Sangamon Sun

Village Board of Pleasant Plains met March 12.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

The Village Board of Pleasant Plains met in a regular session at 7 p.m., at the Village Hall. President Darrell Duey Blair called the meeting to order and roll call was recorded:

Mike Huber present Elizabeth Rollins present William Riggins, Jr present Scott Flanigan present Tim Robinson present Wayne Heideman present

President Darrell Duey Blair declared a quorum present.

Staff Present: Darrell Duey Blair, President; Carl Draper, Attorney; Judy Reiser, Village Clerk; Brett Keyes, Treasurer; Dave Stewart, Water Superintendent; Neil McCafferty, Assistant Water Superintendent; Kevin Kesselring, Chief of Police

Visitor(s): Greta Myers

The Pledge of Allegiance Prayer Roll Call

Minutes were reviewed for the regular board meeting of February 12, 2019. A motion was made by Trustee Tim Robinson to approve the minutes with requested corrections. Trustee Scott Flanigan seconded this motion. President Darrell Duey Blair declared the motion carried by a unanimous aye vote.

Citizen Recognition: N/A

Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Brett Keyes reviewed the Treasurer’s Report with the Board. Bret states there is two months left in our fiscal year and overall, budget wise things look good. We need to pay attention to our Road and Bridge fund and make sure we spend all the funds that were allocated to us; unlike MFT funds, which can carry over, Road and Bridge funds need to be spent in the year received. Trustee Scott Flanigan made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s report. Trustee Tim Robinson seconded this motion. President Darrell Duey Blair called for a roll call vote.

Ayes: Tim Robinson, Bill Riggins, Jr., Mike Huber, Scott Flanigan, Wayne

Heideman 

Nays: N/A 

Abstain: N/A 

Absent: Elizabeth Rollins 

President Blair declared the motion carried by a roll call vote.

Payment of Bills: The bills were reviewed for payment. An Ameren bill came in late therefore a check will be added to the list of payments, check #27080 for $489.90 Trustee Wayne Heideman made a motion to approve bills as presented. Trustee Scott Flanigan. seconded this motion. President Darrell Duey Blair called for a roll call vote.

Ayes: Wayne Heideman, Scott Flanigan, Mike Huber, Bill Riggins, Jr., Tim Robinson 

Abstain: N/A

Absent: Elizabeth Rollins 

President Blair declared the motion carried by a roll call vote.

It was agreed after the new board has been sworn in, a budget meeting will be scheduled.

Water Customer Issues: Jim Niemeier sent a note to the Board asking that anything over this usual sewer charges be waived due to a leak. The Water Superintendent did confirm the leak. Trustee Bill Riggins, Jr. made a motion to waive sewer charges over and above his average cost. Trustee Tim Robinson seconded this motion. President Darrell Duey Blair called for a roll call vote.

Ayes: Tim Robinson, Bill Riggins, Jr., Mike Huber, Scott Flanigan, Wayne Heideman 

Nays: N/A 

Abstain: N/A

Absent: Elizabeth Rollins 

President Blair declared the motion passed by a roll call vote.

Jacob Zwilling sent a note to the Board asking that anything over this usual sewer charges be waived due to a leak. The Water Superintendent did confirm the leak. Trustee Tim Robinson made a motion to waive sewer charges over and above his average cost. Trustee Wayne Heideman seconded this motion. President Darrell Duey Blair called for a roll call vote.

Ayes: Wayne Heideman, Scott Flanigan, Mike Huber, Elizabeth Rollins, Bill Riggins, Jr., Tim Robinson 

Abstain: N/A 

Absent: N/A 

President Blair declared the motion carried by a roll call vote.

Carol Teel wrote the Board asking to be granted permission to pay her water bill in payments due to a large leak. Mrs. Teel stated she would be willing to pay $100 plus her monthly bill every month with no penalties added to the leak amount. Trustee Scott Flanigan made a motion that Carol Teel be allowed to make monthly payments with no penalties at $100 per month plus her monthly bill, until the water leak charges have been paid. Trustee Mike Huber seconded this motion. President Darrell Duey Blair called for a roll call vote.

Ayes: Tim Robinson, Bill Riggins, Jr., Elizabeth Rollins, Mike Huber, Scott Flanigan, Wayne Heideman 

Nays: N/A 

Abstain: N/A 

Absent: N/A 

President Blair declared the motion passed by a roll call vote.

Water Department: Water Superintendent Dave Stewart reports the figures aren’t in yet regarding the loss water calculations. However, Dave feels with the leaks they have recently found the percentage should be reduced. Mayor Blair advised Dave the village received a letter of commendation from the Illinois Department of Public Health indicating our water department was in perfect compliance in 2018 for 12 consecutive months in accordance with the Illinois Public Water Supply Regulation Act.

Police Department: Chief Kesselring states things have been quiet in his area. Gibbel’s were at the PPPD office installing the new air conditioning.

Village Clerk Report: Report was reviewed, no questions.

Security Cameras: On hold until budget meetings.

Water Tower: Mayor Blair states he spoke with Max today and shared where the new site was going to be. Max will call in a Julie get started on his preliminary findings. Duey did share with Max that we have been given permission to use the road between Subway and Casey’s as a right of way and use the north end of the property. Max advised the Board to move forward to secure the property.

Personnel Policy: Previous instructions for reviewing the personnel manual is tabled until next month. (Board members are encouraged to make a list of changes they would like to see implemented and e-mail them to Judy so one master list can be reviewed by the Personnel Committee. Suggestions for changes will be discussed at a board meeting. After all suggestions have been collected the Benefits and Salary Committee will meet to review and bring the personnel policy up to date. Chairman Trustee Scott Flanigan. Committee members are: Wayne Heideman and Mike Huber. Upon completion the board will review.)

Trustee Bill Riggins made a motion to repeal section 27-2-16 of the Village Code Begging/ Panhandling, Ordinance 19-005. Trustee Scott Flanigan seconded this motion. President Darrell Duey Blair declared the motion carried by a unanimous aye vote.

Holiday Schedule: Trustee Scott Flanigan made a motion to adopt Ordinance 19-006 approving the 2019 holiday schedule. Trustee Mike Huber seconded this motion. President Darrell Duey Blair declared the motion carried by a unanimous aye vote.

A motion was made by Tim Robinson to adopt Ordinance 19-007 renewing the franchise agreement the village has with Cass Cable TV which permits the village to collect a service provider fee equal to 5% of annual gross revenues derived from the provision of cable or video services to households in the village. Trustee Wayne Heideman seconded the motion. President Darrell Duey Blair declared the motion carried by a unanimous aye vote.

(It was verified, at a later date, that this franchise is only for cable and video services. It does not include internet services as this is not a taxable service by law.)

Tim Reiser of Reiser Construction applied for a variance on setbacks for a spec home on the property at Fourth and Lincoln Street. All neighbors were notified of the variance request and no one showed up at the public hearing this evening to contest the request. The Zoning Board’s recommendation is to grant a variance 8’3” on the west side and 3’ on the east side setbacks. Trustee Scott Flanigan made a motion to accept the recommendation of the Zoning Board to allow setbacks of 8’3” on the west side of the property and 3’ on the east side. Trustee Wayne Heideman seconded the motion. President Darrell Duey Blair called for a roll call vote.

Ayes: Wayne Heideman, Scott Flanigan, Mike Huber, Elizabeth Rollins, Bill Riggins, Jr., Tim Robinson 

Abstain: N/A 

Absent: N/A 

President Blair declared the motion carried by a roll call vote.

Trustee Scott Flanigan questioned a legal $300 charge for researching prevailing wage. This inquiry was with regard to the proposed new pavilion in the park. The community can donate to this project however contributions from the village cannot. If the Village gets involved then prevailing wage be an issue. The village cannot donate money towards this project. If they do, then prevailing wage will have to be charged.

Trustee Tim Robinson made a motion to go into executive session to discuss water tower property, water/sewer contract, personnel issues and to review previous closed session minutes. Trustee Elizabeth Rollins seconded the motion. Meeting went into executive session at 7:41 p.m.

Returned to regular session at 8:49 p.m.

Trustee Mike Huber made a motion to accept a contract as of May 1 with Wayne Nelson at $450 per month for one year as an Independent Contractor performing the duties required of a certified water system operator and certified wastewater treatment operator. Trustee Bill Riggins, Jr. seconded this motion.

Ayes: Wayne Heideman, Scott Flanigan, Mike Huber, Elizabeth Rollins, Bill Riggins, Jr., Tim Robinson 

Abstain: N/A 

Absent: N/A 

President Blair declared the motion carried by a roll call vote.

Trustee Bill Riggins, Jr. made a motion to increase Neil’s salary by $5,000 a year. Trustee Tim Robinson seconded this motion.

Ayes: Tim Robinson, Bill Riggins, Jr., Elizabeth Rollins, Scott Flanigan, Wayne Heideman 

Nays: Mike Huber 

Abstain: N/A 

Absent: N/A 

President Blair declared the motion passed by a roll call vote.

Trustee Scott Flanigan made a motion to bring in Brad Hermes as Streets Superintendent for March and April. When the ordinance has been changed to the newly created position of Public Works Superintendent Brad will be put in this position May 1 earning $65,000 a year with no insurance benefits. Trustee Tim Robinson seconded this motion.

Ayes: Wayne Heideman, Scott Flanigan, Mike Huber, Elizabeth Rollins, Bill Riggins, Jr., Tim Robinson 

Abstain: N/A 

Absent: N/A 

President Blair declared the motion carried by a roll call vote.

Trustee Mike Huber made a motion to move forward in inquiring the Brandt’s property for the purpose of the water tower. Trustee Scott Flanigan seconded the motion.

Ayes: Tim Robinson, Bill Riggins, Jr., Elizabeth Rollins, Mike Huber, Scott Flanigan, Wayne Heideman 

Nays: N/A 

Abstain: N/A 

Absent: N/A 

President Blair declared the motion passed by a roll call vote.

Trustee Scott Flanigan requested that we start researching the purchase of water.

Announcement: Mayor Blair reminded board members that they will have one more meeting, and in May should be present to swear in the new board members.

There being no further business, Trustee Scott Flanigan made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion was second by Trustee Wayne Heideman. The motion was passed by voice vote. President Darrell Duey Blair declared the meeting adjourned by a unanimous aye vote at 8:55 p.m.

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