Carbondale Reporter

Village of Makanda Board of Trustees met May 2.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

Pledge of Allegiance

Call to Order: Regular meeting of the Board of Trustees was called to order at 7:08 p.m. by President Tina Shingleton.

Roll Call: Roll call of the old Board. Trustee Allen absent. President swore in newly elected Clerk. Clerk swore in the newly elected President and Trustees. Roll call of the new Board. Trustee Allen absent.

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

Citizen’s Hearing: Guests present were Jay Ross, Julie and Mike Francis, and Joe McFarland. Jay Ross, Julie and Mike Francis were here to discuss the emergency situation on Crackers Neck due to the recent 11 inches of rain, area flooding, shifting terrain, and road maintenance. Crackers Neck is situated on a wooded hill side, and due to the heavy rain, the road and driveways have split and shifted downhill. Trustee Elaine Ross is the wife of Jay Ross, and participated in the discussion of the emergency situation. Elaine reported that they have lost 2 out buildings and their house is twisted. Jim Scroggins can now barely get from his house to his car with his walker. Elaine recommended that Crackers Neck be closed to through traffic. The increased through traffic due to curiosity seekers, has only made the road worse. The Ross’s have lived on Crackers Neck for over 40 years. The road conditions has gone from poor to dangerous and needs immediate attention. Julie Frances is related to Jim Scroggins and shares ownership of the house that Jim lives in, with Jim. Mike Francis reported on the ongoing water leak problem that may have contributed to the current problems on Crackers Neck. Mike has had to dig a ditch to divert the water, from the leak, away from Jim and Julie’s house. The leak was fixed once, about 2 years ago. But, there is now 2 to 3 gallons of water per minute coming out of the ground and going downhill. Elaine reported that the ditches along Crackers Neck have not been trenched in over 4 years, there is a smashed culvert that has not been fixed, and the water runs everywhere, causing damage to the road and people’s property. Jay Ross stated that an engineer needs to come and look at the situation to determine what needs to be done. Trustee Wolff stated that he is an engineer, and that the trees on the upper end of Crackers Neck need to be removed and new culverts put in, a retaining wall built, and ditches put in to divert the water in the correct direction. Trustee Wolff recommend that the Village hire a contractor to do the work. Jay Ross stated that the road needs immediate attention, so that the residents and emergency vehicle can drive in and out. Then an engineer can come determine what needs to be done. Several Board members looked at pictures of the damage that Elaine had brought with her. Board and citizens continued to discuss possible ways to solve the problem both in the short and long term. Trustee Hilliard reported on the current damage he had seen on Crackers Neck. Trustee Hilliard stated that clean ditches and new culverts, can only take care of 2 to 3 inches of rain, not 11 inches of rain, like we just had. He agreed that the roads should be closed to through traffic. Trustee Wolff recommended that the cracks in the road should be sealed with Bam, at this point in time. Trustee Ross reported that I.D.O.T. told her son that the Village President needs to call FEMA, because we are in an official disaster area, to see what help is available. President passed around a copy of an e-mail from the IMLRMA on how to report property damage, caused by the recent heavy rains. Clerk will contact IMLRMA to see if they cover road damage due to heavy rains and flooding. President stated that the Village has no Road Closed signs, and we probably need 4 of them. Trustee Ross stated that we might need to get signs that say Local Traffic Only. Trustee Wolff stated the need to hire outside help, in order to get things done in a timely manner. Trustee Hilliard stated that the Village first needs to get several signs to keep the traffic off the road, second to get our Street and Road Crew to fill in the cracks with Bam and CA6 to smooth out the road, and then get an engineer to evaluate the situation. President requested that Trustee Hilliard and Trustee Wolff get together with Dan from the Village Street and Road Crew, to take care of the problem. Trustee Wolff recommended calling Dan Walker to see if he is available tomorrow to help fill in the cracks. Also, call Jesse and Danny Williams to see if they are available tomorrow. President has already approved for Zach to purchase more CA6. President called Dan Walker and Jesse, and neither is available to work tomorrow. Trustee Brouillette suggested using Kevin Wheetley Construction. Trustee Brouillette called Kevin Wheetley, and he is available. Kevin will call and meet with Trustee Wolff tomorrow morning to check out what needs to be done. Joe McFarland contacted Calvin Beckman at Giant City Park and asked if the Village could borrow their Road Closed signs. Calvin respond “yes” and even brought them over to the Village and set them up.

Petitions & Communications:

President: Bids for frame building were opened. Due to time constraints, Street and Road Committee will meet on May 6 to review bids and make their recommendation to the Board when meeting resumes on May 9.

President received an email from IML regarding claims that may need to be submitted due to recent severe weather. Suggest having Clerk check with IML regarding road damage on Crackers Neck to see if help is possible.

President recommended to the Board that salary for Street and Road Supervisor be raised from $18/hr. to $20/hr. A recommendation was also made to pay a licensed Village employee $25/hr. for spraying of weeds. Due to the recent torrential rains and flooding over the weekend, Zach had a conversation with Jason Ross and he would be agreeable to work for the Village on an “as needed” basis mainly on weekends. He has experience running equipment and with snow removal. Would like to be paid an hourly wage of $18/hr. President recommended that J.D. also be paid $18/hr. He also has experience operating equipment. Eric will be removed as an employee for the Village as he no longer has time with his current work schedule. Motion was made by Cliff Hilliard to increase wages and hire Jason Ross. Seconded by Travis Brouillette. Motion carried.

President received correspondence from legal counsel regarding recently enacted amended statute on Open Meetings addressing notices and agendas. Will provide clerk with a copy.

Due to urgent situation caused by the past weekend’s rains and flooding, the Board decided to continue the May Board Meeting on Tuesday May 9th at 7 p.m. at the Village Hall.

Clerk: Recorded Man hours for April 2017.

Trustees:

Fiscal Matters: In absence of Treasurer, President presented correspondence received from First Southern Bank regarding pledge release forms. Motion was made by Trustee Wolff and seconded by Trustee Brouillette to sign and return forms to bank. Motion carried.

A. Treasurer’s Report:

B. Bills Payable:

Reports of Standing Committees:

A. Finance Committee:

B. Ordinance Committee:

C. Street & Road Committee:

D. Subdivision Committee:

E. Insurance Committee:

Reports of Special Committees:

A. Emergency Disaster Committee:

B. Special Events Committee:

C. Eclipse Committee:

D. Playground Committee:

Ordinances & Resolutions:

Executive Session:

Unfinished/Old Business:

New Business:

Announcements:

Adjournment: President asked for a motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn was made by Trustee Ross. It was seconded by Trustee Dalton. Voice vote. All members present at roll call voted yes. Motion carried Meeting adjourned at 9:55 p.m.

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