Carbondale Reporter

Village of DeSoto Board of Trustees met June 4.

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 Heath Rushing

Paulette Johnson Christy Desormeaux

John Evans Eric Schuler

Absent: Brian Gleason

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

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Heath Rushing, to approve the May expense report. Motion carried.

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

Amanda Tinsley of J. T. Blankinship Inc. presented the final change orders and pay estimate #6 in the amount of $20,559.93 to Wiggs Excavating Inc. for Phase II Water Main Replacements. Mrs. Tinsley explained that were a few things left for Wiggs to do. However, she wanted to go ahead and the draw the money down from IEPA because it takes at least 30 days to get it and to hold the check until Wiggs was finally finished.

Motion made by Heath Rushing, seconded by Tony Rushing, to approve final Pay Estimate No. 6 in the amount of $20,559.93 for the Phase II Water Main Replacements Project. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Heath Rushing – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried.

Lori Nehring of the Jackson County Board introduced herself. She said she is responsible for District 1 of the county, and the Village is part of the area she supports. She wants to stay in communication with the Village Board to see if she can help in any way with county resources.

Several residents from the De Soto Crime Watch Community were present to express their concerns about break-ins and other such incidents. There were several present that were concerned about their safety. Andy Zieba of Camelot Dr. addressed the Board first. He stated that recently they had noticed petty crimes around town such as people breaking into unlocked cars. Mr. Zieba commented on the fact that our police department also covers the De Soto Township. He stated that patrolling the township increases the department’s coverage by 36 square miles. He commented that the Village has increased the patrol area but has not increased the police force. Police Chief Ben Doan explained that 99% of the coverage for the township is actual calls. Patrolling the area is limited. Mr. Zieba asked if there is an opportunity to get two officers on duty at the same time at certain times. He said we are having a problem with crime so what solutions are there to get better coverage.

Police Chief Ben Doan explained that the police department had received about six or seven calls in the month of May, which is under what was being discussed among the community on Facebook. Chief Doan also checked with the County, and they had not received any calls that the Village was not aware of. Chief Doan nor the County had received a call about an alleged stabbing event that was reported on Facebook. Since the very first call May 15, a De Soto police officer and a Jackson County deputy have been doing foot patrols. Chief Doan stated that the De Soto Police Department and the Jackson County Sheriff’s office were doing everything they could to try to stop the crime.

Dietra Jefferies and her husband who live at 104 W. Washington St. suggested that neighbors should get to know one another and start a crime watch in their neighborhoods. Trustee Johnson asked about investigating an organized crime watch.

Chief Doan explained that the police department has a house watch program for residents who will be out of town. Residents just need to call the police department or come in to the office to sign up for the program. He also asked the community members to call 911 or the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line to report an incident before posting it on Facebook.

Larry McKinney of 507 N. Hickory St. complained about a neighbor’s dog continuously barking. He had called the authorities on the dog twice. The first time they spoke with the dog’s owner, and the second time Mr. McKinney was told that the noise ordinance applied in this situation, and the dog could bark until 10 PM before it was illegal. The owner has resolved the situation.

Nicole Galloway stated that she lives off of Lake Road. Her husband had maintained the grass and weeds on a section of the lake for years. However, the property owner had informed him he could not mow or weed eat that area any more. Mrs. Galloway asked how much off the road is city property. She said the area is mowed but the weeds are now high on the edge of the lake. President Evans said the property owner could be cited for the weeds. There was some uncertainty as to what is the Village’s right-of-way. Police Chief Ben Doan will look into the matter.

Chelsea Johnson of De Soto Little League explained that their field prep person had quit. She said Joe McKinney, Robbie Miller, Rick Galloway and Michael McKinnies are volunteers who are willing to help with the field prep. She asked if Little League could check out one set of keys so there is a key available for these volunteers when they are the one preparing the fields. Trustee Paulette Johnson said Little League could check out a set of keys to be given to the field prep person when needed. She asked Mrs. Johnson to bring a list of the four volunteers when she checks out the keys. Trustee Johnson also stated that the four volunteers suggested would be fine. Board members agreed.

Mrs. Johnson asked if the Little League could repair the drag. President Evans and Trustee Johnson said they could. President Evans told Mrs. Johnson that the Little League could take care of anything that was not major.

Trustee Johnson thanked Alesia Lipe for creating the maps for the city-wide yard sale. She also thanked Jana Fann and Alesia for planting flowers at the Village Hall.

Trustee Johnson thanked David Griffin and the city employees for working on the culvert at the park and helping with the Port-a-Cools.

Trustee Johnson reported that John Johnson is volunteering his time to work on the park house, and she is hiring his brother to help for a few hours. The Village is trying to bring the house up to standard, but they are finding there is much more work than anticipated. She said they could use more volunteers.

A De Soto Daze Committee meeting is scheduled for July 1 at 4 pm. De Soto Daze Festival is October 5th, 6th and 7th.

Motion made by Eric Schuler, seconded by Tony Rushing, to renew the agreement with the De Soto Township Fire Protection District effective June 1, 2018 through May 31, 2019, for utilities reimbursement and maintenance responsibilities. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Heath Rushing – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried.

Trustee Heath Rushing reported that Wiggs Excavating Inc. will be back to finish a few things for the Phase II Water Main Replacements Project.

Trustee Rushing also reported that a back flow device is required for the type of water fountain the Board wants for the dog park. The device would cost approximately $200. It also requires a little house to put it in that must be heated, which would be more expense. Trustee Johnson will investigate the matter.

Trustee Eric Schuler and Director of Public Works David Griffin had looked at the parking situations at 304 Bridgewood Drive and at the house on the corner of Washington and Pine Streets. Trustee Schuler stated that at 304 Bridgewood Drive, the Village will put rock on the east side of the street to widen the area to allow for parking off the street. On the corner of Pine Street and Washington Street, the Village will add rock to the shoulder in front of the house, which is still Village right-of-way, to allow for more parking.

Mr. Schuler reported that the Community Garden is doing great. He said Mr. Waterman is looking for a donation of something to store the garden tools at the garden. Trustee Schuler thanked everyone for their help with the garden.

Trustee Schuler and Director of Public Works David Griffin will meet with Bill Centers of Blankinship about the oiling and chipping. They will try to get some of the bad spots repaired on streets that are not included in this year’s schedule at the same time they do the scheduled streets.

Motion made by Cristy Desormeaux, seconded by Eric Schuler, to pass Ordinance No. 2018-2 Amendment to Chapter 1, Administration, Paragraph 1-2-13(A)(1), Public Comment Request. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Heath Rushing – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried. Ordinance incorporated by reference.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Eric Schuler, to go into executive roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Heath Rushing – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Eric Schuler, seconded by Tony Rushing, to come out of executive session at 9:16 PM. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Heath Rushing – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried.

The next regular board meeting will be held Monday, June 18, 2018 at 7:00 p.m.

Motion made by Paulette Johnson, seconded by Cristy Desormeaux, to adjourn at 9:18 p.m.Motion carried.

http://www.villageofdesoto.com/villageminutes.html