12/5/23
MINUTES
Village President Ron Gray called the meeting to order and then Heath called the roll.
Roll call:
Jean: P Buddie: P Leann: P
Sheila: P Valerie: P Josh:
Everyone stood and said The Pledge of Allegiance.
Vote to approve 11/7/23 Minutes.
Motion: Jean Second: Sheila
Jean: Y Buddie: Y Leann: Y
Sheila: Y Valerie: Y Josh:
Vote to approve Monthly Treasurer’s Report.
Motion: Valerie Second: Sheila
Jean: Y Buddie: Y Leann: Y
Sheila: Y Valerie: Y Josh:
Vote to approve paying the Monthly Bills.
Motion: Jean Second: Valerie
Jean: Y Buddie: Y Leann: Y
Sheila: Y Valerie: Y Josh:
NEW BUSINESS:
A: Drew Lane Consultants–Morgan with DLC shared that the USDA ECWAG funding application had been written and signed for the Village in the USDA online system. The application will be submitted after the legal notice has been published in the Wayne County Press. The Village can anticipate hearing back from USDA for any updates or additional information in January 2024.
The Walmart Community Funding Grant for the police car has been applied for $5,000 to assist in the purchase of the police car for the Village. The Village can anticipate hearing back on any updates near March-April 2024.
Morgan answered questions on opportunities for tearing down the old school gymnasium and repairing bridges in the community. Morgan provided print copies for Village Records of the USDA SEARCH Grant, Legal Notices, and Walmart Grant applied for the police car.
B: Police Contract—Officer Justin Titzer’s original contract expires on 12/31/23 and the Board showed frustration that he was unable to perform police duties over the last 5 months. Village Attorney Jon Turpin was present and shared what functions Officer Titzer could do whilst the Village awaited communication from
the Illinois Training and Standards Board. The Board, along with Mr. Turpin, spoke about the conditions set forth in offering Officer Titzer a new contract.
President Gray seeked a motion to offer Officer Justin Titzer a contract from 1/1/24 to 7/1/24 under the same terms of the current contract, that also included a 5-hour guaranteed minimum and that any hours over 30 a month would require Board Approval.
Motion: Buddie Second: Josh
Jean: Y Buddie: Y Leann: Y
Sheila: P Valerie: Y Josh: Y
C: Utility Rates—The Board spoke about the raised rates of the Village’s 2 water suppliers, Burnt Prairie and Hamilton County Water District. And what the Village needed to do to ensure residents remained with water at an affordable price.
President Gray made a motion to raise Mill Shoals water rates 15% and sewer rates 5%, effective 1/1/24.
Motion: Josh Second: Leann
Jean: Y Buddie: Y Leann: Y
Sheila: Y Valerie: Y Josh: Y
D: Wayne Carters Pay—The President and Trustees reviewed Village Employee Wayne Carter’s current pay, what minimum wage will be in 2024/25, the ever-rising cost of living, and the need to retain Mr. Carter services.
President Gray made a motion to adjust Wayne Carters pay to $20.00 an hour in all his current duties.
Motion: Sheila Second: Josh
Jean: N Buddie: Y Leann: Y
Sheila: Y Valerie: Y Josh: Y
TREASURER DEPT—Village Treasurer James Murphy was not present, but relayed hat he had OK’d the police car grant application on behalf of the Village.
WATER DEPT.— Village Water Superintendent Wayne Carter stated “that for once in a long time” he hadn’t had any known or reported problems with the water lines during the previous 30 days.
SEWER—Village Sewer Employee Wayne Carter reported that he had been discharging.
STREETS & BRIDGES—Wayne reported that he was addressing the subsidence from previous water line repairs on Thackery Road.
GARBAGE. Village residents had been reaching out to Trustees reporting that Bulldog Trash was tearing up the trash cans with the power tongs on the new trash truck. Village Clerk Heath Tullis informed the Board hat those issues need reported to Bulldogs office on a case by case basis, as Bulldog owns the cans and they are tearing up their own property.
Old Business-
A: Police Car—Trustee West reported that the mechanics that were previously approved to work on the car were unable at this time. Trustee West again stated that the police car was functional enough for a part time police officer, but the cars water pump needed replaced as it had a slow weep. Mr. West allowed that the car might as well get everything on the front end replaced, as it all had to come out anyway to repair the pump. Trustee West was to take the car to Robbins Alignment for an estimate and report back for Board approval.
B: Community Center—The Board showed concern that the Village’s Community Center was not functioning as it was intended to and was not currently controlled by the Village Board. The Board briefed Attorney Turpin on the current rental structure and functions at the Community Center. Mr. Turpin showed concern on the information the Board explained, and he suggested the Board make necessary changes.
The Board spoke on the framework of rental agreements and how to proceed forward with the Community Center. Trustees York, Young, and Edwards were appointed as a sub-committee to review the best path forward and present their findings to the full board for a possible vote.
***Next scheduled Board Meeting is Thursday Jan 4th at 7 pm.
ADJOURNMENT:
Village President Ron Gray called for a motion to adjourn.
Motion: Sheila Second: Josh
Jean: Y Buddie: Y Leann: Y
Sheila: Y Valerie: Y Josh: Y
