Village of Oblong

November 6th, 2019

The Village of Oblong Board of Trustees met in regular session on Wednesday, November 6th, 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, Trustee Jeron Harris and Treasurer Jan Miller,
Others Present: Police Chief Chad Pusey, Public Works Superintendent Gary Lanter, Tom Compton (Daily News) Chris Dewitt (WTYE/WTAY), Kay Young and Nick Hinterscher.

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 October 2nd, 2019, were approved with a motion by Keith and a second by Jeron. All 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.

Nick Hinterscher came before the Board to ask if the taverns could stay open until 1 am, with last call at 12:30 am on Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Motion by Bill, with a second by Jay, to allow the taverns to stay open until 1 am, with last call at 12:30 am on Wednesday, November 27th. Five (5) ayes, One (1) Abstain, motion carried.

Motion by Jay, with a second by Jeron, to adopt Ordinance #2019-O-609 “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 7. Article VII Entitled “Raffle and Poker Runs” of the Revised Code of Ordinances for the Village of Oblong, Illinois”. Roll Call Vote: Angie – Aye; Jay – Aye; Dave – Aye; Bill – Aye; Keith – Aye; Jeron – Aye. Motion carried.

Before the Board voted on the Resolution, Kay Young wanted to state that she is not for having a Cannabis Business in Oblong. Motion by Bill, with a second by Angie, to adopt Resolution #2019-R-4 “A Resolution Providing for the Submission to the Electors of the Village of Oblong, Illinois, the Question of Prohibiting Cannabis Business Establishments”. All ayes, motion carried.

Mayor’s Comments:

Teresa wanted to mention that on November 12th, there will be Oblong High School students helping put up the “Christmas in the Park” decorations and lights in the Park.

Teresa stated that the Leaf Vac will start running on November 12th at various times; if there is anything else except leaves raked to the edge of the road that pile will not be picked up. The Public Works Employees will also pick up bagged or boxed leaves, sticks and yard waste. Please contact the Public Works Office at 592-3122.

Teresa mentioned that the Village Board received a Thank You letter from First Baptist Church of Oblong for the $100 gift in memory of Debi Wilson.

Teresa stated that there will be a Scam Awareness Meeting on November 19th at 6:30 pm in the Activity Center presented by Oblong & Robinson Police Department. This is being sponsored by the Village of Oblong and Oblong Township. She asked that if you want to attend this meeting, please RSVP so that there will be enough information packets for everyone. More information will be on the Mayor’s page.

Teresa stated that the Village was presented with a metal bench from Mike Tracy and Modern Woodman of America. It will be stored during the winter and then will be placed either at the Dog Park or Pickleball Court when the weather warms up.

Teresa mentioned that the 2020 Census will kick-off on April 1st, (this will be when you can start filling out the census form on-line) and then in May/June there will be door to door census taking. There will be more information in the future about where the public can go to do the on-line census.

Teresa stated that the Village Employees Christmas Dinner will be December 3rd starting at 6 pm at Mildred’s. The cost of the party will not be paid from the Village’s funds.

Teresa mentioned that the new electronic welcome sign at the Park is up and running. There was a question about who to contact for messages to be displayed. Gary stated that the Chamber will have a meeting and discuss the rules for the messages on the sign.

Reports of Committees:

Police: Jay stated that he had nothing to report this month. Chad stated that Ruger has been certified on the new State Standards for drug searches.

Building & Park: Keith stated that the old message sign is down and being stored until next spring and then it will be refurbish and put up by the Municipal Building. Keith also stated that the Oblong Community Service Club will be donating an 8’ Bench, with their name on it, which will be placed in front of Harmon’s.

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

Street & Alley: Angie stated that she had nothing to report.

Water & Sewer: Dave stated that the Committee met right before the Board Meeting to discuss some changes and additions that needs to be done in the codebook dealing with water and sewer services. The committee made a recommendation to the Board to make these changes with an ordinance to be passed at the December Board meeting.

Finance: Jeron stated that with the first pay in December being done before the Board meeting the Board needed to set the Employees’ Christmas bonus amount. Last year this was $115 for Full-time employees and $85 for Part-time employees. Motion by Jeron, with a second by Bill, to give the Full-time employees $115 Christmas Bonus and Part-time employees $85 Christmas Bonus. All ayes, motion carried.

Bill asked how far behind in payments to the Revolving Loan does an individual have to be before the Board decides to contact them about catching up. Jeron stated that at this time there is one Revolving Loan that is behind. Jeron stated that he had been doing some figuring and that the Village give this individual a notice stating that the Village would give a six month extension where the payments would be around $275/ a month; this would get the individual caught up.

Development: Bill stated that the deed for the Heck Property still needs one more signature. Bill stated that Mr. Colmark has authorized United Country for the open lots in Park Meadow Subdivision. Mr. Colmark has also signed off on the New Covenants for Park Meadow Subdivision.

Ad Hoc (Dilapidated/Unsafe Buildings & Ordinances):

Kay Young wanted to thank the Board for their patience in dealing with the house located at 108 West Indiana Street that she use to own. The house has been torn down.

Teresa stated that Chad will be looking over the inoperable vehicle ordinance and the ordinance dealing with soliciting and bring a recommendation to the Ad-Hoc Committee at their November meeting.

There was also some discussion at the October meeting about placing the cost of trash pick-up on the water/sewer bills.

Next Ad Hoc meeting is scheduled for November 20th, at 3:30 pm.

Motion by Jay, with a second by Jeron, 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 All ayes, motion carried.

There were no other items of business this month.

Motion by Jeron, with a second by Angie, to adjourn the meeting at 7:33 pm. All ayes, motion carried.

Respectfully submitted

 

Ladora Boyd
Clerk