Village of Oblong
Minutes
November 3, 2021
5 PM

The Village of Oblong Board of Trustees met in regular session on Wednesday, November 3rd, 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 Carrie Hays, Trustee Keith Waldrop, Trustee Jeron Harris and Treasurer Jan Miller,
Others Present: Police Chief Chad Pusey, Public Works Superintendent Gary Lanter, Resa Shaner (Executive Director of Crawford County Development Association), Angela Downing (Daily News), Connie Meese (Christmas in the Park Committee Member), Fuzzy Woods (Christmas in the Park Committee Member), Bill Burke (Christmas in the Park Committee Member), Bob Miller (Boy Scouts), Cassy Goodwin (Boy Scouts), Nick Hinterscher and Elaine Hasty (Paws for Prevention).

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

Teresa introduced Carrie Hays and asked for the Boards approval of her to fill the vacancy on the Board until the next Consolidated Election in 2023. Motion by Dave, with a second by Angie, to approve the appointment of Carrie Hays to take Bill Burke’s seat on the Village of Oblong Board of Trustees. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

The Regular Board Meeting Minutes of October 6th, 2021, were approved with a motion by Jeron and a second by Jay. All ayes, motion carried.

There were two additions to the agenda this month.
First addition was representatives from Christmas in the Park Committee. Bill came before the Board to ask permission to close East Ohio and East Wisconsin Street Entrances to the Park from November 26th through the end of the Christmas season. This is so everyone knows the route to for the Christmas Lights in the Park this year. The lights will be lit starting the evening of November 26th. The first three weekends the Committee plans to collect donations to help with the cost of lights and decorations.
Bill also welcomed Carrie Hays to the Village Board. Bill stated that he thought Gary and his department and Byron Sanders did a good job with street cleaning during and after Fall Follies and Chad and his department for their part at Fall Follies and during the Parade.

Second Addition was representatives from the local Boy Scouts. Cassie came before the Board to let them know that the Boy Scouts are planning to have Carriage Rides on December 5th at the park. The Boys will be collecting cans of food for the local food pantry for the rides. They will possibly also have some refreshments that day.

There were no Delinquent Water Bill customers at the meeting this month.

Teresa stated that the updates to the Employee Guidelines will be tabled until the December Board Meeting.

Nick Hinterscher came before the Board to request an extra hour for the local taverns on Wednesday, November 24th. Last call will be at 12:30 am (November 25th) and everyone out by 1 am (November 25th). Chad stated that there have not been any problems in the past. The Board granted the request.

Teresa stated that she had contacted Bill Mashburn to ask if he would consider selling his property that borders the Mini Park in the 100 block of South Range Street to the Village. Mr. Mashburn stated that he would entertain an offer from the Village. Teresa stated that she offered him $10,000 and that the Village would pay the legal fees. Mr. Mashburn accepted the offer. Motion by Keith, with a second by Dave, to pay Mr. Mashburn $10,000 for his property, located south of the Mini Park in the 100 block of South Range Street, plus pay the legal fees from the Cares Act Fund. Roll call vote was as follows: Angie – aye, Jay – aye, Dave – aye, Carrie – aye, Keith – aye, Jeron – aye; motion carried. Teresa stated that Mr. Mashburn had personally delivered the abstract to her and that she has taken it to the Village’s attorney’s office.

Teresa stated that the VFW will be using the 4-way stop November 6th from 8 am to noon for red poppy day and collecting donations. She also stated that the Shriners’ will be using the 4-way stop on November 13th from 8 am to 11am for donations and passing out the Shriner’s Newsletter.

Motion by Angie, with a second by Jay, to adopt Ordinance #2021-O-626 “An Ordinance Amending the Central Area Redevelopment Project Area of the Village of Oblong, Crawford County, Illinois, as Amended”, Roll call vote was as follows: Angie – aye, Jay – aye, Dave – aye, Carrie – aye, Keith – aye, Jeron – aye; motion carried. This ordinance is just to change the termination date of TIF 1 (Park Meadow Subdivision).

Motion by Angie, with a second by Keith, to adopt Ordinance #2021-O-627 “An Ordinance Amending the Oblong TIF #2 Tax Increment Financing Redevelopment Plan and Related Redevelopment Project Area for the Oblong TIF #2 Tax Increment Financing Redevelopment Project Area of the Village of Oblong, Crawford County, Illinois”, Roll call vote was as follows: Angie – aye, Jay – aye, Dave – aye, Carrie – aye, Keith – aye, Jeron – aye; motion carried. This ordinance is just to change the termination date of the TIF 2 (Goodwin Subdivision).

Elaine Hasty (Paws for Prevention) came before the Board to inform them about the Paw for Prevention, they will be managed by Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation (a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. She stated that any donations that are given will be tax-deductible. Paws for Prevention will be asking that each incorporated town, village or city in Crawford County donate at least $1,000 to go toward spraying and/or neutering the feral cat population. The group has a Facebook page and their e-mail is HYPERLINK "mailto:pawsforprevention@outlook.com" pawsforprevention@outlook.com. They have a flyer that was passed out to the Village Board, which has their information. There was some discussion on what amount the Board would like to donate to the group. Motion by Angie, with a second by Jeron, to donate $2,500 to Paws for Prevention from the Cares Act Fund. Five (5) ayes, one (1) abstain; motion carried. Elaine mentioned that on November 12th, Paws for Prevention will be having a fundraiser at First Robinson Savings Bank in Robinson. There will be Kettle Corn. Also, the Village will start budgeting a yearly amount for Paws for Prevention.

Mayor’s Comments:
Teresa mentioned that there have been some issues with the keys for the Activity Center not working in the locks. Chester, from Chester’s Locksmith, came over to work on the locks. He got the AC keys working. He stated that the lock pins are getting worn and it would be best to have the locks rekeyed. Motion by Dave, with a second by Keith, to have the Municipal Building rekeyed and pay the bill from the Cares Act Fund. All ayes, motion carried.
Teresa stated that she had received a flyer from Oblong 1ST Baptist Church stating that they will be having Service on November 7th at 6 pm to honor the Veteran’s. Everyone is welcome to attend. There will be bagpipes and a speaker at the service and refreshments to follow.
Teresa mentioned that Tim Attaway informed her that there will be a short ceremony on November 11th at 11 am on the Pulliam Funeral Home lawn for Veteran’s Day. Tim stated that there are over 375 names of Veterans that will be read that day. The crosses will be in place and illuminated by November 9th.
Teresa stated that on November 17th at Noon, there will be a webinar on IMRF for anyone who would like to attend. Lunch will be provided. She asked that the interested individual please contact her or call 618-592-3431 and let Jan or Ladora know, so that we can make sure to have enough food for the lunch.
Teresa gave the open dates available for the Christmas Party. They are December 6, 7, 13 or 14. She said everyone can look at their calendars to see which date would work best for everyone.

14. Reports of Committees:
Police: Jay stated that he did not have anything to report this month. Chad stated the numbers went up in October on his police report. Chad stated that Gary and he discussed updating the Public Works radios and purchasing them with money from the CARES Act Fund. The Board agreed.
Building & Park: Keith stated that the Gaga Court boards are installed. He stated that the painting of the fence and Gazebo were finished.
Sidewalks & Lights: Gary stated that he had nothing to report this month.
Street & Alley: Angie stated that the Committee had two meetings since last month’s Board Meeting to look over the possibility of applying for the Rebuild Downtown and Main Street Capital Grant to help with the South Range Project. There was some discussion on what could be added to the existing project to help the Village qualify for the grant. If the Board decides to apply for this Grant if would delay when the South Range Street Project would start but could save the Village some money because this would be a matching fund grant. Motion by Angie, with a second by Jeron, to move forward with applying for the Rebuild Downtown and Main Street Capital Grant. All ayes, Motion carried. Teresa stated that there will be a Lunch & Learn on November 10th, with Resa Shaner and her district supervisor. Teresa stated that she is planning to attend. Keith mentioned that since the Community Club has disbanded, if the Village was going to make sure that the flags used for Holidays along Main Street would be replaced when needed. Keith asked about having the Jack Fancil Sign lowered or possibly moving somewhere else so that it is more visible.
Water & Sewer: Dave stated that the Robinson-Palestine Commission sent a letter stating that there will be a slight increase in the water rate from them. Dave stated that the Committee felt that the Village could absorb the increase at this time.
Finance: Jeron mentioned that is was time to set the Employee’s Christmas bonuses. Motion by Dave, with a second by Jay to set the Christmas Bonus at $125 for Full-time employees and $85 for Part-time employees. All ayes, motion carried. Jeron stated that he was told that Weber Insurance was now brokering for IML Risk Management.
Treasurer’s Report: Jan submitted the monthly reports to the Board.
Clerk’s Report: Ladora stated that the Trustees should have received an e-mail from Mr. Beth stating that he felt that it would not be feasible to do the extending of the TIF 2 boundaries.
Development: Teresa stated that there was nothing to report this month.
Ad-Hoc (Beautification/Ordinance) Committee:
Teresa stated that the Committee will start back meeting in March or April. Teresa stated that the Hungarian Freedom Fighters Exhibit will be on display in the Activity Center from November 8th thru November 12th. She stated that she has ordered 4 yard signs that will be paid from the Beautification Fund.

15. 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. All ayes, motion carried.

16. There was one other item of business this month. Keith asked about replacing the Santa house at the Park. It was decided to table any discussion about the Santa House until the next Board Meeting.

17. Motion by Jeron, second by Angie, to adjourn the meeting at 6:05 pm. All ayes, motion carried.

Respectfully submitted

 

Ladora Boyd
Clerk