Village of Oblong
September 7, 2005 Minutes
The Village Board of Trustees met in regular session on September 7th, 2005, in the Farley Room of the Municipal Building.
Members Present: Mayor Randy Rich, Clerk Ladora Boyd, Trustee Rick Catt, Trustee Bonnie Finn, Trustee Rick Houdasheldt, Trustee Ken Russell, Trustee Sherry Catt, Trustee Debi Wilson and Treasurer Jan Miller.
Others Present: Public Works Superintendent Gary Lanter, Police Chief Chad Pusey, Tom Compton (Daily News), Brenda Gillaspie, Monte Gillaspie, Larry Fear, Mike Kessler, Lynn Kessler, Dale Davis, Rex Finn, Mark Jacobs, Ron Finn, Terry Manhart, Richard Williams, Candy Williams and Steve Menacher.
1. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Mayor Rich.
2. The Regular Board Meeting minutes of August 3rd, 2005, were approved with a motion by Bonnie and a second by Sherry. All ayes, motion carried.
3. There were no additions or deletions to the agenda this month.
4. There were no water bill customers at the meeting this month.
5. Terry Manhart came before the Board to ask about changing the ordinance on 4-wheelers being ridden on the village side streets and not on Range or Main (Route 33) streets. Terry stated that some of the rules and regulations could be as follows: 1. A valid driver’s license (16 years of age or older), 2. Would need turn signals on the 4-wheeler, 3. Need to purchase a permit from the village annually. Randy stated that Terry, Richard and Ronnie had come to him asking about this; they stated that there was a town over in Indiana that was permitting the 4-wheelers. Randy stated that he told them that they need to get on the agenda. Randy stated that he had done some checking and found out that there are statutes (laws) against this in the state of Illinois. State Police can issue a ticket if they see the riders. Terry stated that they had found in the Illinois State Vehicle codes where it states that it is up to the city or village to make the decision. Chad stated that it will cost the Village some to post signs on the streets where it would be allowed. Terry stated that the Village would be getting revenue from the permits and fines. There were some questions about the cost of the permit fees. Rick C. thought that maybe this should be looked into by the Police Committee. Ken stated that there needed to be more information before the Board made a decision. Chad stated that he would check with the Secretary of State Police on this issue. Mike Kessler asked about golf carts. Chad stated that there are state statutes on that also.
6. Brian Bradbury, Village Auditor, came before the Board to give a summary of the audit. Brian stated that he had met with the Finance Committee before the meeting for almost an hour to go over the financial figures. He went over the chart showing the last five years of revenues, expenses, outstanding debt and property tax receipts. The Village is financially sound. Brian stated that the expenses are going up due to the increases in insurance, fuel costs and utilities. The Village has more debt than previous years due to the Water Extension and the Water Tower. Property assessed valued has not kept up with inflation. Brian stated that after the trustees go over the audit report if they have any questions they can call and talk to him at no additional cost.
7. Motion by Debi, with a second by Ken, to adopt Ordinance #2005-0-483 “An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 38, Utilities, Division X - Water Service Charges, Section 38-3-88 of the Revised Code of Ordinances of Oblong, Illinois”. Roll Call: Rick C. - aye, Bonnie - aye, Rick H. - aye, Ken - aye, Sherry - aye, Debi - aye. Motion carried.
8. Motion by Bonnie, with no second, to allow the Oblong IGA a beer and wine license. Motion failed due to lack of a second.
Motion by Rick C., with a second by Rick H., to deny the beer and wine license to the Oblong IGA. Roll Call: Rick C. - aye, Bonnie - nay, Rick H. - aye, Ken - aye, Sherry - aye, Debi - abstain. Motion carried.
9. Under Mayor's Comments: 1.) Randy gave an update to the Board on the properties at 405 S. Garfield and 402 South Range. On the property at 405 S. Garfield, the trailer is to be removed within the next two weeks which is the only building left on the property to be removed. On the property at 402 S. Range, there has been quite a bit of headway. Things have been coming down pretty good. There has been a agreement signed that Mr. Perrine, Senior, will be paying the Village $30 a month until the legal fees had been reimbursed.
2.) Randy stated that there are a couple of other properties that he has been told about and he has given the information on the properties to the health department. He stated that he has not heard back yet but when he does and if there is anything needed to be done he will bring it before the Board. Debi asked if one of the properties was located at 306 North Wilson. Randy stated that he did not think so. Debi stated that she was contacted about the windows being broken out on the trailer. Ken stated that he thought that they’re in the process of repairing them. Chad stated that the trailer is in the process of being moved. He thought there was some problem with the tires but he would look into it.
3.) Randy stated that he has received several complaints about dog waste all over town, especially uptown, church lots and in front of the banks. He asked that everyone that has dogs that they walk to please pick-up after their dogs.
10. The treasurer's report was given by Jan.
11. A motion by Rick C., with a second by Rick H., 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. Four (4) ayes, motion carried. There were two trustees that did not vote.
12. Reports of Committees:
A Police: Rick H. stated that there had been a committee meeting on August 17th. We discussed various things. Rick stated that Chad has completed his training down in Salem. Rick stated that what he was paid while in training will be reimbursed and also the Village received approximately $15,000.00 in equipment; free of charge from this training. Rick asked Chad to expanded on that. Chad stated that basically the equipment is for the terrorist task force and a good example is the Illinois alarm system which we are a member of. Every region was called up except our region, because we just got trained, to go to Louisiana. That is just an example of what they’re all about. The equipment is for terrorism and chemical warfare; it could happen here as well as anywhere. Rick stated that the on board computers are in the two squad cars now. They’re up and functional. Chad said they’re working excellent. Rick stated that the minutes of the meeting are forth coming. Another item discussed was that the department is in need of two more part-time officers, due to the fact that the department is short one full-time officer and will be losing a part-time officer in the near future. These position will be advertised for. Motion by Rick H., with a second by Sherry, to advertise for two part-time officers for no more than a one week period. All ayes, motion carried.
On September 26th, all officers will be re-certified on the ARI assault rifle in Olney, this was reschedule from August 18th.
On September 28th & 29th, Chad would like to attend a training session on intelligence gathering in Mattoon.
Monthly report plus a UCR report. Chad has to do the UCR report every month.
B. Buildings and Park: Sherry stated that there was a meeting Tuesday, August 9th, which was very short and the discussion was on the rules for the building. Sherry went over the changes and then asked for a motion. There was some discussion about the changes. Motion by Rick C., with a second by Rick H., to accept the changes on the rules for the rental of the building. (See attachment) All ayes motion carried.
Sherry stated that she had received in the mail a brochure with playground equipment in it. There was one thing she particularly would like to budget for next fiscal year. It was a climbing wall. There was some discussion, while the brochure was pasted around so that all the trustees could see it. The cost for the climbing wall was $20,499.
C. Sidewalks and Lights: No report at this time.
D. Street and Alley: Gary stated that as of now the chip and seal, that the Village usually has done, using MFT fund will not be done this year; so that, the fund will build up.
E. Water and Sewer: Ken stated there will probably be a meeting called later on this month, but at this time he did not have anything. Gary stated that he had talked to Shannon Woodard from Connor & Connor. Shannon told Gary that there are some outstanding Right of Ways for the 950N Project yet. Gary is hoping to still have this project completed by the end of fall.
F. Finance: Rick C. stated that Ladora and Jan would like to attend their quarterly SECICTA Meeting on Thursday, September 8th, and to attend their respected sessions at the IML Conference on Saturday, September 24th. They will go up on Friday, September 23rd and come back on Saturday, September 24th. Motion by Rick, with a second by Sherry, to allow Jan and Ladora to go to these meeting. All ayes, motion carried.
The committee has had a couple of meetings this week. One was Tuesday, September 6th, for a couple of hours and the other one was before tonight’s meeting for an hour. This evening’s meeting was strictly about the audit and Brian has given a condensed version of it early in the meeting. The minutes will be turned in later. One of the reasons that the committee met on Tuesday, was to discuss the issue that the auditor and the Village has with the LOCIS system. The committee is recommending that the Village discontinue using the LOCIS software for the General Ledger, Accounts Payable and Payroll and start using Quick Books Pro. There was some question about the cost that has been put into the LOCIS system. Randy stated that so far it is around $24,000. Motion by Rick H., with a second by Rick C., to purchase the Quick Books Pro as soon as possible. All ayes, motion carried. Rick C. stated that the Utility program of LOCIS will be maintained for now.
13. Under other business:
a.) Gary stated that he would like to attend a National Construction and Utility Equipment Expo in Louisville, Kentucky on September 28th & 29th if scheduling allows. This Expo is held about every three (3) years. The board granted his request. There is a $20 fee for registration.
b.) Dale asked if she was to put the water rate increase on the bills that go for October. The Board said yes.
c.) Randy asked the Board for permission to let the Shriner’s use the 4-way stop Saturday, September 10th from 9 am to Noon. The Board granted permission.
d.) Gary mentioned that as of next month the Oilfield museum will be receiving a water bill from the Village.
14. Motion by Sherry, with a second by Ken, to adjourn at 8:07 pm. All ayes, motion carried
Respectfully submitted
Ladora C. Boyd