Carbondale Reporter

Village of Makanda Board of Trustees Met March 2.

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, Brouillette, Hilliard, Ross, 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 Ross. Voice vote. All members present at roll call voted yes. Motion carried.

CITIZEN’S HEARING: No Citizens or Guests

PETITIONS & COMMUNICATIONS: President received membership application for Southern Illinois Mayors Association. Annual dues are $50. We have never been a member in the past. President suggested we become a member. SIMA has emphasized the theme of cooperation among area communities in solving common problems and in voicing concerns in the state capital. SIMA also has a strong working relationship with the Illinois Municipal League (IML). This relationship would be beneficial to the Village. All agreed to become a member and pay annual dues of $50.

Communication was received from Jackson County Clerk’s Office requesting use of the B. C. Ross Community Center as a polling place for the Consolidated Election on April 6, 2021 as in the past.

Correspondence received from Circuit Clerk’s office regarding a hearing on Wednesday, February 24. Notice was not received until February 25. President called regarding notice and was told letter was sent in error. This was for an emergency hearing regarding an injunction of providing a ballot box outside of the Jackson County Courthouse. The injunction was not granted by the Judge.

A certificate of recognition and thanks was received from the U.S. Census Bureau recognizing the Village of Makanda as a valuable partner during the 2020 Census.

CLERK:

TRUSTEES: Trustee Hilliard asked where the new hydrant was installed. President replied that it was a replacement for one that had rusted out at the Equipment Building. Trustee Hilliard asked what had the Village sold to receive $3,105.00 for scrap metal. Treasurer replied that it was an annual check from Ameren, per the franchise agreement. Trustee Wolff reported that Dan Walker had asked him to present several items to the Board for consideration. The first item was for the Village to review and make any necessary changes to the lists at Rural King, Lowes, etc., of who can charge merchandise to the Village. President and Treasurer will review and update, as necessary. The second item was to review and update the list of people who have keys to the Equipment Building. Trustee Hilliard stated that he has the list of keys to the Equipment Building and believes there is only one key that has not been returned. Trustee Hilliard will follow through on having the key returned. The third item was to report that Randy will need to have surgery on his rotator cuff and will be unable to do any heavy street and road work for about a month. Dan suggested that the Village hire Kip Hagler on an “as needed” basis. Board discussed. Trustee Allen made a motion to hire Kip Hagler to help as needed for the Village. It was seconded by Trustee Ross. Voice vote. Everyone in attendance voted yes. Motion carried. Board discussed how much to pay Kip when he works for the Village. Board agreed to pay him $17.00 an hour. Trustee Ross reported that there is a rental date for the Community Center, scheduled for this April. Due to the current COVID restrictions, the Board decided it would be in everyone’s best interest to cancel the rental and refund the money to the individual. Trustee Ross will take care of the matter.

FISCAL MATTERS:

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

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

President asked for a motion to accept the Treasure’s Report and pay the bills. Trustee Allen made a motion to accept the Treasure’s Report and pay the bills. It was seconded by Trustee Dalton. Voice vote. All present at roll call voted yes. Motion carried. Treasurer reported on the current interest rates for liquid CD’s. Board discussed. Board decided to have Treasurer put $100,000 in a CD earning .21% for 12 months and to transfer $50,000 from Village checking account to a liquid CD. Trustee Hilliard made a motion to put $100,000 in a CD earning .21% for 12 months and to transfer $50,000 from the Village checking account to a liquid CD. It was seconded by Trustee Wolff. Voice vote. All present at roll call voted yes. Motion carried. President advised the $2,000 approved for snow removal from Motor Fuel has been used for rental of Village equipment from recent snow received. Village employee time for snow removal of $1,852 was used from the snow removal appropriated in the General Fund.

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES:

A. Finance Committee: Board reviewed and discussed draft of the working budget for 2021-2022. President stated that there is enough money in this year’s budget to fix the bridge on East McGuire. This would allow the current figures in the draft budget to be changed to Street Repair $22,000 and Bridge Repair $1,000 in the final Working Budget for 2021-2022. Trustee Allen updated the Board that the amount of trade-in for the batwing mower had increase from $6,300 to $6,800. Trustee Allen has also gotten a quote for a better trailer for $5,000 instead of one for $7,000. Trustee Wolff made a motion to accept the final Working Budget for 2021-2022. It was seconded by Trustee Dalton. Voice vote. All sent at roll call voted yes. Motion carried. The estimate from E.T. Simonds for the bridge repair on East McGuire is $11,500.00. President read the estimate to the Board. Trustee Allen made a motion to accept the estimate from E.T. Simonds and have them do the repair work on the bridge on East McGuire. It was seconded by Trustee Ross. Voice vote. All present at roll call voted yes. Motion carried.

B. Ordinance Committee:

C. Street & Road Committee: Trustee Wolff reported that he had gotten a call that Mr. Frailey had been clearing driveways on McGuire Rd. and gotten his tractor stuck in a ditch. Trustee Wolff then called Dan Walker, who agreed to go and help remove tractor from ditch. President received several phone calls from Village residents asking if the Village could plow their driveways. They were advised this could not be done as these are private roads and Village cannot maintain a private road due to liability. Resident at end of Misty Meadows thought Village would maintain road to their house. They were advised Village does not maintain roads on private property. They need to determine where their property starts. Village has maintained in the past up to pole just past where road splits off to the left.

President confirmed that the annual Street and Road inspection is scheduled for April 10th. Trustee Allen suggested that the President’s driveway should be cleared by the Village, when necessary, to allow the President to get out to conduct Village business. Board agreed.

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: Survey completed on Church Street week of February 22 by Asaturian Eaton. President received an email from Mr. Eaton that paperwork from survey would be finished the next week and a sketch and FEMA Elevation certificate would be sent.

President received a phone call from Mr. Millard on February 25 regarding survey being done on his property. He was advised the Village was verifying structure has been built in accordance with the Village Floodplain Ordinance to ensure flood insurance is not in jeopardy. A FEMA Elevation Certificate will be issued from survey findings.

President received phone call from Mr. Millard on February 26 regarding January meeting minutes which stated he is in violation of the Floodplain Ordinance in requesting a permit. He does not want to be in violation and asked about obtaining a permit. President advised she would find out if this would be necessary at this point. He advised President the structure is a studio where he conducts his business, which is primarily done online. Area will be kept free of any debris. Department of Public Health contacted him regarding a septic system. At this time there is no plan to install any type of septic at the structure as his home, located across the street, is accessible to himself, any workers, etc. He employs other businesses and residents to support the area. Mr. Millard wants to be in good standing and supportive of the Village. He requested we contact him if the Village would have any questions in the future.

Trustee Ross reported that there are continued parking problems on Cracker’s Neck. Village has not yet ordered No Parking signs. Trustee Ross inquired if there were any updates regarding the abandoned properties on Cracker’s Neck. There are no updates from the Village attorney, at this time.

NEW BUSINESS: President spoke with John from Greenridge Landscaping regarding landscaping at B.C. Ross Community Center. She and Trustee Ross will meet with John for an estimate to present at April meeting for approval.

President has been checking regarding a voice recorder that will pick up voices in the Community Center so meetings can resume in person. She found an Olympus Voice Recorder that filters background noises. Cost is $63.75. Board was asked for approval to purchase recorder. All approved purchase of voice recorder.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: April meeting will be held on Monday, April 5 as General Elections are April 6.

ADJOURNMENT: President asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion was made by Trustee Hilliard and seconded by Trustee Ross. Voice vote. All present at roll call voted yes. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 8:31 p.m.

https://villageofmakanda.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/March-2-2021-Board-Minutes.pdf