Cerro Gordo, Illinois

DECEMBER 19, 2005

The monthly meeting of the President and Board of Trustees met at 7:00 pm on Monday, December 19, 2005 in the Municipal Building. The following members were present: President Jim Morgan, Trustees Brad Williams, Lyle Shoraga, Jerry Morris, Don Ritchie and Mike Songer. Also present were Atty. Colette McCarty, Clerk Linda Ash, P.C. Pat Carter and Treasurer Cris Perry.

Trustee Rod Forbes and D.P.W. Rob Bratton were unable to attend.
Minutes taken by Clerk Linda Ash and prepared by Treasurer Cris Perry.

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Mayor Morgan. The public forum sign in sheet was posted, but no one signed in.
 
Minutes were reviewed and approved as is.
 
CLAIMS REPORT
 
An addition was made by Linda Ash for payment to Sloan Implement. In Public Works and addition was made for $486.35 for a total of $4400.61, in Water Works $486.35 for a total of $7602.94, and in Sewer $486.34 for a total of $6158.15
In Public Safety, will retract the Danbec Construction claim.  To be paid when project is completed.
Motion to approve claims made by Trustee Williams, second Shoraga. All yeas.  
 
TREASURERS REPORT
 
No adjustments were presented.
All water bills for the month of December will be estimated due to the weather. Businesses and schools were read by Mark and Rob.
The new water bills have been ordered. We should be able to run on the new bills at the end of January '06.
Motion to approve Treasurer's Report made by Trustee Morris, second Songer. All yeas.
 
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
 
Rob's wife has had back surgery and he was unable to attend the meeting.
The weekly report was reviewed. The Board says good job on the snow removal.
 
POLICE REPORT
 
Pat expressed his appreciation to the Board for the cards and flowers he received at his mother's funeral.
Two months worth of reports were passes out to the Board due to the missed meeting in November.
A series of burglaries and auto thefts took place in the Village. Pat has his first D.U.I. since he has been the Police Chief.
Pat is in the process of compiling year end stats for citations. He hopes to have this done before the next meeting in January.
The new car is in and is on the job.
All unlicensed vehicles, cats and dogs are on the agenda for the police department in January.
Pat requested a closed session.
 
NEW BUSINESS
 
Drainage papers have been signed and ready to go. Will wait until February, with weather permitting.

Economic Development - so far nothing is needed for the Village at this time.
 
Levy - less than 105% of last years levy so will not have to have a hearing in order to approve it. The levy is different than the appropriations ordinance, which is like the budget. Water/sewer are self-supporting so cannot tax the taxpayers in order to run the water department. Last years levy was somewhere in the $76,000.00 range, and this year was bumped up to $80,750.00 This needs to be on file by the last Tuesday in December every year.

Motion to approve the levy made by Trustee Shoraga, second Ritchie. All yeas. Trustee Rod Forbes absent.
 
No one available with the Mental Health Department. Pat Carter spoke on their behalf, stating that they would like to have and extension outreach program located in Cerro Gordo for those who cannot make the trip to Monticello. They would like to use our facilities once a week for this purpose. Would like to come to the January meeting.
 
Christmas Bonus - the part-time employees have gotten $50.00 and the full-time employees have gotten $100.00 in the past. Will discuss in closed session.
 
TRUSTEES REPORT

Lyle Shoraga states that Randy West says there are 1/2" holes in the electrical boxes that were changed out located in the commons area. Randy West changed one out when he set up the Christmas tree lights. He states that these need to be looked at.

Citizen's are concerned on back yard buildings being to large. The property on Madison has gone through the proper steps for the building going up. The zoning committee has hearings posted in the paper and the public is free to attend. There was no one concerned enough to voice their opinion. Building Inspector to make sure a sign is in the yard prior to a zoning hearing.
 
Don Ritchie and Mike Songer have talked to Dave Happ, about a Delta Grant for water lines and tower. There are three different stages you can take. Planning, Design and Construction. There is a fee on top of whether you get the grant or not. The fee is $2500.00 to $3000.00 for the Planning grant and that is a maximum of $25,000.00. You can only apply for two of the grants. If you do a planning and design grant, then you are on your own for the construction. Dave will be here at the January meeting since Rob was unable to attend. You have to have a pretty good case to get any of these grants. We may be in a position not to be critical enough to get these.
 
Motion by Trustee Williams, second by Songer to move into closed session at 7:48 pm to discuss purchase of property and Christmas bonus's.

Regular session resumed at 8:48 pm. Motion to pay $100.00 to full-time employees and $50.00 to part-time employees for Christmans bonus made by Trustee Williams, second Ritchie. All yeas.

Motion to adjourn meeting made by Trustee Shoraga, second Ritchie. Time adjourned was 8:49 pm.
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Cris Perry