Carbondale Reporter

Village of DeSoto Board of Trustees met Jan. 16.

Here is the minutes 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: John Evans, Paulette Johnson, Heath Rushing, Brian Gleason, Eric Schuler

Absent: Tony Rushing

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

Motion made by Brian Gleason, seconded by Eric Schuler, to approve the November Revenue report. Motion carried.

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

Meter Reader Ron Bandy reported that he would have to estimate the meter readings for all of the meters on his route because of the ice and snow. In addition, because of the work being done for the Phase II Watermain Replacements Project, there are problems with the lids being 4” below ground, and the ground is frozen. Mr. Bandy explained that it takes the meter readers longer to calculate the estimates than it does to read the meters. He asked the Board to rescind the current policy that pays the meter readers only one half of the reading fee when they estimate the reading and to pay them their full rate even when the readings are estimated.

Motion made by Heath Rushing, seconded by Eric Schuler, to waive the half-pay policy for estimated meter readings this month and to further investigate rescinding the policy altogether. Upon roll call vote: Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Heath Rushing – Yes; Eric Schuler. Motion carried.

Board members discussed the fact that yard waste and trees were not the problem at the city garage. Residents are still allowed to bring yard waste and tree removal waste to the city’s burn pile. They agreed that the dumpsters are the problem. Given the current policy suspending dumping at the city maintenance garage, the board members decided to remove the large roll-off dumpster and another small dumpster at the city garage until the final policy is established.

President John Evans appointed Eric Schuler to chair the Streets and Alleys Committee in addition to his chairmanship of the Finance Committee, due to the vacancy of a trustee position.

Motion made by Paulette Johnson, seconded by Eric Schuler, to add another camera at the large park concession stand through Security Alarm Systems for a one-time installation fee of $100. Upon roll call vote: Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Heath Rushing – Yes; Eric Schuler. Motion carried.

The monthly fee with Security Alarm Systems for the park security cameras will remain the same.

Motion made by Paulette Johnson, seconded by Brian Gleason, to purchase eight security cameras and a monitor from Sam’s Club for up to $500.00 to be installed on the outside of the village hall, with the cost to be split equally between the General Fund, Water Operating Fund and the Sewer Operating Fund. Upon roll call vote: Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Heath Rushing – Yes; Eric Schuler. Motion carried.

Motion made by Paulette Johnson, seconded by Heath Rushing, to schedule the Lions Club to collect donations at the four-way intersection on May 4, 2018, with a rain date of May 11, and on October 5, 2018, with a rain date of October 12. Motion carried.

Police Chief Ben Doan reported that the windshield on his squad car is cracked. It will cost about $500-$600 to replace it.

Trustee Heath Rushing reported that the Phase II Watermain Replacements Project is complete. However, the contractor will not be able to clean up until spring.

Motion made by Eric Schuler, seconded by Brian Gleason, to allow the Jackson County Clerk to use the village hall as a polling place for the primary election on March 20, 2018, and for the General Election on November 6, 2018, and to waive the fee for using the facility. Motion carried.

Jana Fann submitted two estimates for windows for the front of the village hall. Lowe’s estimate was $2,249.51 and the Glass Doctor’s estimate was $2,400. Crispin Glass did not submit an estimate. However, more detailed information is needed. Mrs. Fann will get more information from the vendors as to what is included in the quote so that the Board can make an informed decision. She will also try to get an estimate from another vendor.

Director of Public Works David Griffin reported that he has found a supplier that will sell the Village 20 tons of cinders for $500, which included delivery. The Board authorized him to get one load.

The next board meeting will be held Monday, February 5 at 7 PM at the village hall.

Motion made by Paulette Johnson, seconded by Eric Schuler, to adjourn at 8:20 PM. Motion carried.

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