June 25, 2014

Board Meeting Minutes

Minutes June 25, 2014

The regular meeting of the Village of Divernon Board of Trustees was held on Wednesday, June 11, 2014, 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 Baer to approve the corrected minutes of June 11, 2014. Copelin seconded and the motion passed 5-0. Hedges voting present.

A motion was made by Brenning to approve the executive session minutes of June 11, 2014. Cronister seconded and the motion passed 5-0. Hedges voting present.

Brenning presented the Village bills with a motion that they be approved. After Baer seconded the motion, it was approved 6-0.

Lee Ann Flatt of the Forsyth Insurance Agency was in attendance to provide the Board with a number of options regarding employee health insurance. These included remaining on a group plan or allowing employees to purchase insurance through the ACA marketplace. With the implementation of the Affordable Care Act many things have changed regarding health insurance. Flatt is unable at this time to give the Village firm numbers on costs and will do so when it gets closer to December 1 when the Village’s current plan expires. She will put together spreadsheets outlining the costs to the Village for a number of plans.

Superintendent Report:

Superintendent Rhodes would like to do away with the scrap metal bin at the Village Garage. It is a place residents have been able to take scrap metal. The problem has arisen that people looking for scrap metals have been attracted to the bin and some of them have helped themselves to other items around the garage. Rhodes felt that it was best just to do away with the bin. Rhodes also reported that the last two months, that over 13,000 gallons of water had been used each month at the community garden. There is supposed to be a lock on the hydrant. The Board wondered if someone is helping themselves to water. If this continues, the hydrant may need to be removed.

Police Report:

Chief Harris reported on a theft of wire at the recently closed gas station. An Ameren worker stopped by the Village Hall and said he had shut off power to the building and within a week, someone had cut the wire and stolen a large amount. Harris has tried to contact the owners without any success. The new squad car has been ordered and is expected to be here in 12 to 14 weeks. The Village has received the permit from the Department of Natural Resources for the removal of nuisance wild animals from the Village.

Committee Reports:

Streets, Alleys, and Utilities:

A motion was made by Cronister and seconded by Layton to approve ordinance number 2014-007. The ordinance was requested by the Gas Utilities Alliance, which supplies insurance for the natural gas system. The ordinance outlines the responsibilities of the Village and also of that of

the property owner regarding gas supply and delivery. Cronister also gave an update on the Safe Routes to Schools program. The bid opening for the annual oil and chipping of the Village streets is set for July 1, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at the Village Hall.

Finance:

Treasurer Christine Nichols supplied the Board with a reciprocal information agreement with the Illinois Department of Revenue. She has requested information from IDOR, and without the agreement she is limited on the amount of information they will give her. It will be put on the agenda for the next meeting. IDOR notified the Village that because of a class action lawsuit, some telecommunications taxes collected by the State of Illinois would have to be refunded to taxpayers. In turn, the money distributed to cities and villages would also be affected. The Village will not have to return anything to the state, but their monthly distribution will be lowered for the next year. Baer questioned the policy regarding employee reimbursement for uniforms and clothing. He feels that employees should submit receipts instead of just collecting the annual amount of $250.00. The issue was tabled at this time.

Personnel:

Nothing to report.

Health and Safety:

The Sangamon County Regional Planning Commission would like the Village to appoint a representative to the Hazard Mitigation Planning committee. The first meeting of the committee will be Tuesday August 5, 2014 at 5:00 p.m. in the County Board chambers. Copelin volunteered to attend the first meeting, but was unable to commit to attend those in the future.

Community Development:

Village Attorney Dwight O’Keefe continues to work on the destruction of the abandoned houses on State Street. The house at 333 S. State was recently sold for taxes and O’Keefe said that the tax sale would take precedence over the Village’s ability to have the house destroyed. It will likely set back the plans of the Village. Layton is working on an informational package for the Village that will be available to any business or resident looking to move to Divernon. The quarterly newsletter is going to press and will be mailed out soon. There was a discussion regarding inspections of residences and who is responsible. Someone leasing a property in town has complained that his home has no smoke detectors and there is mold growing in his house and would like the Village to take action against his landlord. The Village feels that this is a civil matter and has no authority to inspect the property. Mayor Rhodes will follow up with the attorney on the matter.

Building Grounds and Lights:

Hedges had two bids for the replacement of the Mayor’s computer. A new CPU which includes software would be $950.00 while a refurbished one would be $250.00. A motion was made by Hedges and seconded by Copelin to purchase the refurbished computer from Illini Tech for $250.00 and a new monitor not to exceed $160.00. The motion was approved 6-0.

Minutes June 25, 2014

Old Business:

L. Rhodes is looking into a security camera system for the Village garage. Mayor Rhodes received a bid from P.T. Cody to mow the grass at the A I gas station for $400.00 if the grass is over ten inches and $250.00 if under ten inches. The bill will then be sent on to the owners of the property and a lien put against the property if need be.

New Business:

A motion was made by Hedges to approve liquor licenses for Patsy’s on the Square, Myra’s Homestyle Restaurant, The Auburn Travel Center and The Corner Bar. After Baer seconded the motion, it was approved 6-0.

A motion was made by Layton and seconded by Cronister to approve gaming licenses for Myra’s Homestyle Restaurant, The Auburn Travel Center, and The Corner Bar. The motion passed 6-0.

A freedom of information request was received by the Village requesting a great deal of financial information from a watchdog group. R. Rhodes recommended sending the request to the Village Attorney for advice before sending the information.

Motion by Layton to adjourn at 8:17 p.m.

Randy Rhodes Rodney Molnar

Village President. Village Clerk