Carbondale Reporter

Village of Desoto Board of Trustees met Feb. 3.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

President Pro Temp Paulette Johnson called the first regular monthly 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: Brian Gleason                  Paulette Johnson

              Jennifer Morgan              Cristy Desormeaux

              Eric Schuler

Absent: John Evans                      Tony Rushing

Motion made by Brian Gleason, seconded by Cristy Desormeaux, to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the previous meeting and to approve them. Motion carried.

Motion made by Jennifer Morgan, seconded by Brian Gleason, to approve the January expense report. Motion carried.

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

Paul Waterman explained that it is time to plan for the community garden to be tilled, planted and harvested. Mr. Waterman said the only item needed for the garden is a water tank. The plots will be 10 ft x 10 ft, and ten dollars will be charged to use a plot. The ten dollars goes back into the operation of the garden. Mr. Waterman asked the Board’s approval to continue the community garden in 2020.

Motion made by Eric Schuler, seconded by Brian Gleason, to continue the community garden this year. Motion carried.

Jana Fann reported that Walker Communications cannot repair the noon siren because it is too old. Trustee Johnson asked her to price a new siren for the other side of town.

Jana Fann had asked United Systems about the option of utility customers paying their bills online. She should have the information by the next board meeting.

Trustee Cristy Desormeaux had spoken with Scott Stokes of IDOT about the crossing sign on front street. Mr. Stokes said IDOT would move the sign two feet higher to make it more visible. Also, IDOT is replacing the old signs on both sides of the street with new ones. Director of Public Works David Griffin had priced solar signs that light up. They were $1,860.00 each with $480.00 for a controller. The Board will first see if raising the sign and installing the new signs will be effective.

Trustee Johnson had received information about the availability of a $500.00 Rural Healthy Places Seed Grant from the Jackson County Healthy Community Coalition. The grant is to promote healthy options in local communities. Funds could be used for almost anything that is connected to improving activity/health among residents. Board members felt the grant funds could be used for a water tank for the community garden.

Motion made by Eric Schuler, seconded by Cristy Desormeaux, to apply for the $500.00 Rural Healthy Places Seed Grant from the Jackson County Healthy Community Coalition. Upon roll call vote: Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Eric Schuler - Yes. Motion carried.

Jana Fann reported that the police department is continuing to take applications. Chief Doan has reserved a spot for July 27 at Southwestern Illinois College for training when an officer is hired.

Motion made by Eric Shuler, seconded by Brian Gleason, to allow the Murphysboro American Legion Auxiliary to collect donations at the four-way intersection for Poppy Day on Friday, June 5 with a rain date of Friday, June 12. Motion carried.

Director of Public Works David Griffin said that Fire Chief Chris Shelton had approached him about the missing fire hydrant on Chestnut Street. He felt there should be one there. Mr. Griffin said according to the village engineer, there is no IEPA regulation regarding the distance between fire hydrants. However, Chief Shelton felt it would affect the ISO rating. The estimated cost to install a hydrant would be $5,000.00.

Mr. Griffin reported that in the near future the EPA will require the Village to purchase new equipment for further water testing. The cost of the equipment would be about $6,000.00.

Motion made by Jennifer Morgan, seconded by Cristy Desormeaux, to go into executive session at 7:37 PM to review closed session minutes from 2004 through 2019, pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2/(c)(21). Upon roll call vote: Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Eric Schuler - Yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Brian Gleason, seconded by Cristy Desormeaux, to come out of executive session at 8:44 PM. Upon roll call vote: Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Eric Schuler - Yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Cristy Desormeaux, seconded by Eric Schuler, to make closed session minutes per the attached list available for public inspection because the need for confidentiality no longer exists and to keep the minutes per the attached list closed because the need for confidentiality still exists as to all or parts of those minutes. Upon roll call vote: Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Eric Schuler - Yes. Motion carried.

The next village board meeting will be held Tuesday, February 18 at 7 PM at the village hall due to President’s Day.

Motion made by Brian Gleason, seconded by Cristy Desormeaux, to adjourn at 8:47 PM. Motion carried.

https://villageofdesoto.com/uploads/1/2/5/0/125085618/minutes_2-3-20.pdf