Village of Oblong
Minutes
October 6, 2021
5 PM

The Village of Oblong Board of Trustees met in regular session on Wednesday, October 6th, 2021, in the Activity Center 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, Resa Shaner (Executive Director of Crawford County Development Association), Alex Szigethy and his son.

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

The Regular Board Meeting Minutes of September 1st, 2021, were approved with a motion by Keith and a second by Angie. All ayes, motion carried.

There were no additions or deletions to the agenda this month. Teresa recognized Resa Shaner the new Executive Director of CCDA.

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

Teresa stated that October is Hungarian Freedom Month. This will be the 65th Anniversary of the uprising She then read a proclamation (see attached sheet). Teresa introduced Alex Szigethy. Alex came to the Board to talk about the exhibit on the Hungarian Freedom Fight, which is items he has collected along with items that his father, Doctor Stephen B. Szigethy, had collected. The exhibit is on display in the library at Eastern Illinois University. There will be a grand opening at EIU on October 11, 2021. Then in November, the exhibit will be here in Oblong at the Municipal Building.

The Spooktacular 5K route was okayed by the Board for Saturday, October 30th.

Keith passed out a picture of the mural to be paint on the eastside of Oblong Auto Parts (NAPA) building. He asked the other Board members for their thoughts on quote to be placed at the bottom of the mural

Mayor’s Comments:
Teresa mentioned that she had three TIF Grant applications for the Board to consider. The first one is for 114 East Main Street and the second one is for 116 East Main Street. These two grants were turned in by the owner, Kelly Wells. The work on the buildings are for tuck pointing, power washing and painting the window trim on the front of the buildings. There was some discussion on this about what amount should be given. Motion by Angie, with a second by Keith, to give $3,500 from the TIF Grant Fund for each request with the stipulation that before the check(s) are issued the Village has a paid receipt or cut the check(s) directly to the contractor doing the work. All ayes, motion carried.

Teresa stated that the third TIF grant application was turned in by Jeff & Greg Mendenhall owners of the building at 122 East Main Street, which houses the NAPA store in Oblong. They requested amount of $3,000 for the mural to be painted on the eastside of the building. Motion by Dave, with a second by Jay, to approved the request of $3,000 from the TIF Grant Fund with the stipulation that before the check(s) are issued the Village has a paid receipt or cut the check(s) directly to the contractor doing the work. All ayes, motion carried.

Teresa stated that she had put a copy of the latest e-mail, regarding the Sewer Lagoon Project funding, in everyone’s packet. She stated the receiving of funds has been delayed.
Teresa mentioned that Resa had meet with some of the local business owners and chamber members earlier. Resa talked with them about some grants that are available to the owners.

Teresa mentioned that the Metal Meet started Tuesday, October 5th and will end Saturday, October 9th.

Teresa wanted to remind everyone that Trick-or-Treat will be Friday, October 29th from 5 pm to 8 pm and only visit houses with their porch light on.

Teresa wanted to remind everyone that Fall Follies is October 30th. Chad mentioned that the Homecoming Parade will be Friday, October 22nd, starting at 1:30 pm.
Teresa stated that the Oblong Chamber of Commerce is wanting either a family or group to pick-up trash and clean the bathrooms for Fall Follies. They are paying $350 for the day; so far, there has been no takers. Teresa asked the Board if they would be willing to add another $150 from the Beautification Fund. There was some discussion by the Board. Motion by Bill, with a second by Jeron, to give the Chamber $500 for Fall Follies from the Beautification Fund and they can use the donation as they see fit. Roll call vote as follows: Angie – aye, Jay – aye, Dave – aye, Bill – aye, Keith – aye, Jeron – aye; motion carried.

Teresa asked for the Boards permission to give Scott Dunlap $50 in Chamber Bucks for keeping the yard mowed at 103 West Illinois Street. There was some discussion by the Board. Motion by Jeron, with a second by Dave, to give Scott Dunlap $50 in Chamber Bucks for mowing of the property at 103 West Illinois Street. All ayes, motion carried. Bill stated that he will also give a $25 gift certificate from his restaurant

Teresa stated that she applied to the Claypool Grant to purchase handicapped accessible swings for out at the Park. Does not know the date we will be notified if we receive the grant.

Teresa asked the Trustees if they want to host (pay) for a Christmas dinner for the Employees & Spouses this year? The Trustees stated yes. Teresa asked Angie to give dates to choose from.

Teresa stated that she had attended to the last County Board meeting and read to them the Illinois codes, which outlined the County’s responsibility in regards to Animal Control. She also sent Frank Weber a letter, which she put in the Trustees’ mail slots. She stated that she and some other concerned citizens are looking into taking care of the feral cats issues and will keep the Board updated.

Teresa mentioned that she had received an update from Benji Kirk (Hometown Wireless). (See attached sheet.)

Teresa stated that the VFW is asking permission to use the 4-way stop on November 6th. The Board granted the request.

9. Reports of Committees:
Police: Jay stated that he will let Chad handle the report. Chad stated that on October 19th, Ruger will go for recertification. He mentioned that the numbers went up in September on his police report. Chad stated that Gary and him have been looking to update the security cameras for the Village. They have a quote for both the Maintenance Barn ($1,300) and the Municipal Building ($2,300). Motion by Bill, with a second by Jay, to pay $3,600 for the purchase and installation of new cameras for both the Maintenance Building and the Municipal Building from the CARES Act Fund. All ayes, motion carried.

Building & Park: Keith stated that the new garage door has been installed. Keith mentioned that there are 5 plants at the Mini Park that are death or overgrown; he would like permission to remove them and plant some Box Elders as replacements. He stated that Byron and himself could do the planting and removal. Motion by Keith, with a second by Angie, to remove the 5 dead/overgrown plants and purchase some Box Elders as replacements. All ayes, motion carried. Keith mentioned that there will be an individual, who has to serve some community service hours, who is supposed to help him at the Mini Park.

Sidewalks & Lights: Bill stated that he had nothing to report this month.
Street & Alley: Angie stated that she had nothing new to report this month. She stated that she stated that she will get with Resa later on to see if there are any grants to help with the South Range Project and then possibly call a committee meeting later.

Water & Sewer: Dave stated that the Committee and along with the Finance Committee met before the Board Meeting to discuss some options for a one time offer to employees that have excess vacation time due to last year COVID pandemic. The recommendation to the Board is to offer the Village employees an option to get paid for up to 5 vacation days. There was some discussion on this matter. Bill suggested that the offer should be up to 10 days instead of 5 days; due to the accumulation of days by some of the employees. Motion by Bill, with a second by Dave, to offer the employees the option of get up to 10 days of excess vacation days paid, with the Cares Act Fund, this will be a one time offer. The employees will still be able to roll over 5 days of vacation at the end of each year. Roll call vote as follows: Angie – aye, Jay – aye, Dave – aye, Bill – aye, Keith – aye, Jeron – aye; motion carried. The employees will need to let Ladora know before November 30th.
Dave gave a brief update about the 54 Oblong club.

Finance: Jeron stated that he had nothing to report this month.
Treasurer’s Report: Jan submitted the monthly reports to the Board, also a list of the three murals’ costs, which was purchased with donations and the TIF Grant Fund. She stated that she had talked with Brad Cole, IML Director, about the CARES Act and the ARP Funds and how the money could be used for any sewer, water or street projects, even sewer at the camp ground. Just make sure that records are kept on how it is expended, also that choosing a larger project, would better benefit the use of the funds. Jan asked if the Board had decided on how they want the CARES Act and the ARP Funds to be used?

Clerk’s Report: Ladora stated that she had spoken with Mr. Beth, Village’s TIF attorney, about the TIF 2 boundaries; if they could be changed and what it would take to change them. Mr. Beth stated that it can be done and he could do the paperwork for the Village. Motion by Bill, with a second by Jeron, to proceed with the TIF 2 boundary changes. Roll call vote as follows: Angie – aye, Jay – aye, Dave – aye, Bill – aye, Keith – aye, Jeron – aye; motion carried.
Ladora, also, asked Mr. Beth about the termination dates and how the taxes were handled. Mr. Beth stated that if the termination date was in the middle of the year the Village would not receive TIF tax money for that tax year. Mr. Beth suggested making the termination date for December 31st of the year that the TIF would end. The Board thought that would be a good idea and to have Mr. Beth draw up the ordinances for next month’s Board Meeting.
Ladora told the Board that the Village had received the MFT Audit from IDOT.
Ladora brought to the attention of the Board that the additional bonds for the Public Works Department would be cheaper through IML Risk Management instead of who their with now. Motion by Jeron, with a second by Bill, to switch the bonds to IML Risk Management. All ayes, motion carried.
Development: Bill stated that he had nothing to report this month.
Ad-Hoc (Beautification/Ordinance) Committee:

Teresa stated that the September Hometown Pride winners were David & Rebecca Stigler (208 North Harrison Street).
The Committee working on some high weed growth areas and possible window wrap opportunities for the South Range Street area.
She asked Bill if would be the Committee real estate liaison person. Bill said would honored to.
The next Ad-hoc meeting will be October 27th at 3:30 pm.

10. Motion by Jay, second by Angie, 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, one (1) nay; motion carried.

11. There was one other item of business this month. Bill announced and turned in a letter of resignation from the Board due to his moving out the Village limits.

12. Motion by Jeron, second by Angie, to adjourn the meeting at 6:31 pm. Five (5) ayes, one (1) nay; motion carried.

Respectfully submitted

Ladora Boyd
Clerk

Building/Park Committee Meeting. 10/6/2021 at 4:30 pm

Water / Sewer and Finance Committee Meeting. 10/6/2021 at 4:45 pm