Village of Oblong
Minutes
May 5, 2021
5 pm

May 5th, 2021

The Village of Oblong Board of Trustees met in regular session on Wednesday, May 5th, 2021, 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 Jan Miller,
Absent: Trustee Keith Waldrop.
Others Present: Public Works Superintendent Gary Lanter and Police Chief Chad Pusey, Angela Downing (Daily News and her daughter.

Clerk Ladora Boyd sworn in re-elected Mayor Teresa Fielder and Trustees Angie Fear, Bill Burke and Jeron Harris.

The meeting was called to order at 5:06 pm by Mayor Teresa Fielder with everyone standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Regular Board Meeting Minutes of April 7th, 2021, were approved with a motion by Jeron and a second by Bill. 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.

Teresa read Proclamation for National Police Memorial Week. May 9th – 15th (See attached proclamation)

Motion by Bill, with a second by Angie, to approved Resolution #2021-R-2 ‘Halloween Parade Permit” to be held on October 30th, 2021. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

Mayor’s Comments:
Teresa stated that the Clerk and Treasurer are to be appointed for a 4-year term to run concurrently with the Mayor’s term of office. Motion by Angie, with a second by Dave, to reappoint Ladora as Clerk and Jan as Treasurer. Roll call vote as follows: Angie – aye, Jay – aye, Dave – aye, Bill – aye, Jeron – aye. Motion carried.
Teresa mentioned that she had received a request from the City of Robinson asking that the Village send a letter of support for “The Woods Event Center and Bar” to be included in the expansion of the Enterprise Zone. Teresa stated that she had sent a letter of support on behalf of the Village.
Teresa stated that she had received an e-mail from Heather Neuman at Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission that they should/hope to have an award letter by August. No work or bidding may start on the Sewer Dredging Project prior to the Notice of State Award.
Teresa wanted to let the Board know that she had Chad to turn in a request from Mary Heath Grant for the body cameras for his department. She mentioned that she did not include the playground/ exercise equipment for the Park in the May Mary Heath Grant. She stated maybe turning in a request for grant money from Claypool in October or Mary Heath in November, for the Park equipment. She stated that body cams were more important at this time and also the City of Robinson are applying as well for body cameras this go around.
Teresa mentioned that Kids Kingdom is having a end of year event on Friday, May 7th, out at the Park from 3 to 7 pm. Gary will have the road from Fair Office to the 4-H wash racks blocked off for the event.

6. Reports of Committees:
Police: Jay stated that he has nothing to report this month.
Building & Park: Gary informed the Board that there was an issue with the north garage door and he felt that door needed to be replaced with a large door and expand the sides of the garage. There was some discussion on the matter before it was voted on. Motion by Jay, with a second by Bill, to give Gary permission to go ahead and have the work done on the garage. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
Sidewalks & Lights: Bill stated that he had nothing to report this month.
Street & Alley: Angie stated that the Committee had a meeting to discuss types of funding for the South Range Street. She stated there was nothing else to report this month. Gary stated that the sink hole on East Wisconsin Street has been fixed.
Water & Sewer: Dave stated that he had nothing to report this month.
Finance: Jeron stated that he had nothing more to report this month besides looking into types of funding for the street project. Treasurer’s Report: Jan stated that ever one had copy of reports for finance. She asked if there were any questions or suggest on what the Trustees wanted in the reports. Jan stated that the Auditors will be here June 7th – 11th. Clerk’s Report: Ladora stated that she had spoke with a representative from Republic and that they will be changing the day that trash will be picked up in the Village. She stated that there will be letters sent to the customers of Republic next week from the company.
Development: Bill stated that he had nothing to report this month.
Ad-Hoc (Beautification/Ordinance) Committee:
1.The committee met on Wednesday, April 28th at 3:30 pm, and have many properties concerns that will be addressed.

2.The committee would like to make a recommendation to the Board to grant Rosie Anderson a $400 dumpster rental reimbursement for cleaning up the property located at 202 North Washington Street (this is her brother’s {Rick Dennis} property). Motion by Bill, with a second by Jay, to reimburse Rosie Anderson $400 to go towards the cost of renting a dumpster. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

3.The committee would like to make a recommendation to the Board to grant a TIF Grant in the amount of $2,000 for a new mural on the side of Harmon’s Drug Store (north of the existing mural). The total cost of the mural is $5,000 and $3,000 has been raised already. Motion by Dave, with a second by Jay, to approved the TIF grant request for the amount of $2,000 for a new mural on the side wall at Harmon’s. Four (4) ayes, motion carried.

7. Motion by Jay, 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. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

8. There was one other item of business. Bill stated, as President of that the Illinois Auctioneers Association, he wanted to thank Teresa for filling out a witness slop on behalf of the Village and in support against state sales tax being placed on auction items.

9. Motion by Jeron, second by Angie, to adjourn the meeting at 6:26 pm. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

Respectfully submitted

 

Ladora Boyd
Clerk