Carbondale Reporter

Village of DeSoto Board of Trustees met May 18.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

President John Evans called the second regular monthly meeting of the De Soto Village Board of Trustees to order at 7:00 P.M via telephone conference. Village Clerk Paula Parks was present to record the minutes.

Present:    John Evans                 Tony Rushing

Brian Gleason             Paulette Johnson

Jennifer Morgan          Cristy Desormeaux

Eric Schuler

Police Chief Ben Doan, Treasurer Dana Smith, Director of Public Works David Griffin, Deputy Clerk Jana Fann and resident John Bowlin were also present on the call.

Motion made by Paulette Johnson, 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 Eric Schuler, seconded by Cristy Desormeaux, to approve the April revenue report. Motion carried.

Motion made by Jennifer Morgan, seconded by Eric Schuler, to amend the list of bills by adding a $422.00 payment to Holland Heating and Cooling, Line Item 150-410, for air conditioner repair 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; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Eric Schuler - Yes. Motion carried.

John Bowlin commented that the area on Tommy Don Bowlin’s property discussed at the last meeting still had not been restored, and he was checking the status. Trustee Tony reported that Wiggs Excavating was resisting on pouring the concrete back. The Village board believes the property should be restored to its original condition. They will make sure it is fixed even if the Village has to do it. President Evans will call the village engineer to discuss the matter with him.

The Park Committee had met on May 11 to interview applicants for the park caretaker position. The committee’s recommendation was to hire Matthew Schuler.

Motion made by Paulette Johnson, seconded by Brian Gleason, to enter into a contract with Matthew Schuler for park maintenance in exchange for living in the park house rent free. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Eric Schuler - Abstain. Motion carried.

In regard to the upgrade for the railroad bridge on North Hickory Street, President John Evans reported that Fire Chief Chris Shelton had said the current vertical clearance on the bridge was fine. The problem was with the width.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Brian Gleason, to approve the wider span of UPRR’s project proposal for upgrading the railroad bridge on North Hickory Street. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Eric Schuler - Yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Paulette Johnson, seconded by Eric Schuler, to approve the contract with Egyptian Asphalt and Sealcoating to seal the park walking track for $1,596.00. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Eric Schuler - Yes. Motion carried.

In an effort to account for water loss, Trustee Tony Rushing discussed the need for a fire hydrant meter to account for water usage when the hydrants are flushed. And, based on the water rate study by Clark Cameron of the Illinois Rural Water Association, they felt a new water meter should be purchased for the grade school.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Jennifer Morgan, to purchase a Zenner FHZ225 Hydrant Meter from USA Blue Book for $1,049.95. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Eric Schuler - Yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Eric Schuler, to purchase a 3” Zenner Bronze Compound Meter from USA Blue Book for $2,607.49. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Eric Schuler - Yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Eric Schuler, to proceed with the city-wide yard sale on June 5-6. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Eric Schuler - Yes. Motion carried.

Board members decided to delay a decision on the park opening until the next meeting.

In regard to opening the village hall, Jana Fann reported that a shield had been installed on the counter in the utilities office, and there were plenty of supplies for complying with the COVID-19 guidelines.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Paulette Johnson, to open the village hall to the public as long as COVID-19 guidelines are followed. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Eric Schuler - Yes. Motion carried.

In support of the red ribbon campaign promoting prayer and community for the COVID-19 pandemic, Trustee Cristy Desormeaux reported that she had put the red ribbons up around town. Trustee Desormeaux had also planted flowers in the urns.

Trustee Desormeaux had discussed with Jackson County School Resource Officer Max Snyder the fact that the crosswalk for the DGS students on Rt. 149 ends up in the grass. The students using that crossing walk are walking along the curb, standing on the curb or not using the crosswalk at all instead of walking on the grass, which creates a hazard for the children. They are recommending installing a sidewalk on the north side of Rt. 149 from Kim Street to Pine Street.

President Evans asked Trustee Desormeaux to bring a proposal for the sidewalk to the next board meeting.

The next village board meeting will be held Monday, June 1 at 7 PM via telephone conference. The telephone conference will be available to the public for their participation. The dial-in number is (978) 990-5087 and the access code is 536100#.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Paulette Johnson, to adjourn at 8:41 PM. Motion carried.

http://villageofdesoto.com/uploads/1/2/5/0/125085618/minutes_5-18-20__1_.pdf