Cerro Gordo, Illinois

MARCH 20, 2006

The monthly meeting of the President and Board of Trustees met on March 20, 2006 at 7:00 P.M. in the Municipal Building. The following members were present: Trustees Mike Songer, Lyle Shoraga, Don Ritchie, Brad Williams, Rod Forbes, and Jerry Morris. President Jim Morgan arrived at the meeting later in the evening. Also present were Atty. Colette McCarty, P. C. Pat Carter, Treasurer Cris Perry and Clerk Linda Ash. D.P.W. Rob Bratton was not here as he was home getting prepared for the coming snow storm.

The meeting was called to order by Trustee Williams. The February minutes and the Special Meeting minutes were all approved as read on a motion by Trustee Shoraga, second Forbes, all yeas.

CLAIMS REPORT

The Village has received two(2) bills from Flaugher Electric. There is a question concerning one bill as to if it is a valid invoice. No further payments will be made until the project is completed as stated in the contract. Motion to withhold payment to Flaugher on these two invoices made by Trustee Forbes, second Songer, all yeas.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Adjustment request from M. Primmer. Motion by Trustee Ritchie, second Songer to grant adjustment when all paperwork has been completed, all yeas.

Can’t put Meter Deposit CD into the water money market account. These have to be kept separate. Two CD’s will need to be rolled over or made into new CD’s in April. Motion to approve treasurer’s report on motion by Trustee Shoraga, second Ritchie, all yeas.

Cris received a price quote from Ed for the new accounting system. Table this for now as the treasurer and clerk are not that comfortable with the new utility software. There appear to be more problems than there were with the old system.

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT

Rob is at home resting up for the snow storm that is supposed to roll into the area later this evening. Everyone has a report of the months activities.

CHIEF OF POLICE REPORT

Pat handed out stats for the period of Feb. 1 to Ma. 20th. He is attending training in Springfield concerning the elderly. One of things they are focusing on is fraud cases.

He has sent a certified letter to a resident concerning garbage nuisance and the resident is not responding. Still working on ordinance violations. So far everyone is very cooperative.

Officer Nuding has sent in a letter requesting a leave of DUTY. Mike is being deployed to Iraq and could be gone for up to 2 years. No grants for a replacement but Pat feels he can secure part time officers from other communities to help out if need be.

Mike’s job will be held for him until he comes home. Motion by Trustee Williams, second Shoraga to accept Mike’s request, all yeas.

NEW BUSINESS

Traci McRae was representing the Piatt County Fair Board in their request for the $1000.00 donation to the Queen scholarship. The Board also received $300 from Monticello and $50 from Atwood. It was noted by the Trustees that this years Queen, Jr. Miss and Little Miss were all from Monticello. Trustee Williams made the motion to send the money budgeted for this to the Piatt County Fair Board, second by Trustee Songer. Roll call: Trustees Williams, Shoraga, Forbes, Morris, and Songer, all yeas, Ritchie, abstain.

Cari Ritchie presented the Board with completed liquor special use applications for the Fair for this summer. They are asking for the maximum times allowed under the liquor ordinance for Jun2 20 to June 25th. The times in the ordinance are from 6:00 A.M. to 1:00A.M. and Sunday from noon to 10:00 P.M.

Motion by Trustee Ritchie, second Morris to move to Liquor Commission. Motion to approve two permits for the Fair, each for 3 days and times set according to ordinance made by Trustee Morris, second Forbes. Roll call : Trustees Williams, Shoraga, Forbes, Morris, Songer, all yeas, Ritchie, abstain. Resume regular session on motion by Trustee Forbes, Williams, all yeas.

OLD BUSINESS

An idea has been entered to try and buy out the owners of the alley. This would clarify ownership of the property and it would be left as an alley. The owners could be offered assessed value. The Village could send letters to all owners and make an offer. The Village will extend an invitation to all these property owners to attend the April meeting for further discussion.

Old Vulgamott tractor building-We will be trying to work with the owner of the building to have it cleaned up. The current owner will need to find other storage areas. The Village could buy the building and have it torn down. The owner will be given until October to have it cleaned up. The Village may need to enact a demolition ordinance.

North end drainage-Burdick finally got the approval for the manhole covers. Engineer didn’t get the paperwork until last week.

Security system-looking at the grant situation. May be able to land something through Homeland Security. These do not have to bid out unless over $20,000.

Bricking-Demaria Masonry of Bement submitted a bid for $1760.00to brick the front of the police department. Motion to accept this bid made by Trustee Shoraga, second Morris, all yeas.

Motion to accept Wareham’s bid for security for the outside park buildings and maintenance shed made by Trustee Williams, second Songer, all yeas. We will hold off on the Municipal Building for now.

Edwards plant seems to be on the rolls for a scavenger sale. Colette talked to the County Treasurer. He receives notification from the bankruptcy courts as to when a property has cleared. Mr. Foster will not put the property on the tax sale until he gets something from the State’s attorney.

Water Grant Project Look up letter of denial from the last application. Some items to be listed in the grant application are community needs, moderate income, urgent need. Right now the tower is in good condition. The conditions may not be too favorable for the Village to secure a grant at this time One item that will be helpful would be for Rob to keep a detailed log of water line breaks, where they occurred, cost of repair in terms of manpower and product.

NEW BUSINESS

Cris Perry asked the Board for a donation for the Post Prom program again for this year. Previous years resulted in a $100 donation. The money will be used to pay for prizes, food, DJ, t-shirts. Motion by Trustee Williams, second Morris to donate $1000 to the Post Prom program. All yeas.

ESDA siren-still a work in progress.

TRUSTEE’S REPORT

Trustee Morris not happy with exterior of public offices. Nothing matches up-verticals and horizontals. Trustee Songer will be in contact with Dan Williams about fixing this.

Clerk Ash reported receiving bills from AT&T for long distance charges. They are not our provider. Trustee Williams suggest we hold off paying these bills.

The IDOT sent a form letter for the Village to adopt a resolution for the coming year in regards to parades. Motion to pass this resolution made by Trustee Ritchie, second Songer, all yeas.

Atty. McCarty has sent rental information to the Mental Health department.

No further discussions were held and a motion to adjourn at 9:13 was entered by Trustee Morris, second Ritchie, all yeas.
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Village Clerk 3/20/06