The Village of Oblong Board of Trustees met in regular session on Wednesday October 7th, 2015, in the Farley Room of the Municipal Building.

Members Present: Mayor Randy Rich, Clerk Ladora Boyd, Trustee Rick Catt, Trustee Dave Hasty, Trustee Jay Haines, Trustee Ken Russell, Trustee Debi Wilson and Treasurer/Deputy Clerk Jan Miller.

Absent: Trustee Teresa Fielder.

Others Present: Public Works Superintendent Gary Lanter, Chief Chad Pusey, Tom Compton (Daily News), Chris Dewitt (WTYE/WTAY), Kim Shafer, Bill Burke, Charles Mick and Lisa Pinkston.

The meeting was called to order at 7 pm by Mayor Rich; with everyone standing and saying the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Regular Board Meeting Minutes of September 2nd, 2015, were approved with a motion by Debi, and a second by Ken. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

There were no additions or deletions to the agenda this month.

There were no Delinquent Water Bill customers at this month’s meeting.

Charles Mick came before the Board to ask permission to use the Activity Center for a Karate class/club until he can moved into the upstairs’ room in the new gym (Blue Line Fitness). He stated that he would be willing to work around the scheduling of the Activity Center Room. He stated that the only day that he could not teach here would be on Thursdays. The Board granted Mr. Mick’s request.

The Board granted the request from the VFW to sell Poppies on November 7th at the 4-way stop from 8 am to 12 pm.

Kim Shafer came before the Board to ask permission for the employees of the Oblong Casey General Store to do a bucket brigade for St. Jude’s on October 17th at the 4-way stop from 9 am to 1 pm. The Board granted the request.

Lisa Pinkston came before the Board to ask for a 1 to 2 year exemption from the Village’s Hotel/Motel tax, until she has her Retreat and Learning center (the old Fitness Center) up and going. The Board granted her a year exemption.

The board discussed the matter about the Hotel/Motel tax and decided to eliminate it. Motion by Rick, with a second by Dave, to remove the hotel/motel tax ordinance from the Village’s codebook. Roll call vote: Rick – Aye, Dave – Aye, Jay – Aye, Ken – Aye, Debi – Aye. Motion carried.

Motion by Debi, with a second by Jay, to give the remaining amount of Tourism Funds towards the new village signs, that will be placed at the east and west end of the Village along Illinois State Route 33. Roll call vote: Rick – Aye, Dave – Aye, Jay – Aye, Ken – Aye, Debi – Aye. Motion carried.

Randy stated that the Village had been contacted about entering into a 3-year contract for the electric supply of village owned properties by Integrity Energy. The Village would be saving around $108.52/month for a total of $3,906.67 for the 3 year term. Motion by Ken, with a second by Rick, to enter into the 3-year Electric Service Agreement with Homefield Energy. Roll Call vote: Rick – Aye, Dave – Aye, Jay – Aye, Ken – Aye, Debi – Aye. Motion carried.

Ken stated that the Finance Committee met at 6:30 pm before tonight’s Village Board meeting to look over the Revolving Loan Application from Mary Lou and Chad Pusey for the new gym (Blue Line Fitness). The Committee recommended to loan Mary Lou and Chad $15,000.00 from the Revolving Loan Fund. Motion by Ken, with a second by Jay, to loan $15,000.00 to Mary Lou and Chad Pusey for the purchase of new equipment in Blue Line Fitness, that will be some stipulation put in the loan papers. Roll call vote: Rick – Abstain, Dave – Aye, Jay – Aye, Ken – Aye, Debi – Aye. Motion carried.

Randy stated that the Village has received a manufacture home permit application for approval from Larry & Judith Littlejohn. Motion by Jay, with a second by Dave, to approve the manufacture home permit for Larry & Judith Littlejohn. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

Mayor’s Comments:
Randy stated that the Village had received a letter from MediaCom informing the Village that they intended to file with the Illinois Commerce Commission to obtain a State-Issued authorization to offer or provide cable service or video service in the Village of Oblong.
Randy stated that the Board needed to approve the 2015 Spooktacular 5K, with the same course as last year. The Board granted the request.
Randy stated that he had received a copy of the papers that have been filed against Chris and Kim Reeves. He stated that he will have Jan or Ladora take them to the Village Attorney’s office so the attorney can look them over and advise the Village on what will need to be done.

Reports of Committees:
Police: Chad stated that there will be a shooting qualification on October 22nd. He also mentioned that he has turned in the application to the Claypool Foundation and is still preparing the application for the Mary Heath Foundation. Chad stated that he has received the court paperwork for a car that the department has seized, so he will take the paperwork to the Robinson Driver Licenses office and apply for a title so the Village can get it sold. Chad is wanting to put the vehicle in the consignment auction that Billy has coming up on October 24th. The Board gave their consent to have the vehicle in the upcoming auction.

Building and Park: Debi stated that Gary and his department had resealed the south side of the Municipal Building and will do the same to the north side as soon as the weather cooperates.

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

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

Water and Sewer: Ken stated that he had nothing to report this month.

Finance: Rick stated that he had nothing else to report this month. Jan stated that the Village had received $115.00 from the debt recovery program for September.

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

Tourism: Randy stated that there was nothing else to report this month.

Motion by Ken, with a second by Jay, 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.

There was one other item of business this month. Chad stated that he had issued Mr. Colmark his third situation by certified mail, so far Mr. Colmark has not paid any of his fines. The next step will be turning the collection over to the debt recovery program.

Motion by Rick, with a second by Debi, to adjourn the meeting at 7:34 pm. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

Respectfully submitted

Ladora Boyd, Clerk