Carbondale Reporter

Village of DeSoto Board of Trustees met Sept. 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

President Douglas Hexamer called the first regular 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.

Present:   Douglas Hexamer     Tony Rushing

Brian Gleason           Paulette Johnson

Cristy Desormeaux   Eric Schuler

Absent:    Jennifer Morgan

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Brian Gleason, to dispense with the reading of the minutes and to approve them. Motion carried.

Motion made by Paulette Johnson, seconded by Cristy Desormeaux, to approve the August expense report. Motion carried.

Motion made by Cristy Desormeaux, seconded by Eric Schuler, to add a payment of $1,800.00 to Clearview Tree Services, Line Item 153-492, to the list of bills and to pay the list of bills as amended. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried.

Trustee Jennifer Morgan entered the meeting and took her seat at 7:03 PM.

Heather Frakes-Campbell made a statement regarding the situation with ducks and geese on her property at 408 E. Jackson St. After reviewing facts covered in previous meetings, Mrs. Frakes-Campbell said she feels that she and the property owners are being unfairly targeted by the ordinance. As such, she stated that the occupants and the property owners would like to petition to disconnect the property from the Village of De Soto. If it is not allowed to leave the jurisdiction of the ordinance, she stated that the ordinance should be amended or repealed.

President Doug Hexamer stated that it is the Board’s responsibility to uphold the ordinances, and the current ordinance allows for no ducks in village limits. The nuisance violation notice has been issued, a court date has been set, and it is in the hands of the court.

Trustee Paulette Johnson stated that the Village has been trying to do something about abandoned properties around town. The Village has the opportunity to purchase properties at 100 N. Hickory St. and 212 N. Walnut St from the Jackson County Tax Agent through the county’s Tax Liquidation Program at the minimum cost of $750.00 acquisition price and $63.00 recording fee.

Motion made by Paulette Johnson, approve the purchase contract to enable the Village to acquire the property at 100 N. Hickory St, Parcel No. 10-20-233-016 for $750.00 plus a $63.00 recording fee with the purpose of demolishing the house. 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, approve the purchase contract to enable the Village to acquire the property at 212 N. Walnut St., Parcel No. 10-20-230-006 for $750.00 plus a $63.00 recording fee with the purpose of demolishing the house. 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 hire Loring Appraisal Service to appraise the lot at 402 E. Main St for $425.00. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing –Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried.

Trustee Jennifer Morgan reported that the employee life, dental and AD&D insurance is due for renewal. The rate has not increased.

Motion made by Jennifer Morgan, seconded by Brian Gleason, to renew the employee life, dental and accidental, disability and death insurance with Guardian Insurance at $345 per month, effective November 1, 2021 through October 31, 2021.

Tony Rushing reported that the water loss is the lowest it has been in years.

The water committee had met prior to the board meeting, to interview candidates for the water meter reader. The committee will make the recommendation for hire at the next board meeting.

Chris Ruph submitted his letter of resignation as water meter reader, effective December 31, 2021.

David Griffin reported that the Fire Department will flush the water hydrants around the second and third weeks of October.

Motion made by Eric Schuler, seconded by Tony Rushing, to allow the Shriners to collect donations at the four-way intersection on Saturday, September 18, 2021. Motion carried.

President Doug Hexamer reported that the repairs at the railroad crossing at the four-way intersection are scheduled for September 27, 28 and 29. The crossing will be closed at that time. Chief Ben Doan will find out if this construction will affect the school crossing.

Jennifer Morgan reported that city-wide fall cleanup is scheduled for October 11 on the west side of town and October 13 for the east side of town.

Motion made by Paulette Johnson, seconded by Tony Rushing, to pass Resolution 2021-8 to purchase the property at 213 and 215 N. Walnut St. for $6,000.00. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing –Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Motion carried. Resolution incorporated by reference.

Motion made by Paulette Johnson, seconded by to enter into the Real Estate Sale Agreement with Maria Tehandon to purchase the property at 213 and 215 N. Walnut St. for $6,000.00. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing –Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes. Agreement incorporated by reference. Motion carried.

Motion made by Jennifer Morgan, seconded by Tony Rushing, to approve the financial audit for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2020 and ending April 30, 2021 prepared by Rice Sullivan, LLC. Motion carried.

The next board meeting will be held Monday, September 20, 2021 at 7:00 PM at the village hall.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Jennifer Morgan, to adjourn at 8:30 PM. Motion carried.

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