Cerro Gordo, Illinois

MARCH 17, 2008
 
The monthly meeting of the President and the Board of trustees met at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, March 17, 2008. Those present are: President Jim Morgan, Trustees Brad Williams, Lyle Shoraga, Carol Huff, Ron Price, and Mike Songer.
 
Also present were Pat Carter, PC, Rob Bratton, D.P.W., Atty. Gale Thetford, Treasurer Cris Perry, and Clerk Linda Ash.
 
The meeting was called to order and minutes were read and approved.
 
CLAIMS REPORT
 
Clerk Ash requested permission to pay two claims not on the report. One is for the surety bonds for the President and the Treasurer for $375.00 and the other is for the Ameren IP bill which is $4758.32. Motion to approve claims and pays these two bills made by Trustee Shoraga, second Songer, all yeas.
 
TREASURER'S REPORT

There are several outstanding checks to clear dating from 1999 to 2004. The finance committee would like to check with Colette before taking any action. There were no shut-offs in Feb. and no returned checks.
 
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT
 
In the process of reading meters. Repaired the chlorinator, did some patching, putting some signs up. The department is getting ready for spring work. They would like to do some culvert work on Westside Dr. The fee to the State for water samples is up to $1300.
 
The water is not turned on at the ball parks yet. It is not warm enough to keep the lines from freezing as it still gets below freezing at night.
 
POLICE REPORT
 
The department is in the process of city ordinance enforcements. Activity reports were handed out in regards to Cerro Gordo and Cisco.
 
OLD BUSINESS
 
Fire Chief Randy West has had the lawyer for the Fire District send a letter to the railroad in regards to the building on their property. They will have 90 days to fix the building or tear it down. It will be posted as unsafe and uninhabitable.
 
President Morgan received a letter from Rod Forbes announcing his resignation effective immediately as Trustee. Motion to accept Rod’s resignation was made by Trustee Williams, second Songer, all yeas.
 
Atty. McCarty has been in contact with several people from the Railroad in regards to the Vulgamott building. If she receives any information prior to the April meeting, a special meeting can be convened if the Board so desires.
 
Fair liquor license-Atty.Thetford will go over the applications and approve if warranted.
 
Cargo containers-The board passed an ordinance in Oct, of 2004 in regards to cargo containers. The board signed a petition to amend the ordinance to allow for a $15.00 annual fee for each container plus an annual inspection of containers. The zoning board recommended $30 fee and at the July 18, 2005 meeting a motion was made and passed that the container fee be $50 per year, per container with review on or before July 14, 2006. An amendment to the ordinance reflecting these changes needs to be officially passed. Colette will bring a revised ordinance to the April meeting.
 
Mediacom-Still nothing positive. Several people claim to be involved with tracking down the lease. Mediacom did make a rent payment in November of 2007 for the building.
 
TIF-Paperwork sent to the county to get areas incorporated into the Village. The Village is working with Dennis Ridgeway on his property, nothing from Shambaugh, and nothing positive on Casey’s yet. Progress is moving slowly but there is some progression.
 
NEW BUSINESS
 
In order to discuss the fair license, the Board will need to convene to the Liquor Commission. Motion to do so made by Trustee Songer, second Huff. The County Fair would like to have two licenses again this year. The first would cover June 24-26 from noon to midnight, and the second license would cover June 27, noon to 1:00 a.m., June 28 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. and June 29 from noon to 10:00 p.m. Payment has been included with the applications, and everything on the application is correct. There is a notation on the application that dram shop insurance has been applied for. Motion to approve licenses contingent upon issuance of insurance made by Trustee Songer, second Huff, all yeas.
 
Motion by Trustee Shoraga, second Williams to return to regular session, all yeas.
 
The Village received a letter from the Senior Citizen Transportation program asking for a donation. If possible they would like a $500.00 donation. This will be put on the agenda for next month to be voted on.
 
TRUSTEES REPORT
 
Trustee Shoraga reported being asked about the TIF in regards to housing and a possible Casey’s gas station. Trustee Price replied in reference to the Casey’s, they have to buy the property first.
 
A representative from Piatt County was here and talked about a new animal shelter the County is trying to establish. It will be in White Heath.
 
A motion to go into closed session was made by Trustee Shoraga, second Songer , all yeas. Regular session ends at 7:50 p.m.
 
Return to regular session at 8:55 p.m. No further business to be discussed and the meeting adjourned on a motion from Trustee Songer, second Huff.
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 Village Clerk 3/17/08