Cerro Gordo, Illinois

FEBRUARY 20, 2006

The monthly meeting of the President and the Board of Trustees met on Monday, February 20, at 7:00P.M. with the following members present: President Jim Morgan, Trustees Brad Williams, Rod Forbes, Don Ritchie, and Mike Songer. Trustees Jerry Morris and Lyle Shoraga were absent. Also present were D.P.W. Rob Bratton, P.C. Pat Carter, Treasurer Cris Perry, Atty. Colette McCarty, and Clerk Linda Ash.

Minutes were read with the following correction: “the owners of the dogs would have to secure liability insurance.” and were approved as such.

Terry Bricker presented a program on the Piatt County barn tours which will be held Oct 13,14,15. Cerro Gordo Township will be included in this tour. The Piatt Co. group is looking for a place to set up to sell tickets for the barn tour. Last year they had 370 vehicles go through the tour and every year it grows. Books and maps will be available and all proceeds go towards the Piatt Co. Museum.

CLAIMS REPORT

A motion was entered by Trustee Ritchie to approve the claims report, second by Trustee Songer, all yeas.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Holly Dodd requested an adjustment. The readings are still in the handheld so Cris has no idea how much of an adjustment there will be. Motion to grant adjustment subject to the $25.00 minimum made by Trustee Ritchie, second Songer, all yeas.

Currently there is a $5.30 minimum sewer charge with no water service. If an empty lot has had the sewer line capped and it has been approved by Rob, there will be no charge for this. Meter Deposit CD for $2638.50 will mature in March. This will be added to the Money Market water fund until October. Cris will transfer $6567.49 from the general fund money market account into the cash general fund.

No word on the bank collateralization to date. Motion to approve treasurer’s report made by Trustee Williams, second Ritchie, all yeas. The Village received the franchise fee from Mediacom in the amount of $6966.08 for the year,

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS

Scotty’s Pest Control came in and did a termite inspection of all Village buildings. He also arranged for treatment for pest control each month. This cost will be $20.00 a month.

Public grounds committee may want to inspect basement bricks. Some are starting to shave off and may need some cleaning done. Tuck pointing of the buildings will need to be scheduled before too long.

The street light on Van Dongen is in progress. Ameren is now going to have the Village pay for the lights, pole, etc. Because of this, we will hold off on the Bell Street light. Colette will check our street light contract with IP to see if they can charge us for the street light installation.

Burdick received papers back from the state and is hoping to start the drainage project by the second week of March.

Rob will be gone for three days of training in Effingham this coming week.

CHIEF OF POLICE REPORT

Progress is being made on the city ordinance violations. No stats for the month.

John Moran is present with additional security information. He has new figures for all the work and for $5822.00 the police department, Village Hall and the back door can be secured. It would probably take 5 days to install and a silent alarm would be set on an automatic dialer.

A special meeting may be required before floor tiles are installed in the police department. A special meeting will be held on Feb. 27 at 7:00.

Photos of the old squad car have been taken so it can be posted to be sold.

OLD BUSINESS

Drainage-all paperwork is done. Will be able to meet final completion date of June. Burdick can be given a time change order if needed.

MFT for 2005paperwork-Revised list to include pavement marking. The total for the year was less than $21,000 and $30,000 was budgeted.

Water System Grant-how to move forward. Engineer would like Village to procure a planning grant and then apply for the design and construction grants .

This also needs to be discussed at the Feb. 27 special meeting.

ATTORNEY’S REPORT

Letter has been drafted to the States Attorney to put Edwards property up for scavenger sale.

She received word from the railroad that a letter had been sent to the owner of the building across the tracks that the property constitutes a public nuisance and they can proceed with an eviction notice of the property. Several Board members would like to talk to the owner of the building before any action is taken. A closed session will be needed to discuss rental space.

President Jim Morgan has a candidate to fill the unexpired term of Rosalee Duckworth on the Zoning Board. That person is David Rawlings. Motion to approve Dave to the Zoning Board made by Trustee Williams, second Forbes, all yeas.

TRUSTEES REPORT

Trustee Williams reported some lively discussion concerning the Park Board on the web site. There have been some good suggestions put forth. Would like to offer the Park Board the use of the Village Hall for their meetings.

The regular meeting adjourned at 8:34 P.M. to move to closed session 120/2 C-6 for rent and 120/2 C-11 litigation. Motion made by Trustee Forbes, second Songer, all yeas.

Regular session resumed at 9:08 and adjourned on motion by Trustee Forbes, second Ritchie.
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Village Clerk 2/20/06