Chambana Sun

Village of Rossville Village Board met April 15.

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, Lusk, Buck, Leaver, Maden, and Mahorney physically present.

Guests present were Clerk White, Lucas Sturm, Brian Smith and representatives from Casey’s General Stores – Sue McGee and Keith Olsen.

Minutes of the regular board meeting held March 18, 2019 were presented. Motion was made by Leaver, seconded by Cornell to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve the minutes as presented. All members voted yes.

Treasurer Ault’s amended written report for February and March report were presented. Motion was made by Maden, seconded by Mahorney to accept the treasurer’s February report as amended and March’s report as presented. Vote: Cornell, yes; Lusk, yes; Buck, yes; Leaver, yes; Maden, yes; Mahorney, yes.

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

Superintendent Lusk’s report – Trustee Leaver asked if we have the stump grinder for a month. Mayor Queen answered, “yes”.

Chief Kelnhofer’s report – Trustee Buck saw Chief Kelnhofer patrolling late one evening. Chief Kelnhofer has worked some split shifts on different occasions. Trustee Maden asked if Chief Kelnhofer has notified any of the board members regarding his schedule and trading hours. Trustee Leaver noted on the agenda, David Robertson requested more police coverage. Trustee Buck stated Mr. Robertson had been burglarized twice. Trustee Buck visited with Mr. Robertson regarding the robberies and Mr. Robertson seems OK with Trustee Buck’s visit and recommendations. Keith Olsen, Casey’s representative, suggested overstaffing some evening shifts to help discourage some of the illegal activities. Police department training schedules were also reviewed since Chief Kelnhofer had listed the schedule on his report.

Accounts Receivable -Collector White reported the utility accounts receivable total as $59,760.72. There were 6 miscellaneous invoices totaling $4,800, making the total accounts receivable as $64,560.72. There were no disconnects this month.

A resolution was presented, which would authorize the destruction of executive session tapes dated 2/20/17, 4/17/17 and 6/19/17, that have been retained at least 18 months after minutes were released. Motion was made by Maden, seconded by Leaver to approve the resolution for the destruction of the executive session tapes dated 2/20/17, 4/17/17 and 6/19/17. Vote: Buck, yes; Leaver, yes; Maden, yes; Mahorney, yes; Cornell, yes; Lusk, yes; Buck, yes. Resolution 2019-02 passed.

Mayor Queen reminded everyone the Village still needs 1 more Zoning Board member. If anyone is interested, refer them to the mayor or contact the village office.

Mayor Queen announced the Rabies Clinic will be held on Saturday, May 4th from 9-11 a.m. behind 106 W. Attica.

A resolution was presented to authorize the Rossville Area Youth League to sponsor an Opening Day Parade on Saturday, May 18th and close Route 1 between 10-10:30 a.m. Motion was made by Buck, seconded by Cornell to approve the parade resolution. Vote: Leaver, yes; Maden, yes; Mahorney, yes; Cornell, yes; Lusk, yes; Buck, yes. Resolution 2019-03 passed.

Mayor Queen asked board members to consider getting estimates to repair some of the bricks on the west side of 115 E. Attica since the Village demolished the adjoining building at 113 E. Attica. After a brief discussion, board members gave permission to Mayor Queen to seek estimates for the repairs.

A proposal was received from NewWave Communications to provide the office with internet (100 megabytes), phones and a static IP address for the police department. Frontier and Skybeam were also contacted for estimates for internet and static IP address for the police department. NewWave’s estimate was $225.05 per month, with a 2 year contract for more megabytes of internet speed, the static IP address and 3 lines for phones. Currently, the Village pays approximately $250 per month for the office phones and internet (at 7 megabytes). If board members approve the estimate, a contract would need to be signed. The topic will be tabled until next month.

Finance & Purchasing Committee – Chairman Leaver reported the proposed budget for fiscal year 2020 will be posted in the village office tomorrow. A special board meeting will be held April 30th at 6 p.m. to take action on the budget for next fiscal year and other items to close the current fiscal year.

Streets & Alleys Committee – Chairman Cornell reported the fish will be delivered to the pond on Friday, April 19th. Chairman Cornell is still searching for information on aerators.

Police, Health & Safety Committee – Chairman Buck has met with Chief Kelnhofer. Chief Kelnhofer is doing A.L.I.C.E. training on April 26th and Officer Greene will be attending C.R.I.M.E. class on April 17th from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Committee Chairpersons from the Gas or Public Improvements Committees had nothing to report.

Water & Sewer Committee – The ordinance to increase water/sewer rates annually was presented. Board members discussed which rates should be increased, if any, and how much of an increase should be imposed. Trustee Lusk questioned the purpose of this ordinance. Clerk White advised the ordinance was presented so future new boards, who may not be familiar with what is needed, will not be required to vote on the increases. However, if board members want to amend the increases, then the topic may be revisited. Mayor Queen suggested raising the water and sewer minimum rates $1 each per month, per year beginning May 1st annually. Motion was made by Maden, seconded by Leaver to adopt the water/sewer rate increase ordinance to increase, as of May 1st annually, the minimum rates for the water and sewer each $1 per month, beginning May 1, 2019. Vote: Leaver, yes; Maden, yes; Mahorney, yes; Cornell, yes; Lusk, no; Buck, yes. Ordinance 2019-03 passed.

Casey’s representatives Keith Olsen and Sue McGee presented a request to allow Rossville Casey’s General Store to be able to sell carry-out liquor on Sundays. Mr. Olsen stated a time stipulation to begin selling liquor on Sundays, is applied in other communities (usually 11 a.m. or noon). Mr. Olsen has received several complaints from customers because they cannot buy their liquor locally on Sundays. The topic was presented years ago but was voted down by board members. Mayor Queen will place the topic on next month’s agenda so the matter can be voted on by the board.

Resident Brian Smith stated the tin whistle at the end of his driveway, used as an access drain for rain water to flow down the street, is plugged and the gravel or dirt that was on top has been washed away by the rain. Mr. Smith stated it is very rough trying to enter his driveway. Mr. Smith asked if Superintendent Lusk could unplug the drain and put some rock on top and level it so he could have smoother access to his property. Mayor Queen will discuss the matter with Superintendent Lusk.

Motion was made by Maden, seconded by Leaver to adjourn to executive session to review executive session minutes under 5 ILCS 120/2 C21. Vote: Maden, yes; Mahorney, yes; Cornell, yes; Lusk, yes; Buck, yes; Leaver, yes. The meeting adjourned to executive session at 8:04 p.m.

Motion was made by Buck, seconded by Cornell to return to regular session. Vote: Mahorney, yes; Cornell, yes; Lusk, yes; Buck, yes; Leaver, yes; Maden, yes. The meeting returned to regular session at 8:09 p.m.

Motion was made by Maden, seconded by Buck to release executive session minutes dated October 15, 2018. Vote: Cornell, yes; Lusk, yes; Buck, yes; Leaver, yes; Maden, yes; Mahorney, yes.

Motion was made by Maden, seconded by Buck to adjourn the meeting. Vote: Lusk, yes; Buck, yes; Leaver, yes; Maden, yes; Mahorney, yes; Cornell, yes. The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/840ffd_0298c27f4fd14bc8a40b40b2c9c89d94.pdf