February 25, 2015

Board Meeting Minutes

Minutes February 25, 2015

The regular meeting of the Village of Divernon Board of Trustees was held on Wednesday, February 25, 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, Trustee Pam Cronister called roll: Randy Rhodes “Here”, Melissa Layton “Here”, Pam Cronister “Here”, Jim Copelin “Here”, Derek Hedges “Here”. Also in attendance were Police Chief Barclay Harris and Jeremy Rhodes. Larry Rhodes, Dianne Brenning, Larry Baer, and Rod Molnar were absent.

A motion was made by Hedges to approve the corrected minutes of February 11, 2015. Layton seconded and the motion passed 4-0.

Hedges presented the Village bills with a motion that they be approved. After Copelin seconded the motion, it was approved 4-0.

Supervisors Reports:

Public Works:

Jeremy Rhodes presented a bid in the amount of $14,890.00 for a Kubota tractor with a 60” deck. Rhodes reported that the utility bills would be estimated this month due to the weather & that will be noted on the statements. Earlier, Mayor Rhodes presented a letter from Superintendent Larry Rhodes giving notice of his retirement from the Village to be effective July 31, 2015. J. Rhodes requested that the Board consider hiring at least one new employee for the Public Works Department at this time. The Board discussed the possibility that other village employees may also be retiring in the near future and that the Village would need to find qualified replacements. Layton commended the Public Works’ employees on their work with the snow plowing this year.

Police Report:

Chief Harris reported that only one squad car is equipped with police radios at this time. He stated that these radios are needed as backup for the hand-held radios. He advised that the cost would be $1,900 each for the two additional car radios which would include parts, labor and on-site installation. The Board asked that the request be tabled until the next meeting when the full Board would be present. Harris advised that Sangamon County may be upgrading their radios and if so, he would need to make sure that the village radios are compatible. The Board approved Harris’ request that the office manager attend the training on March 25, 2015.

Committee Reports:

Streets, Alleys, and Utilities:

R. Rhodes presented the Nuisance Notice Ordinance for the Board’s review. Copelin asked if the notices should cite the specific code violation and Harris stated that copies of the applicable code are attached when the notices are mailed out. Harris advised that he will be meeting with the village attorney regarding the damage to the village sidewalks.

Finance:

Layton made a motion to approve the bid for the Kubota tractor at $14,890.00. The motion was seconded by Copelin and approved by a 4-0 vote. R. Rhodes discussed the note from the village treasurer advising that the sewer account is running at a deficit and should be reviewed.

Minutes February 25, 2015

Personnel:

Nothing to report.

Health and Safety:

Copelin will submit the check to the Sangamon County Department of Public Health so that they can move forward. Flowers Sanitation is planning to provide curb-side recycling to village residents. They are currently waiting for the bins before they can implement the program. At this time, they have not made plans to send letters announcing this service.

Community Development:

Layton advised that the Village Newsletter is not yet complete but should be mailed out soon. It will include information regarding the upcoming curb-side recycling by Flowers Sanitation. Layton advised that there is no new information regarding the businesses considering moving into the village. R. Rhodes provided information on the projected costs to upgrade the utility services in the village that would be needed to increase capacity to allow for expansion in the village. He is working with real estate agents and other professionals on possible development in the village and surrounding area.

Building Grounds and Lights:

Hedges made a motion to approved Building Code Ordinance No. 2015-001. Layton seconded and the motion was approved by a 4-0 vote. R. Rhodes advised that once the property is issued a violation notice it will then have the 90 days to be in compliance. J. Rhodes recommended that the current schedule for building permits be left as is. The updated zoning ordinance will be sent to the attorney after the next board meeting.

Old Business:

None.

New Business:

None.

A motion was made by Copelin to go into executive session at 7:00 p.m. to discuss personnel issues.

The Board returned to regular session at 7:20 p.m.

After returning from Executive Session, a motion was made by Hedges to approve the Executive Session minutes from February 11, 2015 with one addition. After Layton seconded the motion it passed 4-0.

Motion by Layton to adjourn at 7:21 p.m.

Randy Rhodes Rodney Molnar

Village President Village Clerk

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