Weed spraying along Route 45 is underway, and elsewhere in the village Spring Green has begun mosquito abatement. | Contributed photo
Weed spraying along Route 45 is underway, and elsewhere in the village Spring Green has begun mosquito abatement. | Contributed photo
The Pesotum Board of Trustees met May 4 to swear in Melanie Schultz as village treasurer and Mary Jo Harvey as village clerk.
The Pesotum Board of Trustees provides oversight and governance for the village.
Here are the meeting minutes, as provided by the village:
VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING
1. Call to Order – The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by President Smitley. The
Pledge was recited and Roll Call taken. Trustees Present were Beth Wise, Katie Wilson,
Chaz McCrone, Tim Schultz and Dianne Reed. Trustee Joyce Ragle was not present. Also
present were President Cheryl Smitley, Treasurer Melanie Schultz, Clerk Mary Jo Harvey
and Attorney Elizabeth Megli.
2. Appointments
2.1. Appointment of and Swearing in of Village Treasurer – Trustee Wilson made a motion
to appoint Melanie Schultz as Village Treasurer for the year 2016-2017. Trustee Reed
seconded. The motion passed by unanimous vote. The Oath of Office was recited.
2.2. Appointment of and Swearing in of Village Clerk – Trustee Wilson made a motion to
appoint Mary Jo Harvey as Village Clerk for the year 2016-2017. Trustee Schultz
seconded. The motion passed by unanimous vote. The Oath of Office was recited.
2.3. Appointment of Law Firm – Trustee McCrone made a motion to appoint the Livingston
Law Firm as the Village Law Firm. Trustee Wilson seconded. The motion passed by
unanimous vote.
2.4. Appointment of Building Inspector – Trustee Schultz made a motion to appoint Lyle
Reed as Village Building Inspector. Trustee Wilson seconded. The motion passed by
unanimous vote.
3. Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call – See Item 1.
4. Presentations/Comments from the General Public - none
5. Routine Matters
5.1. Approval of Regular Board Meeting Minutes, April 6, 2016 – Trustee Reed moved to
approve the Regular Board Meeting Minutes of April 6, 2016. Trustee McCrone
seconded. Motion approved unanimously.
5.2. Approval of Special Meeting Minutes, April 20, 2016 – Trustee Reed moved to approve
the Special Meeting Minutes of April 20, 2016. Trustee Wilson seconded. Motion
approved unanimously.
5.3. Approval of Financial Report for the Month Ended April 30, 2016 – Trustee Reed
moved to approve the Financial Report for the Month Ended April 30, 2016. Trustee
McCrone seconded. Motion approved unanimously.
5.4. Bill Payment
5.4.1. Approval of Monthly Bills for Payment – Trustee Wilson moved to approve the
5.4.2. Approval of Bills Received After Treasurer’s Report Preparation – Trustee Wise
monthly bills. Trustee Reed seconded. Motion approved unanimously.
motioned to approve reimbursement to Mary Jo Harvey in the amount of $1.20 for
postage, payment to the First National Bank Visa Card, in the amount of $1,006.86,
payment to Tuscola Home Center in the amount of $143.85, and payment to the
United States Postal Service in the amount of $47 for postage stamps. Trustee
Wilson seconded. Motion approved unanimously.
6. Reports
6.1. Village Clerk, Mary Jo Harvey – All required Statement of Economic Interest forms
were filed by appointed and elected officials.
6.2. Village Maintenance, Fred Smitley – Weed spraying along Rt. 45 and elsewhere in the
village is underway. Spring Green has begun mosquito abatement. There have been
mowing challenges because of IDOT equipment parked on Village property during road
improvements. Country Arbors has given a bid for landscaping to beautify the memorial
area. Maintenance is locating a water source for the memorial area. Drains have been
cleared by D.J. Stewart at 209 S. Locust and 302 E. Lincoln. Some drain grates have
settled, and the issue is being addressed. Maintenance is investigating the source of the
problem of standing water at the Village burn pile. Todd Herbert was employed for
professional tree trimming and stump grinding. The mayor of Ludlow recently
complimented the maintenance staff on the tidiness and care of the Village grounds.
6.3. Village Building Inspector, Lyle Reed – A permit was issued for structural repairs at
300 West Jefferson.
6.4. ESDA Coordinator, Rob Russian –absent; no report
7. Old Business
7.1. Madness Contract Update – Trustee Wise reported that the Madness League teams are
scheduled to use the Hartman Park ballfields this season.
8. New Business
8.1. Fiscal Year 2016-2017 Budget Review and Approval – Trustee Reed moved to approve
the Fiscal Year 2016-2017 Budget. Trustee Wilson seconded. Motion approved
unanimously.
8.2. Approval of 2016-2017 Board Meeting and Study Session Dates – Trustee McCrone
moved to approve the 2016-2017 Board Meeting and Study Session Dates as amended.
Trustee Wilson seconded. Motion approved unanimously.
8.3. Discussion and Approval of Maintenance Staff Wages – A job description of regular,
maintenance staff was provided to the Board of Trustees. President Smitley added that
Davis Cemetery duties will be added to the description. Trustee Reed made a motion to
pay head maintenance staff a wage of $15 per hour and to approve seasonal part time
staff at $11 per hour. Trustee Wilson seconded. Motion approved unanimously.
8.4. Approval of Purchase of Woods Bat Wing Mower – Trustee Wise moved to approve the
purchase of the Woods Bat Wing Mower in the amount of $7,540. Trustee McCrone
seconded. Motion approved unanimously.
8.5. Approval of Purchase of Four Cement Culverts for Hartman Park Playground – Trustee
Wilson explained the culverts are 48” in diameter, and 8 feet long, and will be placed,
offset, between the basketball court and current play structures. The culverts will be
painted in bright colors to match the playground equipment. Trustee Wilson moved to
approve purchase of four concrete structures for Hartman Park, not to exceed $2,000.
Trustee Reed seconded. Motion approved unanimously.
8.6. Closed Session to discuss 101 South Locust Pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) – Trustee
Wilson moved to go to closed session. Trustee Reed seconded. Trustees voted Aye
unanimously, and the board moved to closed session at 7:00 pm. Trustees returned to
open meeting at 7:12 pm. Trustee Wilson made a motion to take further action in
accordance with our ordinance with respect to 101 South Locust. Trustee Reed
seconded. Motion approved unanimously.
9. Presentations/Comments from the Board
9.1. President Smitley gave thanks to Trustee Wise and noted her efforts of scheduling the
Hartman Park ballfields. Trustee Wise thanked United Prairie for the donation of lime
for the small field. Wise is managing the scheduling for the Madness league, occasional
traveling teams in need of a field, Tolono Park District needs, and residents of Pesotum.
9.2. Attorney Elizabeth Megli has conversed with Jim Goss from the Atkins Group regarding
problems of standing water on the property.
9.3. By consensus, the regularly scheduled study session for May will be rescheduled for
May 25, 2016.
10. Correspondence -none
11. Announcements
10.1 Next Village Board Meeting, Wednesday, June 1, 2016, 6:30 pm
10.2 Next Study Session, Wednesday, May 25, 2016, 6:30 pm
12. Adjournment
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary Jo Harvey
Village Clerk