Carbondale Reporter

Village of DeSoto Board of Trustees met March 19.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

resident 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: Tony Rushing, Brian Gleason, Paulette Johnson, John Evans

Absent: Heath Rushing, Eric Schuler

Motion made by Paulette Johnson, seconded by Brian Gleason, 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 February Revenue report. Motion carried.

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

Dillon Rushing of Martel’s Pizza asked if Martel’s could place a permanent sign at the four-way intersection advertising that they deliver to De Soto. He said Martel’s would be willing to pay a fee to place the sign. The board members felt they could not allow a permanent sign but that a temporary sign for a short time might be acceptable.

Motion made by Brian Gleason, seconded by Tony Rushing, to allow Martel’s Pizza to put a temporary banner on the Village right-of-way. Motion carried.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Paulette Johnson, to approve the budget as presented for fiscal year beginning May 1, 2018 and ending April 30, 2019. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes. Motion carried.

Southern Illinois Regional Landfill had submitted a letter to the Village requesting that the Village waive the penalty on a late water bill payment. The Landfill usually pays the bill on time.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Brian Gleason, to waive the $62.20 and $414.64 penalties on the Landfill’s water bill. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes. Motion carried.

President John Evans presented a letter dated March 9 from Donna Irons of 205 S. Pecan St. complaining about a high water bill. Mrs. Irons was asking for a new meter. Director of Public Works David Griffin had checked and found no indication of a water leak. The meter was routinely replaced in December 2017. Mr. Griffin replaced the meter again on March 8, 2018 because Mrs. Irons was upset about her bill. The board members felt the Village had done all that could be done and the meter would not be replaced again. Mrs. Irons will be notified by letter of the Village’s findings.

Eric Schuler entered the meeting and took his seat at 7:35 PM.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Brian Gleason, to approve the electric contract with Homefield Energy at a rate of.04570 for two years for the Village’s municipal buildings and streetlights. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried.

Trustee Paulette Johnson presented proposed rules for the new dog park. Board members will review the rules and vote on them at the next board meeting.

The park Easter Egg Hunt is scheduled for March 24, 2017 at 10 AM.

Trustee Eric Schuler reported that the Jackson County Health Department will provide a free training seminar on Wednesday, April 11, 2018, from 1:00-2:00 PM. The training will allow these individuals to dispense certain larvicides to catch basins, roadside ditches and similar locations. As a result of the completion of this training, the Village will be eligible to receive free larvicide from the Health Department. Trustee Schuler said that one or two of the village street employees would attend.

Trustee Schuler has been talking with Paul Waterman about the community garden. Mr. Waterman wants to start the garden next month. There would be a plot for a community garden and 10 ft. by 10 ft. plots for residents’ personal use. The fee for residents to rent a 10 ft. x 10 ft. plot would be $10. Revenue from the fee will be used for water, soil, seeds, tools, etc. for the gardens. The only involvement the Village has with the community garden is allowing the community garden to be on Village property. Trustee Johnson had some concerns about the legalities of the rental fee in regard to the Village.

Discussion about a water deposit rate increase was tabled until Trustee Heath Rushing is present.

Director of Public Works David Griffin asked about the Village’s policy for dumping brush and landscape on the Village’s burn pile at the city garage. Board members said the policy is that all in-town residents may dump their brush and landscape waste on the Village’s burn pile.

The next board meeting will be held Monday, April 2, 2018 at 7:00 P.M.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Brian Gleason, to adjourn at 8:10 PM

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