Carbondale Reporter

Village of DeSoto Board of Trustees met Nov. 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: John Evans                     Tony Rushing

              Brian Gleason                 Paulette Johnson

             Jennifer Morgan              Cristy Desormeaux

             Eric Schuler

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

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Paulette Johnson, to approve the October expense report. Motion carried.

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

Stephanie Crews was present on behalf of Leroy Miles to request that a driveway be installed off of Highway 51 (Chestnut Street) into their Adventure Time RV business. Currently, they have no driveway access from West Douglas Street nor from Highway 51. Board members discussed the fact that the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) would have to give permission to put a driveway off of Highway 51. They also discussed who would be responsible for what cost. Mrs. Crews said they would like driveway access from both West Douglas Street and Highway 51. Tony Rushing will contact IDOT regarding what they recommend and let Mrs. Crews know. The Village will also look into driveway from West Douglas Street.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Eric Schuler, to approve Pay Estimate #2 in the amount of $145,572.69 to Wiggs Excavating Inc. from IEPA Loan # L17-5600 for work completed on the Phase III Watermain Replacements Project. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Eric Schuler - Yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Cristy Desormeaux, to approve Pay Estimate #2 in the amount of $11,904.95 to J. T. Blankinship Inc. from IEPA Loan #L17-5600 for construction engineering on the Phase III Watermain Replacements Project. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Eric Schuler - Yes. Motion carried.

Harold Sheffer of J. T. Blankinship Inc. explained that in order to avoid disturbing the awning over Gresa’s Café, the contractor was going to bore under the sidewalk instead of breaking it up to lay the new line. He stated that a change order was required because the boring was not in the original plan. The cost of the boring would be offset by the savings of replacing the sidewalk. However, the contractor will replace the sidewalk at his expense.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Eric Schuler, to approve Change Order #1 reducing the cost in the amount of $24,080.00 in lieu of open cutting the sidewalk and adding $24,080.00 for direct boring under the canopy on the restaurant. Upon roll call vote:

Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Eric Schuler - Yes. Motion carried.

Village Clerk Paula Parks explained that the renewal of the current Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance for employees was only going to increase $20.16 per year. The current premium is $5,862.78 per month, and the renewal premium will be $5,864.46 per month.

Motion made by Paulette Johnson, seconded by Brian Gleason, to renew Plan G532BCE with Blue Cross Blue Shield for employee health insurance for the period of January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Eric Schuler - Yes. Motion carried.

Trustee Eric Schuler reported that Lawrence Gaydos plans to hold a community event November 16 from 10 AM to 10 PM featuring board games and card games. There is no fee. He hopes to hold the event monthly. Mr. Gaydos has asked the Board to waive the rental fee for use of the east hall.

Motion made by Eric Schuler, seconded by Tony Rushing, to waive the rental fee this time for the east hall for the community table top game day on Saturday, November 16 from 10 AM to 10 PM. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Eric Schuler - Yes. Motion carried.

Carol and Bill Cain were present to find out if there was any information about the issues with their water line on 101 Williams Road. Trustee Tony Rushing stated that it was his understanding that it would cost about $1,500.00 for the engineer to even look at the issue. Mr. Rushing will double check with the engineer and get back with the Cains.

Trustee Brian Gleason announced that the public hearing to get comments from the public regarding whether or not the Board should allow cannabis establishments within the village limits was tentatively scheduled for November 13 at 7 PM at the De Soto Grade School cafeteria. Village Clerk Paula Parks will check with the attorney about notice requirements and get back with Trustee Gleason to confirm the date.

Trustee Brian Gleason left the meeting at 8:00 PM.

Trustee Paulette Johnson asked about getting a surveillance camera on the west side of the village hall. Chief Ben Doan will get an estimate from Security Alarm for installing the camera for the next board meeting.

Trustee Cristy Desormeaux reported that De Soto Grade School Superintendent Wilson is willing for the school to purchase one AED for the park.

Trustee Jennifer Morgan stated that the De Soto Little League has asked if the Village Board would cover some of the fees. Trustee Morgan will find out exactly what they want.

The next village board meeting will be held Monday, November 18 at 7 PM at the village hall.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Eric Schuler, to adjourn at 8:28 PM. Motion carried.

http://villageofdesoto.com/uploads/1/2/5/0/125085618/minutes_november_4_2019__1_.pdf