November 26, 2014

Board Meeting Minutes

Minutes November 26, 2014

The regular meeting of the Village of Divernon Board of Trustees was held on Wednesday, November 26, 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”, Pam Cronister “Here”, Melissa Layton “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 Layton to approve the minutes of November 12, 2014. Layton seconded and the motion passed 5-0. Cronister voting present.

Brenning presented the Village bills with a motion that they be approved after adding a bill to the Sangamon County Recorder for $29.00. Baer seconded the motion and it was approved 6-0.

Supervisors Reports:

Public Works:

Larry Rhodes reported that there had been two water main breaks so far this year. The new salt spreader has been installed and is ready for inclement weather. An underground natural gas leak was discovered and repaired on the gas line extension north of Glenarm.

Police Report:

Chief Harris reported that charges have been filed with the States Attorney’s office in regards to the damage to the sidewalks on Kenney Street. Walmart has donated a camera to the police department. Harris requested that the Board not renew the contract on the Chief’s cell phone, and instead agree to pay 1/2 of his personal cell phone. He said that most business is done on his personal phone and the Chief’s phone is seldom used. It would save both he and the Village money. The Board agreed to his request. Reimbursement will be done monthly. Harris and Baer will begin reviewing applications for the vacant position within the department.

Committee Reports:

Streets, Alleys, and Utilities:

Cronister and L. Rhodes updated the Board on their discussions with Langheim Construction in regards to the four sidewalk projects. The contractor was able to show that the contract has been completed or repairs made on projects 1, 2 and 4, but questions remain on project 3. A motion was made by Cronister and seconded by Layton to approve payment of $14.000.00 for projects 1, 2 and 4. The motion was approved 6-0. Cronister and Mayor Rhodes will determine what work remains to be done on project 3 before submitting it for payment.

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Finance:

Brenning requested in the future that employees should request clothing allowances by way of receipts instead of automatically receiving these as part of their pay. If done as expenses, the allowance would not be subject to payroll taxes.

Minutes November 26, 2014

Personnel:

Baer and Brenning have been working with Marc Petrelli of R.W. Troxell on the renewal of the employee health insurance plans. A motion was made by Baer and seconded by Brenning to remain with the current health plan and to have employee’s begin paying 5% of their premiums. The motion was passed 6-0.

Health and Safety:

Nothing to report.

Community Development:

Layton reported that most of the Village’s Christmas decorations have been installed. Plans for “Christmas on the Square” are continuing and advertising for the event will begin soon. The next meeting of the Christmas Committee will be on December 8, 2014. The Senior Citizens Center is looking for ways to improve attendance. The Township may be willing to share in the cost of the Village Newsletter if the Village would like to send it out more often than quarterly. This may be a way to release information to Village residents as the Divernon News will no longer be published after the first of the year. R. Rhodes reported that he would have answers from the Village attorney at the next meeting regarding several issues. There is nothing new to report on from the Springfield Chamber of Commerce regarding the small business looking to build in the County.

Building Grounds and Lights:

The update to the zoning ordinance that Hedges prepared has been given to Zoning Administrator Jeremy Rhodes for his input. Changes to the building codes have been given to the attorney for his opinion. Hedges has drafted a letter to Summit Inc. informing them of the required 30 day notice to cancel the contract with them for their accounting and billing software.

Old Business:

None.

New Business:

R. Rhodes read a letter from Comcast that cable rates would be increasing. The second Village Board meeting in December will be cancelled, as it falls on the 24th.

Motion by Layton to adjourn at 7:17 p.m.

Randy Rhodes Rodney Molnar

Village President Village Clerk