Meeting Minutes June 19, 2006

VILLAGE OF CERRO GORDO - MINUTES FOR JUNE 19, 2006

The monthly meeting of the President and the Board of Trustees met at 7:00 P.M. on June 19, 2206 in the Municipal Building. The following members were present: Trustees Brad Williams, acting President Pro-Tem, Lyle Shoraga, Rod Forbes, Jerry Morris, Don Ritchie, and Mike Songer. President Jim Morgan was absent due to illness. Also present were Atty. Colette McCarty, Clerk Linda Ash, Treasurer Cris Perry, D.P.W. Rob Bratton, and P.C. Pat Carter.

The meeting was called to order by Trustee Williams and business started with the public forum. First to speak was Gary Shaffer who expressed concerns about ESDA siren, railroad crossing at Lincoln street. There is no progress on the ESDA siren and the Board and D.P.W. have been in contact with the railroad about developing a walkway. Randy West expressed his gratitude to the Village for the help in taking down the tent from the Fathill Fest.

Minutes were read and approved as read.

CLAIMS REPORT

There were no questions regarding the claims report and a motion was made by Trustee Ritchie, second by Songer to approve. All yeas.

TREASURER’S REPORT

There are several people on the shut-off list for the month. The ordinance calls for a 10% penalty on all bills, not just the current charge. As far as the hearing dates on the letters, no one shows up for a hearing. The office does get notes stating reasons why a bill can’t be paid or when it will be paid, and phone calls. Water committee recommends we change the computer program to be in compliance with the ordinance and charge penalties accordingly. Two trustee will be at the office for the meeting time and assist with shutoffs. If the Village receives no contact from the individuals, then the trustees recommend shutting off the water and leaving off over the weekend.

Motion to approve the treasurer’s report made by Trustee Morris, second Shoraga, all yeas.

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS

Drainage-This project is done. The ground will need to settle and Burdick will come back to seed and grade the areas. Next month they should be out to finish the driveways, and cleanup the parking lot at the park. Rob reported that they had to move one water main, 3 sewer hook-ups, and four services. There were also some gas mains in the way but they worked around them.

The high service pump needs to be rebuilt. This is the back up pump. Decatur Industrial Electric can have the pump back in five days and the price was about the same with Aurora Pump. It would take longer if Aurora Pump did the work. Sewer plant is working really well since the rock filter was cleaned.

CHIEF OF POLICE REPORT

Stats reports were handed out-from January to current. It was a successful Fat Hill Fest. Couple of minor problems with alcohol outside the building, so a beer garden may be considered in the future.

Met with the Ordinance Committee about abandoned and unlicensed vehicles. Mental Health has moved into the back office.

OLD BUSINESS

Vulgamott building tenant would like to move out but so far has not been able to find a place to store his items.

North East Drainage-no final bill submitted as yet.

Security-depends on grants available.

TIF-Mr. Schuering has held a meeting with some individuals, viewed the town, and has gone over some maps

Returned check fee-checks are presented to the Village for water payment, dog tags, and garbage stickers.

Trustee pay-Trustee Shoraga made a motion to raise trustee pay from $40 per meeting to $50 per meeting. The last trustee raise was 7 years ago. Second by Trustee Songer. Roll call vote: Trustees Shoraga, Forbes, yea, Morris, nay, Ritchie, and Songer, yeas.

Window at dentist office-Dan Williams will get the window and replace this and finish up the project.

NEW BUSINESS

Sidewalks-not advertised as yet. Rob has not been consulted. Trustees are looking for areas to improve. Some areas that need replaced are the block on Hunt Street between Jefferson and Madison Streets, and new walks on Hunt street in front of apartments, 500 South Jefferson. Hold project for now, will need to know how the bids should be written. Specs need to be on paper. Will place an ad in the Tribune and News Record. Any suggestions for sidewalk repair will be turned over to Rob, Jerry, or Don.

Building Inspector pay-Motion by Trustee Songer to raise pay to $200 per year, amended to $150 with a second by Trustee Forbes, all yeas.

A T & T bill-give information to Colette.

Appropriation Ordinance-next month

Prevailing Wage Ordinance-Dept. of Labor sets the prevailing wage every spring. Motion to adopt Ord.501 made by Trustee Ritchie, second Forbes, all yeas.

Bank Resolution #8-follows policy regarding signed checks but allows the financial chairman to also sign checks if needed. Two signatures are required on all checks except meter deposit refunds. Motion to pass Ord. 503 and Resolution # 8 regarding signatures on checks was made by Trustee Ritchie, second Trustee Forbes, all yeas.

Edwards sign-The owners requested a written interpretation of the ordinance and what needs to be done. The problem with the sign is that it is a permanent structure and it is too large. The compliance date is the end of June and they could receive a $500 fine each day they are not in compliance.

Tuck-point building-received a bid from DeMaria, waiting on one from T&N Tuck pointing.

Born Park asphalt-Curt Vulgamott has a bid from Dunn Co. for the basketball courts.

ATTORNEY’S REPORT

Colette has received the paperwork for the rental contract between Mediacom and the Village. This is for the shed that houses their equipment. She will also get paperwork for the tower-get something in writing if they are giving the tower to us for the ESDA siren. The Trustees also suggest that if the other dishes are not being used if they can be removed and it was also suggested that hi speed internet for the Village be included in a deal.

Revision were made to the nuisance ordinance in cooperation with the Ordinance Committee, Pat Carter, and Colette. More clarifications were requested on public nuisances, revamped chapter 9. Section 9 does not call for a fence around a pool however, individual insurance companies may require it. Some pools will constitute a nuisance if the water levels are so low as to provide a breeding place for mosquitoes. Section K deals only with vehicles-they have to be operable and licensed. A motion was made to approve Ord. 504 by Trustee Morris, Forbes second, all yeas.

Liquor Ordinance-currently there are only two licenses being used. There have been no changes to the liquor ordinance since its inception in 1999. At issue is drinking on the premises after hours. There is some language proposals to change. Colette will contact Legion officers and let them know what is going on. They will be invited to join the Board to discuss the proposed changes and address the Board at the July meeting.

TRUSTEES REPORT

Trustee Morris-Bushes on corner of Carter Street and Jackson Street need to be cut back. These are on State property but doubtful the State will send someone to trim back and if they do, time could be a factor. Trustee Morris offered to cut them back if Rob would haul them away.

Trustee Ritchie-Fair time and no problems so far. According to Fire Chief Randy West, the Fire Marshall requires 30 ft access to an area. If it becomes an issue, the police can request someone remove a vehicle to allow access to the entrance In regards to the Forest Reserve Park, there is supposedly an agreement between the Piatt County park and HUD.

Trustee Shoraga-A resident complained of water standing at the intersection of State highways 32 & 105. As this is a State highway, it is a state issue. Rob will contact someone in that department.

A motion was entered by Trustee Songer to make a donation to the Regional Development Committee for Fat Hill Fest in the amount of $1000. Second by Trustee Morris, all yeas.

The regular meeting adjourned at 9:20 P.M. for discussion of personnel 120/C 1.

Regular session resumes at 9:33 P.M. The Board took action on extended the requirements for residency for the Police Chief and any officers of the Village. Discussion was held on the value of having the police chief live in town, and the tax base issue was explored also. Trustee Shoraga made a motion that a 6 mile radius of the perimeter of the Village be in place for all police personnel. Seconded by Trustee Ritchie. Roll call: Trustees Shoraga, Morris, Ritchie, Songer, Forbes, all yeas. In regards to salary raise for Pat, Trustee Morris made a motion to grant a 3% raise, second Trustee Forbes, with no slight to the other full time personnel who did not receive a raise. This does not reflect on the performance of the other employees and is duly noted this is Pat’s first raise with the Village. Roll call: Trustee Shoraga, Forbes, Morris, Ritchie, Songer, all yeas.

The quote from Dunn Company for resurfacing the tennis courts and work on basketball courts is $9993. Motion to approve bid made by Trustee Morris, second Songer, all yeas.

Motion to adjourn at 9:50 P.M. made by Trustee Ritchie, Morris, all yeas.
________________________________
Village Clerk 6/19/06