October 12, 2016

Board Meeting Minutes

Minutes October 12, 2016 Page 3540

The regular meeting of the Village of Divernon Board of Trustees was held on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 at the Divernon Village Hall. Mayor Pro Tem Derek Hedges called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. After the Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance, Clerk Rod Molnar called roll: Derek Hedges “Here”, Wayne Jones “Here”, Melissa Layton , Jim Copelin “Here”, Larry Baer “Here”, Dianne Brenning “Here”. Also in attendance were Superintendent Jeremy Rhodes and Police Chief Barclay Harris. Randy Rhodes was absent. Treasurer Chris Nichols attended by conference call.

A motion was made by Jones and seconded by Layton to approve the minutes of September 28, 2016. The motion passed 5-0.

Brenning presented the Village bills with a motion that they be approved after adding invoices for American Public Gas Association for $616.80, IMCO for $11,500.08, and Ryan Woker for $197.09. Baer seconded and the motion carried 5-0. Jones made the motion to pay the bill from Thurber Excavating for $28,528.00 upon completion of the sidewalk work. Copelin seconded and the motion carried 5-0. An additional bill from Thurber for $884.00 for work done in the TIF district will be held until the work is completed.

Ben Spreen of Benton and Associates was in attendance to give the results of the rate study being done on the water and sewer system. He reported budgeted losses of $20,153.00 in the water fund and $34,177.00 in the sewer fund for the past fiscal year. He recommended that the Village increase water rates by $2.10 per 1000 gallons and sewer rates by $1.50 per 1000 gallons. In addition minimum charges should increase also. He advised that bulk water should be increased by $2.10 per 1000 gallons. He recommended that the Village review rates annually and increase rates each year instead of making a large increase after several years of no changes.

Supervisors Reports:

Public Works:

Superintendent Rhodes reported that the water main replacement project has been completed. Water samples have been sent in and upon approval of the EPA the lines can be put into service. USDI will be doing the annual leak survey on the gas system on Friday, October 14, 2016. Rhodes said the area at the sewer treatment plant where the Village takes yard waste is being overrun. He suspects that people from out of town as well as contractors have been dumping at the site. In addition, items other than yard waste have been dumped at the site. The Board determined that effective immediately that the gates would be locked and only Village employees would be allowed to take yard waste to the site. Public Works will continue to pick up yard waste every Monday until later this year and will begin again in April of 2017. Rhodes recommended that the decision on what to do about the backhoe be put on hold. He said he could get by for the time being.

Police:

Chief Harris will work with Molnar to have a draft of the Cannabis ordinance prepared to be addressed at the next meeting. Harris will be contacting two residents that owe fines for dog bites that have not been paid. The Board approved Harris’ request that he be allowed to use comp time to pay for an insurance bill for adding his family to his plan. Treasurer Nichols will be asked to write up an agreement between the Village and Harris.

Minutes October 12, 2016 Page 3541

Committee Reports:

Economic Development, Zoning, TIF, Building Permits:

Nothing to report.

Public Utilities, Water, Sewer and Gas:

A motion was made by Baer and seconded by Layton to increase water rates by $2.10 per 1000 gallons, sewer rates by $1.50 per 1000 gallons and bulk water by $2.10 per 1000 gallons beginning December 1, 2016. Minimums for each water and sewer will increase by $4.00. The increase would include each of the three increases the Village will receive from the Otter Lake Water Commission. In addition an annual increase of 3% will be added on December 1st of each year after the annual audit is reviewed. The motion carried 5-0.

Finance, Personnel, Technology, GIS:

Nothing to report.

Public Safety, Police, Health and Safety:

Nothing to report.

Public Works, Streets, Alleys and Sidewalks:

Nothing to report.

Building Grounds and Lights, Parks, Recreation:

Layton reported that Christmas on the Square will be held this year on December 10th. The committee has had several meetings and plans are coming along. One addition this year will be a reindeer and calf.

Old Business:

None.

New Business:

A motion was made by Jones and seconded by Layton to set trick or treat hours from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on October 30 and 31, 2016. The motion passed 4-1. Brenning voting no.

Motion by Jones to adjourn at 7:57 p.m.

Derek Hedges Rodney Molnar

Mayor Pro Tem Village Clerk