Carbondale Reporter

Village of Desoto Boad of Trustees met Aug. 3.

Here is the agenda provided by the board:

President John Evans called the first regular meeting of the De Soto Village Board of Trustees to order at 7:00 P.M. Village Secretary Jana Fann was present to record the minutes.

Present: Tony Rushing Brian Gleason

Paulette Johnson John Evans Jennifer Morgan Cristy Desormeaux Eric Schuler

Motion made by Eric Schuler, seconded by Tony Rushing, to dispense with the reading of the minutes and to amend paragraph 9 of the July 20, 2020 minutes to include “in exchange for an easement from Carl and Cathy Payne for a sidewalk across from the school crossing,” the Village Board will approve rocking an 8 ft – 10 ft x 25 ft area for parking across from the property at 206 East Washington Street and to approve the minutes as amended. Motion carried.

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

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Brian Gleason, to pay the list of bills. 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 Tony Rushing, to approve Pay Estimate #6 to Wiggs Excavating in the amount of $186,582.04, pending discussion of Village Clerk with Harold Sheffer for possible discrepancy. 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 Brian Gleason, to approve change order #6 of the Phase III Water Main Replacement project increasing the contract price by $21,467.50 for a new contract price of $625,222.24. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried.

Mr. Sheffer clarified that the Radio Read Meters could not be included in the Rebuild Illinois Grant application for the Phase IV Water Systems Improvement project but could be included in the application for an IEPA loan for Phase IV.

He also reported that the Illinois Department of Transportation is giving the Village Motor Fuel Tax Funds through Rebuild Illinois. The funds will come in 6 payments of $17,464.54 over a period of three years for a total of $104,787.24. The Village will have to tell IDOT what the money will be used for before next May. The funds can be used for normal MFT approved jobs like oil and chipping. The funds could be accumulated for bigger projects. The Village could come up with some projects that Blankinship would run by IDOT.

Joe Leforge asked if he could borrow the portacool fans. Paulette Johnson said that he could in exchange for him to use his DJ equipment to assist with a fund raiser at the park for the veteran’s memorial. Director of Public works David Griffin will get with Mr. Leforge on Friday to loan him the coolers.

Rick Motsinger with M & M Concessions requested permission to set up a food truck at 114 North Chestnut Street. Mr. Motsinger said that he already had permission from the property owner, Tim Parsons. With permission of the Village Board of Trustees, he would be there every other week until possibly November 2020. The food offered is fair food such as corn dogs and funnel cakes.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Cristy Desormeaux, to allow Rick Motsinger to set up the M & M Concession food truck on Mr. Parsons’ property, pending his completion of a business application with all fees waived. Motion carried.

Mary Wilson of 200 Lake Road was concerned about her high water bill. Director of Public Works David Griffin had checked her meter several times. Mr. Griffin found no spin on the meter, but the figures on the meter were read correctly and had increased. It was the consensus of the Board to allow Mary Wilson to make payments on her water bill with no adjustments.

Treasurer Dana Smith reported that the auditor said the Village is in good shape financially. There were no major findings. The minor findings were addressed.

Motion by Tony Rushing, seconded by Brian Gleason, to approve the annual financial audit of Emling & Hoffman CPA for the Village’s fiscal year ending April 30, 2020. 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 Tony Rushing, to purchase an 18’ Geodesic Freestanding Climber in the amount of $3,969.95 from Miracle Recreation Equipment Company with De Soto Daze Funds. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried.

The piece of equipment will be installed at the playground by the small ball diamond at the park.

There will be a water committee meeting on Monday, August 10, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss water rates.

Motion by Brian Gleason, seconded by Eric Schuler, to allow Vincent Rushing to participate as a ride along with the police department, pending a background check. Motion carried.

Trustee Brian Gleason is researching a future purchase of a police vehicle.

Trustee Paulette Johnson reported that someone broke in the large concession stand at the park. Chief Doan viewed the cameras and was unable to identify the suspects. The night officers will lock the gate to the park at night.

The school will begin using the ball fields Monday through Friday.

Trustee Cristy Desormeaux received the permit from IDOT for painting and striping the crosswalks on Highway 51 and Highway 149.

Leroy Miles said that he would consider donating the acreage necessary if the Village wanted to connect Heritage Acres to the railroad crossing at the Plum Street alley in the event the Village would need another railroad crossing for safety purposes. He owns the property on both sides of the crossing.

The next village board meeting will be held Monday, August 17, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. at the village hall.

https://villageofdesoto.com/uploads/1/2/5/0/125085618/minutes_8-3-20.pdf