Cerro Gordo, Illinois

MAY 15, 2006

The monthly meeting of the President and Board of Trustees met at 7:00 P.M. on May 15, 2006 at the Municipal Building. Those present were President Jim Morgan, Trustees Brad Williams, Lyle Shoraga, Jerry Morris, Don Ritchie, and Mike Songer. Also present were Atty. Colette McCarty, Treasurer Cris Perry, Clerk Linda Ash, D.P.W. Rob Bratton, and P.C. Pat Carter.

The meeting was called to order and the minutes were approved as read.

Special guest for the evening was Dan Schuering. Mr. Schuering met with President Morgan and Trustee Williams to help them understand how a TIF works. The Village has to have a clear idea as to what they need to do before applying for a TIF. The process of implementing a TIF takes time. The area has to qualify as blighted, industrial park, or conservation. There are qualifications that need to be met and a lot of detailed work to be done.

The other taxing bodies in a TIF district have no veto powers. The TIF district is governed by the Village Board only. It is advisable to keep other taxing bodies aware of what the TIF district is doing.

The cost to begin this project is $25,000 to Dan Schuering. The cost takes into consideration the amount of time(and lots of it)needed, he speaks to all taxing bodies, and when the project is done the Village will get a transcript and an opinion as to whether or not a TIF district will work. If the Village were to implement the TIF district, it would be September before anything was ready to go. It usually takes 60-90 days to get the plan set. To freeze assessments, it needs to be started now and once a TIF district is set, it needs to be developed.

CLAIMS REPORT

A couple of additions need to made to the claims report. They are: Sewer Fund-$10,300 to Newell Sand for the rock filter cleaning, in Public Safety-$531.22 for the phone to be put in vestibule at police department. Motion to approve claims and additions but to continue to hold bill for $1120.20 to Flaugher until all work is completed by them made by Trustee Shoraga, second by Trustee Williams, all yeas.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Two adjustment request have been made. One for A. Cross and one for D. Messineo. The leaks have been fixed and residents have signed all necessary paperwork Motion to approve adjustments made by Trustee Morris, second Trustee Ritchie, all yeas. The Trustees would like a list of all past due water accounts and a listing of all shut offs. They would also like to know which residents are repeat offenders.

The General Fund CD matured in April. At this time it is not earning any interest. The Finance Committee and the treasurer will meet to discuss the next steps to take. The clerk will check into when the last check was received from the Piatt Housing Authority. Motion to approve Treasurer’s report made by Trustee Morris, second Songer, all yeas.

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS

Rob has two estimates for the abandonment of wells # 6 & &. Brotke Well and Pump sent a bid of $5025 per well and Layne Western sent a bid for $5815 for both wells. Motion by Trustee Williams to accept Layne Western’s bid, second Trustee Morris, all yeas.

In regards to the pavilions and roof repair, a bid from Jones and Sullivan in the amount of $12,700 with a deduction of $1300 for no downspouts or guttering was presented. A bid from D & R Roofing for $11875 with a $1200 deduction for downspouts and guttering was presented to the Board. These are for the pavilion at Gordy Park. For Born Park, Jones and Sullivan will remove all metal, replace ceiling with a sub structure under eaves to eliminate bird problems for a bid of $10700. D & R Roofing will do the same work for $9750. Motion was made by Trustee Shoraga to accept bids from D & R for both Gordy Park and Born Park with no downspouts or guttering. Second by Trustee Songer. Roll call: Trustees Williams, Shoraga, Ritchie, and Songer, yea, Morris nay, and Forbes absent.

Bids were also received for electrical work at Gordy Park at the pavilion. Temporary service could be set up for Play Day which will be held June 3. Two bids were received for this work. One from LaPlace Hardware for $3206.70 and one from Flaugher Electric for $3550. All work is to be done before Play Day. Motion to accept Flaugher’s bid made by Trustee Morris, second Ritchie, all yeas.

Drainage Project-There have been some weather delays but the project is moving along.

Burdick is presenting a pay request. This is for work done through May 12. Burdick hopes to have the project done by the next Board meeting in June, weather permitting. Engineer Happ suggests retaining 10% of the total bill and paying %39998.79. Burdick is doing a good job keeping homeowners up to date on project and driveways cleared. Motion to pay Burdick made by Trustee Ritchie, second Songer, all yeas. This will be paid out of MFT fund.

CHIEF OF POLICE DEPARTMENT

The ordinance enforcement is on hold-waiting for a meeting with the Ordinance Committee. Abandoned cars are on hold also. Garbage at resident on Jefferson St. has been cleaned up. Stop sign enforcement is going well and Jim has been watching crosswalks in the morning. These were a couple of things discussed on the Fat hill site recently.

OLD BUSINESS

Alley owners-waiting on addresses

Vulgamott Bldg-letter sent to Galen Handley

Security System-done except sewer plant phone. The system is set up at the concession stand, shed, and plant. The codes are set and ready to go.

NEW BUSINESS

Spring cleanup will cost the Village between $1500-$2000. A tire and battery cleanup would be a benefit. After some discussion, the Board decided against a spring clean up and stay with the fall clean up.

No progress on ESDA siren. The window at the dentist office is not being fixed. My go another route with that.

The Mental Health agreement is ready for the President’s signature,

The Park Board recommends the following hours for the parks: 7:00 A.M -10:00 P.M. for both parks and ½ hour after the last ball game at Gordy Park.

Ordinance committee is working on liquor ordinance concerning hours of sale.

Motion was made to approve a donation to the Senior Citizen Transportation in the amount of $500 by Trustee Songer, second Ritchie, all yeas.

Sidewalks-Lincoln crossing needs to be done by the railroad and they have done some patching on the crossings. Katie Helm was at the meeting and asked for a donation to Relay for Life. The Board decided not to become involved. Also Cerro Gordo is hosting the event at the High School June 2-3rd.

A special meeting to further discuss the TIF, the budget, and possibly Vulgamott building will be held on May 22 at the Masonic Hall. Motion made by Trustee Williams, second Ritchie to hold meeting and publish notices in all available sources, all yeas.

ATTORNEY’S REPORT

A release for Flaugher for positioning temporary service at Gordy Park is not needed now. The sign on Carter Street is not against ordinances-just the size is in violation. The building inspecctor will contact the owners.

TRUSTEES REPORT

Morris-bushes on Rt. 32 North at corner of Carter and Jackson need to be cut back. These are on the State right away.

Motion to adjourn for closed session at 9:15 made by Trustee Williams, second Songer for 120-c/1 and 120-c/21.

Regular session resumes at 9:50. Salary adjustment for the fiscal year will be voted on at the May 22 meeting. Trustee Shoraga proposes raising Trustee fees to $50.00 per meeting effective with the next election. President Morgan will talk to all full time employees about salaries.

In a final comment, the President said this may be the last year for the Fat Hill Fest. As with everything else, it is getting hard to find people willing to help or to take over the organization. Motion to adjourn at 9:58 made by Trustee Ritchie, second Morris.
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Village Clerk 5/15/06