Carbondale Reporter

Village of DeSoto Board of Trustees met April 3.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

President John Evans called the first regular meeting of the De Soto Village Board of Trustees to order at 7:00 P.M. Village Clerk Paula Parks was present to record the minutes.

Present: Brian Gleason 

Paulette Johnson

Tim Cochran 

Eric Schuler

John Evans 

Larry White

Tony Rushing

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Larry White, to dispense with the reading of the minutes and to approve the previous meeting’s minutes and the minutes of the Water Committee meeting held on March 29. Motion carried.

Motion made by Paulette Johnson, seconded by Tony Rushing, to approve the March expense report. Motion carried.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Brian Gleason, to pay the list of bills. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Larry White: Yes; Tim Cochran – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried.

Amanda Tinsley of J. T. Blankinship Inc. discussed the fact that the DCEO grant for Phase II of the Watermain Replacement Project had been denied. Mrs. Tinsley explained that the Village could still go with the EPA loan with a possible 50% debt forgiveness on the principal of the loan. Mrs. Tinsley also explained that the Village needed to move forward as quickly as possible in order to get the loan from funds in this fiscal year.

Motion made by Larry White, seconded by Tony Rushing, to put work for Phase II of the Watermain Replacement Project out for bid, with the bids to be taken May 17, 2017. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Larry White: Yes; Tim Cochran – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried.

After discussing the person for preparing the ball fields for the Little League, Trustee Paulette Johnson stated that the Village will run an ad for a person to prepare the fields.

Motion made by Paulette Johnson, seconded by Eric Schuler, to approve the De Soto Little League Park Agreement effective April 10, 2017. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Larry White: Yes; Tim Cochran – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried.

Cathy Payne thanked Director of Public Works David Griffin and Village Employee Danny Vancil for a job well done in dealing with a problem she had at one of her rental properties.

Danny Mc Fadden asked about getting a storm siren on the east side of town. Mr. Mc Fadden said they cannot hear the siren where he lives on Riverbend Dr. President John Evans explained that they had to use the old noon siren for the warning for the last storm because the storm siren would not work. The sound of the old siren doesn’t carry as well because it does not rotate. President Evans said the Village would look into Mr. Mc Fadden’s request.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Larry White, to transfer $19,753.20 from the Sewer Savings Account to the Sewer Reserve Account and $32,020.00 from the Sewer Savings Account to the Sewer Depreciation Account to fully fund these accounts. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Larry White: Yes; Tim Cochran – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried.

Trustee Brian Gleason read a letter from Pam Brumley commending Police Chief Ben Doan for helping people in the community.

Trustee Paulette Johnson announced that De Soto Daze will be held September 22-24, 2017.

Mrs. Johnson also reported that the De Soto Daze Committee had decided to donate $500 to the De Soto School Education Foundation from car show funds. Due to the school’s budgetary restraints, the faculty needs more funding help from the Foundation in order to continue to provide quality educational opportunities for the students.

The Park Easter Egg Hunt is scheduled for Saturday, April 8 at 10 AM for children 0-4th grade. The Flashlight Hunt for the older children will start at 7 PM.

Spring Miles was present to express her displeasure with a village employee.

Motion made by Paulette Johnson, seconded by Tim Cochran, to go into executive session at 7:35 PM to discuss personnel, pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1), and possible litigation, pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11). Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Larry White: Yes; Tim Cochran – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried.

Tony Rushing left the meeting at 8:20 pm.

Motion made by Larry White, seconded by Tim Cochran, to come out of executive session at 8:45 PM. Upon roll call vote: Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Larry White: Yes; Tim Cochran – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried.

The next meeting will be held on Monday, April 17, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at the Village Hall.

http://www.villageofdesoto.com/villageminutes.html