Cerro Gordo, Illinois

May 18, 2009

The monthly meeting of the President and the Board of Trustees met on May 18, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Village Hall. The following members were present: President Jim Morgan, Trustees Brad Williams, Lyle Shoraga, Terry Lovekamp,D.P.W. Rob Bratton, P.C. Pat Carter, Atty. Colette McCarty, and Assist. D.P.W. Mark Blickensderfer, Treasurer Cris Perry, and Clerk Linda Ash

Mayor Morgan called the meeting to order. He stated after 30 years of service and no old business to conduct, the meeting was adjourned sine and die.

At this time Clerk Linda Ash swore in the following officers: Lyle Shoraga, Mayor, Trustees Dennis Ridgeway, Trustee Mick Tirpak, and Mayor Shoraga administered the oath of office to Clerk Linda Ash. Mayor Shoraga presented plagues to Terry Lovekamp for two years of service to the Village. Terry stated it was an honor to have served these two years. Mayor Shoraga also presented a plague to out-going Mayor, Jim Morgan for 30 years of service, six as Trustee and 24 as President. P.C. Carter also presented Jim with a gold badge as commissioner of police.

At this time, Mayor Shoraga made several appointments. He appointed Brad Williams as mayor pro-tem.. Motion to approve was made by Trustee Ridgeway, second Tirpak, all yeas. On the park board, he appointed Shamarie Allen to serve the remainder of the term vacated by Sandy Fitzjarrald, and reappointed Curt Vulgamott and Jane Henricks. Shamaire will serve until 2011 and Curt and Jane until 2014. Motion to approve appointments made by Trustee Williams, second Ridgeway, all yeas.

The following appointments have been made to the Zoning Board: David Rawlings, Chairman, to serve until 2011, Mike Gross, to serve until 2012, and Dick Seitz, to serve until 2016. Mike will serve the remainder of the term vacated by Trustee Ridgeway, and D. Seitz will serve in place of Ciney Eads. Motion to approve made by trustee Williams, second Tirpak, all yeas.

Mayor Shoraga would like to congratulate the new trustees and other board members.

The following committees were formed at this meeting:

• Water-Mike Songer, Brad Williams
• Finance-Brad Williams, Dennis Ridgeway
• Streets and Alleys-Mick Tirpak, Ron Price
• Public Grounds-Carol Huff, Mike Songer
• Ordinances-Dennis Ridgeway, Mick Tirpak
• Sewer-Ron Price, Carol Huff
• Police-Mayor Shoraga
• Fire and Public Health-Entire Board

Public Forum

C. Martin-talked about water on Wait Street. Seems to think a ditch is needed or culverts. Straighten some street signs.

C. Evans-spoke on behalf of the Youth League. Would like a donation to help put a new roof on the girls’ dugout and re-rock the parking area.

A. Bork-represents his grandson Andrew Bork, also about the water problem

T. Lovekamp-refutes Cliff Martin’s remarks concerning (Terry) being a slum lord. He has renovated 6 houses in Cerro Gordo, and uses local business for his renovations. The house on Wait Street has not been totally renovated because of the state of the property east of the house as it is used as a used car lot.

Minutes

No additions or corrections were made. Minutes were approved on a motion by Trustee Williams, Tirpak, all yeas.

Claims report

The only addition to the claims report is the addition of the Illinois Power bill in the amount of $5430.86. Motion to approve the claims report was made by Trustee Ridgeway, Tirpak, all yeas.

Treasurer's Report

The financial statements show the next CD due is in July. Cris will go over that at the June meeting. Motion to approve the financial statement made by Trustee Williams, second Ridgeway, all yeas. There are no water adjustments for the month. Motion to approve treasurer's report made by Trustee Ridgeway, Williams, all yeas.

Director of Public Works Report

Rob still has several new signs to replace old ones. The Village could use a ditch bucket but they are very pricey. The engineer will bring a crew in to town to shoot some elevations and try to get the problem of standing water resolved. Tom Overmyer is at the meeting and had the opportunity before the meeting, to drive around town and see the problems the Village is having firsthand. The Village, drainage district, and landowners all need to work together to come up with a workable solution. Allen Williams is willing to build a retention pond on his property but the water has to have an outlet.

Police Report

Cisco profit for the month is $570.50, with 4 calls for assistance and one traffic stop. Cerro Gordo had 94 calls for assistance, and 3 stops. There have been a lot of hours put in. Officer Leischner is back to full duty.

Old Business

The fair board petitioned for a variance which resulted in a special use permit for the fair. The recommendation of the zoning board is to allow the special use permit for the fairgrounds. Motion to follow the recommendation of the zoning board made by Trustee Williams, second, Tirpak, all yeas.

Paraphernalia Ord.-Currently, any time a drug bust is made in the Village, the county keeps all the fine money for such. Pat would like to see the Village gat a share of this. Currently, no one else reaps any of these benefits. Collette will contact the state attorney' office. Trustee Williams expressed the concern that there are not enough of these arrests to justify an ordinance for such.

The property at 115 S. Adams is current on the tax bill and is in the name of a former resident. All violations will be sent to the homeowner in Connecticut. The property is in such disrepair that demolition may be the best way to go.

CDAP grant paperwork has been submitted . According to Tom Overmyer stated that only 100 grant applications were made and so the Village does have a chance of acquiring one. He will have a survey crew in town to try and see if ditching will help alleviate the problem in the south end of town.

New Business

Randy West was present representing the Regional Development Committee. The fund raiser held at Judy's was very well attended. The profits from that took care of the cost of entertainment for Friday night. He also requested a donation from the Village for other expenses. Motion by Trustee Williams, second Ridgeway, to allow the $1000 donation for RDC. Roll call: Trustees Williams, Ridgeway, Tirpak, all yeas.

Tom Street from Water tower Paint and Repair presented an extended maintenance contract on the water tower for the next 10 years. This will include cleaning and disinfecting. By the e year 2019, the outside may need painted again. The cost of this contract is $1850 every two years. Rob recommends that we continue with this maintenance contract. Tom has a contract for Colette to look at. Motion by Trustee Williams, Ridgeway, to accept contract on Colette's approval, all yeas.

Motion by Trustee Williams to move to liquor commission, second Tirpak. Fair submitted liquor applications for special use events. There are two permits, one for June 23, 24, 25 and one for June 26, 27, 28. Motion to approve applications made by Trustee Tirpak, second Ridgeway. They also presented an application for a special use license for a car show in July. Motion to return to regular session made by Trustee Williams, second Ridgeway, all yeas.

Trustees report

M. Tirpak reported the guttering along Monroe Street is getting torn up by the semis turning in to park in the commons area. It needs to be replaced.

B. Williams also reported on some difficulties with parking on Monroe Street. Several cars and trucks are parking on the side of the road (sometimes both sides) restricting the flow of traffic.

Mayor's Report

Mayor Shoraga was approached by some one about the old loading dock by the railroad. It is in bad shape. Colette will contact the railroad concerning this.

Fair grounds special use permit

The zoning board met and recommends that the fair board is issued a special use permit for the operation of the fairgrounds. If the property changes ownership, then they would need to re-apply for the special use permit. The fair board will not need to do so when there is a change in Board members. The permit is to be reviewed every five (5) years. Motion to approve made by Trustee Williams, second Price. Roll call: Trustees Williams, yea, Ridgeway, abstain, Tirpak, yea, price, yea, Huff and Songer, absent.

There was no further business to come before the Board and a motion to adjourn was entered at 8:41 pm.
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Village Clerk 5/18/09