Carbondale Reporter

Makanda Board of Trustees met Tuesday, Jan. 3.

The Village of Makanda Board of Trustees is located at 244 Makanda Road, Makanda, IL, 62958.

Here are the minutes as provided by Makanda:

Village of Makanda

P.O Box 99

Makanda, Illinois 62958

Board Minutes

January 3, 2017

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

CALL TO ORDER: Regular meeting of the Board of Trustees was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Tina Shingleton

ROLL CALL: Clerk called the roll of the Village Board: Trustees Hilliard, Dalton, Wolff, Brouillette, Ross and Allen were present.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: President asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the last meeting. Motion made by Trustee Ross to accept the minutes of the last meeting. It was seconded by Trustee Wolff. Voice vote. All members at roll call voted yes. Motion carried.

CITIZEN’S HEARING: No citizens present

PETITIONS & COMMUICATIONS: President received a phone call from Ron Naversen who lives at 16 Felix Lane regarding a street light adjacent to his property that is about to fall over and block the driveway just south of the Boardwalk on Old Lower Cobden Road and above his driveway on Felix Ln. He was advised this was not the Village’s jurisdiction and to call Ameren for assistance.

Select Energy presented in the conference call on December 13 that they have partnered with Affordable Gas & Electric from Mt. Vernon. There are now over 100 cities and towns in the group. They have been requesting renewal pricing from suppliers. It was requested that each community submit a Power of Attorney as soon as possible to allow Select Energy to lock in a rate. We have done this in the past. They are looking at a 36 to 42 month term. Ameren’s rate is at 6.5 cents and Select Energy is hoping to get 2 to 3 cents lower. President asked contact at Select Energy regarding Commercial Energy Consultants request for a list of residents who signed up with Homefield Energy. This information is confidential and would not be able to be obtained. President asked Board for permission to sign and submit Power of Attorney to Select Energy and also to contact Commercial Energy Consultants to advise them that the Village of Makanda will continue with Select Energy. Board decided to continue with Select Energy and gave President permission to sign and submit Power of Attorney to Select Energy. President will contact Danny Ruppert of Commercial Energy Consultants to thank him for providing another option for providing energy supply and let him know we are continuing with Select Energy.

President received the BAS17 Annual Response survey to complete and make sure the Census Bureau has current and accurate boundary, legal name, and governmental status information for the Village of Makanda.

President still needs to contact Wanda at Renascence House as the broken concrete may be on private property. Board suggested following up with Ameren and property owner. We may also want to check to see if 20 ft. from center of road on each side still applies to Baptist Hill due to width of road.

Bud Barnett advised the President and sent photos that standing water in the ditch and culvert across from the Village Hall is due to an old wall that has caved in further down the ditch and there is a 5 ft. elevation that is keeping the water from draining under the railroad track culvert to Drury Creek. We need to find out who is responsible for taking care of blockage.

CLERK: Clerk recorded Man Hours for December. Clerk presented Release of Liability form, for the Village, and elected officials. Board discussed and approved Release of Liability form. A copy was given to Trustee Ross. Her son has volunteered to clean the ditches on Heern Street. Trustee Ross will have her son sign the release before he begins cleaning the ditches.

TRUSTEES: Trustee Hilliard reported that the Masonic Lodge and the owner of the Eclipse Cafe, have worked out an agreement as to the use of the property behind the Lodge. Trustee Hilliard will be going to the 911 office to discuss with them their guidelines for street signs. Trustee Hilliard will then order the street signs for the Village. Trustee Hilliard reported that the 911 office requires roads without an exit to be designated as lanes. The Village has 8 roads without exits: Midway, McGuire East, Oak Grove, Rowan, S. Poplar Camp, McGuire Road Extension, Upper Old Eastern Star, and Church Street. Board discussed the possibility of adding a sign that says Dead End/No Outlet to the existing street signs. Trustee Wolff reported that Dan Walker is interested in working for the Village and what his responsibilities would be. Trustee Wolff recommended that the Village President, Dan, Zach, and the Street and Road Committee meet, and reach an understanding of what needs to be done, and how best to do it. President will call Zach, set up a meeting time, call and let Dan and Trustee Wolff and Allen know when the meeting will be, and post a meeting notice. Trustee Ross thanked the Village for allowing the Christmas party to be held at the Community Center. Trustee Ross had received a donation for the playground from Barbara Schwartz, which she passed on to the Treasurer. Trustee Wolff stated that the Board needs to select a new alternate for the Street and Road Committee, now that Scott Baker is gone.

FISCAL MATTERS:

A. Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer reviewed the monthly report.

B. Bills Payable: Copy provided to Trustees

President asked for a motion to approve Treasurer’s Report and pay the bills.

Trustee Wolff made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report and pay the bills. Trustee Allen seconded the motion. All present at roll call voted yes. Motion carried.

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES:

A. Finance Committee:

B. Ordinance Committee:

C. Street & Road Committee: Installation of guardrail on Baptist Hill was completed on Thursday, December 22. President thanked Zach, Tom, and Jesse for making sure signs were in place for work to be done and returned when job was completed. Looks good and is much safer. Still need speed limit sign installed. Board discussed what type of heater could be put in the equipment bldg. so that the crew could work in there when the weather is cold. Clerk will contact IMLRMA and ask how much our insurance would go up if a heater is installed.

D. Subdivision Committee:

E. Insurance Committee:

REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES:

A. Emergency Disaster Committee:

B. Special Events Committee:

C. Eclipse Committee: The next meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, January 10. President will invite Calvin Beckman from Giant City State Park and Lt. Lindsey from Jackson County Sheriff’s office to attend. Nan Sorrells who owns the old service station property downtown has asked to attend as well to find out what Village plans are for the Eclipse.

D. Playground Committee: Next Committee meeting was scheduled for January 10 following the Eclipse meeting. Trustee Hilliard advised the President that the Committee might want to contact Karen Cupp with the Jackson County Rotary who may be able to assist with money and light labor toward the playground.

ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS: Clerk presented Snow Removal Resolution. Trustee Wolff made a motion to accept the Resolution. Trustee Ross seconded the motion. Voice vote. All present at roll call voted yes. Motion carried. 

Clerk presented Ordinance 2017-1, Regarding Travel, Meal and Lodging Expenses. Trustee Wolff made a motion to accept the Ordinance. It was seconded by Trustee Allen. All present at roll call voted yes. Motion carried.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

UNFINISHED/OLD BUSINESS: Trustee Wolff stated that the Emergency Disaster Committee, First Responders needs to be re-certified. All emergency and disaster information for the Village needs to be updated.

NEW BUSINESS: Trustee Hilliard stated that Alto Vineyards has a new Makanda Eclipse wine, with a picture of the Boardwalk on it.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

ADJOURMENT: President asked for motion to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Ross made a motion. It was seconded by Trustee Dalton. All present at roll call voted yes. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m

Leslie Yambert, Village Clerk

Tina Shingleton, President