members, who stepped up and filled vacancies when it was needed; event though some have chosen not to run next year.

b. Teresa stated that the Village was served a summons from Smallhorn Law Office in Charleston, Illinois on behalf of Chad Pusey, who is seeking over $50,000 payout for over 100 accumulated sick leave days and compensation as canine handler plus court cost and attorneys fee. Teresa stated that the Village attorney and Illinois Municipal League Risk Management Association (Village’s liability insurance) has been kept in the loop on all of this matter. The Village has until January 20th, 2023, to respond until then there will be no further information given.

c. Teresa recognized Phil “Bones” Mendenhall for his 51 years of service on the Oblong Fire Department and congratulated him on his retirement.

d. Teresa stated that she was notified by Zoning Administrator Mark Stephens that Tracy Cross & Associates have given a firm date of January 6th to have the Housing Study completed and sent to Robinson. He will pass it on to us as soon as it’s received. After receiving the study information, Resa and I will meet with the new County Board members and go over the study with them.

e. Teresa stated she talked with John Stone (Connor & Connor) last week about when the OSLAD Grant recipients would be announced. He stated that last year’s grant was awarded around July. This is the grant that was submitted for the Oblong Park walking path, lighting around the path, handicapped park and entrances.

f. Teresa asked for volunteers for a committee to look into Health Insurance for the Village Employees. Cary B. stated that he had look at the quotes and talked with a representative from Hope Trust, who the County has, and the company through Illinois Rural Water Association. He stated that he has asked for some information, so that the representative from Hope Trust can give a quote.

g. Teresa mentioned that the contract with Republic for trash pick-up will expire June 30th. 2023. Will be getting bid packets together and will be advertising.

h. Teresa stated that Mediacom is now providing internet to the Municipal Building. Ladora has received two quotes on phone service to the Municipal Building. They are as follows: Mediacom Standard lines $189.70/month plus equipment cost
Mediacom Managed Voice system $414.60/month plus equipment cost
Host My Sip $132.00/month plus setup fee.
There was some discussion. Current cost for the 6 phone lines of the Village through Consolidated Communications is $403.73/month. Motion by Jay, with a second by Keith, to accept the proposal from Host My Sip for the Municipal Building Village phone lines. All ayes, motion carried.

i. Teresa stated that the Village need to implement a procedure/policy for when the building is being used for an emergency or safe center. The procedure needs to include the designation of personnel that would be involved in the opening and overseeing during these times.

j. Teresa stated that the department heads need to start looking at budget’s figures for next fiscal year. Teresa stated that the FY2024 department budgets need to be turned into Jan and/or Ladora by March 24th. The Finance Committee will meet towards the end of March and will figure the salary budget figures. The FY2024 budget will be approved at the April 5th Board meeting.

9. Reports of Committees:

a. POLICE: Jay stated that he had nothing to report this month. Keith asked when the K9 cage was being removed from the squad car. Colton stated that it will be sometime in February.

b. BUILDING/PARK: Keith mentioned that the sign that is to be installed by the Municipal Building is on hold until the frame can be fixed for the sign. Keith asked about the budget figure for the pathway at the park. The figure, for the pathway, is a contingency plan for the repairs if the grant falls through. Keith stated that he had a presentation from the Art Farley Family. The family has donated a plaque with a commemorative Belt Buckle celebrating Oblong’s 100th Birthday (1983), which was
given to Mr. Farley when he was Mayor of Oblong in 1983. The buckle was #1 of 800.
The plaque will be put up in the Farley close to Mr. Farley’s picture.

c. SIDEWALK/LIGHTS: Carrie 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
later this month the will be some surveying done on some farm ground which should
help with the planning for the Washington Street Drainage Project.

e. WATER/SEWER: Dave stated that the Sewer Lagoon Project work is almost
completed. He mentioned that the Village received a letter from Illinois EPA stating
that the application that was submitted for the IL EPA Lead Service Line Inventory
Grant had been denied due to the SAM account number (in GATA System) being
expired. It has since be updated. He also stated that the committee will have a meeting
scheduled for later this month.

f. FINANCE: Cary stated that he had nothing 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 had nothing to report this
month.

g. DEVELOPMENT/ADHOC (Beautification/Ordinance):
a. Teresa stated that the deeds for lot 3 & 6 in Park Meadow Subdivision have been
signed and recorded with the County Recorder on December 14th.

b. Teresa stated that she will be meeting with Resa Shaner and the County officials
next month to compile questions for Jared Kanallakan, from Moran Economic
Development. She hopes that this will be a good way to start out with everyone on
the same page. She also stated that hopefully can have Jared make a presentation to
the Village Board in February or March.

c. Teresa updated the Board on two properties (103 West Illinois Street and 406 South
Adams Street) that have been on the watch list for the Adhoc Committee have been
sold in the County Surplus sale. Colton has been made aware of the new owners,
should there be ordinance violations and lack of property maintenance

d. The next meeting of the committee tentatively February 22nd, 2023 at 3:30 pm.

10. Motion by Jay, with a second by Cary B., 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.

11. There was one other item of business this month. Bill asked speak to the Board concern the
possibility of changing from Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission for Crawford
County to a different Regional Planning Commission.

12. Motion by Carrie H., with a second by Lucas., to adjourn the meeting 5:46 pm. All ayes,
motion carried.

Respectfully submitted
Ladora Boyd, Clerk