Sangamon Sun

Village of Divernon Board of Trustees met July 24.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

The regular meeting of the Village of Divernon Board of Trustees was held on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 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, Melissa Layton called roll: Jim Copelin “Here”, Craig Busch “Here”, Wayne Jones “Here”, Melissa Layton “Here”, Larry Baer “Here”, Gail Hedges “Here”, Tyler Bramley “Here”. Also in attendance was Superintendent Jeremy Rhodes. Rod Molnar and Jason Martin were absent.

A motion was made by Busch and seconded by Hedges to approve the minutes of July 10, 2019. The motion passed 4-0. Jones and Bramley voting present.

Baer presented the Village bills with a motion that they be approved after adding an invoice for Heart Technologies for $99.99. Hedges seconded and the motion carried 6-0.

Visitors:

Chuck Apgar was in attendance but did not have any business to bring before the Board.

Supervisor Reports:

Public Works:

Jeremy Rhodes reported that the Village Attorney has sent a letter to Dowson’s concerning their fertilizer business being built near the truck stop. The Dowson’s thought that the property was zoned as agricultural, but it is zoned a business. The attorney’s letter will outline the Village’s requirements to bring the project into compliance. The Zoning Board of Appeals is involved as well. There was an item on the agenda to purchase a new gas meter for the Dowson dryer bins location, but Jeremy asked that it be removed as he hopes to get it for a lower cost. Illinois Road Contractors have completed the street work for the year. The new roof on the shop is nearly completed. Rhodes is working with the American Legion on replacing the sidewalks in front of the Legion building.

Police:

Chief Martin is waiting on an update from the Sangamon County Health Department regarding the old IGA building. He has been getting reports of suspicious vehicles driving around town at night. An attempt to break into a vehicle was reported. Officer Carson Becker has completed his one-year probationary period and will receive a pay increase per the personnel code.

Committee Reports:

Zoning, TIF, Building Permits:

Busch asked if permits are required for prebuilt sheds. Rhodes said that anything over 64 square feet requires a permit. Rhodes looked into the kitchen work at the Corner Bar and Grill and reported that it is in compliance. Hedges asked if there is a building permit for a privacy fence going up in her neighborhood. Rhodes responded in the affirmative.

Public Utilities, Water, Sewer and Gas:

Bramley emailed Frontier about the additional poles in his neighborhood but hasn’t got a response. Hedges reported that the Frontier pole on Third Street is still leaning towards the street.

Finance, Personnel, GIS:

Baer reported that Dianne Brenning has agreed to serve as a backup for Office Manager Heather Rideout. An item will be put on the agenda for the next meeting to decide on compensation.

Public Safety, Health and Safety:

Nothing to report.

Public Works, Streets, Alleys and Sidewalks:

Nothing to report.

Village Communication/Building Grounds and Lights, Parks:

A calendar of events has been added to the Village Website. Hedges asked if a section should be put on the website for questions and comments. There was a consensus that questions and comments should not be handled through the website, but rather through calls to the Village Hall. Busch would like to have something put on the water and gas bills informing residents to go to the website for Village information. There was a discussion on how to handle the newsletter. It was decided to mail out the first edition and direct residents to the website for subsequent editions. Copies of the newsletter will also be available at the Village Hall for those residents that don’t have access to the website. The first newsletter will be mailed out before school starts or shortly thereafter. The Snack Shack, the new business opening on the square is having trouble getting adequate staff hired which has delayed their opening.

Old Business:

None.

New Business:

Representative Mike Murphy has arranged for Affordable Shred to be at the Village Hall on Saturday, August 10th from 10:15 to 11:15 to shred documents for Village Residents free of charge.

Senator Steve McClure has been invited to the August 14th board meeting to discuss funding for village projects. Representative Murphy has also been invited to participate in the discussion.

Motion by Hedges to adjourn at 7:25 p.m.

https://divernonil.com/assets/uploads/sites/219/2019/08/Minutes-7-24-2019.pdf