August 28, 2013

Board Meeting Minutes

Minutes August 28, 2013

The regular meeting of the Village of Divernon Board of Trustees was held on Wednesday, August 28, 2013, at the Divernon Village Hall. Village President Randy Rhodes called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. After the Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance, Clerk Rod Molnar called roll: Randy Rhodes “Here”, Melissa Layton “Here”, Pam Cronister “Here”, Jim Copelin “Here”, Larry Baer “Here”, Derek Hedges “Here”. Also in attendance were Police Chief Barclay Harris and Superintendent Larry Rhodes. Dianne Brenning was absent.

A motion was made by Cronister to approve the minutes of August 14, 2013. Hedges seconded and the motion passed 4-0. Layton and Copelin voting present.

Baer presented the Village bills with a motion that they be approved. After Hedges seconded the motion, it was approved 5-0.

Sangamon County Undersheriff Jack Campbell was in attendance to bring the Board up to date on the burglaries that have been taking place in the county. All have been in rural areas. They have involved forced entries. He is asking for the public’s help in solving these crimes. Please report anything suspicious to the Sangamon County Sheriff’s office or the local police.

John Powell was present to ask about the abandoned property at 333 State Street. He was informed that the Village has begun working with the Sangamon County Health department to have the house torn down.

Chris Dowson has bought the old grain elevator on Lewis Street and would like to tear it down and clean up the property. He would like to know if any TIF funds would be available to help with the clean up. The Board will look into whether TIF funds can be used and let him know.

Superintendent Report:

Superintendent Rhodes reported that he had nothing new to report on the inspection of the water tower. The new grain elevator has been running from time to time requiring him and Ron Killam to spend quite a bit of time regulating the gas flow. It has also required the Village to park gas in the system on certain days it doesn’t run when expected at a cost to the Village. Ditch work will be a fall and winter project.

Police Report:

Chief Harris reported on a number of citations. There have been no new reports on thefts from vehicles. The department’s breathalyzer needs to be replaced. All of his squad cars are back in service.

Committee Reports:

Streets, Alleys, and Utilities:

Cronister reported that she met with Mike McEvers of Benton and Associates, as well as engineers from IDOT and the U.S. Department of Transportation on the Safe Routes to Schools Program. They have put together a revised route and will submit the plan for approval. A public hearing will be scheduled before bidding the project. If the plan is approved, bidding should take place in March or April of 2014. The Village received two bids on the annual sidewalk replacement program. A motion was made by Cronister and seconded by Layton to award the bid to Langheim Construction at a cost of $9321.00. This is subject to the bid meeting all

Minutes August 28, 2013

specifications required in the bid process. The project will be paid for with funds from Motor Fuel Tax.

Finance:

Nothing to report.

Personnel:

Nothing to report.

Health and Safety:

Copelin has a group of letters to be mailed out to property owners on clean up. He will get them to the office manager. Larry and his crew have been having a problem reading meters at some homes because of dogs. He will put together a list of addresses and homeowners will be instructed to have their animals restrained during meter reading.

Community Development:

Layton outlined to the Board the requirements to have the abandoned houses on State Street be declared dangerous and torn down. She will find out if the Village will become owners of the property after this takes place.

Building Grounds and Lights:

Nothing to report.

Old Business:

Molnar reported that the truck stop had received their gaming license and machines would be installed soon. Chief Harris will see that the streets are blocked off for the upcoming benefit for Ashley McCrady.

New Business:

None.

A motion was made by Layton to go into executive session to discuss personnel at 8:28 p.m.

The Board returned to open session at 8:57 p.m.

Upon recommendation of the Board, Mayor Rhodes has suspended employee David Adcock for a term of 10 working days for violating the Guidelines for Appropriate Conduct of the Village Personnel Code. He will be eligible to return to work on September 10, 2013.

Motion by Layton to adjourn at 8:59 p.m.

Randy Rhodes Rodney Molnar

Village President Village Clerk