Carbondale Reporter

Village of Desoto Board of Trustees met May 20.

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.

Village Clerk Paula Parks administered the Oath of Office to Trustee Brian Gleason.

Present: Tony Rushing, Paulette Johnson, John Evans, Cristy Desormeaux, Eric Schuler, Jennifer Morgan, Brian Gleason

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Paulette Johnson, to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the regular meeting and the May 17 Water Committee meeting and to approve them. Motion carried.

Motion made by Brian Gleason, seconded by Tony Rushing, to approve the April revenue 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; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried.

Tom Smith was not present to discuss his request to vacate the end of Briarwood Drive by his house. He will be at the next meeting.

Brian Gleason left the meeting at 7:06 PM.

Beth Connell announced that she was planning a Veteran’s Memorial Flower Dedication on Thursday, May 23 at 2:00 PM. Potted plants will be hung from shepherd’s hooks at the Memorial. Jesse Crow had asked that flowers not be planted at the Memorial because of the maintenance and upkeep that would fall on the fire department.

Ms. Connell also stated that she needs just five (5) people between the ages of 8-18 to sign up for 4- H in order to start a 4-H club in De Soto.

President John Evans stated that, based on the information about the options of accepting the regular IMRF rate of 17.37% or choosing the optional phase-in rate, he felt it would be best to choose the regular rate. Selecting the phase-in rate for the regular plan would result in lower total contributions in 2020. However, this option would also result in higher contributions over the long term due to carrying costs related to an employer’s higher unfunded liability. IMRF encourages employers with the financial capability to contribute at the actuarial determined contribution rate (ADC) in 2020. Trustees felt that their department funds could handle the increase.

Motion made by Eric Schuler, seconded by Tony Rushing, to pay the regular (ADC) IMRF rate of 17.37%, effective January 1, 2020. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried.

The garbage contract with Republic Services Southern Illinois Regional Landfill expires September 30, 2019. The Street Committee will meet to review the current contract and the proposed increases in the garbage rate.

Tony Rushing reported on the May 17 Water Committee meeting. Paying IEPA Loan No. L175314 off early would reduce the Village’s annual payments for watermain project loans by $19,183.72. The annual payment for Phase II is $14, 470.28, and the annual payment for Phase III is estimated to be $10,057.98. The goal is to avoid an increase in water rates. The Phase I loan would be paid off from the Water Operating Savings Account, which has a balance of $424,869.09 as of May 17, 2019.

Based on this information, the committee recommends that the Village pay off IEPA Loan No. L175314 from the Water Operating Savings Account effective June 30, 2019, with an estimated payoff amount of $285,431.78 plus accrued interest.

Trustee Rushing had also reported that he had met uptown with Jeff Wiggs of Wiggs Excavating to discuss options for installing the new water lines on front street from the bank to the restaurant and how Mr. Wiggs plans to avoid as much inconvenience to the businesses as possible. Mr. Wiggs told him that the Phase III Watermain Replacements project would probably start after July 1.

Trustee Paulette Johnson commended the student volunteers from the school for the work they accomplished at the park.

The dedication ceremony for Jenny Finney Way will be held Saturday, May 23rd at 10 AM.

Trustee Johnson reported that she plans to have a car show on October 5.

Jana Fann will call Jackson County Animal Control about the red foxes that are all around town.

Flowers were planted in the planters uptown and at the south berm by the De Soto Grade School junior high.

The need for enforcement of the Property Maintenance Code on rental property was discussed. Trustees will investigate what other municipalities do and contact other agencies to see what can be done.

The next board meeting will be held Monday, June 3 at 7 PM at the Village Hall.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Paulette Johnson, to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 PM. Motion carried.

https://villageofdesoto.com/uploads/1/2/5/0/125085618/minutes_may_20_2019.pdf