Cerro Gordo, Illinois

NOVEMBER 21, 2005

The monthly meeting of the President and the Board of Trustees met at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, November 21, 2005 in the Municipal Building. The following members were present: President Jim Morgan, Trustees Brad Williams, Lyle Shoraga, Rod Forbes, Jerry Morris, Don Ritchie, Mike Songer. Also present were Atty. Colette McCarty, D.P.W. Rob Bratton and Clerk Linda Ash. P.C Carter and Treasurer Cris Perry were absent.

The meeting was called to order. The Board implemented a public forum at the beginning of the meeting. Anyone who wishes to address the Board must sign in and will need to limit their statements to three(3) minutes. The first speaker was Randy West who discussed his dissatisfaction concerning a matter involving his son. He also questioned whether a police officer was on duty at the time of a fire. Gary Shaffer was present and requested several documents. Atty. McCarty told Gary to submit a written request for these items. Dennis Ridgeway expressed his opinions about the rash of break-ins and the way it was handled. He also asked about members of the police department fueling their private vehicles and using Village funds to do so. The President emphatically said there was no truth in that statement. Dick Seitz wants the Village to pave his driveway and Blake West expressed his opinions on how his incidents was handled.

The purpose of the forum is to allow the meeting to progress in a timely matter. The Board does not have to allow any public comments or participation.

Minutes were read and approved as is.

CLAIMS REPORT

Claims were approved on a motion by Trustee Williams, second Morris, all yeas.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Two adjustments were requested. One for Sims and a two month adjustment for Zachary. Motion to approve adjustments made by Trustee Williams, Morris, all yeas.

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS

Engineer David Happ presented 5 bids that were submitted to the Village for the drainage project. There was a good range of bids. Mr. Happ estimated $135,000.00 for the project and bids were from $125-$161,000.00. Entler Excavating was the low bidder for the project. Rob has talked to several people who have dealt with Entler recently and they have not had any problems. Entler is also now DOT qualified. The next step is to authorize the President to sign the contract.

Motion was entered by Trustee Williams to authorize the President to sign any and all documents pertaining to the contract. Second by Trustee Ritchie, all yeas. Engineer Happ suggest the Village hold off on a study for the water lines and tower but try for a state grant for this. The water committee needs to meet with the engineer and a grant writer to design a grant and to prioritize what is needed. Trustees Ritchie and Songer are on that committee.

The water tower has been inspected and is scheduled for a repaint in 09. It looks good and the next inspection will occur in two years. The EPA says we should have a two(2) day water supply in the tower at all times, which is one of the reasons the Village is looking at a new tower.

Rob is looking at repairs to the salt spreader. It was leaking. The EPA was here to inspect the wastewater treatment plant. Motion to accept Entlers bid for the drainage project made by Trustee Williams, second by Ritchie. Roll call: Trustees Williams, Shoraga, Morris, Ritchie , and Songer all yeas. Trustee Forbes abstained.

POLICE REPORT

P.C. carter was not here due to the death of his mother.

Officer Nuding expressed concerns about unlocked vehicles. There were several recently. He offered an apology to Blake West concerning the recovery of his vehicle. Since PC Carter has come on board, more crimes are being solved than ever before. Good strides have been made in the past year.

Police department renovations-Heating contract has been satisfied. The brick work on the front of the building will be put on hold and readdressed in the spring. The space under the windows will be framed up and covered for winter. Trustee Williams not happy with bid amounts for carpentry work but need to proceed with the project. Low carpentry bid for the project was $24,863.69 from Danbec Construction. Motion to accept bid, assuming the company accepts, was made by Trustee Williams. He will contact Danbec Construction. Danbec will frame the front-no brick work included. Second Morris, all yeas. The bid has not been changed, only delayed Trustee Williams also suggest we move the finish time forward to the same amount of time the project was delayed.

NEW BUSINESS

Building across the RR tracks-Possibly three(3) lease holders on property, Blick,Handley, and Weaver. The last one to leave has to tear down the structure. This is a year to year lease. One possibility for the Village would be to buy the lease, tear down, and return to railroad. This will be discussed in closed session.

Bond Abatement-If the water department fails to make enough money to pay on bands, a certain amount must be levied. The Village does not have to levy this amount. An abatement must be filed with the county clerk to show the levy is not needed. Paperwork to pass Ordinance #498 to abate $27,027.50 is ready to be presented. Motion to approve Ord. 498 made by Trustee Williams, second Ritchie, all yeas. Also, the levy is due the last Tuesday in December. Draft of previous levy for finance committee members. Any changes can be made and the levy needs to be on the agenda for December for approval. This is tax money for the coming year.

Welcome Wagon-Trustee Shoraga represents CUIC(Christians Uniting In Christ) and the group would like the Village and other organizations to start this up for new people moving to the community. Also the local ministers would like a list of all new people in town. The attorney is hesitant to allow the Village to do so unless people are willing to sign up for such a thing.

E-Local Link-This is through CGI, a company associated with IML. This company comes into your town and make s a video and puts it on your web site. There is no charge for this service because of our IML membership. They also give the community 15 banners and is a yearly deal. Motion to proceed made by Trustee Williams, second Shoraga, all yeas.

TRUSTEE REPORT

Shoraga-met with Matt Jones, Tim Johnson’s representative and he suggested the Village call Bryan Kelly for grants and paperwork. Also Kelly Huff put pictures(on the wall) on disc and Lyle had them blown up for our walls.

Motion by Trustee Ritchie, second Songer to move to Liquor Commission to renew the liquor license for Cerro Gordo Foods. All yeas. All paperwork in order. Motion to approve license made by Trustee Williams, Ritchie, all yeas. Return to regular session by Trustee Morris, Ritchie, all yeas.

Next month is Christmas meeting. Motion by Trustee Williams, Shoraga to move to closed session at 8:30 P.M. to discuss real estate and personnel, all yeas.

Regular session resumes at 9:00 P.M. Motion to adjourn Trustee Shoraga, Forbes.
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Village Clerk 11/21/05