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Village of Oblong
May 1, 2019
The Village of Oblong Board of Trustees met in regular session on Wednesday, May 1st, 2019, in the Farley Room of the Municipal Building.
Members Present: Mayor Teresa Fielder, Deputy Clerk Jan Miller, Trustee Angie Fear, Trustee Jay Haines, Trustee Dave Hasty, Trustee Bill Burke, Trustee Keith Waldrop and Trustee Jeron Harris,
Absent: Clerk Ladora Boyd.
Others Present: Police Chief Chad Pusey, Public Works Superintendent Gary Lanter, Tom Compton (Daily News), Chris DeWitt (WTYE/WTAY) and Martha Waldrop.Before the meeting was called to order, Deputy Clerk Jan Miller, swore in the three newly elected trustees, Jay Haines, Dave Hasty and Keith Waldrop.
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 April 3rd, 2019, were approved with a motion by Jeron and a second by Angie. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
There were no additions or deletions to the agenda this month.
There were no Delinquent Water Bill customers at the meeting this month.
Bill Burke addressed the Board asking for permission to close a section of North Garfield Street for an auction, Saturday, May 18th, from 6 am to 3 pm. The Board gave their approval. It was also discussed that Girl Scouts from two counties were scheduled to use the fairgrounds and building this weekend, with blow ups on the midway. Proof of insurance will be required.
Ordinance #2019-O-604 “An Appropriation Ordinance”, was approved for the Fiscal Year 2020, in the amount of $1,631,165.00. Motion by Dave, second by Jay, roll call vote as follows: Angie – aye, Jay – aye, Dave – aye, Bill – aye, Keith – abstain, Jeron – aye. Motion carried
Mayor’s Comments:
Reappointment of Village Clerk, Ladora Boyd, and Jan Miller, Village Treasurer/Deputy Clerk. Motion by Bill, and second by Angie. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
Republic’s Spring Clean Up was a huge success, 3 truckloads, and an added day for additional pick up, was included because of the amount of trash hauled out of the Village. The Mayor thanks everyone for the pride in making our town look good.
The Village of Oblong has two new businesses in town, Blue Potato Music owned by Keith Kemp, and Limelight Photography owned by Lindsay Wirey. We welcome you to Oblong.
Gary and Teresa met with Greater Wabash Planning Commission today for their 2019 CEDS Meeting at the Robinson Community Center, in regards to our Lagoon Grant. Just keeping up on our grant application because of new guidelines, and a four month requirement for application processing. We spoke with them of other projects we would like to see take place as well.
Teresa would like to remind everyone to not blow grass into the roadway.
Reports of Committees:
Police: Chad will be doing a background check on a possible part-time police officer, has 2 graduations to attend this month, training at the end of the month, and Ruger was involved in another bust which involved meth, cannabis and guns.
Building & Park: Gary shut down the Park Fountains in the winter, but when they were started for spring one of the motors had locked up and was not working. A motor was located.in Iowa for replacement, or rebuilding the one that quit. There was nothing in the budget for repair, estimated cost of $2,800, so Gary is looking at other alternatives. According to what Gary had found, motor had been replaced in 2012. Lights around the lake are being repaired, replacing old ballast with led, which would save money in the long run.
Sidewalks & Lights: Gary has a couple of sidewalk projects for this summer..
Street & Alley: Nothing to report.
Water & Sewer: Nothing to report.
Finance: Jeron is working with Mike Gibson from Kemper, on a possible flat fee for computer problems per month, if something can be agreed upon.
Development: Bill had a letter from CDLS, Curt Deedrich, a consulting company we have contracted with for a housing proposal for the Village. He will meet with us in the summer.
Ad Hoc (Dilapidated/Unsafe Buildings & Ordinances): Two properties are currently being torn down, Griggs on 103 East Texas Street and Szigethy property on 208 East Oklahoma Street.
Donnie & Susy Venatta, 205 West Indiana Street were the recipients of the first 2019 Hometown Pride Award.
Teresa will be ordering more Hometown Pride Signs and Chamber Bucks, approximate cost of $200 which comes out of our Gaming Tax for Beautification Projects.
Teresa will be meeting with Frank Weber later this week about the Heck Property. Possibly deeding property to Village and the procedure. Bill said there would be a lien and judgement search, making sure there is no Medicare or Medicaid lien against the property, so that the Village could possibly resell and possibly get a portion of our experiences back. A new account was made, #4124 Heck Property Expense, to be used, instead of the Gaming account, which serves another purpose.
Teresa also left a message of Dara Potts for food vendor forms.
Next Ad Hoc meeting is scheduled for May 29th, at 3:30 pm.
10 Motion by Jeron, with a second by Bill, 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. Tom Compton stated that the County is now part of the Illinois South Tourism, which is I-70 south, and includes towns, counties and communities. Lisa Schaefer, director of the Robinson Chamber of Commerce is also a member. Any activities scheduled in and around our area can have them listed in the brochure. Just get your information to Teresa. There is also a Survey consulting company involved in asking “what people want” in tourism. When they come to town, what do they want, a mom with 3 softball players might want something different, than what information another would want… This is done regionally, hoping to have it done mid to late summer.
Motion by Jeron, with a second by Angie, to adjourn the meeting at 7:32 pm. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
Respectfully submitted
Jan Miller, Deputy Clerk