Carbondale Reporter

Village of DeSoto Board of Trustees met Jan. 6.

Here is the minutes provided by the

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

             Cristy Desormeaux              Eric Schuler

Absent: John Evans

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

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Cristy Desormeaux, to approve the December expense report. Motion carried.

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

Jana Fann reported that Pay Estimate #2 in the amount of $59,146.11 for a payment to Wiggs Excavating Inc. for completed work on the Phase III Watermain Replacements project was incorrect due to a change order not being processed. IEPA sent a check for $53,590.12, which was $5,549.99 short due to the error. Blankinship will do a change order for the difference.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Eric Schuler, to approve Pay Estimate #3 in the amount of $67,878.24 to pay Wiggs Excavating Inc. for work completed on the Phase III Watermain Replacements project. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Eric Schuler - Yes. Motion carried.

Trustee Paulette Johnson reported that the park caretaker, Chris Tefft, had resigned his position and moved out of the park house. She explained that repair work now could be done on the park house. John Johnson had volunteered to do most of the work. Trustee Johnson stated she would like to hire Ron Johnson to help. She would also like to hire a contractor to do the drywall when the work comes to that point.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Cristy Desormeaux, to hire Ron Johnson to work on the park house at a cost of up to $600.00. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Eric Schuler - Yes. Motion carried.

Trustee Johnson reported that she had met with the community park committee on Sunday, January 5. The community members are Andrea Bullar, Misty New and Amanda Kristoff. Andrea Bullar and Misty New were present. They agreed to take full charge of the park Easter egg hunt.

Village Clerk Paula Parks stated that she had been asked if the Village could stripe the crosswalk on Highway 51 across from Gresa’s Café. She explained that it is dangerous to cross from the parking lot to the café because the traffic is coming pretty fast. Trustee Cristy Desormeaux will contact IDOT about the issue. Trustee Eric Schuler also noted the need for a sign that says “No Parking at Crosswalk.”

Utilities Clerk Alesia Lipe had submitted her letter of resignation, effective April 29, 2020. Office Manager Jana Fann recommended hiring Mrs. Lipe’s replacement by March 16 so the new utilities clerk could be trained for two complete billing cycles. The position will be advertised by the middle of February.

Motion made by Eric Schuler, seconded by Brian Gleason, to allow the Lions Club to collect donations at the four-way intersection on May 1 with a rain date of May 8 and on October 2 with a rain date of October 9. Motion carried.

The next village board meeting will be held Tuesday, January 21 at 7 PM at the village hall due to the Martin Luther King holiday.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Eric Schuler, to adjourn at 7:50 PM. Motion carried.

http://villageofdesoto.com/uploads/1/2/5/0/125085618/minutes_1-6-20.pdf