Carbondale Reporter

Village of De Soto Board of Trustees met April 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

President Pro-Temp Brian Gleason called the second 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:    

Tony Rushing        Brian Gleason

Fern Martin           Jennifer Morgan

Absent:    

Eric Schuler          Cristy Desormeaux

Rachel Alstat

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

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Jennifer Morgan, to approve the March Expense report. Motion carried.

Motion made by Fern Martin, seconded by Tony Rushing, to pay the list of bills. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Fern Martin – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes. Motion carried.

Carol Cain was not present because Director of Public Works Danny Vancil had spoken with the Cain’s and explained that the Village was still waiting on funding. He told them he would keep them updated.

Jennifer presented estimates from Jason Winkleman for replacing the flooring in the small concession stand. Mr. Winkleman submitted a high bid and a low bid depending of the work that had to be done. The high bid was $3,712.43, and the low bid was $1,200.00.

Motion made by Jennifer morgan, seconded by Tony Rushing, to hire Jason Winkleman to replace the floor of the small concession stand for up to $4,000.00. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Fern Martin – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Jennifer Morgan, to approve the Village budget for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2025, through April 30, 2026. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Fern Martin – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes. Motion carried.

Trustee Tony Rushing reported that he and Jana Fann had interviewed three (3) applicants for the meter reader position. They recommended hiring Jacob Hewlett.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Jennifer Morgan, to hire Jacob Hewlett as a water meter reader, effective as soon as he can start. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Fern Martin – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes. Motion carried.

Trustee Jennifer Morgan reported that the Park Committee had met. The Committee is working on the wording to update the park ordinance to address regulations for the dog park, skate park and the walking path. The Committee also discussed plans for the summer celebration to be held on July 12, 2025. A suggestion was made to ask for ideas for a name for the event or to have a contest.

The Beta Club will have a pancake breakfast before and during the Park Easter Hunt on April 19. The pancake breakfast will begin at 9 AM. The Beta Club sponsor and the Beta members will clean the pavilion and kitchen before the pancake breakfast.

Trustee Morgan reported that the park pavilion and kitchen were rented last weekend. They was not cleaned nor unwinterized, which meant there was no water. She asked if the Village would refund the park rental fee even though the renter did not ask for one.

Trustee Morgan needs volunteers to help clean the concession stands, playground and pavilion. Little League plans to have their own clean up day, and they will only clean the dugouts and the fields.

Motion made by Jennifer Morgan, seconded by Tony Rushing, to refund the $50 fee to Dale Bandy for rental of the park pavilion since it was not clean nor unwinterized. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Fern Martin – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes. Motion carried.

Trustee Morgan reported that the basement at the park house is leaking because of cracks in the walls. Director of Public Works Danny Vancil said he will try to repair the walls and make other repairs as necessary.

Trustee Morgan said the scoreboards have been fixed. Some of the scoreboard lights need to be replaced.

The Park Committee will meet on April 21 at 6 PM to discuss more details for the July 12 celebration and wording for the ordinance about the dog park, skate park and walking path.

Prep work for the Easter Egg Hunt will be held Friday, April 18 at 5 PM.

Director of Public Works Danny Vancil reported that the culvert under the driveway at 310 N. Hickory St. has sunk and is not long enough, and the ditch at 302 N. Hickory St. had been leveled causing a flooding problem. Mr. Vancil asked about putting a longer, bigger culvert at 310 N. Hickory to alleviate the problem. Mr. Vancil will further investigate the situation.

The next board meeting will be held on Monday, April 21, 2025, at 7:00 PM at the village hall.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Fern Martin, to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 PM. Motion carried.

https://villageofdesoto.com/uploads/1/2/5/0/125085618/minutes_4-7-25.docx