November 7th, 2012

The Village of Oblong Board of Trustees met in regular session on Wednesday, November 7th, 2012, in the Farley Room of the Municipal Building.

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

Absent: Trustee Rick Houdasheldt.

Others Present: Police Chief Chad Pusey, Public Works Superintendent Gary Lanter, Sarah Ruholl (Daily News), Chris Forde (WTYE/WTAY), JJ Aten (Oblong Gem) and Nick Hinterscher.

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

2. The Regular Board Meeting minutes of October 3rd, 2012 were approved with a motion by Joe 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. Nick Hinterscher came before the Board to request that the taverns be allowed to stay open an extra hour on Wednesday before Thanksgiving. The Board granted his request.

6. Randy announced that the Crawford County 4-Her’s will be serving Pork Burger across from Rusty Nail Hardware on November 10th from 11 am – 1 pm.

7. Randy stated that the VFW wants to use the 4-way Stop to pass out poppies on November 10 from 8 or 9 am to noon (12 pm). The Board granted their request.

8. Mayor’s Comments:
Randy mentioned that the Village had received a Letter from MediaCom dated October 16th stating that beginning October 18 NFL Network will be available to their customers.

Randy mentioned that the Village had received a Letter from MediaCom dated October 12th stating that on or about November 19 Jewelry TV (Channel 96) will be deleted.

Randy stated that there has been an issue with some wording on the TIF 1 about money being pay out to Roger Colmark. He has been working with Eric White from DMI to get the wording issue corrected. Randy stated that he had received a letter from Mr. Colmark stating that he would be willing to pay for half of the cost to correct the wording issue.

Randy stated that the Speaker System did work during the Fall Follies but was not loud enough during the Parade. Randy and John Provines from Kemp Music talked about the problem and John suggested a larger speaker which will cost some more but that the Village will get a 100% credit on the current speakers that will possibly be replaced. The difference is between $2,400 and $2,800. Randy said that John has two of the larger speakers if the Village would like to try them before making a decision. The speakers to be replaced would be the ones down by Harmon’s and the ones across the street from the Fire Department. There was some discussion on this matter. The Board decided to go ahead with the new speakers.

Randy stated that he had received a letter on the Electric Aggregation and the next steps. He stated that he had forwarded it to the rest of the Board. Motion by Tony, with a second by Ken, to proceed with the next step with the two Public Hearings that are required. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

Randy stated that there is some interest from another business wanting to move in out at TIF 2. Have talked with John Stone about making sure that there is not any landlocked property. Tony has made a rough layout of a street entrance of Route 33 connecting to a possible street running behind Dollar General, which lines up with West Illinois Street. Randy stated that the Board members had a copy of this in front them. Randy stated that if the Board approved of the sketch then he would approach David & Sandy Goodwin with the sketch for their approval before proceeding any further.

Randy stated that he had received a letter from Mark Noonan, who has recently formed SIREEDA (a Non Profit Corporation in IL). Mark has seen that there is a gap between small municipals and businesses. Mr. Noonan has extended an invitation for the Village to join. This matter will be discussed more at the December Board meeting.

Randy stated that he had received a letter from Doug Hawkins thanking the Village for the usage of the Park and Campgrounds and support during the International Metal Met.

Randy stated that the Village has received confirmation on the grant for changing the Municipal Building lighting from T12 to T8. If the Village completes the changeover and have submitted the paperwork for the grant money by February 14th, 2013 the Village will receive 100% reimbursement of the project materials cost. If the changeover is completed and the paperwork has been submitted for the grant money by May, 2013, the Village will only receive 85% reimbursement of the project materials cost. The Board decided to proceed with the changing from T12 to T8 lighting and have it done by February 14th, if possible.

Randy suggested that the Village needed to draft an ordinance for limiting the band width between 900 MHz to 950 MHz to make sure the frequency of the Village’s wireless speaker system is not infringed upon. It was decided to have the Village Attorney draft the ordinance by the next Board Meeting in December.

Randy mentioned that the Village has received their annual IML Risk Management Insurance Bill and that it had risen by 3.4%.

Randy wanted to recognize the passing of Lawrence Jobe, who was former Village Board member.

Randy stated that today was Joe Campanella’s Birthday.

9. Reports of Committees:

Police: Joe read the monthly report for October, 2012. Joe stated that there would be training this month on November 29 at Effingham.

Building and Park: Debi stated that she had nothing to report this month.

Sidewalks and Lights: Gary stated that he had nothing to report this month.

Street and Alley: Tony stated that he had nothing to report this month.

Water and Sewer: Ken stated that he had nothing to report this month for water and sewer. Ken wanted to have the Village send a Thank You to Jeff at Senco for the donation of the lights along the parade route.

Finance: Rick C. stated that next month the Board will need to make a decision about the North Range Street Project.

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

10. Motion by Debi, with a second by Tony, 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.

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

12. Motion by Rick C., with a second by Tony, to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 pm.
Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

Respectfully submitted

Ladora C. Boyd