Carbondale Reporter

Village of Makanda Board of Trustees met May 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

CALL TO ORDER: Regular meeting of the Board of Trustees was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Tina Shingleton.

ROLL CALL: Clerk called the roll of the Village Board: Trustees Hilliard, Wolff, Ross, and Dalton were present. Clerk swore in the President. President swore in the Clerk. Clerk swore in newly elected and re-elected officials. Clerk called the role of the new Board: Trustees Hilliard, Wolff, Cardenaz, Ross and Dalton were present.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: President asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the last meeting. Trustee Wolff made a motion to approve the minutes from the last meeting. It was seconded by Trustee Dalton. Voice vote. All members present at roll call voted yes. Motion carried.

CITIZEN’S HEARING: Russ Kramer, Kim Baker and Kevin Hagler. Russ Kramer inquired as to why the person doing the mowing on Church Street right of way would take down the pet crossing sign, when mowing, but not put it back up. Board advised that the village right of way is 20 feet from the center of the road. It appears that the sign is in the Village right of way. President will ask the Street and Road Crew to put the sign back up, when they take it down to mow. Russ inquired about the vacant Trustee position and possibly serving on the Emergency Disaster Committee. Kevin Hagler introduced himself and stated that he was interested in serving as a Village Trustee. Kim Baker asked if the Village would consider putting something at the playground, to help alleviate the current problem of public urination at the Boardwalk. Kim advised that the single bathroom in the Bell Building cannot handle the heavy use it receives especially on busy weekends. Board discussed. President advised that the Village would consider the request, including consulting with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources regarding floodplain regulations and the Illinois Municipal League Risk Management Association regarding liability issues. Other concerns include available land usage and general maintenance.

PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS: President received an email from Michelle Murphy with Summit Locations confirming if Makanda has any zoning regulations or ordinances pertaining to signs. She was advised there are no zoning regulations or ordinances at this time.

CLERK:

TRUSTEES: Trustee Cardenaz reported that near McGuire Road and Old Highway 51, there is a state turnaround, and a gentleman parks his semi-truck there. Recently there have been several more semi-trucks parking there causing potential problems. Treasurer reported that he called the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, but they were not interested in the problem. He called IDOT to report the trucks only being 4 feet off the road, which blocks tractors and other wide equipment. President will call IDOT to report the dangerous situation.

FISCAL MATTERS:

A. Treasurer’s Report: President presented the Treasurer’s Report to the Board.

B. Bills Payable: President presented the Bills Payable.

President asked for a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report and pay the bills. Trustee Wolff made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report and pay the bills. It was seconded by Trustee Dalton. Voice vote. All present at roll call voted yes. Motion carried.

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES:

A. Finance Committee:

B. Ordinance Committee:

C. Street & Road Committee: Trustee Hilliard presented the Village Annual Street and Road Report. Board discussed. Trustee Ross reported that the ditches on Crackers Neck need to be cleaned. President figured cost of oil and chip. Double seal of Misty Meadows and Hartline. Single seal of Poplar Camp and Upper Eastern Star. Total $24,510. Have contacted Illini Asphalt to confirm cost. If approved by Village Board will complete paperwork for approval of MFT funds to IDOT for approval at June meeting. Board discussed. Trustee Wolff made a motion to accept the Annual Street and road Report and move forward with the work. It was seconded by Trustee Ross. Individual voice vote. All present at roll call voted yes. Motion carried.

Dan met with Eric with Frontier on 4/24 regarding cables lying in ditch on Rowan Road. It looked like the cables had already been cut. Eric said to call him if we cut a cable. There would be no charge.

Apple Creek installed a culvert on Hartline Road that was not approved by the Village and does not meet our standards. They were given a permit application on March 24. Dan has tried to contact Shannon to meet with him to discuss and pick up permit but has been unable to make contact. Road maintenance is needed and Hartline Road is also on list to oil and chip this year. If we are unable to contact and do not get permit application culvert that was installed will be removed so road work can be done. Will possibly need to send them a letter to this effect.

D. Subdivision Committee:

E. Insurance Committee:

F. Playground Committee: President is continuing to search for a company willing to provide the small amount of mulch required for the playground.

REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES:

A. Emergency Disaster Committee:

B. Special Events Committee:

ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS:

UNFINISHED/OLD BUSINESS: President received a quote of $315 for landscaping at B.C. Ross Community Center. This includes pruning all plantings and removal of dead branches, if needed, refresh mulch, removal of all weeds from planting beds, spraying all weeds in mulch and gravel beds, applying pre-emerge herbicide to planting beds, and cutting back bushes on either side of steps. Board approved bid.

Update regarding SIAP Electric Aggregation was received on May 6. Ameren has made their initial rate filings for the June through September summer periods. Their price-to-compare beginning June 1st will be $0.12547/kWh. Our new aggregation amount with Homefield Energy will be $0.11789/kWh, also starting in June. Homefield Energy has sent mailers to both current participants and other eligible customers on May 7th.

Trustee Ross reported that is has been 9 years since the Village attorney started the procedure against the abandoned properties on Crackers Neck, and dropped the ball. The rodent and vandalism problems have gotten much worse at those properties. Trustee Ross advised that the Village attorney needs to follow through with the necessary procedures. Trustee Hilliard recommended the Village contact Kevin Wheetley who has experience doing demolition work.

NEW BUSINESS: Trustee Wolff reported that Dan had advised him that it would be more efficient for him if there was one primary contact person on the Board, when he needed approval to repair and or maintain street and road equipment, instead of having to wait until the next Board meeting for approval. Trustee Wolff offered to be the primary contact person. Board discussed. Board approved.

President contacted Mitch Burdick, Jackson County Highway Engineer, regarding next inspection of Crackersneck bridge. The 4-year inspection is not due until December, and they have on their schedule for this December.

Dan attended the annual training for solid mosquito larvicide application training on April 16.

An email was received from IML Risk Management Association all municipalities to adopt an Early Return Work policy by September 1. A sample of this policy was provided. President will contact legal counsel in regard to this.

President asked for approval to increase travel reimbursement from .655 per mile to .70/mile effective May 2025. It has been a few years since we have increased to State rate. Last year’s State mileage rate was .67/mi. Increase of travel reimbursement to .70/mile effective May 2025 was approved by the Board.

President provided Board with an update regarding American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding received in 2021 and 2022 that we had previously agreed to set aside for Broadband (fiber optic) in the Village. An annual compliance report has been required electronically in April and President has been filing this report. This year the compliance report had to show that we have obligated this money in order not to return to the Treasury Department. Assistance was received from Erin at the Jackson County Board Office in completing this paperwork. President is still working with WK&T regarding a grant. Deadline to use money is December 2026.

EXECTIVE SESSION: A motion was made by Trustee Wolff to go into Executive Session to discuss the appointment of Kevin Hagler for the position of Village Trustee that was recently vacated by Lenny Pitcher. It was seconded by Trustee Ross. Voice Vote. All present at roll call voted yes. Motion carried. Board discussed appointing Kevin Hagler to the position of Village Trustee. Trustee Wolff made a motion to appoint Kevin Hagler to the position of Village Trustee. It was seconded by Trustee Ross. Voice vote. All present at roll call voted yes. Motion carried. The Board went into Executive Session at 8:47 and resumed regular meeting at 9:03 p.m.

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

ADJOURNMENT: President asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion was made by Trustee Ross and was seconded by Trustee Wolff. Voice Vote. All present at roll call voted yes. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 9:08p.m.

https://villageofmakanda.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/May-13-2025-Board-Minutes.pdf