Village of Oblong

August 7, 2019

August 7th, 2019

The Village of Oblong Board of Trustees met in regular session on Wednesday, August 7th, 2019, 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 Keith Waldrop and Treasurer Jan Miller,
Absent: Trustee Jeron Harris.
Others Present: Police Chief Chad Pusey, Public Works Superintendent Gary Lanter, Tom Compton (Daily News) Keith Bomer, Kayla Holscher, Bill Cox Jr. and Mike McReynolds.

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

The Regular Board Meeting Minutes of July 3rd, 2019, were approved with a motion by Angie and a second by Keith. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

There was one addition to the agenda this month. Keith wanted to update the Board on the next building mural which will feature Police Chief Jack Fancil. He showed everyone a picture from a calendar that will be used for the mural. He stated that he will also present this to the Oblong School Board at their next meeting, since the building that the Community Club has in mind is the Bus Barn (formerly the Big John Grocery Store where Jack was killed during a robbery there).

There was one Delinquent Water Bill customer at the meeting this month. Mike McReynolds came before the Board to ask if he could pay his delinquent water bill in installments. The Board granted his request.

Jay stated that the Finance Committee met at 6 pm tonight with the Village Auditor and that the Village has received a clean audit.

Bill Cox Jr. came before the Board to ask permission for the Boy Scouts to use the Park for Hometown Christmas in the Park on Sunday, December 8th, with the street blocked off from 3 pm to 8 pm. The Board granted the request.

Motion by Bill, with a second by Jay, to adopt Resolution #2019-R-2 “Homecoming Parade Permit” for September 20th. Four (4) ayes, one (1) abstain; motion carried.

Motion by Angie, with a second by Keith, to adopt Resolution #2019-R-2 “Halloween Parade Permit” for October 26th. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

Motion by Bill, with a second by Angie, to have the Village Attorney, Frank Weber, prepare a deed for the 313 North Wilson Street Property to be signed by the surviving heirs of Leah Heck to the Village. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

Mayor’s Comments:

Teresa stated that the Village had received a letter from Illinois Department of Transportation, which stated what the changes to what types of signage for community achievements they will fabricate. (See attached letter.)

Teresa had Dave talk about the grant through Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission, which the Village was working on for the dredging of the sewer lagoon. Dave stated that due to a stipulation on what the Village should be charging the water/sewer customers for sewer usage the Village has decided not to pursue this avenue. The Village is still looking into other avenues with the Village Engineers (Connor & Connor) on dredging the Lagoon.

Teresa mentioned that the Illinois Municipal League had sent out some information on Adult usage of Recreational Cannabis and a model ordinance if local governments wanted to ban Cannabis Retailers in the city limits. Teresa stated that she had forwarded the e-mail to the Board members to look over and possibly pass the ordinance at the September Board Meeting.

Teresa stated that the new music store uptown (Blue Potato Music) will be having a concert by the Matt Mutty Band Friday, August 9th, from 7 pm to 8:30 pm.

Teresa mentioned that Saturday, August 24th, will be the Postelwait/Griffin OHS Scholarship Ride. Ride starts at 9 am from Oblong First Christian Church and will proceed to the following locations: Hutson Cabins, Merom Bluff, and Hickory Holler. OHS seniors have received $57,000 in scholarships. Teresa felt that it would be nice if there was a police escort from FCC to the edge of town that day.

Teresa stated that she had received a letter from Norman T. Richard Memorial FOP Lodge 122 stating that there will be a golf outing on September 28th, (which raises money for college scholarships). This year in honor of Chief William “Jack” Fancil the FOP is placing a scholarship in his name.

Teresa wanted to thank the community members who came out and supported the Crawford County Fair and donated their time.

Teresa mentioned that the Antique Tractor and Engine Show will be August 9th, 10th and 11th, out at the Park. There will also be town-wide garage sale Friday and Saturday. Keith mentioned that the Oilfield Museum will have a meal on Saturday from 11 am to 2 pm.

Reports of Committees:

Police: Jay stated that he had nothing to report this month.

Building & Park: Keith stated that the Committee will have a meeting August 19th, at 5 pm. Keith stated that he had received a call from State Senator Dale Righter asking for an exact amount that Village is requesting to repair the walking path and lights around the lake. Keith said that Teresa, Gary and him got together this morning and sent a request for $70,000 dollars. $40,000 for the walking path; $20,000 for the lights and $10,000 for the parking areas. Bill brought to the Board’s attention that the Oblong Chamber of Commerce is wanting to put an electric sign at the Park entrance to replace the sign (which was donated to the Village from the Crawford County Tourism Board) that is there now. The cost of the electric sign will be around $28,500 dollars. The Chamber has been promised a donation for half the expense of the electric sign from an anonymous donator. Gary asked the Board’s permission to use the money that he had budgeted for refurbishing the sign from Tourism for the new electric sign. He stated that he will budget for the refurbishing of the current sign in next fiscal year’s budget and have it moved up to the Municipal Building and replace the one that is currently there.

Sidewalks & Lights: Bill stated that there had been some sidewalk repairs done since last month. The sidewalk in front of the Telephone Office Building and the sidewalk on South Jefferson by the Grade School.

Street & Alley: Angie stated that she had nothing to report. Keith also stated that the amount requested for South Range Street Project sent to State Senator Dale Righter’s Office was for $1,200,000 dollars. Gary stated that the Village of St. Marie was interested in purchasing the Village’s old street sweeper. Gary suggest that the Village sell it to St. Marie for $1. Motion by Bill, with a second by Jay, to sell the Elgin Street Sweeper to the Village of St. Marie for $1. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

Water & Sewer: Dave stated that Jason has done some of the water meter replacements and he will be doing some more.

Finance: Jay stated that there was nothing to report this month. Gary stated that he and Chad had been looking into purchasing bulk fuel.

Development: Bill stated that the Committee has decided to look into amending the Park Meadow Subdivision’s (TIF) Covenants. Bill stated that he has been in contact with the Developer, Roger Colmark, about amending that covenants. Mr. Colmark is in favor of what has been suggested for changings. There was some discussion on what the changes would be. Some of the changes are letting handicap accessible duplex or multi-family dwellings be built, additional garage, no more than 1200 square feet, and allowing modular homes or prefabricated home in the subdivision. In the current covenant, commercial/businesses are not allowed to be in the subdivision; this will not be changed. Motion by Bill, with a second by Keith, to make the changes to the Park Meadow Subdivision’s Covenants. Five (5) ayes, motion carried. Upon completion of the new covenants, they will need to have all current property owners in the subdivision signatures along with Mr. Colmark’s to be implemented. Teresa will follow up with Frank to get these documents prepared.

Ad Hoc (Dilapidated/Unsafe Buildings & Ordinances):

Teresa stated that the August Hometown Pride award is Letty Homan at 202 South Adams Street. This is the 20th Hometown Pride Award issued.

Teresa gave an update on the Leadership Crawford County Dog park project. So far, they have raised $6,945 dollars. The estimate for the fencing is $7,940 dollars so they still need about a $1,000 dollars by the deadline of October 1st, 2019.

Teresa mentioned that Chad has been issuing tickets for high grass; no more warnings.

The Garage at 610 South Adams Street, which was damaged during the storm, has been removed/cleaned up.

Dave spoke to the Board about Developing a foundation (54 Oblong), which would be individuals and/or groups from the community. The foundation would be a non-profit organization (a 501C3). (see attached letter to the Board from Dave)

Next Ad Hoc meeting is scheduled for August 28th, at 3:30 pm.

Motion by Jay, with a second by Dave, 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. Four (4) ayes, one nay; motion carried.

There were no other items of business this month

Motion by Angie, with a second by Jay, to adjourn the meeting at 7:59 pm. Four (4) ayes, one (1) nay; motion carried.

Respectfully submitted

Ladora Boyd
Clerk