Sangamon Sun

Village of Divernon Board of Trustees met Feb. 14.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

The regular meeting of the Village of Divernon Board of Trustees was held on Wednesday, February 14, 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, Mayor Copelin called roll: Jim Copelin “Here”, Wayne Jones “Here”, Melissa Layton “Here”, Daryl Spelman “Here”, Larry Baer “Here”, Derek Hedges “Here”, Dianne Brenning “Here”. Also in attendance were Police Chief Barclay Harris, Treasurer Christine Nichols and Superintendent Jeremy Rhodes. Clerk Rod Molnar arrived at 7:10 p.m.

A motion was made by Jones and seconded by Spelman to approve the minutes of January 24, 2018. The motion passed 6-0.

Brenning presented the Village bills with a motion that they be approved. Baer seconded and the motion carried 6-0.

Visitors:

Jess Hunter presented a program on weather preparedness. He is the program coordinator of a group of volunteers that act a storm spotters. They stay out after storms and report damage to the National Weather Service in Lincoln Illinois. They would like for Divernon to become a Storm Ready Community. This would be in addition to the Village’s Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Board will take the issue under advisement.

Supervisors Reports:

Public Works:

Superintendent Rhodes reported on an issue that is happening with the electronic meter reading system. He has identified three of the larger meters where the meter reading is correct, but when the reading is delivered electronically, it is sending a lower reading. Two of the three have been resolved with the customers. He is working with Midwest meters to get the problem taken care of. There are some other issues that need to be coordinated between Midwest Meters and the Munibilling system that generates the bills. Craig Cox has received his certification as a Class IV Wastewater Operator. He will receive a $1.50 per hour raise per the Village’s policy beginning with the next pay period.

Police:

Chief Harris presented estimates for the cost of purchasing a new squad car. Both current vehicles have around 60,000 miles on them. The estimate for a Ford F150 pickup is $37,705.00 and for a Ford Explorer it would be $38,864.50. The Village will receive $1600.00 trade for the old Impala and for the Jeep that was confiscated in an arrest. A motion was made by Baer to purchase the F150. Layton seconded and the motion carried 6-0. Money will be appropriated for new vests for all full and part time officers for next year. Vests must be replaced every five years. The cost for a vest is $985.00. Half of the cost can be recouped from the Department of Justice. Officer Josh Hayes has completed his class and will be reimbursed $1370.00 per the Villages’ personnel code. A motion was made by Jones and seconded by Layton to reinstate Cory Reynolds to the position of part time Police Officer.

Committee Reports:

Zoning, TIF, Building Permits:

Mayor Copelin announce that he would like to appoint Leonard Emerson and Craig Busch to the Zoning Board of Appeals. A motion was made by Hedges and seconded by Spelman to approve the appointment. The motion was passed 6-0.

Public Utilities, Water, Sewer and Gas:

The Board voted 6-0 to approve three of five requests for utility adjustments. The motion was made by Layton and seconded by Jones. One request for an adjustment was denied, while the other customer will be asked to attend the next meeting to work out a payment plan. A motion was made by Hedges and seconded by Layton to begin a credit card processing program with Heartland which will allow customers to pay via credit card. Treasurer Nichols is working out the details. The motion carried 6-0.

Finance, Personnel, GIS:

A motion was made by Brenning to approve the annual Appropriation Ordinance (2018-001). Baer seconded and the motion was approved 6-0. Nichols will set up demonstrations for the committee to see payroll systems she has been exploring. She has it narrowed down to two different systems. It will be on the agenda for the next meeting. Nichols reported that the safe deposit box with UCB will renew on March 1, 2018. She has provided copies of the fraud manual for the committee for their review. A copy will also be sent to the Village Attorney.

Public Safety, Health and Safety:

Layton reported that the annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held at the square on March 24, 2018 between 1:00 and 2:00. The date for the annual Village wide garage sale will be May 4 and 5, 2018. Clean up day will be on May 12, 2018. Layton will talk to Flowers Sanitation to determine what rates will be charged for residents dropping off items for pick up.

Public Works, Streets, Alleys and Sidewalks:

Nothing to report.

Village Communication/Building Grounds and Lights, Parks:

Nothing to report.

Old Business:

A motion was made by Hedges to approve ordinance 2018-002. The ordinance is required by statute for the Village to sell real estate. The properties to be sold are at 333 State Street and 609 State Street. The properties will be put out for bid. Baer seconded and the motion carried 6-0.

New Business:

A motion was made by Brenning and seconded by Baer to have Office Manager Rideout obtain her status as a Notary Public. The cost will be $164.00. The motion passed 6-0. A motion was made by Spelman to donate $50.00 to the Auburn Afterprom Committee. Layton seconded and the motion carried 6-0.

Motion by Baer to adjourn at 9:08 p.m.

http://www.divernonil.com/documents/Minutes2-14-2018.pdf