Carbondale Reporter

Village of De Soto Board of Trustees met Oct. 7.

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 PM.  Village Clerk Paula Parks was present to record the minutes.

Present:  Brian Gleason          Eric Schuler

               Jennifer Morgan       Cristy Desormeaux

               Rachel Alstat

Absent:  Tony Rushing             Fern Martin

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

Motion made by Cristy Desormeaux, seconded by Jennifer Morgan, to approve the September 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; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Rachel Alstat – Yes.  Motion Carried.  

Leroy Miles reported a drainage problem at 200 N. Cherry St.  Mr. Miles said the basement wall of the house is being affected by excessive water pressure caused by lack of drainage. He said the gutter drain on the front of the house is buried six inches below the ditch so the ditch needs to be dug six inches deeper.  He can’t find the drainage tile on the south side of the house.  Mr. Miles asked the Village to lower the level of the ditch back to where it should be.  Hopefully, this would expose the southern drain tile running east out of the house.  Director of Public Works Danny Vancil said the Village would dig the ditch deeper and check to see if they can find the southern drain tile running east is located.

Motion made by Brian Gleason, seconded by Jennifer Morgan, to renew the basic life and dental insurance with Guardian Life Insurance Company with no changes in the premium, effective November 1, 2024 to October 31, 2025.  Upon roll call vote: Brian Gleason – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Rachel Alstat – Yes.  Motion Carried. 

Regarding the drainage problem at 215 S. Hickory St., Superintendent Danny Vancil had investigated the issue.  He explained that the ditch had not been maintained for years.  A concrete bridge between 215 S. Hickory St. and 211 S. Hickory St. had fallen into the ditch running parallel to Mr. Kirchner’s garage, which was directing the water toward the retaining wall.  The Village had removed the concrete bridge and weed eated and cleaned the culvert.  Trustee Jennifer Morgan explained that this drainage problem appears to be affecting several persons on the block.

A Street Committee meeting was scheduled for October 9, 2024, at 4 PM to view the situation and look for a resolution.

Motion made by Rachel Alstat, seconded by Cristy Desormeaux, to table approval of the contract with LOCiS Software until the next meeting so the contract can be reviewed.  Motion carried.

Trick or Treat will be held October 31 from 6:00 – 8:30 PM

The park Halloween Party and Hayride will be held Friday, November 1 beginning at 6:00 PM.

A Park Committee meeting was scheduled for October 16, 2024, at 4 PM to discuss plans for the park Halloween Party and Hayride and winter closure of the park restrooms.

SIAP Electric Aggregation had notified the Village that Ameren’s winter rate is 0.0809 from October 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025.  The current rate for Homefield Energy is 0.091 until June 2025.  Those residents who participate in the aggregation program can call Homefield Energy at 866-694-1262 to opt out and revert back to the Ameren rate.  There is a minimum stay requirement of remaining on Ameren’s supply for a total of 12 months before being able to rejoin the aggregation program in the future.

A public hearing for the DCEO Housing Rehabilitation Grant for which the Village is applying will be held Monday, October 21 at 5 PM at the village hall.

The next board meeting will be held October 21, 2024, at 7:00 PM at the village hall.

Motion made by Cristy Desormeaux, seconded by Jennifer Morgan, to adjourn the meeting at 8:09 P.M.  Motion carried.

https://villageofdesoto.com/uploads/1/2/5/0/125085618/minutes_10-7-24.docx