Village of Oblong

April 4, 2018

The Village of Oblong Board of Trustees met in regular session on Wednesday, April 4th, 2018, in the Farley Room of the Municipal Building.

Members Present: Mayor Teresa Fielder, Clerk Ladora Boyd, Trustee Angie Fear, Trustee Jay Haines, Trustee Dave Hasty, Trustee Bill Burke, Trustee Jeron Harris and Treasurer/Deputy Clerk Jan Miller.
Absent: Trustee Debi Wilson.
Others Present: Police Chief Chad Pusey, Public Works Superintendent Gary Lanter, Chris DeWitt (WTAY/WTYE), Tom Compton (Daily News), Tricia Adams (Blue Truck Trading), Jamie Ochs (Blue Truck Trading), Penny Craig (Blue Truck Trading), Pam Jordan (Blue Truck Trading), Roger Jordan, John Cross (Blue Truck Trading), Karen Cross (Blue Truck Trading), Sarah Poehler (Blue Truck Trading) and Kay Young.

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

The Regular Board Meeting Minutes of March 7th, 2018, were approved with a motion by Jeron, and a second by Jay. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

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

There was one Delinquent Water Bill customer Mike McReynolds called Teresa. He told Teresa that he would be unable to attend this month’s meeting, but would pay his bill on April 10. The Board granted the request.

Karen Cross co-owner of Blue Truck Trading came before the Board to request that the Board consider amending the codes concerning the residence requirement for obtaining a liquor license to sale beer/wine. She also wanted to know about her TIF Grant application for help with concrete work in front of their business. Tricia Adams manager of Blue Truck Trading spoke about the interest of customers wanting to purchase beer from them when they stop for gas. Sarah Poehler, who takes care of the books for Blue Truck Trading, gave some statistics on sales from liquor which then the Village would receive sales tax money. Teresa stated that the Ad-hoc Committee will be meeting on April 19th at 3:30 pm and will discuss the liquor license codes and then make a recommendation to the Board at the May meeting. Teresa invited the Blue Truck Trading representative to this meeting and stated that anyone could come to this meeting.

Motion by Bill, with a second by Angie, to adopt Ordinance #2018-O-589 “An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 24, Article X – Vehicle Impoundment of the Revised Code of Ordinances of the Village of Oblong, Illinois. Roll Call Vote as follows: Angie-Aye, Jay-Aye, Dave-Aye, Bill-Aye, Jeron-Aye, motion carried.

Motion by Jay, with a second by Dave, to adopt Resolution #2018-R-1 “Resolution for Maintenance of Streets and Highways by Municipality under the Illinois Highway Code”. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

Teresa stated that she want to thank the department heads for their work on the budget figures. Teresa mentioned that the Finance Committee has recommended that the Village of Oblong will donate $2,000 to the Crawford County Solid Waste this will be revisited every five (5) years. Motion by Jeron, with a second by Bill, to adopt the 2018-2019 Working Budget with a total amount of $1,188,415.48 this includes the $2,000 donation. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

Mayor’s Comments:
Teresa stated that the Village received only one bid for the residential trash pick-up. The bid was from Republic, they included a five pricing for their services. Teresa stated that there will no longer be a different amount for Senior Citizen. Motion by Dave, with a second by Jeron, to accept the bid from Republic. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

Teresa stated that the Village had received a letter from Oblong First Baptist Church in regards to the beer tent at the 2nd Annual Hootenanny.

Teresa stated that she and Gary have met with the group from Leadership Crawford County concerning the Dog Park. The group is still trying to get cost estimates and will met again with Gary when they have their final plans.

Teresa stated that Tom and Melinda Dennis (Pizza-N-More) have paid off their Revolving Loan.

Teresa stated that Vickie Smith let her know that May is Mental Health Month. Vickie is wanting to put up Neon Green Ribbon, which is for Mental Health Awareness. Teresa stated that there cannot be anything put on street sign poles or light poles. Teresa stated that she would be willing to let Vickie leave some ribbons here at the Municipal Building for anyone who would like to display them on their door or in their yards for the month of May.

Reports of Committees:
Police: Jay stated that he had nothing to report this month. Chad stated that there will be a couple of training sessions this month. Chad stated that Officer David Houser will be graduating from Police Academy on April 26th..

Building and Park: There was nothing to report this month.

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

Street and Alley: Angie stated that she had nothing to report this month. Gary stated that the guys will start fixing the potholes as soon as the weather permits.

Water and Sewer: Dave stated that he had nothing to report this month, but want to remind everyone that the Village still working on the Sewer Project.

Finance: Jeron wanted thank the department heads for making his first year dealing with the budget a smooth process.

Development: Bill stated that there are some individuals interested in purchasing the remainder of lots in the Park Meadow Subdivision and also talk of having some tiny houses built on some of the vacant lots in town.

Ad Hoc (Dilapidated/Unsafe Buildings): Teresa stated that the Hometown Pride Award will start backup in May. Teresa asked the Board’s approval to use up to $500 of the Video Game Fund for Chamber Bucks and Hometown Pride signs. Motion by Angie, with a second by Dave, to spend up to $500 from Video Gaming Fund for Hometown Pride signs and some Chamber bucks. Five (5) ayes, motion carried. Teresa stated that the committee met on March 28th at 3:30 and they are making two recommendations to the Board for TIF Grant Applications. The First recommendation is that the Board approve a $3,500.00 to Blue Truck Trading for concrete work. Second recommendation is that the Board approve a $1,000.00 to Ida Mae Bouquet for Tuck Pointing work on the front of the building. Motion by Bill, with a second by Jay, to grant the two amounts from the TIF 2 funds. Five (5) ayes, motion carried. Miss Kay Young came before the Board to give them an update on her property located in the 100 block of West Indiana Street.
Teresa stated that she is trying to get a meeting setup with Larissa Seward the new director of East Central Illinois Development Corp (ECIDC). The next regular meeting is April 19th at 3:30 pm.

Motion by Jay, with a second by Angie, 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 no other items of business this month.

Motion by Jeron, with a second by Bill, to adjourn the meeting at 8:13 pm. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

Respectfully submitted

Ladora Boyd