Chambana Sun

Village of Rossville Village Board met May 20.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

Mayor Queen called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. then the pledge was recited. The meeting was held at the Rossville Municipal Building located at 120 East Attica Street in Rossville, Illinois.

Roll call was taken and a quorum was established with Mayor Queen and Trustees Cornell, Buck, Leaver, Maden, and Mahorney physically present. Trustee Richison was absent.

Guests present were Clerk White, Superintendent Lusk, Chief Kelnhofer, Lucas Sturm, representatives from Casey’s General Stores – Sue McGee, Heather Boen and Keith Olsen, Nello Fatigati, Tim Holt from Aquatic Control andAndy Kieser from Fehr-Graham Engineering.

Minutes of the regular board meeting held April 15, 2019 and special board meeting held April 30, 2019 were presented. Motion was made by Maden, seconded by Buck to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve the minutes, with an omnibus vote, as presented. All members voted yes.

Treasurer Ault’s written report for April was presented. Trustee Leaver asked if the balance for the Police Sinking Fund was correct. If there had been a contribution in April, the balance did not carry to the ending balance. It will be corrected and will be presented as amended next month. Motion was made by Buck, seconded by Leaver to accept the treasurer’s report upon amendment. Vote: Cornell, yes; Maden, yes; Leaver, yes; Buck, yes; Mahorney, yes.

Current bills – Current bills were reviewed. Motion was made by Leaver, seconded by Maden to approve the bills for payment as presented. Vote: Buck, yes; Leaver, yes; Maden, yes; Cornell, yes; Mahorney, yes.

Superintendent Lusk’s report – Matt Price is at school this week and will take his test for his sewer operator’s license. Trustees Maden and Leaver asked if anyone has contacted the owners of 210 Gilbert regarding mowing the lawn. Chief Kelnhofer had contacted the bank who has obtained the property. A bank representative was told they have until the end of the week to mow the lawn or an ordinance violation will be issued.

Chief Kelnhofer’s report – Trustee Buck asked Chief Kelnhofer why there was no police officer stopping traffic Saturday while the Little League Opening Day Parade was on Route 1 heading to the park. Chief Kelnhofer asked where was Officer Greene? Trustee Buck stated Officer Greene was leading the parade with the squad. Chief Kelnhofer will have to request additional officers to help with parades and traffic control during the parades. Trustee Maden asked how many times Chief Kelnhofer will do A.L.I.C.E. training at the schools. Chief Kelnhofer stated training is usually in the fall and spring at the grade school.

Trustee Maden asked how many hours SRO Wimmer will be working during the summer hours when school is not in session. Chief Kelnhofer stated Officer Wimmer will be taking some SRO training this summer. Also, Officer Wimmer will also be taking the A.L.I.C.E. training so she can take over the training at the schools.

Accounts Receivable -Collector White reported the utility accounts receivable total as $20,710.66. There were 6 miscellaneous invoices totaling $4,800, making the total accounts receivable as $25,510.66. There were 3 disconnects this month but 1 was reconnected.

Due to a billing error for April’s consumption, customers who used over 2,000 gallons of water will be issued a credit on their next bill.

Fireworks Donation – Mayor Queen stated the budget for fiscal year 2019-2020, has donation funds available to donate $5,000 this year to fireworks. Motion was made by Buck, seconded by Leaver to approve donating $5,000 to the fireworks. Vote: Mahorney, yes; Buck, yes; Leaver, yes; Maden, yes; Cornell, yes.

4th of July Parade Resolution – A resolution authorizing the closure of Route 1, between Green Street and Stufflebeam Drive, on July 4th for a parade between 11-11:30 a.m. was presented. Motion was made by Maden, seconded by Mahorney to approve the parade resolution. Vote: Buck, yes; Leaver, yes; Maden, yes; Cornell, yes; Mahorney, yes. Resolution 2019-04 passed.

Ordinance to Amend Section 5.08.140 (A) and add (F) –Representatives from Casey’s General Store attended last month’s meeting and asked board members to consider allowing Class E Liquor License Holders to sell alcohol on Sundays between 11 a.m. or 12 p.m. to close (12 a.m.). Casey’s General Store in Rossville is the only Class E (Convenient Stores) Liquor License holder in Rossville. After a brief discussion, a motion was made by Mahorney, seconded by Leaver to adopt the proposed amendment to the liquor ordinance, section 5.08.140 allowing Class E liquor license holders to sell alcohol on Sunday from noon to midnight. Vote: Leaver, yes; Maden, yes; Cornell, yes; Mahorney, yes; Buck, yes. Ordinance 2019-07 passed.

Repairs to the west wall of 115 E. Attica – An estimate, in the amount of $3,350, was received from L.J. Thomas Construction to fill holes in the brick wall, fill rafter and joist pockets and remove wood from pockets to be filled by using the man lift to be provided by the Village. Trustee Mahorney asked if the Village was going to repair the north wall of 103 N. Chicago since the building north of it was demolish. Mayor Queen reminded Trustee Mahorney the building that was demolished on the corner of Chicago and Attica was not owned or demolished by the Village. The Village demolished the building that was attached to the west wall of 115 E. Attica. Motion was made by Maden, seconded by Buck to accept the estimate of repairs of the west wall of 115 E. Attica from L.J. Thomas Construction for $3,350. Vote: Maden, yes; Cornell, yes; Mahorney, yes; Buck, yes; Leaver, yes.

New Telephone/Internet Provider and System – Two proposals from NewWave Business were presented for phones, internet and a static IP address. Chief Kelnhofer is required to have a static IP address so evidence can be recorded with the state crime lab. 1) 2 phone lines plus fax line, 100 MB x 10 Mbps internet and static IP address using the phones we currently are using, they run the line in and Village has to have an IT phone person attach everything to the NewWave lines with 2 year contract - $225.05 per month. 2) 5 New phones, 100 MB internet and static IP address, NewWave maintains the system with 2 year contract - $416.58 per month. The Village pays over $225 per month for just the office phone currently. We have not received an estimate for the IT phone contractor to attach everything to the NewWave lines. After discussion, a motion was made by Leaver, seconded by Buck to approve a new phone system, Static IP address and 100 MB internet for $416.58 per month from NewWave Communications. Vote, Cornell, yes: Buck, yes; Leaver, yes; Maden, yes; Mahorney, yes.

Possible Water/Sewer Adjustment for Mustard Seed – Mayor Queen reported Mustard Seed has had boiler issues during the winter and the repairs will be costly. Mustard Seed has had the water shut off to the boiler since it has warmed up until a decision is made of how to proceed with heat for the building. During the heating months, a volunteer would go there and drain the boiler every 4 hours because of the issues with the boiler. Representatives from Mustard Seed asked if the Village would consider any adjustment. After discussion, a motion was made by Maden, seconded by Leaver to adjust off $348.63 off the sewer portion of the utility bill, per normal adjustment policies. Vote: Buck, yes; Leaver, yes; Maden, yes; Mahorney, yes; Cornell, yes.

Finance & Purchasing Committee Chairman Leaver had nothing to report at this time.

Streets & Alleys Committee – Mayor Queen, Trustee Cornell and Chief Kelnhofer met with Tim Holt, from Aquatic Control, at the pond to discuss how to get rid of the green on top of the water. Mr. Holt reported the green is due to water mill, which is invasive. Mr. Holt suggested 2 ways to handle the “green”. 1) Slow acting herbicide (Sonar) could last multiple years but is $2,400 per gallon. There would be no fishing restrictions. The Sonar would be poured into the pond at the shallow end. At this point, if approved by the board, application of the Sonar would be applied in June. Board members had discussed digging out the pond to make it deeper so fish could survive in the winter better. Mr. Holt said digging would be good but expensive and you won’t be able to reach the middle of the pond. Only 1 area, that he found, was 10’ deep. 2) Aerators could be used but you won’t see the effect until 5-10 years later and they just circulate the oxygen.

Mr. Holt will present some estimates for the different suggestions later in the meeting. Police, Health & Safety Committee – Chairman Buck had nothing to report at this time.

New resident, Nello Fatigati, reported a gas line had been run under his newly purchased property years ago but never connected. Now the line is shot. Mr. Fatigati would like a new gas line installed for a fireplace and generator. Mr. Fatigati requested a waiver for the $300 new gas line installation fee since someone else previously had been granted a waiver for new line installation. Trustee Maden was glad a new resident had moved into town and made a motion that was seconded by Buck to waive the new gas line installation fee for Mr. Fatigati. Vote: Cornell, yes; Maden, yes; Leaver, yes; Buck, yes; Mahorney, yes.

Water & Sewer Committee –Village engineer, Andy Keiser from Fehr-Graham Engineering, presented an update on the lift stations and sewer plant improvements. The lift station on Park Place is undersized and has not been maintained efficiently. The controllers have been replaced. If the Village approves replacing the lift station, the new controllers can be used in a new system. Superintendent Lusk recommended the wet well mount, which would place the pumps, motors, etc. on top of the ground so if a Village employee is called for an alarm, the employees can repair the problem easier and in a timely fashion than climbing down into the area to make repairs.

The IEPA is offering 30% forgiveness on low interest loans (1.5%) on amounts up to 1 million dollars for 20-30 year loans for infrastructure. The estimated cost for new lift station is approximately $300,000. A facility plan would need to be prepared. The approximate costs for the facility plan, upfront paperwork and loan paperwork is $25,000 for Fehr Graham to prepare the paperwork. The Village can reimburse themselves for paperwork expenses once the project starts construction.

The force main from the lift station to the sewer plant needs improvements also.

Motion was made by Maden, seconded by Buck to authorize Mayor Queen to sign an agreement with Fehr Graham to allow Andy Keiser to prepare the paperwork from the study through the construction phase for the lift station. Fehr Graham will bill monthly for work completed. Vote: Maden, yes; Leaver, yes; Buck, yes; Mahorney, yes; Cornell, yes.

Tim Holt returned to the meeting after retrieving prices for the chemical for the pond. The pond measured 2.75 acres. Option #1- 1 time treatment with Sonar and algaecide is $1936.16, if paid in full a 3% discount would make the total $1878.07. Option 2 – monthly applications from June through September would cost a total of $2510.22, if paid in full a 3% discount would make the total $2434.91 Motion was made by Cornell, seconded by Buck to authorize Option #2, monthly applications of chemical June –September for the discounted price of $2,434.91. Vote: Buck, yes; Leaver, yes; Maden, yes; Cornell, yes; Mahorney, yes.

Mayor Queen stated the contractor for the sidewalk project is waiting for the weather to clear before beginning the project.

Mayor Queen spoke to a TIF attorney, Kathleen Orr, regarding assisting individuals, with TIF funds, to build a new business in Village limits. Ms. Orr stated the Village can assist with TIF funds as long as a masterplan is submitted for the project and only a certain percentage (25%) of the project cost can be reimbursed. A request for funds has to be submitted prior to construction along with the masterplan.

One bid was received for the Village-owned property located at 121 E. Attica. The bid was opened by Clerk White. The bid was submitted by Tim DePuy for $550. Since the item was not on the agenda, the matter will be discussed and voted upon at the next regular board meeting.

Motion was made by Buck, seconded by Maden to adjourn the meeting. Vote: Buck, yes; Leaver, yes; Maden, yes; Mahorney, yes; Cornell, yes. The meeting adjourned at 8:29 p.m.

https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/840ffd_c0961b0fc2f645b7a7bb58058122122a.pdf