Village of Oblong

September 2, 2015




 

Draft Minutes

The Village of Oblong Board of Trustees met in regular session on Wednesday September 2nd, 2015, in the Farley Room of the Municipal Building.

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

Absent: Trustee Rick Catt.

Others Present: Public Works Superintendent Gary Lanter, Chief Chad Pusey, Tom Compton (Daily News), Chris Dewitt (WTYE/WTAY), Tim Attaway and Cindy McReynolds.

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 August 5th, 2015, were approved with a motion by Jay, and a second by Teresa. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

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

There was one Delinquent Water Bill customer at this month’s meeting. Cindy McReynolds asked to be allowed to pay her water bill on Friday, September 4th. The Board granted her request.

Randy stated that the Village had received a clean audit and that all the audit books are in now.

Randy stated that the 2015 Tax Levy total is $129, 350, which is $6,100 more than last year. Motion by Teresa, with a second by Jay, to adopt Ordinance #2015-O-571 “Tax Levy Ordinance” with a total of $129, 350. Roll call vote: Dave-aye, Jay-aye, Ken-aye, Teresa-aye, Debi-aye. Motion carried.

Randy stated that the Village has received a manufacture home permit application for approval from Jonathan & Jacqueline Utley. Motion by Debi, with a second by Ken, to approve the manufacture home permit for Jonathan & Jacqueline Utley. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

Randy told the Board that with the Village’s current ordinance on Hotel/Motel Tax the Village does not receive tax money if the stay is over 30 days. Randy mentioned that the Board members have a copy of the ordinance to look over. He mentioned that may be there needs to be a permit fee for owners’ that have rental property.

Mayor’s Comments:

Randy stated that the Village’s Fall Clean-up with Republic is October 22nd. Everything needs to be bagged, bundled or boxed. Republic will not pick-up any car parts, paint cans, chemicals, appliances with Freon, construction waste or yard waste.
Randy stated that Mr. Colmark has not mowed the unsold lot in Park Meadow as per the agreement between him and the Village. Chad stated that Mr. Colmark has not paid his tickets for ordinance violations. The Village attorney will make sure on how the Village is to proceed.
Randy stated that there is an ongoing issue with horse manure at the hitching post, which is located behind the bank. The manure is not being picked up and deposited in the furnished container. Randy stated that it may come to the point that tickets will need to be issued.

Reports of Committees:
Police: Teresa stated that the committee met on August 20th, to discuss new laws that Chad will need to comply with. Teresa stated that the committee would like for the Board to give their approval for Chad to apply for the Claypool Grant ($4,000) and to the Mary Heath Foundation Grant ($6,000-$7,000). The Board granted the request. Teresa stated that Chad be allowed to attend an ICS 400 class in Urbana on October 8th & 9th. Chad stated that this is a required class that he has to take, which will help with getting Federal Grants. Motion by Ken, with a second by Jay, to allow Chad to attend the ICS 400 class in Urbana on October 8th & 9th. Five (5) ayes, motion carried. Chad stated that he had been approached to talk about Identity Theft so he will be speaking at a Community Meeting on ID Theft on September 24th at 6:30 pm at the Cornerstone Wesleyan Church Annex. He stated that everyone is invited. Chad stated that, after the recent attacks on police officers in the Nation, he felt compelled to write a letter to reassure the Village of Oblong that the his department will stand their ground. Chad also mention the September 13 -19 is “Rail Safety Week” and that there will be a “DEA Drug Take Back” on September 26th. The Drug Take Back is where the public can turn in their old prescription drugs to be destroyed.

Building and Park: Debi stated that she had nothing to report this month. Randy stated that the new bay window in the activity center has been installed.

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. Gary stated that sometime this month the Chip ‘N Seal will be done. Gary also stated that the sidewalk and gutter work has been completed in the 100 block of West Illinois. The west side will be open for use on Friday (9/4/2015) and the east side will be open for use on Monday (9/7/2015). Gary stated that he was approached about the 2015 Spooktacular 5K. He stated that the course will be the same as last year. There could not be any action taken at tonight meeting, but the Board did not see any issues with the race. The Board will make their decision official at next month’s meeting.

Water and Sewer: Ken stated that he had nothing to report this month. Gary stated that the Oblong Public Works will be hosting an IRWA training session on September 10th.

Finance: Randy stated that he had nothing else to report this month. Jan stated that the AFR report has been completed and that she has submitted the Village’s Annual Treasurer’ Report to be published in the Daily News due to the closing of the Oblong Gem. Ladora stated that Jan and she will be attending the SECICTA Meeting on September 10th in Flora, the program will be on Record Retention with a speaker from the Secretary of State’s Index Division.

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

Tourism: Randy stated that the Village has received one application for tourism money, but there needs to be some research done to make sure that the Village can give money towards the new signs or not. He stated that by next month’s meeting he should have the answers.

Motion by Debi, with a second by Teresa, 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 were two other items of business this month.

Debi asked if the speaker system was still working. Randy stated that it has been tested a few times and is still doing well.
Tim Attaway wanted to ask the Board’s permission to use the Park on September 12th from 6 to 10 pm for “Oldies in the Park”. He stated that Debbie Russell will have her concession stand there to serve food during the event. The Board granted the request.

Motion by Teresa, with a second by Debi, to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 pm. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

Respectfully submitted

 

Ladora Boyd, Clerk