Sangamon Sun

Village of Divernon Board of Trustees met March 28.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

The regular meeting of the Village of Divernon Board of Trustees was held on Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at the Divernon Village Hall. Village President Jim Copelin called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. After the Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance, Clerk Rod Molnar called roll: Jim Copelin “Here”, Wayne Jones “Here”, Daryl Spelman “Here”, Larry Baer “Here”, Dianne Brenning “Here”. Also in attendance were Police Chief Barclay Harris, Superintendent Jeremy Rhodes and Treasurer Christine Nichols. Melissa Layton and Derek Hedges were absent.

A motion was made by Jones and seconded by Spelman to approve the minutes of March 14, 2018. The motion passed 4-0.

Brenning presented the Village bills with a motion that they be approved. Baer seconded and the motion carried 4-0.

Visitors:

Stephanie Kaylor was in attendance to request her utilities be left on until Monday, April 2, 2018, when she could pay her bill in full. A motion was made by Baer and seconded by Jones to accept her request. The motion carried 4-0. She also asked if the drainage near her home could be checked as the streets were flooded from the recent rains. J. Rhodes will check to see if a tile has collapsed.

Bill Beaty was present. He would like to know how much the TIF district had cost the fire department since it had been in place. Nichols said that the Village wouldn’t have that information, but she would contact Sangamon County to see if they could provide that information.

Supervisors Reports:

Public Works:

Jeremy Rhodes reported on a number of items. His crew has been working on clearing waterways and spreading some rock. They recently put new roofs on the dugouts at MacMurray Park. Baer asked about the condition of the roof on the concession stand. Rhodes said it could use some work. Ben Spring from Benton and Associates recently inspected the village streets to recommend an oil and chipping program to be paid from MFT funds. Next Thursday, the Illinois Commerce Commission will be conducting the annual audit on the natural gas system. Copelin asked if summer help would be needed this year for mowing. Rhodes would like to see us get some part time help that would be available to work anywhere from 20 to 40 hours per week. The position will be advertised. Molnar reported on a request from Sarah Peterson to see what could be done to improve the condition of the road where then new water line went in. Rhodes said after the rock settles that blacktop will be put in that area.

Police:

Chief Harris reported that the new weapons racks have been installed in the squad cars. New lights have been ordered for the police garage. Harris recently painted his office. He expects to get the new squad car in May.

Committee Reports:

Zoning, TIF, Building Permits:

Copelin reported that he has been in touch with the owner of the gas station. He has received a couple of bids for the property. Copelin will contact the Chamber of Commerce to see that Casey’s is aware that they are accepting bids. After looking at the Ameren bills it was determined that the charge to the food truck for electricity will remain at $100.00 per year. The Village Attorney will write up an agreement.

Public Utilities, Water, Sewer and Gas:

Jones reported that all customers that have requested adjustments have met the requirements put forth in the agreements. There are two apartments on East Kenney that have had their services shut off for non-payment of utilities. The owner of the complex will be notified that services will not be restored until the bills have been paid. A lengthy discussion took place over budget billing. Several customers are in arrears at the end of the heating season at a time when they should be near zero. All customers on budget billing will have their bills recalculated using last year’s total usage plus 10%. Their average monthly bill will then be calculated using this formula. This will be their payment for the coming year. For those in arrears, in addition to paying their new billing rate, they will be required to pay their outstanding balance over a three month period beginning in April.

Finance, Personnel, GIS:

Brenning recommended that due to the condition of the sweep account, she believes that the loan from Bank of Springfield for the new meters should be paid off. The payoff amount is around $60,000.00. Nichols will get an accurate payoff amount. Due to lack of available appropriations left in this fiscal year, the payoff could not be done until the new fiscal year begins on May 1. This item will be put on the agenda for the next meeting. A motion was made by Jones and seconded by Brenning to purchase the outsource payroll system from Paycor at a cost of $3703.00 annually. There will be a one time set up fee of $480.00. Much of this cost will be offset by less hours that will need to be put in by the treasurer. The motion passed 4-0. Nichols hopes to have the credit card payment system in place any day. Copelin will be meeting with the personnel committee to work on employee reviews.

Public Safety, Health and Safety:

Nothing to report.

Public Works, Streets, Alleys and Sidewalks:

Rhodes will begin working on sidewalks in a couple of weeks. He also wants to pour four pads in the park for the benches at a cost of around $500.00.

Village Communication/Building Grounds and Lights, Parks:

Spelman reported that the Village Website has been updated. Steve Curry will be coming back down to do some more work on it as there is a problem with the home page.

Old Business:

The legal notice for the sale of the properties on State Street is running for the next three weeks in the Auburn Citizen and Divernon News.

New Business:

Township Tax Collector Jann Belford asked for and received permission to use the Village Hall for the collection of property taxes. She will be using the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays from May 8, 2018 thru June 1, 2018. In the event that the outside auditors need the office, she will need to make other arrangements on these days.

A motion was made by Jones to go into executive session at 8:23 p.m. to discuss personnel issues.

The Board returned to regular session at 8:34 p.m.

A motion was made by Brenning and seconded by Jones that Office Manager Heather Rideout receive a $3.00 per hour raise upon completing her probationary period beginning on April 1, 2018. The motion was approved 4-0.

Motion by Baer to adjourn at 8:35 p.m.

http://www.divernonil.com/documents/Minutes3-28-2018.pdf