Carbondale Reporter

Village of DeSoto Board of Trustees met Nov. 20.

Here is the agenda provided by the Board:

President John Evans called the second 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: Paulette Johnson, Brian Gleason, Tony Rushing, John Evans, Heath Rushing, Eric Schuler

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

Motion made by Paulette Johnson, seconded by Heath Rushing, to approve the October revenue report. Motion carried.

Motion made by Heath Rushing, seconded by Eric Schuler, 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.

Mark Kelly of Sheffer Insurance Agency presented quotes for employee health insurance from United Healthcare and Health Alliance. Blue Cross Blue Shield was still the best option unless the Village Board wanted to drastically change the deductible. Staying with Blue Cross Blue Shield keeps the continuity of coverage for the employees with a strong network. The new premium with the Blue Cross Blue Shield would be $4,414.92 per month, which represents about a 10% increase in the employee health insurance cost. Board members discussed the fact that they did not want to drastically change the employees’ health insurance coverage, and the Village is able to absorb the cost at this time. However, the board might have to look at other options in the future.

Motion made by Paulette Johnson, seconded by Eric Schuler, to accept the renewal option with Blue Cross Blue Shield for a monthly premium of $4,414.92. 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 Eric Schuler, to approve the Public Safety Procedures for Public Service Workers. Motion carried.

An issue with dumping at the Village maintenance building was discussed. Apparently, some landlords are dumping from their rental properties and not leaving room for village residents to dump personal items. Board members discussed various options to resolve the issue.

Motion made by Heath Rushing, seconded by Eric Schuler, to revise the dumping procedures to lock the gates when the maintenance employees are not at the shop and post a sign to call the village hall at 867-2315 for an appointment if the gates are locked and to send a letter to all landlords reminding them that the city dumpsters are not to be used for debris from rental properties. Motion carried.

Trustee Brian Gleason submitted a flyer from the airport with drone information that will be included in the next Village newsletter and posted at the Village Hall.

Motion made by Brian Gleason, seconded by Paulette Johnson, to pass Ordinance No. 2017-7 permitting the sale of the used 2006 Ford Explorer police vehicle for $3,000. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Heath Rushing – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried. Ordinance incorporated by reference.

Trustee Paulette Johnson reported that the Slow Pitch Co-Ed League had paid the Village $22 for lime. She also stated that due to the resignation of the person preparing the fields for the park, John Johnson prepared the fields for the school and the Slow Pitch League. Mr. Johnson was donating $100 from his field preparation fee from the school back to the school, and he was donating $100 from his fee from the Slow Pitch League to the Park Fund.

Jana Fann was asked to contact the insurance company about coverage for persons using Village equipment that are not under contract with the Village.

Trustee Johnson reported that De Soto Daze is donating $250 to the De Soto Community Christmas food baskets.

Christmas at the Gazebo will be held Friday, December 1 at 6 PM at the Seniors Park.

Milk and Cookies with Santa will be held December 9 at 9:00 AM at the Village Hall.

Motion made by Heath Rushing, seconded by Paulette Johnson, to purchase a locator to replace the broken one for $1,959.00 from IMCO Utility Supplies from the Water Operating Fund. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Heath Rushing – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Eric Schuler, seconded by Heath Rushing, to pass Resolution 2017-6 in support of Illinois Bicentennial Celebrations. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Heath Rushing – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried. Resolution incorporated by reference.

The Village will hold an Illinois Bicentennial Flag raising ceremony on December 4, 2017, at noon at the Village Hall.

Motion made by Eric Schuler, seconded by Paulette Johnson, to give Christmas bonuses of $100 to all full-time employees, the regularly scheduled part-time employees, the treasurer and the village clerk and to give $50 to the custodian, crossing guard and meter readers. 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 Tony Rushing, to go into executive session at 8:10 PM to discuss personnel, pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1). Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Heath Rushing – Yes; Eric Schuler - Yes. Motion carried..

Motion made by Eric Schuler, seconded by Brian Gleason, to come out of executive session at 9:28 PM. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Heath Rushing – Yes; Eric Schuler - Yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Heath Rushing, seconded by Eric Schuler, to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 PM. Motion carried.

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