Board Meeting Minutes
August 22, 2007
Board Meeting Minutes
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The regular meeting of the Village of Divernon Board of Trustees was held on Wednesday August 22, 2007 at the Divernon Village Hall. Mayor Wade Carter called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. After all in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance, the acting Clerk called roll: Mayor Wade Carter “Here”, Randy Rhodes “Here”, Tom Burke “Here”, John Caudle “Here”, Betty Carter “Here”, Joe Bukantos “Here” and Gretchen Henson “Here”. Also present were Police Chief Jamie Lomelino and Superintendent Larry Rhodes. Absent was Clerk Tracey Oldridge.
The minutes of the Board meeting on August 8, 2007 were presented for review. After corrections were made R. Rhodes made a motion to approve which was seconded by T. Burke. Motion passed 6-0.
The bills were presented for approval. After a brief discussion a motion was made by R. Rhodes to approve the bills to be paid which was seconded by T. Burke. Motion passed 6-0.
Mayor Carter recognized visitor Joe Fuchs. Mr. Fuchs stated he did not understand why he needed to go to the State’s Attorney office to fill out paperwork on a burglary that happened at his home. Chief Lomelino explained that he did not need to fill out paperwork but he needed to sign a complaint to move the case forward with the State’s Attorney. Lomelino explained that the case was in the hands of the State’s Attorney and it was up to them how to proceed. Fuchs said he had never heard of it being done this way and didn’t understand why he should have to do it.
Supervisor’s Reports
Public Works (L. Rhodes):
Mayor Carter suggested the Village needed to review the current charges for bulk water. B. Carter stated that when the water price was increased the last time it had not increased for the bulk water and it should be looked into.
Superintendent Rhodes reported he had put together an ad for the vehicles being put out for bid. He was requesting bids by 4:00pm Sept 12. The vehicles will be sold “as is” and each vehicle will be bid separately. The ad should be in the Divernon News next week.
Rhodes reported that the Interstate Municipal Gas Agency was taking on new members and the Board would need to pass an ordinance to accept these new members into the organization. J. Bukantos made a motion to accept the new members into the Interstate Municipal Gas Agency and J. Caudle seconded it. The motion passed 6-0.
Rhodes also reported that he had received a fax from the Utility Gas Management saying they were having a meeting on September 26, 2007 beginning at 9:00 am in Effingham. Rhodes asked if any Board members were interested in attending and J. Bukantos stated that he was.
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Police (J. Lomelino):
Chief Lomelino reported he has been in touch with a representative at Benton and Associates regarding the school zones. He stated that everything seemed to be going good with the school and that they now had better security, the doors were locked and you needed to get buzzed in to enter. He reported that he had put the police phone number on the list to be notified of an early dismissal.
Lomelino said that he had contacted PIPS regarding the one year contract and that they would not do a contract for less than a year. B. Carter recommended the Village be signed up for another year and the Board agreed.
Treasurer (L. Hundley):
Nothing to report.
Committee Reports
Buildings, Grounds, Lights and Technology (R. Rhodes)
R. Rhodes reported he did not have prices ready to present tonight for the lighting possibilities on Corn Silk but would have them by the next meeting. He stated he had met with several of the neighbors on Corn Silk and got mixed feelings on the type of lighting and the placement. He reported that lighting placed in the middle of the block would be a problem for some. He also reported that he was going to check into decorative lighting. B. Carter felt decorative lighting was not an option. T. Burke commented that the type of lighting and position should be decided by the Board according to the needs and the type that the town had in other areas not by the neighborhood opinions. Rhodes reminded the Board that there would probably need to be a resolution passed to do the lighting project.
Finance (B. Carter)
B. Carter reported that there was $21,760.29 in a CD for waterline replacement which is due August 26. Lucille Hundley had checked on rates and Carter reported these to the Board. It was decided that Illinois Funds Prime Fund was paying the best rate plus after 30 days you could withdraw with 7 days notice. B. Carter recommended getting a cashier’s check for the full amount and investing it in Illinois Funds. J. Caudle made a motion to this affect and T. Burke seconded it. The motion passed 6-0.
Personnel & Human Resources (G. Henson)
G. Henson reported that she had completed updating the Office Manager’s job description and if no one had any additional changes she would bring a final draft to the next Board meeting.
Health & Safety (T. Burke)
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Mayor Carter reported that Attorney Roger Rutherford is checking into the contract with the county regarding the old store property on the square. It was decided a letter should be sent about the tall weeds and standing water as these are ordinance violations. Burke will do this.
Burke thanked Mayor Carter for attending the last recycling meeting in his absence. The next meeting is September 20. Carter reported they still didn’t know if there would be money for grants.
Public Works (J. Bukantos)
J. Bukantos reported that there were 500 feet of sidewalk applications. He also reported that the Presbyterian Church would like to put handicap access in front of the church and they were willing to pay to have this done with the Village’s permission. B. Carter felt this would set precedent. Bukantos felt as long as they were paying for it that it should not be a problem. After polling the Board Bukantos made a motion to allow the Presbyterian Church to put in handicap access ramp in front of the church door at their cost. Rhodes seconded the motion and it was approved 5-1 with B. Carter voting “no”.
Community and Economic Development (J. Caudle)
Caudle had nothing to report on the square beautification project. He did report that he talked to Larry Rhodes about the Christmas decorations and what might need to be replaced. Rhodes suggested replacing the figures in the Manger on the square. It was suggested Caudle get prices for all pieces and come back to the Board.
Old Business
Mayor Carter reported the County has advertised for demolition bids for the Brummett property on State St. Treasurer Hundley has been instructed to keep track of all costs to the village and a lien will be placed on the property.
New Business
Mayor Carter asked the Board what they wanted to do about hiring a new police officer and sending him to PTI training. Bukantos had concerns about having so many newly trained officers on the payroll. Chief Lomelino said he has a need for an additional full time officer. Burke made a motion to hire Steve Stirmell as a full time police officer at $25,000 annually starting September 16. R. Rhodes seconded the motion and it passed 5-1 with Bukantos voting “no”.
T. Burke brought up donating to the Sportsman’s Club for fireworks. The Board agreed this could be done.
Motion to adjourn made by G. Henson at 9:00 pm.
Wade Carter
Village President
Gretchen Henson
Acting Village Clerk