Carbondale Reporter

Village of Makanda Board of Trustees met April 7.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

CALL TO ORDER: Regular meeting of the Board of Trustees was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Tina Shingleton.

ROLL CALL: Clerk called the role of the Village Board: Trustees Allen, Wolff, Ross, Brouillette, Hilliard, and Dalton were present.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: President asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the last meeting. Trustee Wolff made a motion to accept the minutes. It was seconded by Trustee Dalton. Voice vote. All members present at roll call voted yes. Motion carried.

CITIZEN’S HEARING: No guests or citizens. No questions had been submitted to the Clerk for discussion.

PETITIONS & COMMUNICATIONS: President was contacted by Jason Chrzan of Keller’s Crossing at Stone Creek to ask if Village would assist in applying for a grant through the Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program for businesses economically impacted by the COVID-19 virus. Applications must

be submitted by a unit of local Government. President attended a Webex conference meeting over the phone earlier for information and to find out about eligibility requirements. More research is needed to determine eligibility and businesses will need to be provided with information to see if they wish to be included. There is a lot of paperwork that will need to be completed and submitted. Board was asked if they approve moving forward. There will need to be a Public Hearing which will have to be web-based. Only one hearing is needed no matter how many businesses apply. Village Board is in agreement to assist Village businesses in applying for the grant.

CLERK:

TRUSTEES: Trustee Ross reported that the ditch work on Heern Street looks great. Trustee Dalton reported that a resident on Church Street commended the Village on the road repair work recently completed near his home.

FISCAL MATTERS:

A. Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer presented the Treasurer’s report. 

B. Bills Payable: Treasurer presented the list of the bills payable.

Treasurer reported that due to COVID 19 business closures, the bank has had limited business transactions, and the $100,000 has not yet been transferred to a CD.

President asked for a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report and pay the bills. Trustee Wolff made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s report and pay the bills. It was seconded by Trustee Ross. Voice vote. All present at roll call voted yes. Motion carried.

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES: 

A. Finance Committee:

B. Ordinance Committee:

C. Street & Road Committee: Due to COVID-19, the Street and Road Committee will review roads individually. Trustee Hilliard will provide a review sheet to each committee member. Results will be reviewed, and a report will be submitted for approval by the Village Board. Trustee Allen reported that the rental of the backhoe has increased the ability of the Street and Road crew to do ditch work. Trustee Wolff commended the Street and Road crew for a job well done.

D. Subdivision Committee:

E. Insurance Committee:

REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES:

A. Emergency Disaster Committee: 

B. Special Events Committee:

ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS: Clerk presented the annual Appropriation Ordinance. President asked for a motion to approve the Appropriation Ordinance.

Trustee Hilliard made a motion to approve the Appropriation Ordinance. It was seconded by Trustee Wolff. Voice vote. All present at roll call voted yes. Motion carried.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

UNFINISHED/OLD BUSINESS: Regarding electrical work needed at the Equipment Building and Village Hall that was tabled in March, it has been

confirmed that Ed Robinson is licensed and insured. The bid for the Equipment Building is $4,756 and the bid for the Village Hall is between $165 and $190. It was suggested we advance Ed $3,000 for needed materials and pay balance once work is completed. The Board was asked to discuss and decide how they wish to proceed. A motion was made by Trustee Wolff and second by Trustee Dalton to have Ed Robinson proceed with electrical work at the equipment building and Village Hall.

Trustee Wolff added that there had been problems in the past with a circuit breaker throwing in the kitchen at the Community Center when several things are plugged in at one time for large events and extension cords had to be used. To eliminate this problem, Ed has offered to add a circuit breaker with the only cost being for materials. After discussion, Board agreed to have Ed add the circuit breaker at the Community Center.

Update regarding CN PTC Communications Tower:

Scheduled phone call on March 19 with Larry Lloyd of CN Railroad was rescheduled and took place on March 27. The railroad is planning to move ahead with Option B across from Jinnie Pearl’s. Mr. Lloyd advised Makanda is the only spot where there are no intermittent signals for transmission to trains. They are working with the FCC regarding application for permits. Surveyors were downtown March 23 in the area of the proposed tower to survey along CN right of way. They returned on March 31 to re-evaluate. Mr. Lloyd mentioned there had not been any communication from our Board or legal counsel. President has contacted Village legal counsel with an update regarding the tower and asked for Board approval for communication to be sent to Mr. Lloyd on the Village’s behalf regarding our concerns regarding the PTC tower. Next scheduled phone call with Larry Lloyd is April 17. The Board agreed for Village legal counsel to contact CN railroad on the Village’s behalf regarding our concern of placement of a PTC tower in the Village of Makanda. However, we do not have the money and do not want to get involved in a legal battle with CN attorneys that would be costly and would not be in our favor.

NEW BUSINESS: President suggested postponing the Village Spring Cleanup Day until June or July. We can discuss and possibly set a date at the May meeting once we see how the COVID-19 virus progresses. A notice will be posted at the Post Office to make Village residents aware that cleanup day is being postponed.

Trustee Allen asked Trustee Hilliard about date fire extinguishers should be serviced at the Equipment Building, Village Hall, and Community Center and offered to take care of it. Trustee Allen will check inspection date and take care of when due.

Trustee Ross advised the B.C. Ross Community Center is rented the end of July for a wedding reception. Depending on status of Covid-19 and Governor’s State Ruling at that time, we may need to cancel the reservation, Trustee Ross will contact and advise the person requesting rental of this status.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: President will contact Jackson County Health Department regarding the house fire on Baggett Lane.

ADJOURNMENT: President asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion was made by Trustee Ross and seconded by Trustee Brouillette. Voice vote. All present at roll call voted yes. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

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