February 11, 2015

Board Meeting Minutes

Minutes February 11, 2015

The regular meeting of the Village of Divernon Board of Trustees was held on Monday, February 11, 2015 at the Divernon Village Hall. Village President Randy Rhodes called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. After the Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance, Clerk Rod Molnar called roll: Randy Rhodes “Here”, Melissa Layton “Here”, Pam Cronister “Here”, Jim Copelin “Here”, Larry Baer “Here”, Derek Hedges “Here”, Dianne Brenning “Here”. Also in attendance were Police Chief Barclay Harris and Superintendent Larry Rhodes.

A motion was made by Cronister to approve the corrected minutes of January 28, 2015. Copelin seconded and the motion passed 6-0.

Brenning presented the Village bills with a motion that they be approved after adding a bill to Designer Landscapes for $2064.80. After Baer seconded the motion, it was approved 6-0.

Jan Belford, Township Tax Collector was present to ask permission to use the Village Hall to collect property taxes on Tuesdays and Thursdays between May 12 and June 5, 2015. Permission was granted.

Supervisors Reports:

Public Works:

Larry Rhodes updated the Board on how the new electronic meter reading system that was recently installed by the Otter Lake Water Commission is working. He also informed the Board of a major water break that was repaired. One of the two main lines coming into the Village had to be repaired. He asked the Board for permission to purchase a hydraulic jack to be used for future water main breaks. A motion was made by Cronister and seconded by Brenning to approve the purchase as a cost of $9064.42. The motion was approved 6-0.

Police Report:

Chief Harris reported on a resident that had put chickens and a pig in his back yard. The chickens were collected and taken to a farm. The resident was refusing to remove the pig. If the pig is not removed, a fine will be forthcoming. The Chief received permission to attend the annual ILEAS conference scheduled April 26-28, 2015 in Springfield at a cost of $200.00. The Board asked if body cameras were going to be required by the state in the future and at what cost. Harris said at a recent chief’s meeting they were told not to do anything at this point. There are many questions that will need to be taken up by the General Assembly before they could be put into place.

Committee Reports:

Streets, Alleys, and Utilities:

Cronister reported that she had received a final bill from Langheim Construction for the sidewalk work done at 1st and Brown Streets. The bill was reduced from the original received. Cronister made a motion to pay the total bill of $10,740.00 and to pay it from TIF funds. After Layton seconded the motion, it passed 6-0. She also reported that the tree that was removed on Dodds Street could not be paid for with funds received from the Safe Routes for Schools grant. Mayor Rhodes reported that Jake Rettberg and Dennis Ross from the Otter Lake Water Commission would be attending the board meeting on March 11, 2015 to answer any questions concerning the water plant.

Minutes February 11, 2015

Finance:

Brenning distributed a draft of the annual Appropriation Ordinance that she and Baer have been working on. There were a number of major items added this year for public works. R. Rhodes asked that an item be added for land acquisition be put into the appropriation this year in case the legislature made grant money available for storm sewer work this year. Brenning asked everyone to look it over, make comments or suggestions, and have it voted on at the next meeting.

Personnel:

Nothing to report.

Health and Safety:

Copelin will get in touch with Flowers Disposal to see if they are going to send out letters concerning the house to house recycling program. The Board received a letter, but so far none have been sent to residents.

Community Development:

Layton reported on discussions with Josh Collins of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. A business is possibly interested in locating in Divernon, and is interested in the Northeast and Southwest corners of Brown Street and Reichert Road. The owners of the gas station on the Northeast corner are not interested in selling. Sangamon County Board Representative Andy Goleman is working on getting information about the Southwest corner. The quarterly newsletter is nearly complete and will be mailed out soon.

Building Grounds and Lights:

Hedges reported that the HP printer that is used to print water and gas bills needs some work. The printer is eight years old, but the technician thinks it has another four or five years left in it with some work. Hedges made the motion to have the printer repaired at a cost of up to $450.00. After the motion was seconded by Cronister, it passed 6-0.

Old Business:

None.

New Business:

A motion was made by Copelin to go into executive session at 7:35 p.m. to discuss personnel issues.

The Board returned to regular session at 7:43 p.m.

Minutes February 11, 2015

A motion was made by Cronister and seconded by Brenning to give Jeremy Rhodes a $1.00 per hour increase for receiving his Class 4 Wastewater Treatment Works Operator certificate.

The increase will begin with the next pay period.

Motion by Layton to adjourn at 7:45 p.m.

Randy Rhodes Rodney Molnar

Village President Village Clerk