Carbondale Reporter

Village of DeSoto Board of Trustees met March 2.

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: Tony Rushing                 Brian Gleason

              Paulette Johnson           Jennifer Morgan

             Eric Schuler

Absent: John Evans                     Cristy Desormeaux

Motion made by Brian Gleason, seconded by Jennifer Morgan, to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the February 18 regular meeting and the February 26 special meeting and to approve them. Motion carried.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Eric Schuler, to approve the February expense report. Motion carried.

Motion made by Brian Gleason, seconded by Tony Rushing, to amend the list of bills by adding a $350.00 payment to De Soto Grade School to help with the funding to train two therapy dogs for the school, to be paid from De Soto Daze, Line Item 150-499 and to pay the list of bills as amended. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Eric Schuler - Yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Brian Gleason, to approve Change Order No. 4 for the Phase III Watermain replacements project, reducing the contract amount by $2.25 and changing it to $591,572.00. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Eric Schuler - Yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Eric Schuler, to approve Pay Estimate No. 4 in the amount of $81,575.25 to Wiggs Excavating Inc. 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; Eric Schuler - Yes. Motion carried.

Trustee Paulette Johnson reported that the Little League agreement was not ready yet for signature.

Motion made by Jennifer Morgan, seconded by Brian Johnson, to table approval of the Little League agreement until the next meeting when the agreement is ready. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Eric Schuler - Yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Eric Schuler, to hire Derek Short Drywall for $1,250.00 to include labor and materials to finish the drywall at the park house, pending proof of insurance. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Eric Schuler - Yes. Motion carried.

Trustee Johnson said the Village would advertise for a park caretaker on March 22 with an application deadline of March 28.

Trustee Tony Rushing reported that he had not heard back from Jeff Wiggs regarding a cost to install a fire hydrant on Chestnut Street.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Brian Gleason, to table action on the fire hydrant on Chestnut Street until more information is available. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Eric Schuler - Yes. Motion carried.

Harold Sheffer of J. T. Blankinship Inc. presented a drawing of the driveway into Adventure RV off of Highway 51. The drawing showed the area that would be the property owner’s responsibility and the portion that would be the Village’s responsibility. Mr. Sheffer did not have a definite cost for either one. Mr. Sheffer explained that the driveway and sidewalk need to be poured at the same time. Trustee Tony Rushing asked about reducing the driveway cost by eliminating the concrete apron on the property owner’s side. Mr. Sheffer will ask IDOT about the possibility. Mr. Sheffer will get back with the Board on a definite cost.

Trustee Tony Rushing expressed his concern about the water loss readings. He feels unexplained water loss has been too high for years. The losses amount to about $22,000.00 per year. Director of Public Works David Griffin pointed out that the water sales still exceed the cost. Mr. Sheffer said that someone from the Illinois Rural Water Association could come and listen to the lines to detect leaks. David Griffin will contact the Illinois Rural Water Association about the issue.

Trustee Brian Gleason expressed his concern about spending $22,816.22 for a new siren when there were more efficient and cost effective options available. The siren the Village is talking about replacing in the noon siren and only a back up storm siren. He had asked Chief Doan to investigate other notification systems. Chief Doan had information from the company that provides the school’s notification system. This system uses voice mail, text messages and Facebook notifications. This type of system would be used to alert the citizens of De Soto of storms, water breaks, boil water orders, hazard material issues, etc. The cost the company Chief Doan researched would be $750 set up fee and $2,000.00 per year. This option will be discussed at the Finance Committee meeting.

The budget planning meeting was rescheduled for March 23 at 6 PM at the Village Hall.

The time of the Finance Committee meeting on March 9 was changed from 5 PM to 6 PM.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Eric Schuler, to go into executive session at 8:09 PM to discuss personnel, pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1). Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Eric Schuler - Yes. Motion carried.

Trustee Tony Rushing left the meeting at 8:25 PM

Motion made by Eric Schuler, seconded by Brian Gleason, to come out of executive session at 8:33 PM. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Eric Schuler - Yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Eric Schuler, seconded by Brian Gleason, to schedule a special board meeting on March 9 at 6:30 PM to re-interview the finalists for the utilities clerk position and to hire a utilities clerk at $11.00 per hour for 30 hours per week from 9AM-3PM. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Eric Schuler - Yes. Motion carried.

The next village board meeting will be held Monday, March 16 at 7 PM at the village hall.

Motion made by Eric Schuler, seconded by Brian Gleason, to adjourn at 8:35 PM. Motion carried.

http://villageofdesoto.com/uploads/1/2/5/0/125085618/minutes_3-2-20__1_.pdf