May 3, 2021

Call to order at 7:00 pm by President Knoup

New members sworn in as trustees – Tim Martens, Bob Asche, Mike Tichler.

New member sworn in as Village President – Mat Diehl

Members answering roll call, President Diehl, Bob Asche, Mike Tichler, Dave Dixon, Kirk Knoup, Tim Martens, Cheryl Liebenstein and Jamie Melville.

The minutes from the April meeting were reviewed and accepted without dissent by Bob. Second by Dave. Motion Carried.

The committee made a motion to pay all bills as presented. Second by Bob.  Motion carried.

Bob made a motion to approve the treasurer report as presented. Second by Kirk. Motion carried.

No transfer of funds needed.

Maintenance Report

Visitor

Jim Westaby was present to offer his help when Rob is on vacation or as needed. Jim also thanked Bob Knoup for his years of service and leadership.  Jim wished all the board members good luck and to let him know when he can help out.

President Mat welcomed Mike to the board and informed him that we do have books for newly elected officials if he wanted to look at them.

WATER/SEWER

There was a meeting with Nicam regarding the Well #3 project. President Mat, Adam (Fehr Graham, and Alan (Nicam) met at the pumphouse. We will need two electric poles moved, which was listed in the bid, Fehr Graham and Nicam worked this issue out and Fehr Graham will contact Com-Ed and Nicor to shut off service to the location. Rob will contact Lena and Lanark and get an agreement with them to haul water to us if needed while well #3 is down. President Mat noted that the building/roof will be a gray-on-gray color and that their will be a plaque with the board members name and president name at the time the project was approved.

President Mat questioned the board regarding the approval of a loan from the Pearl City bank if we needed it.  President Mat commented that we have stimulus money coming and that we will have more tax money coming in before we need to make payments to the contractor. At this point the board members feel there is no reason for us to take a loan out.

 STREETS/ALLEYS/LIGHTS/SIDEWALK

The north end of the village storm sewer project bid came in at $23,950.00.

This project would help alleviate standing water on Garfield St near the cemetery road. The board also would like to add on a storm sewer drain behind Dave Dixon’s house to help run the water out of the yards. Motion to approve the project and proceed, with the S&A committee making the decision on the 2nd storm drain, was made by Tim.  Motion second by Bob.  Motion carried.  At this point since we do not have a Street and Alley committee set up for the new year President Mat can make the decision to add the 2nd storm drain.

North St bids are due May 13th with bid opening at Fehr Graham. We do not want to wait until the June meeting to approve the low bid. We will either have to have a special meeting to approve or allow President Mat to accept the low bid.  Board members agree to allow President Mat to accept the low bid for the project.

It was suggested that we make E North St a one-way with the exit on Pearl City Rd.  This would help with traffic at the intersection and vehicles coming out of BoCo.

BUILDINGS/GROUNDS/CEMETERY

Kirk received a bid for the bridge in the Prairie area for 11,910.00. There would also be an additional fee of $3,000.00 for the railing.  This is a forty-foot bridge and we do have a matching grant from Com-Ed that would pay for half of it. The bid came from Paul Excavating and would be a treated lumber frame with a composite decking. Board members discussed that the campground was doing well and could help fund some of the cost of the Prairie area. Kirk noted that it is difficult to find steel for a bridge.  This will be tabled until the June meeting.

A gravel path would be the least expense to start with, then if it is used continuously, we could look at seal coating.

Bob and Kirk did interviews for summer help positions. Kirk made a motion to hire two full time summer employees, Maddy Diddens and Tyson Clark. Motion second by Dave.  Motion carried.  Caleb Tichler will be returning as a part time summer employee. will check on this.

We had a dog owner fined $100.00 which has since been paid.

Fred reported to the committee that we may get a $3,000.00 grant from Crime Stop to help fund body cameras for the officers now that they are required by law. Fred also noted that he was having problems getting part time officers.  Many officers are leaving their employment and very few are making this a career choice. He feels we need to look at an increase in wages to entice other officers to work part time for the village. Dave will look at area wages and report back at the June meeting.

Officers were informed to check on the progress of “Unsafe Structure” within the village.

TAX INCREMENT FINANCE

No report

LIQUOR

Ordinance has been updated to include the new hours for Beer Gardens.

Old Business

Reminder that Clean-Up day will be held May 8th from 8am to 2pm.

New Business

Bob made a motion to add an additional $120.00 to President Mat’s quarterly pay to cover the cost of his cell phone. Motion second by Mike.  Motion carried.  President Mat requested to keep his phone for village work instead of carrying 2 phones. The village president phone does have a cracked screen and Jamie will have that line discontinued.

President Mat informed the board that we have received a letter from the state stating the Lion’s digital sign is not permitted and that it needs to be removed immediately.  President Mat spoke with Fehr Graham and was advised to send a letter to the Lion’s stating the sign was not permitted and that they have 30 days to get the permit or remove the sign. Motion was made by Tim to send the letter to the Lion’s Club regarding the digital sign.  Motion second by Kirk.  Motion carried.

President Mat noted that we have 1 trustee position open.  He is looking at the position as best interest for the board and himself and would like to fill the position with Robert Knoup. Motion was made by Bob to appoint Robert Knoup as 2 yr. trustee per President Mat’s recommendation. Motion second by Tim with roll call vote as follows: Bob-yes, Mike-yes, Kirk-yes, Dave-yes, Tim-yes.  Let the record show 5-yes, 0-no and 0-absent. 

Robert Knoup was at the meeting and was sworn in as an appointed trustee.

President Mat would like to see previous years of minutes added to the website.  This would be beneficial in looking for information.

The Coop is increasing their capacity of Anhydrous and adding an additional tank. The tanks have been moved to the back side of the property and the tanks are EPA/State regulated. The village board was not notified of this and President Mat is requesting if we have concerns or issues.  President Mat will speak with them regarding the tanks and issues brought forward by a concerned citizen.

President Mat will have the new committees set for the June meeting.  

Motion to adjourn at 8:50 by Dave. Motion second by Bob.  Motion carried.

Attest: Cheryl Liebenstein, Village Clerk