Carbondale Reporter

Village of DeSoto Board of Trustees met April 2.

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

Paulette Johnson, John Evans

Eric Schuler

Absent: Heath Rushing

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

Motion made by Paulette Johnson, seconded by Eric Schuler, to approve the March expense report. Motion carried.

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

Chelsea Johnson, Joe McKinney and Beth McKinney were present on behalf of the De Soto Little League. Mrs. Johnson asked if the Little League needed to sign a lease agreement for the concession stand. Trustee Johnson said no agreement was necessary due to the revised ordinance. However, she said she would write up a short agreement that the Little League agrees to adhere to the ordinance. Trustee Johnson asked for a list of the volunteers who will prep the field.

Beth McKinney explained that the Little League would like to utilize the Kohl’s Employee Volunteer Program and get five volunteers from Kohl’s to help the Little League on opening day. The Little League would get a $500 donation from Kohl’s. Since being a 501(c)(3) organization is a requirement and De Soto Little League is not yet registered as a 501(c)(3) organization, Mrs. McKinney asked if they could get the volunteers under the Village to use the Village’s tax exempt status. Trustee Johnson said the Village would need to read Kohl’s agreement first to see what we are committing to. Otherwise, the Village was agreeable with the Little League using their tax exempt status.

Motion made by Eric Schuler, seconded by Paulette Johnson, to raise the rate for the regularly-scheduled village employees that are paid hourly by three (3) percent effective May 1, 2018. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Brian Gleason, to approve Change Order No. 3 for the Phase II Water Main Replacements project decreasing the contract price by $33,805.00 leaving a new contract price of $386,228.80. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Eric Schuler, to approve Change Order No. 4 for the Phase II Water Main Replacements project increasing the contract price by $22,078.39 leaving a new contract price of $408,307.19. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Brian Gleason, to approve Pay Estimate #5 to Wiggs Excavating Inc. for work on the Phase II Water Main Replacements project in the amount of $41,453.84. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Paulette Johnson, seconded by Tony Rushing, to adopt the Paws Playground rules as written. Motion carried.

Motion made by Paulette Johnson, seconded by Eric Schuler, to purchase two (2) benches for the dog park from Global Industries for the total price of $791.35. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried.

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

Tony Rushing reported that, due to a complaint, the EPA had done a spot check on the odor from the lift station on Highway 51. EPA thinks the septic from the Landfill is causing the odor. Director of Public Works David Griffin will set up a sewer committee meeting with Harold Sheffer to discuss meeting with the representatives from the Landfill.

Trustee Rushing reported that he had contacted Vogler Ford in regard to a new truck. Vogler had not responded with a quote.

Mr. Rushing reported that he knows someone from Effingham that restores single-axle dump trucks purchased from IDOT. He has single-axle dump trucks with low sides that are completely restored for about $9,000.00. Mr. Rushing reported this information as an FYI.

Chief Ben Doan said he would check about state bids for a truck. Trustee Tony Rushing said he would check with Holshauser’s in Nashville, Illinois.

Trustee Brian Gleason reported that Police Officer Ryne Bryant resigned his position effective April 1, 2018 to work for the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department. Officer Bryant wants to stay on part time for De Soto if his new employer approves.

President John Evans thanked Officer Bryant for his service and said he will be missed. All board members were in agreement.

Trustee Gleason scheduled a Public Safety Committee Meeting for April 9 at 5 PM to discuss issues due to Officer Bryant’s resignation and possible changes to the animal control ordinance.

Trustee Paulette Johnson reported that the park Easter Egg hunt went well. She thanked Eric Schuler, Misty New, Andrea Bullar and all who helped with the egg hunt.

Trustee Johnson reported that work on the dining room at the park house is in process. Trustee Johnson plans to work on one room per year.

Mrs. Johnson stated that the village maintenance employees will repair the stage of the pavilion when they have time.

Trustee Eric Schuler reported that the community garden is a work in progress.

Trustee Johnson pointed out that the $10 collected for a plot in the community garden will be a suggested donation instead of a rental fee.

The next regular board meeting will be held Monday, April 16, 2018 at 7:00 P.M.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Eric Schuler, to adjourn at 8:11 PM.

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