Carbondale Reporter

Village of De Soto Board of Trustees met Feb. 6.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Acting President Eric Schuler 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: Tony Rushing           Brian Gleason

              Paulette Johnson     Eric Schuler

              Jennifer Morgan       Cristy Desormeaux

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

Motion made by Paulette Johnson, seconded by Brian Gleason, to approve the January expense report. Motion carried.

Motion made by Paulette Johnson, seconded by Bran Gleason, to add to the List of Bills a payment of $682 to the City of Carbondale for lab fees, $341.00 from the Water Operating Fund, Line Item 200-437 and $341.00 from the Sewer Operating Fund, Line Item 250-437, and a payment of $143.00 to Jackson County Health Department for immunization administration from the Sewer Operating Fund, Line Item 250-480, and to pay the List of Bills as amended. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes. Motion carried.

Carol Cain of 101 Williams Road was present to ask about the progress of relocating her water line. Trustee Tony Rushing explained that Mrs. Cain’s water line relocation is included in the Phase IV Watermain Replacements Project. The plans are approved by IEPA, and the Village is waiting for funding.

Motion made by Brian Gleason, seconded by Tony Rushing, to allow the Jackson County Board to use the Village Hall as a polling place for the April 4, 2023, Consolidated Election and to waive the fee. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Paulette Johnson, seconded by Jennifer Morgan, to transfer $22,128.10 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to the Sewer Operating Fund, $8,376.10 to Line Item 250-495 and $13,752.00 to Line Item 250-416 for payment to Xylem for repairs to the lift station on Highway 51 by the railroad trestle. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes. Motion carried.

Tom Boros, Township Road Supervisor, was present to ask the Village that when installing the water line on Reed Station Road for the Cain’s, to keep it as far away from the pavement as possible because of mud slides. Trustee Rushing explained the plan is to install from the bottom of the ridge, and they will be stopping on the east side of the Cain’s driveway.

Trina Lindsey was present to express her interest in purchasing the lot at 207 N. Walnut St. The lot has been appraised at $6000.00, and the Village cannot sell it for less than 80% of the appraised value. The Board will take establishing a selling price into consideration and get back with Ms. Lindsey.

Brian Gleason moved to suspend the rules to move agenda item Unfinished Business 7a, Promotion of Danny Vancil to Director of Public Works, to after Agenda Item 8, Reports of Standing Committees. Motion carried.

Danny Vancil reported that he is working with IEPA to get the sewer violations corrected.

Motion made by Paulette Johnson, seconded by Tony Rushing, to go into executive session at 7:40 PM to discuss personnel, pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5). Upon roll call vote:

Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Brian Gleason, to come out of executive session at 7:49 PM. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Brian Gleason, to promote Danny Vancil to Director of Public Works at $20.00 per hour effectively immediately, $22.00 per hour after one year upon good evaluation, and $25.00 per hour upon getting his sewer license and any other necessary certifications. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Eric Schuler – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes. Motion carried.

The board members congratulated Mr. Vancil on his promotion.

Treasurer Dana Smith reported that Danny Vancil’s pay will be moved from the Sewer Operating Fund to the Water Operating Fund, Cody Fred’s pay will be moved from the Water Operating Fund to the Sewer Operating Fund, and Utilities Clerk Tricia Burns will be paid half from the Sewer Operating Fund and half from the Water Operating Fund.

The next regular Village board meeting will be held Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at 7 PM at the village hall.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Jennifer Morgan, to adjourn at 7:53 PM. Motion carried.

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