Chambana Sun

Village of Rossville Board of Trustees met Jan. 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, Maden, Mahorney, Richison and Leaver were physically present.

Guests present were Clerk White, Bobbette Gammon, Kenneth Gammon, Nancy Rife, Tracy Farnsworth, Rick Farnsworth, Edy Farnsworth, Joe Mikel, Mickey Mikel, Lucas Sturm, Kathy Rife, Damen Hillery, John Ault and Shawn Cade.

Minutes of the regular board meeting held December 16, 2019 and special board meeting minutes dated November 22, 2019 and January 13, 2020 were presented. Motion was made by Buck, seconded by Mahorney 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 December was presented. Trustee Richison questioned the balances for the customer deposit gas account, stating they did not add up. Clerk White will review the balances and ask Treasurer Ault to submit an amended report if a correction is required. Motion was made by Leaver, seconded by Cornell to accept the treasurer’s report with the necessary corrections. Vote: Mahorney, yes; Richison, yes; Buck, yes; Leaver, yes; Maden, yes; Cornell, yes.

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

Superintendent Lusk’s report – Trustee Maden asked if the street sign and “Children Playing” signs have been ordered. Mayor Queen stated Superintendent Lusk stated they have been ordered.

Police Chief Kelnhofer’s report – There were no comments on Chief Kelnhofer’s report.

There was no Sewer Operator’s Report received this month. Matt Price will be asked to provide a report next month.

Accounts Receivable -Collector White reported the utility accounts receivable total as $21,569.05. There were 4 miscellaneous invoices totaling $2,600, making the total accounts receivable as $24,169.05. There was 1 disconnect this month.

Discussion was held on adding trash removal as a utility on Village Bills. Mayor Queen explained what the Board has been discussing. Attendees voiced their opinions, objections and asked questions regarding the trash pickup. Mayor Queen requested permission to get 4-5 proposals for Village-wide trash pick-up then schedule a town meeting for residents to air their concerns and discuss the matter. Motion was made by Maden, seconded by Leaver to authorize Mayor Queen to obtain proposals for trash pick-up. Vote: Maden, yes; Leaver, yes; Buck, yes; Richison, yes; Mahorney, yes; Cornell, yes.

The architectural engineer’s reports for 106 E. Attica, 103 S. Chicago and 209 Stewart have arrived. Board members reviewed the reports. Mayor Queen stated the reports indicate all 3 buildings on the listed properties are not inhabitable and should not be inhabited until the properties are remediated. The Village attorney will send certified mailings to all of the owners and a notification will be published in the newspaper. Owners will have 30 days to respond. The date will be changed on the sign that was placed on 106 E. Attica. If the owners choose to make the necessary repairs, they will have 60 days to complete the repairs. If the owners choose not to repair the property, the Village will proceed to court to obtain the property. The Village attorney will perform a title search on 103 S. Chicago.

Shawn Cade, owner of 118 E. Attica, would like to open a gaming establishment and is required by the State to obtain a liquor license prior to obtaining gaming licenses. Mr. Cade would like to obtain a liquor license for carry-out and consumption on premises. Mr. Cade would like to establish 6 gaming machines in the building. Mayor Queen will have Randy Lusk, building inspector, to inspect the building. Motion was made by Maden, seconded by Leaver to allow a video gaming establishment at 118 E. Attica, upon approval from the building inspector. The Liquor Commissioner, Mayor Queen can authorize the appropriate liquor license. Vote: Maden, yes; Leaver, yes; Buck, yes; Richison, yes; Mahorney, yes; Cornell, yes.

Old Village work trucks – The Village has ordered 2 new work trucks. The old work trucks were not allowed to use as trade-ins. Mayor Queen stated Ross South-Ross Cemetery District (“District”) has verbally requested the Village to donate one of the old trucks to the District to be used for handling dirt from burials. An intergovernmental agreement could propose the Village remain the owner of the vehicles but allowing the District to use and maintain the vehicle. The other vehicle would be sold. Motion was made by Mahorney, seconded by Maden to donate 1 of the old work trucks to the Ross South-Ross Cemetery District and sell the other truck. Vote: Leaver, yes; Buck, yes; Richison, yes; Mahorney, yes; Cornell, yes; Maden, yes.

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

Streets & Alleys Committee – Chairman Cornell presented the 2020 MFT Resolution for expenses through the calendar year. Motion was made by Cornell, seconded by Leaver to adopt the MFT Resolution as presented. Vote: Leaver, yes; Buck, yes; Richison, yes; Mahorney, yes; Cornell, yes; Maden, yes. Resolution 2020-01 passed.

The 2019 calendar year end MFT expenditure summary was submitted for approval. Motion was made by Cornell, seconded by Maden to approve the 2019 calendar year end MFT expenditure statement. Vote Buck, yes; Richison, yes; Mahorney, yes; Cornell, yes; Maden, yes; Leaver, yes.

The alley between 308 & 310 Thompson was damaged when Village employees grated the entire North/South alley from Dale Street to Thompson. Damen Hillery, owner of 310 Thompson, stated he asked for approval of his plan to rock the alley beside his property and his driveway from Superintendent Lusk prior to beginning work. The Hillery’s paid for 5 tandem loads of road pack for the alley and driveway. Months later, the Village grated the alley causing dirt/mud to cover the rock which led to flat tires and potholes at the end of the alley and their driveway entrance. The Hillery’s are requesting the Village to bring clean rock to remedy the situation and fill the potholes. Trustee Cornell was made aware of the situation and signed a work order on April 11, 2019 to have the problem fixed. After discussion and reviewing the situation, a motion was made by Cornell, seconded by Leaver to have new rock brought in to correct the problem. Vote: Buck, yes; Richison, yes; Mahorney,yes; Cornell, yes; Maden, yes; Leaver, yes.

Trustee Cornell also would like to have a copy of any complaints regarding streets and alleys so he can review them.

Police, Health & Safety Committee Chairman Buck presented an ordinance that would prohibit cannabis business establishments within the Village. Motion was made by Maden, seconded by Buck to table the ordinance for further review. Vote: Richison, yes; Mahorney, yes; Cornell, yes; Maden, yes; Leaver, yes; Buck, yes.

An ordinance amending Section 10.02.010 (6) Public Nuisances by removal of #6-“The driver or any other person within the motor vehicle commits a violation of Rossville Village Ordinance Chapter 8.04.010.4, possession of cannabis in a motor vehicle”, was presented. Motion was made by Buck, seconded by Richison to adopt the ordinance amending Section 10.02.010 (6) Public Nuisances. Vote: Mahorney, yes; Cornell, yes; Maden, yes; Leaver, yes; Buck, yes; Richison, yes. Ordinance 2010-01 passed.

An ordinance amending Section 8.04.030 Notices was presented. The amendment would allow for 1 warning notice per year and for every offense after would be a fine. Motion was made by Buck, seconded by Richison to adopt the ordinance amending Section 8.04.030 Notices. Vote: Cornell, yes; Maden, yes; Leaver, yes; Buck, yes; Richison, yes; Mahorney, yes. Ordinance 2020-02 passed.

An ordinance regarding possession of cannabis, adding Section 8.04.10.2 possession of cannabis and remove Section 8.04.10.3 –Possession of cannabis sativa plant. Motion was made by Buck, seconded by Mahorney to adopt the Possession of Cannabis ordinance. Vote: Maden, yes. Leaver, yes; Buck, yes; Richison, yes; Mahorney, yes; Cornell, yes. Ordinance 2020-03 passed.

The committee chairpersons for the Water & Sewer, Gas and Public Improvements Committees had nothing to report.

Old Business – Trustee Maden asked when the maintenance employees were going to demolish the garage at 121 E. Attica and if anyone has receive estimates when the parking lot at 122 E. Attica will be complete. Mayor Queen is waiting to hear from Hub City Media to see if they want a parking lot for their employees. Shawn Cade would like to look at the garage at 121 E. Attica to see if he would want the building and would move it at no cost to the Village.

Trustee Richison asked if arrows could be painted on East and West Attica Streets showing the flow of traffic at the stop light. Mayor Queen will ask Superintendent Lusk.

Tracy Farnsworth stated he cannot hear the emergency siren inside his house. Mayor Queen and John Ault stated the siren was made for people to hear outside their home.

Motion was made by Maden, seconded by Buck to adjourn the meeting. Vote: Maden, yes; Cornell, yes; Mahorney, yes; Richison, yes; Leaver, yes; Buck, yes. The meeting adjourned at 8:06 p.m.

https://www.villageofrossville.org/documents/218/Reg.1-20-2020.pdf