Cerro Gordo, Illinois

JULY 17, 2006

The monthly meeting of the President and the Board of Trustees met at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, July 17, 2006. The following members were present; President Jim Morgan, Trustees Brad Williams, Lyle Shoraga, Rod Forbes, Jerry Morris, and Don Ritchie. Trustee Mike Songer was not able to attend. Also present were Atty. Colette McCarty, Clerk Linda Ash, D.P.W. Rob Bratton, and P.C. Pat Carter. Treasurer Cris Perry was not able to attend.

Minutes were read and approved as read.

PUBLIC FORUM

Gary Shafer- Concern over ESDA siren. Wants to know if the Village is going to work with the Fire Department and have a committee to oversee siren.

Tom Hyde issued some flyers to the Board and asked that one be given to the TIF attorney.

Dennis Ridgeway- Asked about ordinance work. The nuisance ordinance regarding vehicles has been changed, still working on buildings.

Randy West-The fire department will be holding a remembrance for 9/11 on September 10. They will host an open house at 2:00 and a parade at 4:00 with a memorial service at the Methodist Church to follow. He will get with Chief Carter to set up a parade route. Also, if the Village is trying to work on a deal with Mediacom in regards to internet service, they would like to be considered in the same package, along with the ambulance service.

TIF

DAN Schuering presented the Board with the first draft of the boundaries of the TIF district. Some title searches have been done. The dark areas on the map are likely to be included in the TIF district. The Village limit is not clear as some boundaries are in question. This will be researched. Dan is hesitant to include any school properties in the area. Dave Happ is working on a more detailed map. All areas have to link up and as it is a sizable area now, it will probably shrink in size. Dan will start working on some core properties. He hopes to have a plan by September and will send T.J. Shambaugh a letter of intent in regards to annexation.

NEW BUSINESS

ALLEY PROPERTIES

A letter had been sent to all property owners who have an interest in the alley. The Village has an interest in having ownership in the alley because of utilities and maintenance involving the alley. Some issues will need to be clarified. The attorney will poll the owners to see if they would like to sell or give easements. So far, Colette has heard only from the Library Board’s attorney. At this point, the Village has not set down with deeds to see how much each individual owns. Owners are encouraged to contact Colette about their options.

Trustee Williams has a drawing based on deeds and there are no set backs for commercial businesses.

LIQUOR ORDINANCE

Jim Burns was present representing the American Legion. There have been no changes to the ordinance since its inception in 1999. The Village will review the hours alcohol can be sold, and whether or not people can remain on the premises after closing. Under the current ordinance, people are not required to leave. Pat would like to know if there is a need for the facility to stay open past serving time and is there an impact on the Legion. According to Jim Burns, there is no problem with everything closed down.

CLAIMS REPORT

There were a couple of additions to the claims report for the month. They are:Ameren Ip in the amount of $4764.10, Jim Mudd-$67.00, Danbec Construction-$4961.94, and CGAmbulance Ser-$175.00. The Ameren IP bill is distributed to the following funds:

1. Utilities-adm-$648.35
2. Utilities-PW-$665.38
3. Utilities-Street Lights-$664.70
4. Utilities-water-$1862.26
5. Utilities-sewer-$923.41

The other amounts are included in PS fund. Motion to approve claims made by Trustee Shoraga, second Morris, all yeas.

TREASURER’S REPORT

One adjustment for the month, form signed.. Motion by Trustee Ritchie to approve adjustment, second Morris, all yeas.

No other questions regarding the treasurer’s report. Motion by Trustee Forbes to approve, second Morris, all yeas.

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT

Rob has received two bids on the tuck pointing. T & N turned in a bid with two option, option 2 the amount is $8491.00. Option one called for more detail work in regards to matching up the entire building to the West side of the building. That cost was $16456.00. DeMaria’s bid was $8850. T & N will cut out and replace approximately 80 bricks. Rob recommends T & N to do the project and follow option 2. They have tuck pointed the building before. Trustee Williams moves the Village accept option 2 from T & N tuck pointing, Trustee Forbes, second, all yeas.

The high service pump will cost $3953.91 to rebuild. The previous estimate was $3700. unseen. There is a bent shaft in it. Hopefully, it will be back by Friday. He will be meeting with Dunn Company this week and he is also working with Dave Happ on the MFT budget.

Advertisements for the sidewalk project will be in the paper this week. He will finish the Lincoln Street block and replace several bad spots.

POLICE CHIEF REPORT

Ordinance violations are in the works. Chief Carter will be working with former Chief Shafer as to the identity of former police officers of the Village. Chief Carter would like to display photos of them in the new Police Department.

Photos will be used in conjunction with ordinance violations. Chief Carter will talk to Kelly Huff about the type of camera to use and where to purchase it. Chief Carter also submitted a proposal for office equipment in the amount of $3661.27. Chief Carter is also needing a new computer for his office. He would like to share the Crimestar program with the other computer and it will need to be secure. Trustee Williams recommends Dell equipment and that cost would be approximately $2500, and $1000 to set it up. $5000 is actually budgeted for this. Motion to approve equipment for office furniture made by Trustee Williams, second Morris, all yeas. A motion for purchase of computer , set-up with security done by Matt Williams, was made by Trustee Ritchie, Morris second. Roll call: Trustee Williams, abstain, Shoraga, yea, Forbes, yea, Morris, yea, and Ritchie, yea.

There are specific guidelines Pat has to follow set up by the State Police in order to be used. Two dog fines have been paid. Trustee Williams made a motion to approve purchase of a digital camera up to $500 and for Pat to be in communication with Kelly Huff before doing so. Second by Trustee Morris, all yeas.

NEW BUSINESS

Kelly Huff was present at the meeting and requested a donation for Gordy Park for fencing for the North diamond. The Youth League will be pouring concrete around the concession stand area and will have to purchase the concrete. They have a donation of time and expertise from an individual to pour the concrete. The poles are still good, they just need to replace the fencing. The Board budgeted $5000 for Gordy Park. The Youth League is going to try different venues to raise funds to finish the project. Motion made by Trustee Ritchie to approve donation of $5000, second by Trustee Morris, all yeas. Also, Kelly reported a guard rail on the playground equipment was missing. Rob will check into this.

Window at dentist office is in stock. Dan will set up the scheduling for replacing it.

Appropriation Ordinance #506 is in line with the budget. The appropriation is for $1,238,093.00. Motion to approve Ord. #506 made by Trustee Forbes, second Morris, all yeas.

The Edwards sign has been downsized and it looks very nice. Send a thank you note to them.

Colette has had a chance to read the rental agreement with Mediacom and it looks good. She would like to talk to the person in charge before rendering an opinion.

Vermin control-possible to get license from the Dept. of Natural Resources to trap and kill critters. There are different rules to be followed for different animals. Colette is talking to the department.

Motion to move to Liquor Commission made by Trustee Ritchie, Morris. The changes to the Liquor Ord. need to be approved. Motion to approve changes made by Trustee Morris, second Williams, all yeas. Return to regular session on motion by Trustee Williams, Forbes second, all yeas.

TRUSTEES REPORT

Trustee Shoraga- Resident had rain water backed up to his building with the last big rain we received. Rob is going to do some work there and will talk to the resident.

Trustee Morris- Brush removed on Rt. 32 and Jackson Street. Jerry would like to purchase the two windows that were purchased for the police department and not used.

Trustee Ritchie- He has had several residents ask about the street and driveways that were involved with the drainage project. Both areas need to be packed down first. Burdick will be back to re-grade and resurface streets. It has to settle first.

Atty. McCarty asked that the bounce check fee be placed on the agenda for next month.

Motion was made for closed session 120/C-1 for personnel by Trustee Shoraga, second Forbes at 8:55 P.M.

Regular session resumed at 9:10 P.M on a motion by Trustee Williams, Ritchie, all yeas.

Ordinance #507-Liquor Ordinance- option B that everyone has to be off the premises 30 minutes after closing was passed on a motion by Trustee Ritchie, second Shoraga, all yeas.

Salaries- Motion by Trustee Williams that Rob and Mark receive a 3% raise retroactive to May 1, 2006, second Forbes, all yeas.

Trustee Williams asked about the possibility of the Legion moving there new home towards the highway. The area would have to be built up but there will be a retention pond on the properties.
Motion to adjourn made by Trustee Shoraga at 9:18 P. M., second Forbes.
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Village Clerk 7/17/2006