Cerro Gordo, Illinois

July 20, 2009

The monthly meeting of the Mayor and the Board of Trustees met at 7:00 pm on July 20, 2009. The meeting was held at the Municipal Building at 231 E. South Street with the following members present: Mayor Lyle Shoraga, Trustees Brad Williams, Dennis Ridgeway, Mick Tirpak, and Ron Price. Also present was Atty. Colette McCarty, P.C. Pat Carter, P.W.D. Rob Bratton, and Clerk Linda Ash.

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm.

Public Forum

T. Hyde requested an amendment to the RV special use permit to be open from April to October instead of May to October.

L. Bailey complained that he was informed that he needed a building permit to replace a carport.

C. Eads - Had information concerning the Mahomet Aquifer.

L. Grider - complying with nuisance enforcements.

Minutes were read and approved from the last meeting.

Claims Report

All claims were reported and a motion to approve claims was made by Trustee Tirpak, second Williams. Roll call: Williams, Ridgeway, Tirpak, and Price all yeas.

Treasurer's Report

Financial report showed that CD's that matured in June were rolled over. There are three CD's maturing in August that will need to be rolled over. No water shutoffs at this time.

Director of Public Works Report

Rob contacted G. Handley about items left on property across the tracks. He has had no contact from the railroad in regards to the old loading dock.

Rob met with the library board and Burdick Plumbing. He has two quotes, one for the library and one for the Village to help alleviate the flooding at the library. The library board voted to go ahead with the plan pending the Village decision. This is part of the scope for the drainage plan.

Police Chief Report

Ordinance enforcement is being done in quadrants. Currently working on NW section of town. The profit for Cisco to Cerro Gordo is $656.04 for this month.

There was one arson case and Pat is working with Piatt Co on that. There was one DUI during the fair and officers have been writing citations for speeding and stop sign violations. Written warnings are also being issued.

Old Business

The annual report is due and EDR will help with the forms. These are state issued forms and the Village has not received them as of today.

The owner of 115 S. Adams has sent power of attorney to her mother in regards to that property. The owner agrees it needs to be torn down.

Out of town service for water-still interested. There are right-of-way easements to be considered. Rural Water Service runs on state right of ways, which could be a possibility. Engineering fees for this project could be $5000 which the home owners would be responsible for paying.

CDAP grant looks optimistic but probably won't receive any word until October at the earliest.

Drainage-Trustee Williams would like to move forward with this project. There is a preference to do the out of town drainage first but library has a high need. The library is willing to do their end of the project also. Trustee Ridgeway made a motion for the Village to proceed with the work, second by Williams. Roll call vote: Trustee Williams, aye, Ridgeway, aye, Tirpak, nay, and Price, aye, motion carried.

Tom Overmyer presented the preliminary engineering services for the southeast drainage project in the amount of $11,397. This is from the box culvert to out of town. There are three choices for the village, big open ditch, small ditch with retainer pond, or piping. Motion to approve project subject to attorney changes and subject to talks with property owners made by Trustee Williams, Ridgeway second, all yeas.

New Business

Library Farmers Market. This will be held once a week outside the Library. Board has no objections.

Animal Control vehicle. Officers do not use their vehicles any more. Would like to purchase a used truck for the purpose of transporting animals to the impound facilities. Jim doesn't just transport dogs and cats but raccoons, opossum, skunks to name a few. Trustee Price will look at vehicles for Pat. May need to expand the ordinance to include all critters. Will have to look at budget and will table for the next meeting and to further study the idea.

Appropriations Ord. #537

Finance committee went over the ordinance and made some adjustments. This is filed with the county. Motion to approve made by Trustee Williams, second Ridgeway. Roll call: Trustees Williams, Ridgeway, Tirpak, and Price, all yeas.

Parking Ord. #538

The purpose of this ordinance is to regulate parking on Monroe. There will be no parking anytime on Monroe Street between the intersection of Monroe Street and Wait Street and the intersection of Monroe Street and Carter Street with the exception of the handicapped parking space located on the West side of Monroe between South Street and Wait Street.

Also, except on Sundays or holidays it shall be unlawful to park any vehicle for a longer consecutive period of time than 15 minutes between the hours of 8:00a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on the south side of South Street between the intersection of South Street and Monroe Street and the intersection of South Street and Jackson Street.

A motion was entered by Trustee Ridgeway, second price to approve the parking ordinance. Roll call: Trustees Williams, Ridgeway, Tirpak, Price, all yeas.

The owner of the property at 309 S Washington wants to tear the house down but wants the Village to pay half of the cost. The consensus of the Board is no. The health department was called to the house. Habitat for Humanity is also looking at the house for future uses. The owner needs to tear off the remaining porch roof and board up the property.

The computers in the Village office are starting to have issues. The cost of replacing each one is $371. Motion by Trustee Williams, second Tirpak, to replace both computers, all yeas.

The Booster Club sent information to the Village to help with expenses in the form of an ad for the sports program. As the bulk of this cost goes to the company and not the Booster Club, the board declined to participate.

Trustee Report

Trustee Ridgeway - work with Pat on ordinance enforcement and he has also been working on drainage.

Trustee Tirpak wants something done on South Washington Street right away.

Mayor's Report

Casey's will open on July 25th. The ribbon cutting ceremony will be at 10:00. Mike Songer has sent the Mayor his letter of resignation as Trustee due to job conflicts and poor health of his parents.

A special meeting will be held on Jul 27, 2009 to nominate Jim Morgan as a Trustee to replace Mike Songer. The meeting will be at 7:00 pm. Motion to adjourn by Trustee Williams, second Tirpak, all yeas. Meeting adjourned at 8:52 pm.
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Village Clerk 7/20/09