Chambana Sun

Village of Rossville Village Board met Oct. 17 

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Mayor Queen called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was held at the Rossville Municipal Building located at 120 East Attica Street in Rossville, Illinois.

Roll call was taken. A quorum was established with Mayor Queen and Trustees Gammon, Black, Daniel, Cornell, Sturm and Hackett physically present.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Guests present were Clerk White, Deputy Clerk Rife, Brenda Adams (Keep Vermilion County Beautiful) and Doug Toole (Keep Vermilion County Beautiful and Vermilion County Health Department).

Minutes of the regular board meeting held September 19, 2022, were presented. Motion was made by Black, seconded by Gammon to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve the minutes as presented. Vote: Sturm, yes; Cornell, yes; Hackett, yes; Gammon, yes; Black, yes Daniel, yes.

Treasurer Ault’s report for September 2022 wase presented. Motion was made by Hackett, seconded by Black to accept the Treasurer’s report for September 2022. Vote: Cornell, yes; Hackett, yes; Gammon, yes; Black, yes; Daniel, yes; Sturm, yes.

Current bills – Current bills were reviewed earlier in the Finance & Purchasing Committee meeting. Motion was made by Hackett, seconded by Black to approve and pay the bills as presented. Vote: Hackett, yes; Gammon, yes; Black, yes; Daniel, yes; Sturm, yes; Cornell, yes.

Superintendent Lusk’s report – Trustee Gammon spoke with Superintendent Lusk, who discovered a gas issue under the house at 113 Benton Street. Superintendent Lusk is working on a solution for the high pressure in the service line. Superintendent Lusk found 35 service lines with issues. The gas issue at 113 Benton Street was one of the worst problems.

Sewer Operator Price’s report – Trustee Gammon took pictures at the sewer plant regarding the improvements. All of the brick is off the building. The doors and new brick have been ordered. The brick will be delivered to and stored at the maintenance building. The semi will not have a place to turn around at the sewer plant. The door that was on the spec sheet would not fit without removing the framework and raising it. If the framework is good on the window, the glass will be the only thing replaced.

Police Chief Kelnhofer’s report – Trustee Black reported speed details at the school are being conducted again. Tires are being put on the K5, which will be stored at the police garage. At least 1 wheel rim will need to be replaced. Paul Kelhnhofer said he thought he could get one for under $350.

Officer Greene has applied for toys for a toy drive again this year. Trustee Hackett asked if the wrapping of the gifts could be done at the fire station, where there is more room.

Officer Greene requested board approval for reimbursement for candy and decorations for the Halloween Hoopla. Motion was made to issue a check to Officer Greene for up to $200 for candy and decorations for the Halloween Hoopla. Vote: Black, yes; Daniel, yes; Sturm, yes; Cornell, yes; Hackett, yes; Gammon, yes.

Accounts Receivable - Collector White reported the utility accounts receivable total as $36,522.75. There were miscellaneous invoices totaling $4,982.96, making the total accounts receivable as $41,505.71. There was 1 account shutoff this month.

Trustee Sturm asked Clerk White if it had been determined who shut off the gas to his former restaurant. Clerk White did not order a disconnect to his property and was unaware of any reason for the shutoff.

Doug Toole, representing the Vermilion County Health Department and Keep Vermilion County Beautiful, reported a tire collection is being sponsored through the month of October, Municipalities and County Offices can take tires they have collected to the Danville Township Highway Department. This is not open to the public. The Electronic Collection Event was held over the weekend. The number of vehicles was down from the expected 350 cars to around 230 cars. Two electronic collections events were planned for 2022, one in spring, one in fall.

Brenda Adams, representing Keep Vermilion County Beautiful, reviewed membership dues and sponsorships and the benefits included in each sponsorship. Membership dues are due before January 1, 2023. Ms. Adams encouraged the Village Board to send a representative of Rossville to the monthly meetings that are held the third Mondays of every month at 5 p.m. at various locations.

Christmas Parade Resolution – A resolution regarding the RCO sponsoring the Christmas parade on December 3, 2022, from 6:00-6:30 p.m. and requesting the closure of Route 1 was presented. Motion was made by Sturm, seconded by Daniel to approve the closure of Route 1 on December 3, 2022, from 6:00-6:30 p.m. for the Christmas parade. Vote: Gammon, yes; Black, yes; Daniel, yes; Sturm, yes; Cornell, yes; Hackett, yes. Resolution 2022-05 passed.

Motion was made by Hackett, seconded by Black to declare the TIF Inner Core Tax Revenue as Surplus Funds. Vote: Black, yes; Daniel, yes; Sturm, yes; Cornell, yes; Hackett, yes; Gammon, yes. The Joint Review Board meeting will be held Thursday, October 20, 2022, at 6 p.m.

The tax levy estimate is $18,771.63 this year. Motion was made Sturm, seconded by Gammon to approve the tax levy estimate of $18,771.63. Vote: Daniel, yes; Sturm, yes; Cornell, yes; Hackett, yes; Gammon, yes; Black, yes.

Update on 103 S. Chicago – Mayor Queen reported the property, located at 103 S. Chicago, has been sold to Colleen Caldwell by tax deed. Ms Caldwell has hired someone to jack up the center wall, she will also have the back of the building tuckpointed, new roof and fix front windows. A remediation agreement will be prepared between the Village of Rossville and Colleen Caldwell for the expected repairs. Superintendent Lusk will inspect the building after repairs are made to make sure the building is up to code with building codes before removing the condemnation sign.

Update on Adam Marganski’s building at 101-103 N. Chicago – Mayor Queen, Superintendent Lusk met with Adam Marganski at his property at 101 N. Chicago to review the water issue. An 8” pipe drains off his roof to a 6” pipe and causes overflow in his basement. A solution to cut a hole in his building, run a pipe outside along the building, out to the sewer. However, Mr. Marganski does not own the property next door so nothing will be done.

Update on 106 E. Attica – Mayor Queen reported the process is moving along on 106 E. Attica. It should take another 30-90 days for the process to be complete so the Village could own the property.

Trustee Sturm said the buildings (east wall of 104 E. Attica and west wall of 110 E. Attica) have not been sealed. Mayor Queen said Superintendent Lusk stated the buildings were sealed quite a while ago.

Purchasing a New Copier – Deputy Clerk Rife explained the new office printer has arrived. When installing the new office printer, Tony Maged explained the current copier is so old and the ability to scan documents to email will not be available December 31st or sooner. Newer copiers will have the capability to scan to email, the older copiers will not. The office staff use the scan to email bills to customers along with scan to email other documents to news media. Clerk white suggested charging all person/organizations/taxing bodies for black & white copies plus establish a rate for color copies since the Village will be charged per color copy each month. There were 2 proposals presented for consideration, 1) copier that prints black and white copies only for $4,304.80 plus $36 per month for a service contract allowing 3,000 black and white copies with overage charges of .012 cents per copy; 2) copier that prints black & white & color copies for $4,734.80 with a $36 per month service contract with overage charges at .012 cents per copy plus .065 cents per color copy. The service contracts include parts, labor, toner and preventative maintenance from DTI Office Solutions. Motion was made by Gammon, seconded by Sturm to purchase the color copier for $4,734.80 along with the service contract for $36 per month from DTI Office Solutions. Vote: Sturm, yes; Cornell, yes; Hackett, yes; Gammon, yes; Black, yes; Daniel, yes.

Contractor Registration Fees – Mayor Queen referred the contractor registration fees to the Finance & Purchasing Committee to review.

Renew IMLRMA insurance – Motion was made by Hackett, seconded by Black to approve renewing the IML Risk Management Association insurance and issue a check for $32,326.00, which includes a 1% discount for paying early. Vote: Cornell, yes; Hackett, yes; Gammon, yes; Black, yes; Daniel, yes; Sturm, yes.

Finance & Purchasing Committee - The audit for fiscal year 2020-2021 has been completed by Feller & Kuester CPAs. Neal Kuester will attend another board meeting to answer any questions regarding FY2021 and FY2022 once the FY2022 audit is completed. Mr. Kuester expects to complete the FY2022 fiscal audit before the end of the year. Motion was made by Hackett, seconded by Black to approve the fiscal year 2021 audit. Vote: Daniel, yes; Black, yes; Gammon, yes; Hackett, yes; Cornell, yes; Sturm, yes.

Streets & Alleys Committee- Trustee Cornell reported the last treatment for the year has been applied to the pond. The pond looks really good.

Police, Health & Safety Committee- Trustee Black announced the Police, Health & Safety Committee will meet Wednesday, October 19th at 5 p.m. at the village office to review applications for Chief of Police, SRO and fulltime police officer.

Also, at the next committee meeting, the policies and procedure manual updates will be reviewed. Trustee Black proposed having the village office and police garage rekeyed due to keys from former employees have not all been returned. Motion was made by Black, seconded by Daniel to rekey the village office and police garage. Vote: Cornell, yes; Sturm, yes; Daniel, yes; Black, yes; Gammon, yes; Hackett, yes.

Water & Sewer Committee Report – Trustee Gammon explained the installation of the sewer plant replacement garage door because of the size of the door.

Gas Committee- Trustee Sturm had nothing further to report.

Public Improvements Committee – Trustee Gammon spoke with Superintendent Lusk regarding the crosswalks at the intersection of Chicago and Attica Streets. Superintendent Lusk called Champaign Signal regarding an estimate to cut the crosswalks into the intersection when they are in town. Superintendent Lusk will talk to whoever resurfaces Route 1.

Trustee Gammon also spoke to Superintendent Lusk about leveling the parking lot at 122 E. Attica. Trustee Gammon reported Superintendent Lusk will try to work on the parking lot by the end of next week.

Old Business – Trustee Daniel asked for approval to move ahead with the plan for the Village to pour concrete base for the bin gazebos with TIF monies since Rosella Ray has already purchased the grain bin gazebos for the pond area.

Trustee Hackett asked if Colleen Caldwell has to resubmit her request for façade improvements. Mayor Queen spoke to Ms. Caldwell and reminded her to submit her receipts for her façade improvements.

New Business- Trustee Black contacted the Village attorney and asked a letter regarding records retention by former board members to present at the board meeting for discussion. Mayor Queen asked the Village attorney not to prepare the letter. Trustee Black stated it is illegal for the mayor to block board member access to the Village attorney. Mayor Queen was not aware of that fact, apologized and will contact the Village attorney to have the document prepared.

Trustee Gammon heard Paul Kelnhofer tell Clerk White on the speakerphone that one of the employees’ vehicles, parked in the police garage, has an antifreeze leak. Trustee Gammon suggested telling the employee to fix the leak or park the vehicle outside, especially if the antifreeze is going down the storm drain.

Also, the Ford truck heater is not working. It was recommended for Officer Greene to schedule an appointment to get the heater fixed and have the vents cleaned from when the fire extinguisher went off in the cab of the truck.

Motion was made by Black, seconded by Daniel to adjourn to executive session to review executive session minutes under 5 ILCS 120/2 C21. Vote: Cornell, yes; Sturm, yes; Daniel, yes; Black, yes; Gammon, yes. Hackett, yes. The meeting adjourned to executive session at 8:22 p.m.

Motion was made by Hackett, seconded by Sturm to return to regular session. Vote: Gammon, yes; Hackett, yes; Cornell, yes; Sturm, yes; Daniel, yes; Black, yes; Gammon, yes. The meeting returned to regular session at 8:29 p.m.

Motion was made by Sturm, seconded by Hackett to release executive session minutes dated April 18, 2022 and October 18, 2021. Vote: Cornell, yes; Hackett, yes; Gammon, yes; Black, yes; Daniel, yes; Sturm, yes.

Motion was made by Sturm, seconded by Hackett to adjourn the meeting. Vote: Sturm, yes; Cornell, yes; Hackett, yes; Gammon, yes; Daniel, yes. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

https://www.villageofrossville.org/documents/218/Reg._Board_Mtg._10-17-2022.pdf