Chambana Sun

Village of Rossville Regular Board met Nov. 18.

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, Maden, Mahorney, Richison and Leaver were physically present.

Guests present were Clerk White, Susan Misner, Megan Kester, Lucas Sturm, Bobbette Gammon and Justin Taylor.

Minutes of the regular board meeting held October 21, 2019 and special board meeting held October 3, 2019 were presented. Motion was made by Mahorney, seconded by Richison to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve the minutes as presented with an omnibus vote. All members voted yes.

Treasurer Ault’s written report for October was presented. Trustee Richison noted 3 balances that need reviewed and amended. Clerk White will have Treasurer Ault review and amend her report where needed. Motion was made by Leaver, seconded by Buck to accept the treasurer’s report as corrected. Vote: Cornell, yes; Maden, yes; Leaver, yes; Buck, yes; Richison, yes; Mahorney, yes.

Current bills – Current bills were reviewed earlier in the Finance & Purchasing Committee meeting. Motion was made by Leaver, seconded by Maden to approve the bills as presented. Vote: Maden, yes; Leaver, yes; Buck, yes; Richison, yes; Mahorney, yes; Cornell, yes.

Superintendent Lusk’s report – Trustees asked what the “rebuild” at 50 Stufflebeam entailed. The owner was redoing the parking lot where the water meters are located. Mayor Queen explained the water meters were moved so residents were not parking on top of the meters.

Superintendent Lusk has been including sewer information on his monthly report so a sewer operator’s report has not been prepared. Board members requested Matt Price, sewer plant operator, to begin preparing a report for the monthly meetings.

Police Chief Kelnhofer’s report – A committee meeting will be scheduled to interview the applicant for part-time police officer. Trustee Maden requested a list of expenses in case the Board chooses to hire another fulltime police officer. Trustee Richison requested a list of required hours of training for the police officers. Clerk White gave Trustee Maden a copy of the required hours of training last month and will give all board members a copy of the same list.

Accounts Receivable -Collector White reported the utility accounts receivable total as $24,825.94. There were 3 miscellaneous invoices totaling $1,800, making the total accounts receivable as $26,625.94. There were 2 disconnects and 1 reconnect this month. Trustee Maden asked if liens can be placed on these properties. Collector White stated liens can be placed on these properties for mowing expenses.

Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of (2)-2020 Ford Trucks and Finance the Purchase through Iroquois Federal –A resolution was presented authorizing the purchase of (2)-2020 Ford Trucks, complete with beds, etc, for Village use and finance the purchase through Iroquois Federal Savings and Loan Association, loan term is 5 years, with a down payment and at the current interest rate not to exceed 4.15%, authorizing Mayor Richard Queen and Clerk White to sign the loan application. Motion was made by Leaver, seconded by Maden to approve the resolution, as presented, for the purchase of 2 Ford trucks. Vote: Buck, yes; Mahorney, yes; Cornell, yes; Maden, yes; Leaver, yes; Richison, yes. Resolution 2019-07 passed.

Discussion on Adding Garbage Pick-up as a new Utility on Village utility bills – Mayor Queen asked attendees’ opinions on adding garbage pick-up as a utility on Village utility bills. If the Village added garbage pick-up on utility bills, everyone would pay for garbage pick-up and some of the properties around town could be cleaned up. Some residents were in favor of the idea, others were not in favor. Megan Kester, who previously worked for Republic Services, described some of the services Republic may offer for town-wide garbage services. Mayor Queen stated the Board has been discussing the option but would like more information. Mrs. Kester will ask a representative from Republic Services to come to the next board meeting to discuss town-wide garbage pick-up and answer questions the Board may have regarding the procedures.

Superintendent Lusk prepared information regarding prices to purchase or rent a stump grinder. After reviewing the information, board members decided to continue renting a stump grinder for their needs.

Annual Tax Levy Ordinance – The annual tax levy ordinance was presented in the amount of $18,265.71. Motion was made by Leaver, seconded by Richison to adopt the tax levy ordinance as presented. Vote: Buck, yes; Richison, yes; Mahorney, yes; Cornell, yes; Maden, yes; Leaver, yes. Ordinance 2019-11 passed.

Streets & Alleys Committee Chairman Cornell had nothing to report at this time.

Police, Health & Safety Committee Chairman Buck has discussed with Chief Kelnhofer regarding the “No Parking” at the pond. Rules for the pond and allowing golf carts to park around the pond were discussed. Trustee Buck recommended ordering 2-24-30 signs, with the presented rules for the pond, for $65 each. Motion was made by Maden, seconded by Cornell to order 2 signs with the proposed rules for the pond from Hoopeston Awards and Signs. Vote: Richison, yes; Mahorney, yes; Cornell, yes; Maden, yes; Leaver, yes; Buck, yes.

Water & Sewer Committee Chairwoman Maden and Gas Committee Chairman Richison had nothing to report.

Public Improvements/Beautification Committee – The newly appointed Beautification Committee has not met until the Village Board approves the plan for the downtown area. Trustee Mahorney will need pricing to re-finish the parking lots and the plan to present for the 107-113 E. Attica Village-owned properties. The bottle cap program, to assist with the purchase of park benches for downtown, is going well. Mayor Queen will speak with Hub City Media representatives regarding their requested parking spaces.

106 E. Attica-Mayor Queen stated Superintendent Lusk is satisfied with the masonry work. The Village will issue an emergency eviction notice if people reside there then the Vermilion County Sheriff’s office will be called to escort the people out of the property. A meeting will be scheduled to meet with the new owners and ask the Village attorney to attend to discuss options.

Justin Taylor, owner of 103 S. Chicago, requested 1) gas service so he can renovate his building, 2) video gaming and liquor license and 3) the north wall of his building to be repaired. Mr. Taylor has spoken with Mayor Queen and Superintendent Lusk several times regarding the installation of gas service to his building. Mr. Taylor was given some recommendations within the last 2 years to get his gas service installed but Mr. Taylor has not succeeded. Mr. Taylor has requested his establishment becoming a video gaming establishment and he has an application for a liquor license. Mr. Taylor stated his north wall suffered damage and needs repaired after the demolition. Board members stated the property next to his that was demolished was not owned by the Village. Mr. Taylor will have to contact the owners of the property with his request for repairs. Lucas Sturm will look at Mr. Taylor’s gas issue tomorrow.

Megan Kester state the tree on the east side of 316 S. Grove appears to be dead. Limbs have fallen in the wind storms and Megan suggested cutting the tree. Superintendent Lusk will be notified.

Bobbette Gammon asked the status of the placement of the Watson Drive street sign. Mayor Queen stated Superintendent Lusk was asked to order the sign.

Megan Kester requested salt or sand to be spread around intersections, especially areas leading into Route 1, on icy days.

Motion was made by Mahorney, seconded by Maden to adjourn the meeting. Vote: Maden, yes; Cornell, yes; Mahorney, yes; Richison, yes; Leaver, yes; Buck, yes. The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

https://www.villageofrossville.org/documents/218/Reg._Mtg._11-18-19.pdf