Carbondale Reporter

Village of DeSoto Board of Trustees met May 7.

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: Tony Rushing Brian Gleason

John Evans Eric Schuler

Paulette Johnson

Absent: Heath Rushing

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

Motion made by Paulette Johnson, seconded by Tony Rushing, to approve the April expense report. Motion carried.

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

President John Evans appointed Cristy Desormeaux to fill the vacant trustee position.

Motion made by Brian Gleason, seconded by Eric Schuler, to approve the appointment of Cristy Desormeaux as village trustee. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried.

Village Clerk Paula Parks administered the Oath of Office to Cristy Desormeaux.

Trustee Desormeaux took her seat at 7:10 PM.

Resident Laura Crawford was present to register a complaint that her neighbor blocks her driveway and she cannot get out. The street is a dead-end street and is basically one lane. The neighbor, the family and their visitors park where it blocks her driveway. Mrs. Crawford also stated that her other neighbor is having a problem getting around the vehicles. Police Chief Ben Doan stated that he had spoken with the neighbor in question. Mrs. Crawford agreed that things are currently better, but she is concerned it will not last. Chief Doan will continue to try to get the problem permanently resolved.

Little League board members were present to discuss keys, placing signs on the fences around the ball fields, the two teams that are playing non-SIJBL teams and the agreement with the Village. Chelsea Johnson asked about getting a key for the storage building. Trustee Johnson said there was no problem with them getting the key, but the Little League needs to keep in mind that the school also uses that storage building. Mrs. Chelsea Johnson asked about placing signs on the fences. The signs will be mesh or vinyl. Trustee Johnson explained that signs may be hung on the small ball diamond and on the fence along the park house. In regard to the two teams in question, a consensus of the board members determined that because these team members had paid the Little League dues and participated in the fundraisers, they were considered Little League teams.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Brian Gleason, to approve the agreement with the Little League and to approve Brenden Kellerman for field prep, with Robbie Miller as the alternate. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried.

Trustee Eric Schuler reported that Village Code 38-5-24 stated that costs in relation to lateral sewer lines will be borne by the owner. Therefore, the Board agreed the invoice to the Paynes will stand. They will be notified in writing of the determination.

Village Clerk Paula Parks explained that since the De Soto Community Garden was not an official organization, the village attorney recommended that the Village sponsor the garden since it is on village property. Individuals using plots will be asked to sign a short application with an indemnification clause.

Motion made by Paulette Johnson, seconded by Eric Schuler, to sponsor the De Soto Community Garden. Motion carried.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Brian Gleason, to approve the agreement with Matt Bowlby to farm about ten (10) acres of the old lagoon property. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried.

President Evans appointed Trustee Cristy Desormeaux as chairperson of the Finance Committee.

Trustee Tony Rushing reported that they had met with the Landfill regarding the foul odor on Highway 51. Trustee Rushing stated that the Landfill is willing to try anything possible to combat the odor. They have removed the sampling system, which they felt was a primary cause of the odor.

Trustee Rushing reported that, according to the report, the Village had lost 613,000 gallons of water in April. However, Director of Public Works David Griffin explained that he thinks the numbers are incorrect. Trustee Rushing suggested that the Village could purchase 2” hyrdrant meters to account for water usage through the hydrants. The cost for the two meters would be approximately $1,679.90.

Trustee Rushing reported that Autumn Ridge had donated manure for the De Soto Community Garden.

Motion made by Brian Gleason, seconded by Tony Rushing, to pass Ordinance 2018-2 Amendment to Chapter 3, Animal Code, Section3-1-10(A), Livestock in the Village-Certain Prohibitions. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried. Ordinance incorporated by reference.

Motion made by Paulette Johnson, seconded by Brian Gleason, to advertise for the vacant police officer position. Motion carried.

Trustee Tony Rushing left the meeting at 8:56 PM.

David Griffin reported that Wiggs Excavating had started repairing the damage from the water project. He also reported that the Landfill had made some changes at the lift station on Highway 51, and the odor was much better.

The next regular board meeting will be held Monday, May 21, 2018 at 7:00 P.M.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Paulette Johnson, to adjourn at 9:26 PM.

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