Chambana Sun

Village of Saint Joseph Village Board met Aug. 27.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

Mayor Fruhling-Voges called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all present.

Roll call was taken. Fruhling-Voges Present

Rigdon Present

Painter Present (appointed tonight)

McCarty Present

Wagner Present

Davis Present

Rapp Present

Others in attendance: Tiffany McElroy-Smetzer, Village Clerk; Deb Routh, Village Treasurer; Mike Peters, Village Public Works Superintendent; Luke Fisher, Public Works Assistant Superintendent; Julie Hendrickson, Village Office Manager; Joe Lierman, Village Attorney; Mike Voges, Donna Abbott, Jeff VanBuskirk, Max Painter, Robert Runck, Terri Cummings, Amy & Dan McElroy, Donnie Goodwin and Matt & Sam Silver, Village Residents; and Nora Maberry-Daniels, St. Joseph Record.

MINUTES: The minutes of 8.13.19 Village Board Meeting will be submitted at the next meeting.

BILLS: Rigdon motioned and Wagner seconded to pay the bills for the Village. Roll call vote was taken: Davis – Aye, Rapp – Aye, Rigdon – Aye, McCarty – Aye, and Wagner - Aye. Motion passed 5 - 0.

APPOINTMENTS: Fruhling-Voges recommended Max Painter for the Village Trustee vacancy. Rigdon motioned and Wagner seconded to appoint Max Painter to the vacant Trustee position. Roll call vote taken: McCarty – Aye, Davis – Aye, Wagner – Aye, Davis – Aye, Rapp – Aye, and Rigdon – Aye. Motion passed 5-0.

McElroy-Smetzer gave Max Painter the Oath of Office. Painter took his place on the Board.

Fruhling-Voges recommended Jeff VanBuskirk for the Planning & Zoning Commission vacancy. Rigdon motioned and Wagner seconded. Roll call vote was taken: Wagner – Aye, Davis – Aye, Rapp – Aye, Rigdon – Aye, Painter – Aye, and McCarty – Aye. Motion passed 6-0.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: Donnie Goodwin requested assistance with a noise complaint. There is loud noise during both day and night. It is very loud and disruptive. The Village will follow-up on this.

Robert Runck questioned where the sewer increase money was going. This is the same question he has brought up at other meetings. He feels the money is being used for new development. Fruhling-Voges reported that the Village entered into a contract with Clark Dietz for a Wastewater Treatment Plant Facility Plan at the last Board meeting.

MAYOR’S DESK:

Fruhling-Voges gave an update on the upcoming Census. Hendrickson has been working with the Census Bureau. The Census Bureau will need cooperation from residents and will also need local workers.

Fruhling-Voges gave an update on the Regional Planning Commission meeting last Friday.

Fruhling-Voges stated that the Village needed to vote that they want to join the Vermilion County Land Bank or let them know that the Village was not interested. Rapp motioned and Davis seconded to pursue joining the Vermillion County Land Bank. Roll vote was taken: Davis – Aye, Rapp – Aye, Rigdon – Aye, Painter – Aye, McCarty – Aye, and Wagner – Aye. Motion passed 6-0.

Fruhling-Voges wanted to thank the St. Joseph Community Festival Committee. There is such a small committee but they do such a great job!

Fruhling-Voges wanted to thank the Saturday Morning Mens’ Prayer Group. The group provided the Senior Shuttle during the festival. This was such a great help. Many of the senior citizens had expressed that they wouldn’t be going to the festival due to the walk from the parking lot to the pavilion. The group provided a shuttle from the senior’s car to the pavilion and back. Fruhling-Voges told Board members that there is a public works project board in the back room. There is a list of all the projects that need to be completed. The Board reflects the status of projects that are being worked on at this time. Also have extra map of storm sewer & sewer maps. Trustees please look at the board when you get a chance.

Fruhling-Voges gave an update on the public hearing held on 8.20.19 regarding the possibility of marijuana being sold in the Village. She said that the Village had done a very good job advertising the meeting. There was over 70 people in attendance. ( FYI - Savoy had 1 at their hearing.) Fruhling-Voges reported that she appreciated everyone that attended the meeting and hearing their opinions.

There was discussion regarding the direction that the Trustees thought the Village should go. Fruhling-Voges said that the Board needs to make a decision regarding whether they want to opt out or opt in. There is a lot of work that needs to be done if the Village would opt in. From the public meeting and the discussion among the Trustees, it seems as if the Village will opt out. The Village will vote on this is September 10, 2019 Village Board Meeting.

COMMITTEE REPORTS AS FOLLOWS:

FINANCE: McElroy-Smetzer gave a brief update on a meeting the Village had with First Midstate regarding our sewer bonds. There would not be an increase in the debt and the term will stay the same. The only difference will be the interest rate. There could be significant savings for the Village.

SANITARY SEWER: Fisher gave an update on Phosphorus plant. The work is on target.

PARKS & RECREATION: Wagner gave an update on OSLAD. The Village has been contacted that the grant application has been received and was complete. He also noted that there are other grants the Village is looking at applying for.

PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY: Nothing to report.

STREETS & ALLEYS: Dan Davis spoke on bicycle parking. He is still working out the final details. He wants this in place soon.

BUILDINGS & GROUNDS: Hendrickson reported that the office has gotten a new copy machine. It would cost $535 to send back the old copy machine. For $700, the Village can purchase the copy machine. She would like to purchase the copy machine for the Village Annex. McCarty motioned and Wagner seconded to purchase the copy machine for $700. Roll call vote was taken: Wagner – Aye, Davis – Aye, Rapp – Aye, Rigdon – Aye, Painter– Aye, and McCarty – Aye. Motion passed 6-0.

McCarty reported that the Case tractor was repaired in the shop this am.

McCarty reported that Hackler park needs siding, soffits, and gutters. He will look at the roof also. McCarty will be looking into these issues. There is a contractor willing to do the roof.

ATTORNEY’S DESK: Nothing to report.

CLERK’S DESK: Nothing to report.

OFFICE MANAGER: Nothing to report.

PUBLIC WORKS: Peters reported that there is a Community Council meeting tomorrow night at 5 at the Village Annex.

At 8:20, Wagner motioned and Davis seconded to adjourn the meeting.

https://stjosephillinois.org/vertical/sites/%7B24DDC073-0F27-4A8D-B8E4-B5A8A41FF8A8%7D/uploads/village_8.27.19.pdf