The Norris City Village Board met Monday night for its regular monthly meeting and it was a busy one. Scott Mareing was there and has this report…
During the visitor’s comment section, Ashley Bowman, owner of Studio 114 Salon and Boutique on Division Street said she would like to get some TIF money to make repairs on her building. That includes the roof, the back wall, and putting new windows in the storefront, which would cost about $20,000. She is a licensed cosmetologist and massage therapist with three licensed employees. Mayor Skip Land he would get together with her and let her know what the process is to obtain TIF money.
Also, the village will look into finding a way to get residents to not leave their empty trash containers at the curb.
Arlynne Davis of Botsch & Associates CPA’s addressed the board about the village audit. She said it was an unmodified report, which means everything is materially correct and in compliance. Davis said there will be Quickbooks training and the goal is to make it easier to track where the money in the village is going and make it easier to follow from month to month. She hopes to have everything in order by May First.
A water leak policy was drawn up on how much residents would pay if they have a leak. The village has been forgiving too much of the amount of a water bill in the past due to leakage, so Mayor Land asked the board members to look over the proposed policy and talk about it at next month’s board meeting.
The village has been dealing with some sick animals. Animal control picked up 14 raccoons and skunks and the Health Department said half of them had distemper, which can be transmitted from one animal to another and to humans if they are bitten by an infected animal. Mayor Skip Land wrote up a notice to the public about this and asked for the board’s approval to release it, which they unanimously agreed to.
The village will partner with Indian Creek Township to get a fence installed, to run down each side of the ball field, at a cost of $15,900.
After a long discussion, it was decided to work on putting together a 25 year agreement that would allow the Norris City Athletic Association and any other group that wanted to, to be able to use Beatty Field. Village attorney Nathan Rowland will help draw up an agreement and bring it back to the board to vote on at next month’s meeting.
The board agreed to a three year contract with Novacom to use Crime Star, which is a computer data system for police departments, which would give the Norris City Police Department the ability to work with the White County Sheriff’s Department and Carmi Police in fighting crime.
The board unanimously voted to reject an offer from Berkshire Hathaway to lease or buy the 50 acres north of the reservoir for a solar farm.
Permission was given for David Houser to hold “boot donations” for the Tumble Time Cheerleaders this Saturday at the intersection. There would be no children involved and signs will be posted.
The village received an extension on Phase IV of the Water Project and there will be a public hearing with a Bid Opening on Friday, March 18th at 10 AM at the City Hall.
Approved were two new storage containers 10X8X20 for $2,850 each. One would go to the sewer plant for storage and the other for behind the museum to be used for excess items. Once that is filled up, the container will be moved to the sewer plant. There is a $2,000 15 year warranty on them.
In the Police report for February, there were nine reports written, two accident reports, three arrests, five traffic stops and warnings, and three citations issued.
The meeting adjourned at 8:32 PM.
The next board meeting will be on April 7th at 7 PM.
