Cerro Gordo, Illinois

DECEMBER 18, 2006

The monthly meeting of the President and the Board of Trustees for the Village of Cerro Gordo met at 7:00 P.M. on Monday December 18, 2006 at 231 E. South Street. Those present were: President Jim Morgan, Trustees Brad Williams, Lyle Shoraga, Don Ritchie, and Mike Songer. Also present were Atty. Colette McCarty, D.P.W Rob Bratton, P.C. Pat Carter, and Clerk Linda Ash. Those not attending were Trustees Rod Forbes, Jerry Morris, and Treasurer Cris Perry.

The meeting was called to order. No one was on the Public Forum list and so minutes were read and approved as read.

The Claims report was presented. The only question asked was a claim to Custom Trophy. That was for the plague honoring Dr. Shackelford. Claims were approved on a motion by Trustee Ritchie, second Songer, all yeas.

Cris was not here tonight. The Treasurer’s report was approved on a motion by Trustee Shoraga, second Songer, all yeas. There were no request for water adjustments.

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS

Rob reports that the street department survived the ice storm. Clean-up continues as some boulevards are too soft for the end loader. Several loads of limbs have been picked up. They were taken out to the sewer plant and burned. He probably has 75 % of the town picked up. This will be an ongoing project as residents get out into their yards.

Rob had to work on the aerator and the lift station and also had to use the generator on well # 8 Saturday.

CHIEF OF POLICE REPORT

The Gordy Park incident has gone to court. The defendant has agreed to community service to the Youth League, $3800 in damages, and he has six months to complete.

Cases will be compiled for an end of year report. This is an annual list.

Grants for cameras are dead as there are none available. The open house for the police department is still on hold. Would like to paint the Municipal offices before holding the event.

The overall crime rate in Cerro Gordo is down. Drugs are always present, but cases are down from last year.

OLD BUSINESS

ALLEY- working on last half of block

VULGAMOTT BLDG-The question is how hard the Board wants to push. Set a target date-one way or another. The Board set June 1 as a target date.

DRAINAGE-Waiting on final approval from IDOT.

Edwards-Need to pick up plat from County Clerk. Also fee from bankruptcy court will be $350-$375. Money well spent.

TIF-No progress. Mr. Schuering’s son has been in the hospital, quite ill, and the work got behind.

ESDA SIREN-The siren has been tested and works fine.

MEDIACOM RENTAL AGREEMENT-The attorney that was working on this agreement is no longer with the company. Colette will try to get internet service for at least one entity-the ambulance service.

The Mayor sent a letter about the Sinclair and Mediacom conflict to representatives in Washington and also asked for help with our public access channel. The Board questions how badly Mediacom wants to keep our service.

NEW BUSINESS

Bond Abatement Ordinance #508 for the General Obligation Bond. Clerk Linda Ash read the Ordinance aloud for the Board. Motion to approve Ordinance was made by Trustee Ritchie, second Songer. Roll call: Trustees Williams, yea, Shoraga, yea. Forbes, absent, Morris, absent, Ritchie, yea, and Songer, yea.

Tax Levy- Ordinance #509. Last year the Board levied $80,750 and this year they will levy $84,000.This ordinance has to be on file by the last Tuesday of December, the 26th. The Finance Committee suggested an increase of less than 5% over the entire levy. This is for special levies, such as IMRF. Motion to approve Ordinance 509 made by Trustee Shoraga, second Williams, Roll call: Trustees Williams, yea, Shoraga, yea, Forbes, absent, Morris, absent, Ritchie, yea, and Songer, yea.

Christmas Bonuses. Last year the employee’s bonuses were $100 and $50. Motion to make bonuses the same as last year was made by Trustee Williams, second Ritchie, all yeas.

TRUSTEE REPORTS

Ritchie-Someone asked if the Police Only parking signs could be removed from the East side of the Municipal Building. There is no need for them to be there anymore.

Songer-Just wants to re-emphasize the good job done on the storm clean-up. He received many compliments from residents.

ATTORNEYS REPORT

Will need a copy of the plat of Frantz addition. Won’t really be able to tell about the width of Washington Street until we receive those copies.

It was noted by the Mayor that the Village received a safety award from IML for no lost time in 2005.

There was no more business brought before the Board and the meeting adjourned at 7:45 on a motion by Trustee Shoraga, second Ritchie.
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Village Clerk 12/18/06