Carbondale Reporter

Village of Yates City Board met April 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

1. Call to Order

Mark Hostetler called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.

2. Roll Call

Present: Tom Kinzer, Dave Mahr, Seth Lekies, Matt Ehens, Ron Smith, Mark Hostetler, and Vonda Brinker Also Present: Neely Carr, Joy Mahr, Scott Brunton, and Molly Richeson of The Weekly Post

3. Pledge of Allegiance

All present stood and pledged to the flag

4. Citizens to Address the Board

No Citizens present

5. Approve Minutes for March 12th Board Meeting and April 2nd Committee Meeting

Ehens moved to approve the March 12th and April 2nd minutes. Kinzer seconded the motion. Roll call unanimous.

6. Approve Monthly Bills, Payroll and Financial Statements

Kinzer moved to approve a transfer of $4,200.00 from Road & Bridge Savings to Road & Bridge Checking. Mahr seconded the motion. Roll call unanimous.

Kinzer moved to approve all monthly bills, payroll, and financial statements. Mahr seconded the motion. Roll call unanimous.

7. Police Report

A print out report was given to Board from Chief Benson (absent)

8. Discuss/Approve Bids for Failure of Big Pump Soft Start at Lift Station from Quick Electrical in the Amount of $9,500.00

Hostetler shared bids in the amount of $12,535.00 from Tannock and $9,500.00 from Quick Electrical. Smith moved to approve hiring Quick Electrical to replace the big pump soft start at the lift station in the amount of $9,500.00. Ehens seconded the motion. Roll call unanimous.

9. Discuss/Approve Update on Water Building Amperage Increase from 200AMP Service TO 800AMP

Hostetler informed the Board that Quick Electrical was meeting with the Ameren Rep on April 16th and AMP was meeting on April 30th. Tabled for next Board meeting on May 14, 2025.

10. Discuss/Approve Ordinance 2025-777 Implementing Municipal Grocery Retailers’ Occupation Tax and Municipal Grocery Service Occupation Tax (Effective January 1, 2026)

Hostetler and Brunton discussed the prior vote from September 11, 2024 Board Meeting to approve the new local ordinance to maintain 1% grocery tax effective January 1, 2026. A motion was made by Kinzer to pass the Ordinance 2025-777 implementing the municipal grocery retailers’ occupation tax and municipal grocery service occupation tax. Smith seconded the motion. Roll call unanimous.

11. Discuss/Approve Hiring Ace in the Hole for Spray Patching for April 21st Start in the Amount of $6,000.00

Board agreed prior job by Ave in the Hole was done well and they would like to hire again. Road & Bridge is approved for $6,000.00 for the job. Ace in the Hole can start on April 21st. Smith moved to approve hiring Ace in the Hole for spray patching in the amount of $6,000.00. Lekies seconded the motion. Roll call unanimous.

12. Discuss/Approve Purchase of 23 Tons of Pea Gravel for Spray Patching in the Amount of $16.00/ton ($368.00) from Pekin Sand and Gravel

Lekies moved to approve purchasing 23 tons of pea gravel for spray patching in the amount of $16.00/ton from Pekin Sand and Gravel. Smith seconded the motion. Roll call unanimous.

13. Discuss/Approve Hiring Burgess Bros Trucking to Haul and Store Pea Gravel for Spray Patching in the Amount of $1,245.00

Kinzer moved to approve hiring Burgess Bros trucking to haul and store pea gravel for spray patching in the amount of $1,245.00. Lekies seconded the motion. Roll call unanimous.

14. Discuss/Approve Eliminating Tar and Chip from 2025 Schedule

Hostetler discussed the retainer for Knox County to come is high due to many surrounding areas skipping this year. The Board discussed the financial pros of waiting compared to the cons of waiting. Smith moved to approve eliminating tar and chip from the 2025 schedule. Ehens seconded the motion. Roll call unanimous.

15. Discuss/Approve Farmington Yearbook Ad in the Amount of $80.00 for 1/8 page

Hostetler discussed that the Board has done this every year for the last few years. Ehens moved to approve an ad for the Farmington yearbook in the amount of $80.00 for 1/8 page. Kinzer seconded the motion. Roll call unanimous.

16. Discuss/Approve Farmington Trap Shooting Team Sponsorship in an Amount not to Exceed $500.00

Ehens moved to approve a Bronze Sponsorship in the amount of $100.00 for the Farmington Trap Shooting Team. Lekies seconded the motion. Roll call unanimous.

17. Discuss/Approve New 4-Year Contract with Constellation for Electrical Supply

Hostetler has not received the fixed rate amount or contract time frame. Tabled for the next Board Meeting on May 14, 2025.

18. Discuss/Approve Replacement of Park Bench in the Amount of $785.00 with Shipping Cost of $196.61 from Kirby Built

Hostetler discussed the bench at Town Park that was hit and damaged by a Public Works employee. The Board discussed replacing the bench with a 6ft picnic table that would be from the same company, Kirby Built, and match the existing benches. Currently, grass is in between the gazebo and the concrete slab from the park bench, which would need removed and a new slab poured to connect the areas to form a large enough area for a picnic table. The picnic table costs $829.00 plus shipping. No action was taken; the Board would like further information on concrete size and cost.

19. Discuss/Approve Hiring of Seasonal Part Time Public Works Employee at the Wage of $15.00/hour

Board discussed a need for a seasonal employee to help with mowing, trimming, and outdoor work. Employee must be 18 years or older. The Village will run an AD in the Weekly Post for 2 weeks. Lekies moved to approve the hiring of a seasonal part time public works employee at the wage of $15.00/hour. Ehens seconded that motion. Roll call unanimous.

20. Discuss/Approve Intergovernmental Agreement with the Elba-Salem Park District to Enforce Village Ordinances on the Park District Property

Tabled until Elba-Salem Park District meets.

21. Discuss/Approve Ordinance 2025-778 Authorizing Electronic Participation and Remote Attendance by Village Board Members at Village Meetings

Brunton explained to the Board this Ordinance allows a call-in due to the listed scenarios stated in the Ordinance, which are under OMA. Members are to notify the Village Clerk of their absence and request to call-in. After the pledge, the Board will take a vote to allow the call-in. Ehens moved to approve Ordinance 2025-778 authorizing electronic participation and remote attendance by village board members at village meetings. Kinzer seconded the motion. Roll call unanimous.

OTHER BUSINESS:

22. Committee Reports

No reports

23. Discussion of Such Other Business as may Properly Come before the Board and Action, if any, to be Taken as Result of Discussions

• Joy Mahr reported there were 7 shut offs on the water billing list.

• A resident on North Kellogg is requesting the dirt in the front yard/ditch be leveled/removed and grass seeded.

ADJOURNMENT: Kinzer moved to adjourn the meeting. Ehens seconded the motion. Roll call unanimous. Meeting adjourned at 6:30 P.M.

https://villageofyatescity.gov/documents/293/4-9-2025_Board_Meeting.pdf?1747323421