Carbondale Reporter

Village of DeSoto Board of Trustees met June 18.

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: Tony Rushing John Evans

Brian Gleason Christy Desormeaux

Paulette Johnson

Absent: Heath Rushing Eric Schuler

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 Cristy Desormeaux, seconded by Brian Gleason, to approve the May revenue report. Motion carried.

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

Amanda Tinsley of J. T. Blankinship Inc. reported that IEPA had notified them that the loan was $3,031.10 short for the final payment to Wiggs Excavating for the Phase II Water Main Replacements project. She explained that the difference was because of the water/sewer separation issues on Oak Street that were not bid on the project and not included in the loan amount. Mrs. Tinsley stated that the Board could either apply to amend the loan amount, which would be a long process, or pay the shortage from the Village’s funds.

Motion made Tony Rushing, seconded by Brian Gleason, to pay the $3,031.10 from the Water Operating Fund for the final payment on the Phase II Water Main Replacements project. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes. Motion carried.

Jana Fann reported that the Village needs a current map of all the city water lines to reflect the changes from Phase I and Phase II Water Main Replacements projects. The map would cost $1,500 to include as many copies as needed and a PDF copy.

Roth Clayton of Clearwave Communications submitted the application for an excavating permit with all updates for Clearwave to install cable from the bank to the Verizon cell phone tower on Dumaroc Road. Mr. Clayton submitted the plan for the area they will work on.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Brian Gleason, to approve the excavating permit from Clearwave Communications to install conduit from the bank to the Verizon cell phone tower on Dumaroc Road. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes. Motion carried.

Trustee Tony Rushing reported that Carl Payne had requested that the Village compensate him $222.22 for getting on his property when the village employees worked on the lift station behind his property. The amount he requested was the amount the Village had billed him for work they had done for him previously on Hickory Street. Mr. Payne’s property was not damaged.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Brian Gleason, to deny Mr. Payne’s request for compensation and to accept his check to the Village of De Soto in the amount of $222.22. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes. Motion carried.

Trustee Rushing reported that the resident living at 105 ½ South Hickory St. had a high water bill due to a leak. Trustee Paulette Johnson suggested that the Village allow her to pay the overage in installments. She would pay her current bill plus one-third of the overage until the bill is paid in full. A late fee will be assessed until the bill is paid in full.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Cristy Desormeaux, to spread the overage amount over three months for Madelyn Hughes. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes. Motion carried.

Chief Ben Doan reported that there were seven applications for the vacant police officer position. He said he planned to get a test date and send letters out in a week or two. There should be an opening in September at the police academy.

Trustee Brian Gleason reported that his neighbor had complimented the police department for doing a good job and being very professional. Tom Boros commented that he agreed the police officers are doing a fine job. He also complimented the city maintenance employees and the ladies in the office for doing a good job.

Trustee Paulette Johnson rescheduled the De Soto Daze Committee meeting for July 8, 2018 at 4 pm at the Village Hall.

Trustee Johnson reported that she had checked into the issue with the water fountain at the dog park. She had spoken with several persons, including a person from the EPA, a local plumbing inspector and the state inspector, who all said the fountain was safe. She learned that the fountain is ANSI61 certified which makes it approved by the state for installation. Trustee Johnson stated that she was going to have the fountain installed since it is safe.

Dianne Odum, who is a lifetime resident of Jackson County and has lived in De Soto for about 12 years, spoke in support of the De Soto Police Department. Ms. Odum said she has interacted with various law enforcement agencies in the county over the years, both as a resident and as a professional working in mental health for Jackson County, so she is aware of what qualities and skills are necessary to interact with the public. More specifically, in regard to interacting with people, Ms. Odum stated that it is very easy to escalate any situation, but it takes a special set of skills to diffuse one. She witnessed those skills at work with Officer Eric Howard recently and added that she has had positive interactions with every officer in De Soto. Ms. Odum said she believes our officers are the best in Jackson County. She expressed thanks and admiration to the people responsible for the daily comings and goings of this village.

Chief Doan reported that the weed issue on the edge of the lake on Lake Road has been taken care of.

Director of Public Works David Griffin reported that he and Trustee Eric Schuler had met with Bill Centers of Blankinship and developed a game plan about oil and chipping the streets and the extra spots and the sidewalks.

He also reported that the smell on Highway 51 seems to be gone.

Mr. Griffin is investigating a water leak on Chestnut Street. He suggested trying to get funding for the Phase III Water Main Replacements project to install new water lines on the east side of Chestnut Street.

The next regular board meeting will be held Monday, July 2, 2018 at 7:00 p.m.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Brian Gleason, to adjourn at 8:22 pm. Motion carried.

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