Carbondale Reporter

Village of DeSoto Board of Trustees met February 5.

Here is the minutes as 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. In the absence of the Village Clerk, Jana Fann, Board Secretary, was present to record the minutes.

Present: John Evans Paulette Johnson

Heath Rushing Brian Gleason

Tony Rushing Eric Schuler

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

Motion made by Eric Schuler, seconded by Brian Gleason, to approve the January expense report. Motion carried.

Motion made by Paulette Johnson, seconded by Heath 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.

Diane Choinski of Egyptian Area Agency on Aging presented information on the Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Southern Illinois. The Agency is asking the Village of De Soto to join them and proclaim April 3, 2018 as National Service Recognition Day for seniors to encourage residents to recognize the positive impact of national service in our community and to thank those who serve. Ms. Choinski stated that anyone who is age 55 or over can become a volunteer in the community and that their home office was located in Carterville, Illinois.

Motion made by Eric Schuler, seconded by Tony Rushing, to proclaim April 3, 2018 as National Service Recognition Day. Motion carried.

Chelsea Johnson of the De Soto Little League was present. Paulette Johnson wanted to let the Little League board know that they needed a food service license to operate the concession stand during ball season.

John Evans said that he received a letter from the Jackson County Housing Authority about a meeting to be held at Murphysboro on Wednesday, February 21, 2018 at noon to discuss housing renovations, if anyone wanted to go.

John Evans said that he received a letter from Mediacom stating that effective March 1, 2018 the local broadcast station surcharge will change from $10.96 to $11.13.

Motion by Tony Rushing, seconded by Eric Schuler, to allow the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary to do a 4-way intersection collection on Friday, June 1, 2018 with a rain date of Friday, June 8, 2018. Motion carried.

John Evans had information from Attorney Sarah Taylor stating that if the Village could get the owners of the property, located at 215 North Walnut Street, to deed the property to the Village, the Village could redeem the taxes. This would be less expensive and less time consuming, than the demolition process. It was the consensus of the board to allow the attorney to send the letter.

John Evans had information from Attorney Patricia Hoke stating that ducks are not included in the general prohibition of livestock in 3-1-19 of the village code of ordinances. But the Village could under 3-1-8 prohibit keeping birds which are a nuisance or health hazard. The Village could amend the ordinance to prohibit ducks but the current ducks in question would be grandfathered in. Chief Ben Doan commented that some of the residents in the area were feeding the ducks. This matter will be handed over to the public safety committee.

Motion made by Eric Schuler, seconded by Tony Rushing, to accept the quote from Lowe’s in the amount of $2,249.51 to install three windows at the Village Hall with the cost to be split equally between the Water, Sewer and General Funds. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Heath Rushing – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried.

The quote from Lowe’s was the lowest and had a warranty.

Heath Rushing had information from Utilities Clerk, Alesia Lipe, regarding raising water deposit rates for due to money lost. Heath Rushing will talk with Alesia Lipe on this matter.

Tony Rushing said that Danny Vancil has been repairing roads where the water project had been working.

Ben Doan made a call regarding grants for storm sirens and is waiting for a return call.

Jana Fann will order the playground equipment for the park to be purchased with De Soto Daze money.

Paulette Johnson met with the park committee to discuss upcoming events.

There will be a budget meeting held on Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at 6:00 P.M.

Heath Rushing said the Phase II Watermain Project was finished but the contractors would be back in the spring to get the roads repaired.

Heath Rushing is investigating the cost of installing a water meter for the Fire Department and repairing the bulk station.

Motion made by Eric Schuler, seconded by Tony Rushing, to approve the building permit for Leroy Miles located at 105 West Douglas Street to extend the shop building and raise the roof. Motion carried.

Heath Rushing discussed that the concrete that was poured by Wigg’s Excavating is crumbling. Heath Rushing will call Amanda Tinsley and discuss this situation with her.

Motion by Paulette Johnson, seconded by Eric Schuler, to go into executive session at 8:05 P.M., pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1), to discuss personnel. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Heath Rushing – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried.

Motion by Brian Gleason, seconded by Eric Schuler, to come out of executive session at 8:40 P.M. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Heath Rushing – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried.

The next board meeting will be held Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at 7:00 P.M. at the village hall due to Presidents Day.

Motion by Tony Rushing, seconded by, Brian Gleason, to adjourn at 08:41 P.M. Motion carried.

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