Carbondale Reporter

Village of DeSoto Board of Trustees met Aug. 5.

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

Jennifer Morgan Cristy Desormeaux

Absent: 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 Tony Rushing, to approve the July expense report. Motion carried.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Paulette Johnson, 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. Motion carried.

Lisa Wenzel of 300 Lake Road stated that the ditch in front of her house was not deep enough to carry the water and it backs up to the road. Director of Public Works David Griffin said he had looked at it, and he would talk with Miss Wenzel about it.

Barbara Martin of 102 S. Hickory Street presented information regarding problems she was having at her house that the landlord would not address. She had submitted her issues in writing to her landlord. She asked who would enforce it. Board members were unsure about the Village’s authority to deal with the problem. Village Clerk Paula Parks will contact the village attorney to find out what, if anything, the Village could do.

The Jackson County Housing Authority (JCHA) had submitted a request for an adjustment on the high water bill for one of its units. When investigating the leak, they found that the meter associated with this bill is labeled apartment D but was in fact apartment C. The toilet in apartment C that was running full force has been empty since March. The JCHA asked if the bill could be adjusted because of the extenuating circumstances where the apartment was empty with no one to call in a repair. Because of the policy of not adjusting high water bills caused by toilets, board members agreed the bill would stand as is.

Several landlords were present because of concerns that the Board was going to establish rental property regulations that would require inspections of rental properties every time the property became vacant. They were concerned about the cost and inconvenience of in-and-out inspections. Mayor Evans explained that the Board was trying to make properties safe, and the Village is looking at our ordinances to see if there is something the Village can do. Most rental properties are well maintained, but there are some problems. Trustee Paulette Johnson explained that even though the Board was looking at the issue, they did not even know yet what they proposed to do. Cathy Payne suggested that landlords be involved in the process to get their perspective. She also noted that homeowner properties are also a problem. A committee that includes some landlords will be formed.

Brett Grasher stated that he has rental property and also flips houses to try to improve the look of the town. He commented that he is concerned about the conditions of rental properties as well as owner- occupied properties. These properties affect the value of the surrounding properties.

Trustee Tony Rushing reported that a pre-construction meeting for the Phase III Watermain Replacements project was held to get everything finalized for the start of the project. He said that the project will start as soon as IEPA receives the signed forms. The approximate start date will be on or before August 15. Trustee Rushing stated that the contractor will try to keep disruption to the businesses on front street to a minimum.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Jennifer Morgan, to approve the application from Cody Moon for a water tap at 1392 N. Oak Street Extension. Motion carried.

Tony Rushing left the meeting at 8:05 PM.

Trustee Johnson reported that the Street Committee had met with Republic Services regarding the garbage contract. There is concern about the price increase proposed by Republic Services when renewing the five-year contract. Rob Willming, General Manager of Republic Services, had reiterated that the main reason for the increase was due to the recycling costs. Republic Services had presented some options with the recycling to try to bring the cost down. They were:

1. Eliminate curbside pickup and place recycle drop boxes in town.

2. Eliminate curbside pickup and provide the recycle drop box at the Landfill.

3. Reduce curbside pickup to one time per month.

Director of Public Works David Griffin reported that the oil and chipping will start August 13, weather permitting.

Mark Ebersohl, the new city maintenance employee, will start Monday, August 12.

Motion made by Cristy Desormeaux, seconded by Brian Gleason, to approve the application from Rick Weisenstein for a building permit to replace a garage at 208 Pinewood Court. Motion carried.

Motion made by Brian Gleason, seconded by Paulette Johnson, to approve the financial audit for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2018 and ending April 30, 2019. Motion carried.

The next regular board meeting will be held Monday, August 19, 2019 at 7:00 PM. Motion made by Brian Gleason, seconded by Paulette Johnson, to adjourn at 8:25 PM.

http://villageofdesoto.com/uploads/1/2/5/0/125085618/minutes_august_5_2019.pdf