January 6, 2025

 Call to order at 7:00 pm by President Mat. Members answering roll call, President Mat, Tom Smargiassi, Angie Niehaus, Mike Tichler, Tim Martens, Jamie Melville, and Cheryl Liebenstein.

The minutes from the December meeting were reviewed and accepted without dissent, by Angie. Second by Tom. Motion Carried.

Tim made a motion to pay all bills as presented, Motion second by Angie.  Motion carried.

Tim made a motion to approve the treasurer report as presented. Second by Tom. Motion carried.

No transfer of funds needed.

Maintenance Report

No report

Visitor

Tim Raisbeck was present to request a special use liquor permit through Little John’s for the high school girls’ softball fundraiser. The event is to be held February 8th at the Pearl city Park District. Angie made a motion to approve a Special Use permit for Litle John’s for the Softball fundraiser on February 8, 2025.  Motion second by Mike.  Motion carried.

John Rosensteil was present to represent the Lion’s Club. The club was looking for a community project and would like to add a community orchard on one of the FEMA lots. The club would plant the trees and do all the maintenance for them. They are looking at 10-12 trees.  They would like to avoid any lot next to the fields to avoid any spray drift from the farmers spraying the crops.

The club would also oversee picking and distributing the fruit.  A motion was made by Tom to approve the Lion’s Club Community project and to move forward with it.  Motion second by Mike.  Motion carried. John will work with the committee members and Rob.

Dale Sandell was present to represent the Historical Organization. He wanted to give an update that the contractor is done with the inside of the building. They still must do some plumbing and heating. The project has been on budget.

Dale has invited the board and family members to look at the building on February 3rd at 6pm, after the board’s annual TIF meeting. 

FINANCE/TIF FINANCE

The board will discuss employee wages and reviews in executive session.

The annual audit book is now available.  We received a clean opinion from The Lucas Group and they noted that Jamie’s records were in excellent shape.

WATER/SEWER

Mike noted we will need to follow up on late bills this month. We did not send any out in December due to the holidays.

Rob noted that the SCADATA system for the wells will do the same thing as the WaterRun program.

STREETS/ALLEYS/LIGHTS/SIDEWALK

No report

BUILDINGS/GROUNDS

Rob is looking for more bids for a Zero Turn mower. He would like to get a Kabota bid before any decisions are made. Right now, the bids are running $17,000 to $20,000.

Rob has the bid from Monroe trucking for a new box and plow for the backup truck. He will let the committee review as no decision needs to be made until after the snow plowing season is done.

CEMETERY

No report

POLICE

Tom reported that the squad needs a new switch for the front seat. We will get that repaired. Fred will notify President Mat when all the body camera equipment is in.  President Mat will then address the WIFI issue and the printer issue in the police bay.

Tom noted there was no word on when the lettering will get done on the squad car.

The committee has several sample ordinances for Junk and storage of objects.  Tom will put together an ordinance for the February meeting for approval.

The Street and Alley committee needs to put together an ordinance for sidewalks and replacement.

LIQUOR

President Mat gave Little John’s verbal approval to stay open later New Year’s Eve.

Old Business

Tim noted a concern with the campground. The electric has risen from $160.00 to $404.00 this month and with colder weather the electric will go up more. President Mat noted that he has been finding insulation panels littering Mill Pond. The board is concerned and does not want the campground to turn into long use stays. Kirk will need to speak with the campers regarding littering and to make sure they are disconnected from the water hook up. The board will consider closing the campground from December thru March for this fall’s schedule.

New Business

The annual TIF Joint Review meeting is scheduled for Monday February 3rd at 5:15.

President Mat will be joining Rep Toni McCombie for lunch to spot light Brew N Chew.

Tom made a motion to go into executive session for the purpose of employee review and raises. Motion second by Tim.  Motion carried.  7:55pm

Out of Executive session at 8:05

Motion was made by Tom to approve wage increases of 5% for the Clerk, Treasurer and Rob. Rob-$33.60/hr. Clerk-$5,402.25/yr and Treasurer-5843.25/yr.  Motion second by Angie.  Motion carried.

Board members then discussed the possibility of Fehr Graham getting us help with grants to replace sidewalks.  Liability falls on the property owners if anyone gets hurt on their sidewalks. The board will discuss sidewalk maintenance on the FEMA properties at the next meeting. Discuss the possibility of removing the sidewalks entirely since there are no homes on a couple streets.

Motion to adjourn at 8:15 by Tom.  Second by Angie. Motion carried.

Attest: Cheryl Liebenstein, Village Clerk