Chambana Sun

Village of Rantoul Board of Trustees met Sept. 1.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

A regular Study Session of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Rantoul was held at 6:00 P.M. Mayor Smith called the proceeding to order.

Roll Call

The Village Clerk called the roll, finding the following members physically present: Mayor Smith, Trustees Hall, Gamel, Wilkerson, Wilson, Johnson and Workman – 7.

The following representatives of Village Departments were also present: Scott Eisenhauer (Absent due to illness), Administrator; Pat Chamberlin, Comptroller; Greg Hazel Public Works Director; Jake McCoy Assistant Public Works Director, Ken Beth, Village Attorney; David Wesner, Village Attorney Associate and Mike Graham, Clerk.

Trustee Johnson moved to approve the Agenda and Trustee Wilkerson seconded the motion. The Clerk Called the roll and the Motion carried 6 – 0.

Public Participation

Tim Odom spoke about an unprofessional encounter with the Rantoul Police Department.

Loise Haines spoke about the Veteran’s Flags Downtown and the wear and tear due to high winds this year.

Debra Sweat spoke about great service on the electric problems in her neighborhood.

John Killeen spoke about the need to raise Elected Public Officials Salaries prior to the Consolidated General Election on April 6, 2021.

Items from the Mayor

• Mayor Smith appointed Crystal Wilson to the Citizens Advisory Committee.

• Mayor Smith indicated that the United States Air Force had hired a contractor to demolish the Minute Man Missile at the intersection of Borman Drive and Route 45 or the West Gate to the former Chanute Air Force Base.

Items from Trustees

None.

Mayor Smith then recognized Ken Beth, Village Attorney who introduced David Wesner as the new associate Attorney to his firm replacing Amanda Riess who had to resign for medical reasons.

Items from the Clerk

• Minutes of Regular Study Session Board Meeting, August 4, 2020.

• Minutes of Regular Board Meeting August 11, 2020.

• Minutes of Special Board Meeting August 21, 2020.

• Mike Graham spoke in general about the filing requirements for the upcoming

Consolidated Election on April 6, 2020.

At this point in time Mayor Smith interrupted the Clerk’s presentation to recognize Denny Long from the Bank of Rantoul. Mr. Long came up to the desk to announce that the Bank of Rantoul was celebrating their 100th year of doing business in the Village of Rantoul and that the Bank of Rantoul would be donating $100,000.00 to the Village of Rantoul Family Sports Complex. In addition, Denny Long and his wife were going to donate $30,000.00 to the Sports Complex. This presentation was supposed to be placed on the Agenda prior to Public Participation, but because of communication problems between the Mayor, Administrator and Deputy Clerk failed to make it on the Agenda in the designated position.

The Clerk, Mike Graham, then continued with a presentation regarding Elected Public Officials Salaries at the Village of Rantoul. Mr. Graham recommended that the Mayor’s Salary be raised from $25,000.00 to $40,000.00 per year which included the $4,000.00 stipend for Liquor Commissioner, The Village Clerk’s salary be raised from $7,500.00 to $8,500.00 per year plus Stipends for Clerk Certifications previously passed by Ordinance No. 2587 in September of 2018 and Trustee’s salaries be raised from $4,800.00 to $6,000.00 per year. The Clerk, Mike Graham, made a twenty-five-minute presentation as to why he felt the Elected Public Official Salaries needed an increase. Trustee Johnson was not in favor increasing the Salaries at this time, while Trustees Hall and Trustee Gamel said they would have to check with the Human Relations Committee because it would look bad. Mr. Graham indicated that there were two realms to observe. The “Political Realm” would be to kick the can down the road for four more years and do nothing and the “Right Thing to Do Realm” would be to seriously discuss the issue and do the right thing by increasing the Elected Officials Salaries. Trustee Wilkerson agreed with the Clerk but had one modification. Trustee Wilkerson wanted to set the Mayor’s Salary at $32,000.00 with an additional $4,000.00 stipend for the Liquor Commissioner duties, or a Total of $36,000.00 per year. Trustees Workman and Wilson agreed with these recommendations.

These items will be taken to the Rantoul Village Board at the Regular Meeting, Tuesday, September 8, 2020 for action and approval.

Items from Administrator

Mayor Smith indicated that the Items from Administrator would be discussed at the October 2020 Study Session since Mr. Eisenhauer was ill.

Items from Comptroller

• Approval of Bills and Monthly Reports.

These Items will be taken to the Rantoul Village Board at the Regular Meeting on Tuesday, September 8, 2020 for consideration and approval.

NOTE FROM RANTOUL VILLAGE CLERK, UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED BELOW ALL OF THE AGENDA ITEMS WILL BE TAKEN TO THE REGULAR VILLAGE BOARD MEETING, TUESDAY, September 8, 2020.

• Purchase of a 2019 LP SDT Vacuum Excavator through Vermeer Midwest - $57,150.00.

• Approve: Contract with Roessler Construction for a new salt shed - $99,970.00, Calhoun Super Structure Roof Material - $30,243.00 with a $13,000.00 contingency or a total cost of - $143,213.00.

• Amend Engineering Agreement with Donahue & Associates for the development of Phosphorus Removal Feasibility Study and Phosphorus Discharge Optimization Plan - $6,750.00 (Total contract if approved $24,640.00).

• Amend Engineering agreement with Donahue & Associates for the West Plant Pretreatment Evaluation - $9,500.00 (Total of contract if approved $22,925.00).

There being no further business for the Rantoul Village Board, Mayor Smith declared the Study Session of the Rantoul Village Board adjourned.

MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:38 P.M

https://village.rantoul.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2258