Carbondale Reporter

Village of De Soto Board of Trustees met July 3.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

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 :  Brian Gleason   Paulette Johnson

                Eric Schuler      Cristy Desormeaux

                Rachel Alstat

Absent:   Tony Rushing     Jennifer Morgan

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

Motion made by Brian Gleason, seconded by Cristy Desormeaux, to approve the June expense report. Motion carried

Motion made by Rachel Alstat, seconded by Brian Gleason, to pay the list of bills. Upon roll call vote: Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Rachel Alstat – Yes. Motion carried.

Cindy Byrnes reported a problem with traffic at the intersection of South Ash St. and W. Douglas St. She said the cars fly by on S. Ash St. There is a stop sign on W. Douglas St. where it meets S. Ash St. Ms. Byrnes recommended putting a 3-way stop at the intersection.

Motion made by Paulette Johnson, seconded by Brian Gleason, to approve the sales agreement between the Village and Trena Lindsey and Roger Newfarmer for the purchase and sale of the vacant lot at 207 N. Walnut St. for $4,800.00. Upon roll call vote: Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Rachel Alstat – Yes. Motion carried.

Trustee Brian Gleason reported that the Police Department needed body cameras by 2025. The Village will look into grants and possibly using ARPA funds to purchase them and the necessary accessories.

Trustee Paulette Johnson reported that the fence on the municipal parking lot needed to be replaced. She will investigate the kind of fencing and the cost.

Trustee Rachel Alstat informed the Board that there was a problem with the lift station on Highway 51.

Trustee Alstat read a letter from Lori Reiman of J. T. Blankinship, Inc. informing the Board of a grant funding opportunity for public infrastructure through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). The grant application would be due in January 2024. The opportunity will be discussed with Harold Sheffer of J. T. Blankinship, Inc.

A water rate increase was necessary due to Kinkaid Water District’s rate increase for the Village; debt service for the Phase IV Watermain Replacements Project; and eliminating the separate Rural Water rate.

Motion made by Brian Gleason, seconded by Paulette Johnson, to pass Ordinance No. 2023-3 Water Rate Increase effective August 1, 2023, with a 3% increase annually until July 31, 2029. Upon roll call vote: Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Rachel Alstat – Yes. Motion carried. Ordinance incorporated by reference.

A sewer rate increase was necessary due to increased costs of operation and expenditures for lagoon and lift station maintenance.

Motion made by Rachel Alstat, seconded by Cristy Desormeaux, to pass Ordinance No. 2023-4 Sewer Rate Increase effective August 1, 2023. Upon roll call vote: Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Rachel Alstat – Yes. Motion carried. Ordinance incorporated by reference.

Motion made by Cristy Desormeaux, seconded by Rachel Alstat, to pass Ordinance No. 2023-5 Amendment to Chapter 24 – Motor Vehicle Code, Schedule “D”, to make the alley between N. Pecan St. and N. Poplar St., which alley is bounded on the south by E. Lincoln St. and on the north by E. Washington St. one way with traffic flow to be from E. Lincoln St and to exit onto E. Washington St. Upon roll call vote: Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Rachel Alstat – Yes. Motion carried. Ordinance incorporated by reference.

Administrative Assistant Jana Fann reported that the copier, which is 18 years old, is having problems. The Board authorized her to investigate getting another copier.

Treasurer Dana Smith reminded the Board that the Village has Rebuild Illinois and Renew Illinois funds that need to be spent by 2025. Trustee Cristy Desormeaux will look into sidewalks that need repairs, curbs that need handicapped accessibility, and possibly new sidewalk installations. These funds may be used for these types of expenditures.

The next village board meeting will be held Monday, July 17, 2023, at 7:00 PM at the village hall.

Motion made by Cristy Desormeaux, seconded by Brian Gleason, to adjourn at 7:49 PM. Motion carried.

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