Carbondale Reporter

Village of Makanda Board of Trustees met March 3.

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, and Dalton were present. Trustee Hilliard was absent.

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: Several students from a Carbondale High School, Civics class were present to observe the Village Board meeting: Lynda Camp, Bella Pierce, Hannah Lowndes, and Eli Kowski. Resident Russ Baker came to observe.

PETITIONS & COMMUNICATIONS: President gave an update on Trustee Hilliard.

President received a letter from IDOT advising, due to the implementation of GATA legislation back July 2014, all entities who are expected to receive state or federal funding are required to be registered with the State of Illinois. Motor Fuel Tax funds are considered grant funds and subject to GATA requirements. The President has created an Illinois Public Account in order to register the Village with IL Grant Accountability and Transparency (GATA) and System for Award Management (SAM). Since IDOT recommends that at least two people from each entity create an account, the Village Clerk will also create an Illinois Public Account.

Correspondence was received from Tyler Carpenter that meetings regarding the Watershed Assessment and Inventory should be in March or April.

CLERK: Clerk asked the Street and Road Committee to schedule their annual road inspection. Saturday April 11th at 9 a.m. was the date and time chosen, by the committee

TRUSTEES. Trustee Allen presented a bid for electrical work needed at the Equipment Shed. The bid was from Ed Robinson and the total was $4,756. Trustee Allen suggested that the Village Board advance $3,500 to Ed Robinson so he could purchase the necessary materials and rent a tractor. Trustee Allen did not know if Ed Robinson had liability insurance, and recommended the Village obtain a Waiver of Liability from Ed Robinson. Board discussed the liability situation. Trustee Wolff made a motion to accept the bid from Ed Robinson with an advance of $3,000, and with a waiver of Liability. Trustee Allen seconded the motion. No action was taken. Board continued to discuss the liability issues. Trustee Wolff made a motion to add an amendment to the first motion, that the Village President check with the Village attorney regarding the issue of liability as to the best way for the Village to move forward, in this situation. Trustee Dalton seconded the amendment. Board voted on the amendment. Voice vote. All present at roll call voted. Motion was approved with 3 in favor and 2 opposed. Trustee Wolff asked for a vote on the first motion, as amended. Board discussed the need to have more than one bid. Trustee Ross suggested that the motion be tabled, until next month. Board agreed. Trustee Wolff reported that a tree down on Rowan road had been removed.

FISCAL MATTERS:

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

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

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

Treasurer suggested taking $100,00 and putting it in a CD, to earn more interest. Board discussed. Trustee Wolff made a motion to transfer $100,000 from General Fund into a CD. Motion was seconded by Trustee Brouillette. Voice vote. All present at roll call voted yes. Motion carried.

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES:

A. Finance Committee: Clerk presented the Working Budget to the Board. Trustee Wolff made a motion to approve the Working Budget with the amendments. It was seconded by Trustee Ross. Voice vote. All present at roll call voted yes. Motion carried.

B. Ordinance Committee:

C. Street & Road Committee: Village legal counsel received correspondence from Buncombe Water District’s legal counsel, Mike Twomey, advising Buncombe Water acknowledges its responsibility to repair damage and will do so as soon as weather permits. We need to keep on our radar to make sure this gets done.

Regarding ditch at north end of Church Street, President spoke with Larry regarding the continual problem of dirt filling up ditch. He feels the issue is due to the road work that was done by Village in August last year. President contacted E.T. Simonds to look at for their opinion as we do not feel this is causing the issue.

Trustee Allen reported that the Street and Road crew will be renting a little track hoe and doing ditch work on Baggett Lane and McGuire Road. Trustee Ross reported a tree down on Baggett Lane. Trustee Dalton reported on a pothole full of water on Wiley Lane. Trustee Allen reported that Street and Road was waiting for the weather to dry things out before making a repair.

D. Subdivision Committee:

E. Insurance Committee:

REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES:

A. Emergency Disaster Committee: 

B. Special Events Committee:

ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS:

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

UNFINISHED/OLD BUSINESS: President and Clerk gave update regarding the railroad communication tower.

• President received communication from Paul Osman at IDNR Office of Water Resources from her email inquiry of February 10 regarding the issue of the PTC tower and rock fill along the railroad tracks. Mr. Osman advised this is being discussed with their Permit Section Head and forwarded to their Legal Counsel for an official review and opinion. He will be in touch when he hears something. He also assured President that IDNR realizes Makanda is trying to do the right thing and not be concerned about jeopardizing our eligibility for floodplain insurance and possible assistance.

• President received a call from State Representative Patrick Windhorst’s office advising their office had spoken with IDNR on February 14 and were advised IDNR is checking options with their legal team regarding railroad compliance, permits, etc. and will let us know when they receive an update.

• An update phone conversation was held with Larry Lloyd of CN Railroad on February 25. Mr. Lloyd did not have any updates. President asked what the transmission distance was from base station to base station and was advised it was 20 to 30 miles. When asked why a station was needed in Makanda since the approximate distance from Carbondale to Anna is 18.5 miles, it is due to figuring out where the loss of intermittent signals might occur. When asked if there was documentation confirming CN is not required to apply for permits, the response was it depends on what outcome is once site is determined.

• Next scheduled phone call with Larry Lloyd is March 19.

NEW BUSINESS: President called Greenridge Landscaping for estimate of landscaping at Community Center. Estimate for this year’s landscaping is $545. A motion was made by Trustee Wolff to approve landscaping be completed by Greenridge Landscaping. It was seconded by Trustee Ross. Voice vote. All members present at roll call voted yes. Motion carried.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:.

ADJOURNMENT: President asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion was made by Trustee Ross and seconded by Trustee Dalton. Voice vote. All present at roll call voted yes. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 8:07p.m.

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