Carbondale Reporter

Village of De Soto Board of Trustees met April 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

President Eric Schuler called the second regular monthly meeting of the De Soto Village Board of Trustees to order at 7:07 PM. Village Clerk Paula Parks was present to record the minutes.

Present:            

Brian Gleason             Fern Martin

Eric Schuler                Jennifer Morgan

Cristy Desormeaux     Rachel Alstat

Absent:            Tony Rushing

Motion made by Fern Martin, seconded by Brian Gleason, 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 March Revenue report. Motion carried.

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

Motion made by Cristy Desormeaux, seconded by Brian Gleason, to suspend the rules and move Agenda Item 6a Judy Kiehn to Discuss Change of Status of the Utilities Clerk Position until after Agenda Item 11 Miscellaneous. Motion carried.

Trustee Tony Rushing had asked about increasing the rate for the water meter readers. The current rate was $.72 per meter. The rate had not been changed in 15 years. Trustee Rushing had recommended $1.00 per meter, which would be an approximate increase in the budget of $1,000.00 per year.

Motion made by Rachel Alstat, seconded by Cristy Desormeaux, to increase the rate for water meter readers to $1.00 per meter effective May 1, 2025. Upon roll call vote: Brian Gleason– Yes; Fern Martin – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Rachel Asltat – Yes. Motion carried.

Trustee Jennifer Morgan presented estimates from Heartland Heating Air and Plumbing for $8,679.00 and RSP Heating and Cooling for $6,178.99 to replace the AC/furnace at the park house. The AC/Furnace at the park house has stopped functioning.

Motion made by Jennifer Morgan, seconded by Cristy Desormeaux, to hire RSP Heating and Cooling to install a Goodman 15 Series Single Stage AC/Single Stage 80% Gas Furnace for $6,178.99 at the park house, to be paid from the Park Fund, Line Item 452-492 Municipal Improvements. Upon roll call vote: Brian Gleason– Abstain; Fern Martin – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Rachel Alstat – Yes. Motion carried.

Trustee Jennifer Morgan reported that the Park Committee had met at 6:00 PM prior to the regular board meeting. The Committee discussed language for the park ordinance in regard to the walking path, the dog park and the skate park. Jana Fann had gathered some rules from other municipalities. They decided to research the Carbondale rules for the dog park and Carterville and Herrin rules for the walking path. The Committee also discussed details for the summer celebration to be held July 12, 2025. Trustee Morgan said that the Easter Egg Hunt went well. The park house basement has been repaired and drainage rerouted. Trustee Morgan had been gathering information for fencing at the municipal parking lot. Home plates will be replaced on the ball fields. Flowers have been planted in the flower pots, and volunteers are needed to help water them.

The Park Committee will meet on Monday, May 5 at 6:00 PM.

Motion made by Fern Martin, seconded by Rachel Alstat, to go into executive session at 7.56 PM to discuss personnel, pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1). Upon roll call vote: Brian Gleason– Yes; Fern Martin – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Rachel Alstat – Yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Brian Gleason, seconded by Jennifer Morgan, to come out of executive session at 8:35 PM. Upon roll call vote: Brian Gleason– Yes; Fern Martin – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Rachel Alstat – Yes. Motion carried.

No action was taken.

The next board meeting will be held on Monday, May 5, 2025, at 7:00 PM at the village hall.

Motion made by Fern Martin, seconded by Brian Gleason, to adjourn the meeting at 8:38 PM. Motion carried.

https://villageofdesoto.com/uploads/1/2/5/0/125085618/minutes_4-21-25.docx