May 14, 2014

Board Meeting Minutes

May 14, 2014

Minutes May 14, 2014

The regular meeting of the Village of Divernon Board of Trustees was held on Wednesday, May 14, 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 Cronister to approve the minutes of April 23, 2014. Layton seconded and the motion passed 6-0.

A motion was made by Copelin to approve the corrected executive session minutes of April 23, 2014. Hedges seconded and the motion passed 6-0.

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

Tim Bliss of Bliss Leak Detection Services was present to offer his services for leak detection of water lines. He was formerly employed by the Otter Lake Water Commission. He has been contracted by the Village of New Berlin to survey their system with success. He explained his rate structure and left the Board information to read.

Superintendent Report:

Superintendent Rhodes gave the Board an update on storm tiles that have been caving in due to the harsh winter. He and his crew have been cleaning the aerators at the sewage treatment plant. Jeremy Rhodes has been patching streets in order to prepare for oil and chipping this summer.

Police Report:

Chief Harris reported that the new dog kennels have been completed. The two new part time officers have been in training and have been doing well. There were no problems at the annual cleanup day. Harris asked for and received permission to attend the annual Illinois Police Chief Conference in Tinley Park. The cost to the Village will be $758.00.

Committee Reports:

Streets, Alleys, and Utilities:

Cronister reported that she was notified by the Illinois Department of Transportation that bids were opened for the Safe Routes to Schools program. The bid has yet to be awarded. She will contact Mike McEvers of Benton and Associates to see what the next move is for the Village. The Village is paying $150.00 per month to have the recycle bin emptied. Nothing new has been heard from Flowers about beginning door to door pick-up. Brenning asked that the Village look into having their internet and phone service bundled to see if there can be any savings. Sue Arter will check on this.

Finance:

Nothing to report.

Minutes May 14, 2014

Personnel:

Baer reported on his discussion with Mark Petrelli of R.W. Troxell and Associates concerning employee health insurance. Petrelli said there would be no changes at this time, but to expect a 25 to 30 percent increase when the renewal comes due in December.

Health and Safety:

Mayor Rhodes presented an amendment to the existing animal control ordinance to address livestock in residential areas. A motion was made to approve ordinance 2014-004 by Cronister and seconded by Copelin. The motion was approved 6-0. A request was made to have a sign placed on Blackington Lane warning of children playing. Chief Harris will look into the request. R. Rhodes said that there are some old signs around town that need to be removed. Copelin felt that more serious enforcement of traffic laws are a better alternative than constructing more signs.

Community Development:

Layton reported on clean-up day. She suggested that next year that it end at noon instead of 2:00 p.m. The last two hours there was little brought to the clean-up site. She also had compliments on extending the hours of the Village Wide Garage Sale. The decorative potted plants have been put around the square. L. Rhodes will put a closed sign in front of the gas station on Brown Street. Many cars have been seen coming off of the interstate and trying to pump gas.

Building Grounds and Lights:

Hedges said that the Village has received manuals and questionnaires from Data Technology System regarding their Summit accounting and billing software. Arter and Treasurer Christine Nichols take care of this. A motion was made by Hedges to accept the bid of Watts Copy Systems for the printer and copier. After Brenning seconded the motion, it passed 6-0.

Old Business:

R. Rhodes presented an amendment to the existing Liquor Control Ordinance. The change would allow Class III license holders to sell package liquor at any time the business is open. The change would also allow taverns to open at noon on Sundays instead of 1:00 p.m. A motion was made by Copelin and seconded by Baer to approve Ordinance 2014-005. The motion was approved 6-0.

New Business:

None.

A motion was made by Cronister to go into executive session to discuss personnel issues at 7:20 p.m.

The Board returned to regular session at 8:47 p.m.

Minutes May 14, 2014

A motion was made by Copelin and seconded by Layton to approve the following raises for full time employees. The raises will be retroactive to May 1, 2014.

Larry Rhodes, an increase of $3.37 per hour.

David Adcock, an increase of 3 percent.

Jeremy Rhodes, an increase of $2.66 per hour.

Ron Killam, an increase of 0.99 per hour.

Sue Arter, an increase of $1.00 per hour.

Barkley Harris, an increase of $1.65 per hour.

William Price, an increase of $1.98 per hour.

Neil Brown, an increase of 0.98 per hour.

Also Treasurer Christine Nichols will receive an increase of $5.00 per hour.

The motion was approved 6-0.

An ad will be posted at the Village Hall and on the Village website for the position of part time summer help.

Motion by Layton to adjourn at 8:50 p.m.

Randy Rhodes Rodney Molnar

Village President. Village Clerk