Carbondale Reporter

Village of De Soto Board of Trustees met July 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 7:00 P.M. Village Clerk Paula Parks was present to record the minutes.

Present :          

Brian Gleason             Nichole Galloway

Eric Schuler                Cristy Desormeaux

Rachel Alstat

Absent:            

Tony Rushing             Jennifer Morgan

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 Nichole Galloway, to approve the June revenue 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; Nichole Galloway – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Rachel Alstat – Yes. Motion carried.

Mike Nelson of Frontier Communications presented information about Frontier’s plans for the installation of fiber optics in De Soto. Mr. Nelson stated that the rates for the fiber optics are less expensive than the current copper lines. Fiber optics will be installed on the west side of Chestnut Street (Highway 51) from south of town to north as far as Tom’s Place and west a little further than the city limits. Most of the cables will be above ground except some cables to the north of town and to the west of town will be underground. Frontier will work with the Village to get the necessary permits and locators for the installation. Mr. Nelson also stated that fiber optics is 100 times better than what Frontier currently offers. The number for the local customer contact person for Frontier Communications is 618-841-1846. Depending on permits, they might be able to start by September.

Jackson County is working on getting fiber optics for the people in the township. The County will go through the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. The BEAD Program aims to expand internet access to unserved locations (no access to 25/3 Mbps) and underserved locations (no access to 100/20 Mbps).

Motion made by Brian Gleason, seconded by Nichole Galloway, to get an appraisal of the vacant lot at 210 N. Hickory St. Motion carried.

Nikko Robinson was present to ask the Board to amend the current animal ordinance to include chickens, ducks, goats, quail, pheasants and rabbits. Mr. Robinson presented a proposed ordinance from information he had gathered from other municipalities that allow these kinds of animals within their city limits. Residents who were in agreement with amending the current ordinance to include these animals and residents who were against the proposal were present to voice their opinions. President Schuler pointed out the fact that the Village does not have the resources/staff at this time to enforce the proposed amendment to the animal ordinance. Board members felt it was not the right time.

Motion made by Brian Gleason, seconded by Rachel Alstat, to deny the proposal to amend the animal ordinance. Upon roll call vote: Brian Gleason – Yes; Nichole Galloway – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Rachel Alstat – Yes. Motion carried.

The Park Committee will meet August 4 at 6:00 PM to follow up on De Soto’s 2025 Party at the Park, begin planning for the 2026 event and discuss walking track and dog park ordinances.

The Board authorized Director of Public Works Danny Vancil to purchase locks for the fire hydrants that are part of the rural water project.

The next village board meeting will be held Monday, August 4, 2025, at 7:00 PM at the village hall.

Motion made by Brian Gleason, seconded by Nichole Galloway, to adjourn at 8:18 PM.

https://villageofdesoto.com/uploads/1/2/5/0/125085618/minutes_7-21-25.docx