Carbondale Reporter

Village of DeSoto Board of Trustees met June 5.

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 Tony Rushing

Paulette Johnson Eric Schuler

John Evans Heath Rushing

Absent: Tim Cochran

Motion made by Eric Schuler, seconded by Tony Rushing, to dispense with the reading of the minutes and to approve them. Motion carried.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Brian Gleason, to approve the March expenditure report. Motion carried.

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

Chelsea Johnson, president of the De Soto Little League, read a statement of complaints about concessions, field conditions/prep and behavior toward De Soto Little League members. President John Evans said that a meeting would be set up with the Village Park Committee and the Little League to try to work out the issues.

Clay Fuhrhop addressed the Board about the bill he received for the Village’s services on the water line break on Township Line Road. He felt the $800 bill he received was excessive. He proposed that he would split the cost and pay the Village $400. Trustee Heath Rushing disagreed with Mr. Furhrop’s proposal because he felt the Village was not at fault.

Charles Lovelace, who lives at 1422 Township Line Road, was upset because his water has not been hooked up yet. Director of Public Works David Griffin explained that the contractor had left the EPA water permit, pressure checks and water samples to him, which was not the Village’s responsibility. He said the Village is moving toward getting the water hooked up, but there is more to be done.

Trustee Rushing said there is more to finish up on the water line, and he would not consider the $400 because of the Village’s time, effort and equipment usage on the break.

Sherri Missey rented the pavilion for her son’s graduation party on May 20 from 10 am to 10 pm. When she arrived at the pavilion, it had not been cleaned up by the group that used it on Friday night, and it was a mess. Mrs. Missey had to clean the pavilion before she could use it. She felt she should be compensated for cleaning it.

Motion made by Paulette Johnson, seconded by Brian Gleason, to refund Sherry Missy’s rental fee of $50 for the pavilion on May 20. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Heath Rushing - Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried.

Andrea Bullar of the Park Community Committee presented the following goals for community activities: Movie at the Park; Splash into Summertime; Comet at the Park in August; Scavenger Hunt/Geocashing; Wiffle ball Wednesday; Bingo night; Easter Egg Hunt; and Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt. The committee would also like to get a restroom at the Seniors Park.

Trustee Paulette Johnson stated that the Village needed to purchase a four-wheeler to be used for the park and for the village employees.

Motion made by Paulette Johnson, seconded by Tony Rushing, to purchase a 2002 Honda four-wheeler from Robert King for $1,000. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Heath Rushing - Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Brian Gleason, seconded by Tony Rushing, to renew the agreement between the De Soto Township Fire Protection District for utilities reimbursement. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Heath Rushing - Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Paulette Johnson, seconded by Heath Rushing, to renew the agreement with Ronald Bandy to use his property for parking at the park for the consideration of $1.00. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Heath Rushing - Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried.

A snowbird procedure has been developed. The procedure will include a form for the snow birder and the Village to sign.

Motion made by Brian Gleason, seconded by Heath Rushing, to approve the ride-a-long application from Carlie Daffron, barring any problems with the criminal background check. Motion carried.

Joe McKinney of Field of Dreams is holding a tournament June 24th and 25th to raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Motion made by Paulette Johnson, seconded by Brian Gleason, to waive the light fees for the tournament and to allow him to use the concession stand on June 24th and 25th. Motion carried.

Motion made by Paulette Johnson, seconded by Eric Schuler, to hire Dalton Rodriguez for ball diamond preparation for the remainder of the season. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Heath Rushing - Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried.

Trustee Paulette Johnson reported that the big concession stand will need a new air conditioner. The Village will wait until the air conditioner goes out before replacing it.

Trustee Heath Rushing reported that Kinkaid Reed’s Creek Conservancy District is raising its water rates, possibly in August. The raise is necessary because Kinkaid is currently using savings to cover operations. The new rate is to be determined.

David Griffin reported that the sewer problem at Pinewood Court has been resolved.

Trustee Paulette Johnson commented that the park caretaker, Chris Teft, is doing a good job.

She also expressed her appreciation for Andrea Bullar’s efforts in trying to keep the Farmer’s Market going.

Trustee Johnson also noted that she would like the Village to start work on the park house to update it.

The next board meeting will be held Monday, June 19 at 7 pm at the Village Hall.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Eric Schuler, to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 pm. Motion carried.

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