Cerro Gordo, Illinois

MAY 19, 2008

The monthly meeting of the President and the Board of Trustee met at 7:00 PM on May 19, 2008 in the Municipal Building. Those present are: President Jim Morgan, Trustees Brad Williams, Lyle Shoraga, Terry Lovekamp, Carol Huff, Ron Price, and Mike Songer. Also present were Atty. Colette McCarty, Treasurer Cris Perry, P.C. Pat Carter, D.P.W. Rob Bratton and Clerk Linda Ash.

The meeting was called to order and went directly to the public forum. Arlon Anklam requested some time with an army truck he is restoring. He has been remodeling his house and the truck is setting out with a tarp over it. He will be moving it back into the garage.

Minutes were read and approve on a motion by Trustee Shoraga, second Williams, all ayes.

CLAIMS REPORT

The only addition to the claims report this month is to Ameren IP. Motion to approve claims report made by Trustee Williams, second Songer, all yeas.

TREASURER'S REPORT

CD's maturing in July. The decision will be made in June as to reinvestment or move to accounts. There were two adjustment requests this month. One has not been signed and the other was not over $25 Motion to approve the adjustment pending signature was made by Trustee Williams, second Songer, all yeas.

Motion to approve the treasurer's report made by Trustee Williams, second Shoraga, all yeas. Cris is also looking into a bulk mailing permit for the Village for the newsletter mailings.

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT

Dave Happ was present at the meeting and presented the MFT plan for the 2008 year. There are approximately 24,000 square feet of road that Rob is looking at oiling and chipping Keep in mind that all figures are estimates. The maintenance costs for the year are broken down in the following categories:
Seal coat-$25,841.92
Patch-$2,540.
Drainage-$13,375.
Snow/ice removal-$1980.
Pavement marking-$270.
Sidewalks-$10,000.
Rob may do less roads or a different road when the time comes. Totals for the year are $58,192 for the maintenance and $3,586 for engineering fees. The engineering contract is based on what is allowable by IDOT.

Dave has a resolution to appropriate $60,000 for the MFT budget for the 2008 calendar year. Motion to approve made by Trustee Shoraga, second Price, all yeas. The cost of oil is not up too much but there will be an increase next year. Rock was high this year because of the cost of trucking.

Rob would like to hire Zach Braden over the summer to do the mowing. He will be paid $9.00 an hour. Motion to approve made by Trustee Williams, second Songer, all yeas. Rob has taken care of the door at the dentist office.

CHIEF OF POLICE REPORT

Pat past out reports for Cerro Gordo and Cisco. Calls have been up and the profit for the month from Cisco is $565.35.

He is sending Jim to Arizona to pick up a piece of equipment for the Village.

ATTORNEY'S REPORT

Golf cart-state law allows the golf carts. It is considered a piece of property, such as a lawnmower. If we allow them on the streets, we must post appropriate signs. For the proposed ordinance, it is suggested that we take from the Greenup ordinance and add to it for Cerro Gordo. Safety equipment, such as head light, red tail light, inspection stickers, licensing for 18 years and over, no use in inclement weather, are all items to be researched. Motion was made by Trustee Williams to draft an ordinance and find out about the signage needed, second Songer, all yeas. As far as what streets to keep them off, will discuss that with Pat.

The Vulgamott building- Mr. Schuering is looking into the prospect of using TIF for the demolition of the property. This way the Village stays out of the title process because the Village does not want the property.

A zoning hearing is scheduled for June 11 for the Ridgeway property and former Price‘s Service station.

NEW BUSINESS

Ordinance#527 is an ordinance to amend the code of ordinances regarding public nuisances. This change is “to use any premises in the Village for the storing or leaving of worn out, inoperable, or abandoned camping trailers, wagons, or machinery or inoperable or unused appliances of any kind.” Ten days after publication this ordinance goes into effect.

SAL is requesting a special use permit for a beer tent at the Fathill Fest. The Fathill Fest will be held on June 20 and 21 this year. In regards to the dram insurance, they may need a rider but will check with the policy that the Legion holds. Motion to approve special use permit on condition that insurance is provided made by Trustee Price, second Huff, all yeas.

Rob will work with Linda to get letters sent out to all residents that may still be on a septic system to get hooked up to the sewer. This ordinance was passed in the 70's but there are still a few houses that have not made the connection.

Motion made by Trustee Lovekamp. Second Huff to move to the liquor commission, all yeas.

Clerk Ash, under the direction of the Board, made several calls concerning liquor fees in other towns. Our current fee is $500 for retail, whereas, most other towns are between $1000 and $1500. If the Board raises the liquor fee to $1000, it could be split two ways, $500 for beer and wine and $500 for hard liquor. Motion to have an additional $500 for hard liquor made by Trustee Lovekamp, second Huff, all yeas. Motion to return to regular session made by Trustee Lovekamp, second price.

At this time Trustee Williams took over the meeting pro-tem.

A homeowner presented a letter to the Village concerning septic tanks. He was not aware that a septic tank was in use at the property he had purchased until a problem arose and as such has incurred several additional expenses. According to the attorney, the Village has no liability as it would be the homeowner's responsibility to fix the situation. He could go back to the realtor.

Ron Price would like to reverse the annexation of his property to the Village. Casey's cannot purchase the property by the end of May. The Board asks Ron to extend the petition to the end of May, to which he agreed. If Casey's does not want the property, Ron does not want it in the Village.

No further business was discussed and the Board moved to go to closed session for 120/C-1 to discuss salaries at 8:43 PM.

Regular session resumed at 8:50 PM on a motion by Trustee Shoraga, second Lovekamp, all yeas. The mayor has returned and the meeting was turned back over to him.

A motion was made by Trustee Shoraga to give the Pat, Mark, and all part time employees a 4.5% rise, second by Trustee Price, all yeas. Motion by Trustee Williams to give the treasurer a 4.5% increase and to increase the collectors pay to $5203.78, second Lovekamp, all yeas. Trustee Williams also made a motion to give Clerk Ash a one time $500 bonus for all the extra work she has been doing lately, second Lovekamp, all yeas.

A motion by Trustee Williams was entered to give Rob a change in pay. The Village will add to his pay the equivalent of his health insurance, plus a 4.5 % increase. He will, in turn, pay for his own health insurance thru payroll deduction and will tender a letter of resignation to be in effect in no more than 3 years. A second was entered by Trustee Lovekamp, all yeas.

A motion was entered by Trustee Williams to approve the budget with the addition of 4.5% in each payroll fund, second Shoraga, all yeas.

No further business and a motion to adjourn at 9:00 pm was made by Trustee Williams, second Huff, all yeas.
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Village Clerk 5/19/08