Chambana Sun

Village of Rossville Board of Trustees met Sept. 18.

Here is the agenda 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.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Roll call was taken. A quorum was established with Mayor Queen and Trustees Gammon, Richison, Jones, Cornell and Black physically present.

Absent – Trustee Daniel

Guests present were Clerk White, Bridget Ault, Kenneth Gammon, Jackie Maden, Lucas Sturm, Debra Goodwin and Peggy Goble.

Minutes of the regular board meeting held August 21, 2023, were presented. Motion was made by Black, seconded by Gammon to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve them as amended. Vote: Cornell, yes; Black, yes; Jones, yes; Richison, yes; Gammon, yes.

Treasurer Ault’s amended report for July 2023 and report for August 2023 were presented. Trustee Gammon noted, on the August 2023 report, the total of the interest column for the Premier accounts did not add correctly. The total should be $1,945.39 but the remaining totals are correct. Motion was made by Black, seconded by Jones to accept the Treasurer’s amended report for July 2023 and approve the August 2023 as amended. Vote: Black, yes; Cornell, yes; Richison, yes; Gammon, yes; Jones, yes.

Current bills – Current bills were reviewed. Motion was made by Black, seconded by Gammon to approve and pay the bills as presented. Vote: Gammon, yes; Jones, yes; Richison, yes; Cornell, yes; Black, yes.

Superintendent Lusk’s report – Trustee Gammon asked if the water meters being installed were the new meters. Mayor Queen answered yes.

Sewer Operator Price’s report – Trustee Gammon asked who “Gasnova” is on Sewer plant operator Matt Price’s report. Clerk White stated they are a company not an individual.

Police report – Trustee Black asked for procedures to place the KIA up for sale. Clerk White stated the Board would have to declare the vehicle as Surplus property, advertise for bids and accept them at the November meeting since the topic is not on the agenda. The Police, Health & Safety Committee will discuss the matter at the meeting to be held on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 5 p.m.

Chief Greene would like to donate $1,000 to the Danville Police Department (DPD) PBPA (Police Benevolent and Protective Association) unit 10 for the retiree’s dinner since DPD has donated several items to the Rossville Police Department. After a brief discussion, a motion was made by Black, seconded by Richison to donate $500 to the DPD PBPA unit 10 for the retiree’s dinner. Vote: Jones, yes; Black, yes; Cornell, yes; Richison, yes; Gammon, yes.

Trustee Richison asked what the issues are with the property at 214 E. Attica. Mayor Queen explained about the vehicles, tires, roof caving in on the building located at the back of the property and the property is not being cleaned up. They have had several court dates, but no improvements are visible.

Accounts Receivable - Collector White reported the utility accounts receivable total as $32,993.99. There were miscellaneous invoices totaling $25,467.54, making the total accounts receivable $58,461.53. There were no shutoffs this past month.

Estimates for Repairs at New Lift Station area on Park Place – Mayor Queen reported 2 estimates were received for the repairs to the new lift station area where water has accumulated after rain. Fehr Graham designed 2 options for the repairs. Cross Construction bid $9,825.00 to leave area as is but place new rock as drawn in Option #1. Cross Construction also bid $24,360.00 to add a retaining wall as detailed in Option #2. Reffett Construction bid $9,983.00 to form/pour a 3’x22’ pad/retaining wall 5’ tall against existing concrete lift station pad, a 1’x8’ wing wall poured to the west of the new pad/retaining wall, rebar with vertical and horizontal runs in the walls at 2’ centers, top will be a broom finish. Mayor Queen explained the north side fence will be removed so the door can swing open, build a 4’ deep retaining wall onto existing pad, reinstall fence on top of wall then the area between the end of the fence and Ms. Goodwin’s property will be brought to proper level, will be landscaped and grass seed will be planted. Mayor Queen stated Mr. Reffett can finish this project before cold weather. Motion was made by Black, seconded by Gammon to accept the bid from Reffett Construction for $9,983.00. Vote: Richison, yes; Gammon, yes; Jones, yes; Black, yes; Cornell, yes.

Deputy Clerk working from home on preparing ordinances – Trustee Gammon talked to Deputy Clerk Kathy Rife about working from home to prepare ordinances and amending ordinances. Trustee Gammon and Trustee Black have attempted to write the ordinances but lack the time to finish them. Mrs. Rife will need the capability to remote into the office computer system to review online ordinances to make the amendments. Trustee Gammon would like Mrs. Rife to finish the ordinance regarding solar panels first since surveying is being done south of town for a solar panel field. Trustee Gammon wants to add the appropriate setbacks in the solar panel ordinances. Trustee Black will meet with Mrs. Rife to see what is needed for her computer to connect remotely with the Village office computer. Mrs. Rife can also work on the ordinances during office hours when time permits.

Finance & Purchasing – Trustee Gammon had nothing to report.

Water & Sewer – Trustee Gammon had nothing further to report.

Public Improvements – Trustee Gammon reported the grain bin gazebos are up and the picnic tables and grills have arrived. Trustee Gammon is searching for a clear coat spray sealer for the grain bin gazebos. Lloyd Smith is busy and won’t be able to apply the sealer. Trustee Gammon spoke to Pete Sollars, who stated his labor would be between $450- $500. Mr. Sollars would use the Village lift to apply 1 coat of the sealer. At last month’s meeting, the Board approved spending up to $1,000 for Lloyd Smith to seal the gazebos.

Trustee Gammon reported the Beautification Committee discussed changing the name of the L Pond to Bobcat Cove. Trustee Gammon will work on signs and see if everyone is agreeable to change the name.

Streets & Alleys – Chairman Cornell had nothing to report.

Police, Health & Safety Committee – Trustee Black reported Officer/SRO Tracy Wimmer has submitted her resignation. Superintendent Johnson-Maden asked if a couple of officers could walk through the school. Chief Greene previously asked Officers Finley and McMilleon if they would be interested. Both officers would be willing to work overtime to accommodate the request. The school is willing to pay for the coverage. Mayor Queen reminded Board members that none of our officers are certified to be an SRO nor do they have a minimum of 3 years of experience as a police officer, except for Chief Greene, or certified as a Juvenile Officer. Mayor Queen suggested obtaining written authorization for the Village of Rossville officers to serve as a substitute SRO. Board members agreed. Mayor Queen reported the BHRA school board is experiencing difficulty attempting to hire an SRO.

106 E. Attica – Mayor Queen spoke to Village Attorney, Andy Mudd regarding 106 E. Attica. Mr. Mudd reported the property at 106 E. Attica will be on the Sheriff’s tax sale in October due to 3 years of property taxes that are unpaid. The Village would have the opportunity to purchase the property at the tax sale. Lucas Sturm did not understand why the Village would have to purchase the property at a tax sale when the Village has a huge lien on the property for the demolition. Mr. Sturm asked if some paperwork did not get filed. Jackie Maden suggested contacting Vermilion County Treasurer Darren Duncan to explain why the Village must purchase the property when the Village has liens against the property. Clerk White explained if 3 years of taxes have been sold for non-payment, the property is added to the list of properties for the next tax sale and the liens are waived.

Trustee Gammon suggested searching for a new attorney. The matter will be added to next month’s agenda.

Jackie Maden heard a loud noise that sounded like an explosion on McKibben Street during evening hours. Mrs. Maden said this is the 3rd time she has heard these loud noises. Mrs. Maden thought a house had exploded. Mrs. Maden requested the police to follow up on this situation.

Peggy Goble asked what the black thing is on top of the water meter. Clerk White explained the maintenance staff have been installing new meters. The black thing is the antenna that transmits readings to the Village equipment.

Gas Committee- Trustee Richison had nothing to report.

Jackie Maden asked if it is the owner’s responsibility to clean off the sidewalk. Trustee Black will research the question and follow up with Mrs. Maden.

Trustee Gammon asked if anyone followed up on when the Former Presbyterian Church will be demolished. Chris White stated some windows have been removed and bricks had fallen off previously then yellow tape was placed around the property but has since been removed. Chris White asked if Randy Lusk, as building inspector, could declare the building unsafe and a dangerous building. Trustee Black stated Superintendent Lusk can inspect the building and determine if the building is unsafe then give the Village options.

Clerk White asked if grinding and refinishing Gilbert Street will be tabled until next fiscal year. Mayor Queen stated the Village is waiting for Ribbe’s to look at the project and give an estimate.

A motion was made by Black, seconded by Richison to adjourn the meeting. Vote: Cornell, yes; Black, yes; Richison, yes; Gammon, yes; Jones, yes. The meeting was adjourned at 7:58 p.m.

https://villageofrossville.org/documents/218/Reg._Board_Mtg._9-18-2023.pdf