Carbondale Reporter

Village of DeSoto Board of Trustees Met Jan. 19.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

President John Evans called the second 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. The meeting was held via telephone conference due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Present:    Tony Rushing            Brian Gleason

Paulette Johnson      John Evans

Jennifer Morgan        Cristy Desormeaux

Eric Schuler

Others present on the call were David Griffin, Dana Smith, Ben Doan, Tim Parsons and Nathaniel White.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Eric Schuler, to dispense with the reading of the minutes and to approve them. 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 Paulette Johnson, to approve the December revenue report. 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 Brian Gleason, seconded by Jennifer Morgan, to pay the list of bills as presented. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried.

Village Clerk Paula Parks reported her findings in regard to a referendum for the sale of alcohol in the village. Article IX of the Illinois Liquor Control Act (235 ILCS 5/9-1 through 9-19) allows for a petition referendum to all local residents to vote on a ballot question to prohibit or restrict the retail sale of alcohol within their community. The question would be whether or not to continue prohibition of the sale of alcohol and could be specific to retail sale of packaged liquor. The initial step would be for a person to prepare and circulate a petition to get the question on the ballot. Petition requirements would be similar to those required under 235 ILCS 5/9-2 of the Illinois Liquor Code and must comply with requirements of article 28 of the Illinois Election Code (10 ILCS 5/28-1). The petition, signed by 25% of the registered voters living in De Soto, would be filed with the village clerk, who would certify the question to the Jackson County Clerk. The petition must be filed at least 90 days and not more than 6 months before a municipal election that elects village officers. Therefore, a question could not appear on a ballot until the municipal election of 2023.

Paulette Johnson reported that the Bank Committee had decided to circulate petitions for residents to sign indicating they would support another bank in town to encourage a new bank to move in. Some banks have been contacted. The Committee asked for approval to mail a flyer asking residents to sign the petitions and asking them if they had any ideas for support of a bank. The Committee also asked for approval to notify residents via the GroupCast notification system, radio and television interviews and sending out a press release. The committee is asking organizations and churches to write letters or pass resolutions in support of any bank that might locate a branch in town. The Committee will meet again on Monday, January 25 at 6:30 PM.

Motion made by Paulette Johnson, seconded by Tony Rushing, to fund mailing a flyer notifying residents that First Mid is closing their De Soto branch and that the Village is looking for another bank and to approve notifying residents via the GroupCast notification system, TV and radio interviews and a press release. 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 Jennifer Morgan, seconded by Tony Rushing, to pass Resolution No. 2021-1 in support of another bank that might locate in De Soto. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried. Resolution incorporated by reference.

Trustee Paulette Johnson presented the estimate for lighting on the park walking path. The village maintenance employees will provide the labor. The estimate was $4,944.08 for materials plus a 10% contingency of $494.41, totaling $5,438.49.

Motion made by Paulette Johnson, seconded by Jennifer Morgan, to approve $5,438.49 for lighting on the park walking path. 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 allow the De Soto Lions Club to collect donations at the four way intersection on May 7, 2021, with a rain date of May 14 and on Friday, October 21, 2021, with a rain date of October 28. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried.

Fire Chief Chris Shelton had submitted a work order request for repairs on the floor of the fire department office. President Evans asked them to get an estimate to bring to the Board at the next meeting.

Trustee Tony Rushing scheduled a Water Committee meeting for January 26, 2021, at 5:30 PM. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss a water rate increase and the proposed Phase IV Watermain Replacements project.

Motion made by Brian Gleason, seconded by Eric Schuler, to renew the intergovernmental agreement with Jackson County 911. 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 Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) plans to resurface Highway 51. IDOT offered to overlay the Village’s parking lanes along Highway 51. The Village’s cost would be 20% of the construction and engineering costs, which would be approximately $20,000. The cost could be paid out of Motor Fuel Tax Funds and/or Rebuild Illinois funds.

Director of Public Works David Griffin reported that Danny Vancil had looked at the problems with the fire department office. Ceiling tiles need to be replaced, which village employees can do. Mr. Vancil feels the Village will have to hire a contractor to fix the floor.

The next village board meeting will be held Monday, February 1 at 7 PM in person at the Village Hall.

Motion made by Eric Schuler, seconded by Paulette Johnson, to adjourn at 7:53 PM. Motion carried.

http://villageofdesoto.com/board-members--village-minutes--forms.html