October 5th, 2011

The Village of Oblong Board of Trustees met in regular session on Wednesday, October 5th, 2011, in the Farley Room of the Municipal Building.

Members Present: Mayor Randy Rich, Clerk Ladora Boyd, Trustee Rick Catt, Trustee Rick Houdasheldt, Trustee Ken Russell, Trustee Tony Madlem, Trustee Debi Wilson and Treasurer Jan Miller.

Absent: Trustee Joe Campanella.

Others Present: Public Works Superintendent Gary Lanter, Police Chief Chad Pusey, Chris Forde (WTYE/WTAY), JJ Aten (Oblong Gem), Henry Van Winkle, Robbie Van Winkle and Debbie Tedford.

1. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Mayor Rich.

2. The Regular Board Meeting minutes of September 7th, 2011 were approved with a motion by Tony and a second by Debi. Five (5) 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. Robbie Van Winkle came before the Board to thank them for granting the Walk to End Alzheimer. She stated that there were 172 people who participated in the event. She mentioned that the Alzheimer Group raised over $16,000.00 during the event and since then the amount is approaching $17,000.00. She also wanted to thank everyone that was involved from the Village especially Gary, Chad and Gabe Lowrance. She shared some photos that were taken during the event with the Board. She stated that so far the group from here is leading in the amount raised during the Walk to End Alzheimer. She stated that the group hopes to be able to use the Park again next year for the Walk to End Alzheimer.

6. Debbie Tedford, U of I Extension Office, came before the Board to request the use of the Park for a Drive-Thru Pork burger Fundraiser for the 4-Hers of Crawford County on November 11th, weather permitting. This would include pork burger, bag of chips and a drink. The Board granted her request. Randy stated that she could get with Gary about where to set-up.

7. The Board set Trick or Treat Night for Monday, October 31st, from 5 pm to 8 pm and only at houses with their porch light on.

8. There was some discussion on wither the Village wants to join the National Flood Insurance Program. Randy stated that he would talk with the Palestine Mayor to see how they handle the compliance rules. It was also decided that before the Board decides on the matter of joining the program the Board would like to meet with the Manager of the State Floodplain Programs from Illinois Department of Natural Resources (INDR).

9. Under Mayor’s Comments:
A. Randy stated that he had planned to have the generator added to the agenda but didn’t get it done. The Board discussed purchasing a back-up generator for the municipal building. The estimated cost of the generator and materials is $11,379.23 and the estimated labor cost is $1,840.00 for a total cost of $13,219.23. Motion by Rick H., with a second by Rick C., to purchase the generator, as long as IML/RMA, the Village Insurance, has no problems with the building being used as an Emergency Storm Shelter. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

B. Randy stated that he had a recommendation from the Oblong Revolving Loan Committee to have the Board approve a loan to Brandon Harmon for $63,000.00. Motion by Rick C., with a second by Tony, to loan $63,000.00 from the Oblong Revolving Loan Fund to Brandon Harmon. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

C. Randy stated that there has been some issues with the billing from Republic, the Village contracted trash haulers. He stated that he had contacted Republic and has resolved the issues. Randy stated that any citizen of the Village needs to contact Jan or Ladora if they have been billed a wrong amount on their bill or if they are not receiving the Senior Citizen Rate. Senior Citizen rate is for anyone 60 years or older.

D. Randy mentioned that the Fall Clean-up is scheduled for October 13th, with Republic. One appliance per paid-up household and everything else needs to be bagged, bundled or boxed. There is to be no paint, car parts or construction waste.

E. Randy stated that WTW Salvage will be in town on October 12th, to do scrap metal, appliances, TVs and tire rims pick-up this fall.

10. Reports of Committees:
A. Police: Tony stated that Chad has Cript training on October 12th in Robinson.
There will also be training on October 22nd in Mattoon and on October 24th, there will be Biker 101 Training in Robinson.

Tony stated that there has been a request for a High School student to Job Shadow with the Police. There was some discussion on the matter. Motion by Tony, with a second by Rick H., to grant the request for the student job shadowing. Five ayes, motion carried.

Tony stated that the Police Department has received a donation of $2,000.00 from Wal*Mart and a $1,000.00 from an anonymous donor. Tony stated that Chad would like to put these donations into a checking account for a Junior Police Academy Program Fund. The program is similar to the DARE Program; it is geared toward grades 5-8. It would be a 9 week after school program. The checking account funds would go towards supplies for the program. Motion by Tony, with a second by Debi, to set-up the new checking account. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

Tony stated that Joshua Douthit has turned in a letter of resignation from the Police Department. Motion by Tony, with a second by Rick C., to accept the letter of resignation from Joshua Douthit. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
B. Building and Park: Debi stated that she had nothing to report this month. Debi stated that Gary had a dead tree cut down out at the Park this past month.

C. Sidewalks and Lights: Rick H. stated that he had nothing to report this month.

D. Street and Alley: Tony stated that the Chip and Seal is done for this year.

E. Water and Sewer: Ken stated that there had been a committee meeting on September 14th to discuss a few items that needs to be done. The first recommendation from the committee was to have the water tower cleaned inside and outside by Hanfland Painting Contractors LLC for $6,200. The second recommendation was to have the Village purchase a truck, through state bid which was lower that the estimate cost from the local dealership, to take the place of the 1995 truck. The third recommendation from the committee was to have repairs done on a lift station pump. The Board accepted the recommendations. Ken stated that the water line up to the Musgrave property is now in service. Ken stated that the water lines have been laid on 1350th to the last house on 525th.

F. Finance: Rick C. stated that there was nothing to report this month.

G. Development: Randy stated that there was nothing to report this month.

11. Motion by Ken, with a second by Debi, 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. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

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

13. Motion by Tony, with a second by Rick C., to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 pm.
Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

Respectfully submitted

Ladora C. Boyd