Sangamon Sun

Village of Pawnee Board of Trustees met Aug. 10.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

Call to Order:

• President Clarke called the meeting to order to 7:00pm.

Roll Call:

• Village Clerk, Devona Martin called roll

• Trustees in attendance: Todd Richeson, Phillip Thompson, Cara Burnley, Patrick Murphy, David Skinner, Troy Squires Trustees

• Absent: none

• Also in attendance: Attorney Don Cravens, Treasurer Kelly Thein, Candy Kramer with the Pawnee Post, Chief Barclay Harris, Tim and Barb McConnell, Scott Cameron with Pawnee Schools, Jeff Schober, Jay and Trisha Smith and Jerrod Smith and Cathy Baulos with locals, Marsha Gehrs, Gail Chevalier-Zini, Becky Galloway, Lori Spelman

Visitor's Recognition/Comments:

• Tim and Barb McConnell appeared before the Board. They are looking at a piece of property at 5 Tamaroa Drive in Pawnee. There is roughly $2,900 in utility liens. They currently live in Springfield and they have a mobile home. They would like to move out of Springfield to Pawnee and are asking the Board to waive or possibly reduce the liens if they do purchase it. The liens total $2,903.19. Per Treasurer Thein, most of this is utilities and not late charges. Treasurer Thein advised that she even talked about them putting a certain percentage down and then payoff over 3yrs. We have a piece of land that we could have a potentially good customer. Trustee Skinner asked if the majority was penalties or utilities. Treasurer Thein said it is mostly utilities. Attorney Cravens suggested trying to maintain security by way of lien or mortgage to protect the interest we have. The tax sale is Friday. They cannot bid on it if they cannot get the deed in their name. Attorney said he can work with them on financing the liens. The property has been vacant for 7yrs. Discussed 20% down and 3yrs to payoff. Trustee Murphy indicated it is debt owed to the village and it is what it is. It is a dangerous precedent if we eliminate it. Trustee Thompson advised he agreed with Trustee Murphy. Consensus was 3yrs with 20% down. Trustee Thompson asked if we are setting a precedent here. How do we currently handle when someone is behind on utilities. Treasurer Thein advised this isn't exactly the same as current customer. The longest we've given is 12mos. Motion made by Trustee Thompson allow the McConnell's to put 20% down payoff the remaining liens over 3yrs if they get the property. They will then meet with our attorney and set up the paperwork. Second made by Trustee Murphy Roll Call Vote Taken: Richeson-yes, Thompson-yes, Burnley-yes, Murphy-yes, Skinner-yes, Squires-yes Motion Carried: (6-0)

• Scott Cameron with the Pawnee Schools appeared. Trustee Richeson advised the cross walk sign is not working and it is obsolete. He is recommending we purchase and put up a new sign. We will split the cost of the sign with the school. It will cost approximately $4,500.

• Jay Smith with Locals appeared before the Board. He would like to see if they can have a couple spots on the east side of the bar for pickup/carry out only. They would be reserved for pickup only on Friday and Saturday nights from 5pm - pm. Locals will be responsible for the signs. Consensus was to allow. Trustee Thompson advised the Library had 3 but the signs kept getting stolen.

• Jarrod Smith with Locals appeared before the Board to talk about getting their 3am liquor license back. He advised Divernon has their 3am license and everyone leaves at midnight and goes to Divernon. Trustee Squires said if they are inside, he doesn't have a problem. President Clarke advised his biggest concern with 3am is having only 1 officer and no double coverage. Chief Harris indicated that some weekends he doesn't have double coverage but most of the time he does. President Clarke reinstated the 3am liquor license. We'll revisit if the governor drops us back a phase. 

• Marsha Gears with Pawnee Prairie Days advised the Board that people are inquiring about the Village wide garage sale. She has been to some in Chatham in June and July. She would like to know if we can have them. Prairie Days will do their part if we are going to do it. She would recommend either September 12th or the 19th. She can put "Follow COVID 19 guidelines" on the flyers. Treasurer Thein advised people would also like the recycle guy back. She'll see if they are available the 12 of the 19th, Agreed the garage sales would be September 19,

• Marsh Gears with Pawnee Prairie Days would like to have a benefit for Mikey Austin on September 12, 2020. Mikey Austin is battling cancer. They would like to have UTV ride. They got the idea from Morrisonville. She has their flyer and waiver. They would be kind of following Morrisonville's guidelines. The ride will be called "Friends of Mikey Austin Benefit Ride." She is thinking leaving at 10:30am and get back earlier to have them loaded up and out of town. Pub 1854 is going to have an acoustic singer that evening. The ride will last from about 10:30am 4:30pm-5:00pm. They have to guarantee each stop 45mins. They have 3 different versions of rides they are looking at it. She was told that the Christian County cops are more than willing to help. President Clarke advised he is concerned about the village limits. President Clarke said tighten everything up and come back up August 24. No one is opposed at this time. President Clarke suggests Pawnee Police Dept lead them out of town and lead them back into town. There will be a vehicle on the back end. They are also planning to have a 50/50 drawing and raffle off TV. Mikey has pancreatic cancer and it's in his stomach, liver and lymph nodes as well. He's got a fight. He does have a gofund me. Prairie Days is going to donate $1,000 at least plus a raffle and 50/50. He is currently at $10,000. Greg Bandy is going to donate the meat. They are also going to try to get the class of '82 to come down.

Clerk's Report:

• Minutes of July 27, 2020 were presented for review and approval 

Motion made by Trustee Murphy to approve the minutes of July 27, 2020 as presented 

Second made by Trustee Thompson 

Roll Call Vote Taken: Richeson-yes, Thompson-yes, Burnley-yes, Murphy-yes, Skinner-present, Squires-yes 

Motion Carried: (6-0)

Personnel & Finance Committee Report: Committee Chair, Trustee Skinner

• Trustee Skinner presented the bills payable for the week ending August 10, 2020 in the amount of $118,454.89

• Motion made by Trustee Skinner to approve the bills payable for the week ending August 10, 2020 in the amount of $118,454.89. 

Second made by Trustee Squires

Roll Call Vote Taken: Richeson-yes, Thompson-yes, Burnley-yes, Murphy-yes, Skinner-yes, Squires-yes 

Motion Carried: (6-0)

Gas and Water Committee Report: Committee Chair, Trustee Squires

• Trustee Squires advised the they got the 13th street gas line welded up. There is one more on Monroe. They are hoping to be done with gas leaks in the next couple weeks. The guys are also checking meters for leaks in preparation for the October gas audit.

Streets, Alley and Sidewalk Committee Report: Committee Chair, Trustee Richeson

• Trustee Richeson advised that rock and chip is scheduled for August 27th and 28th,

• Bids being opened 18th.

• Trustee Richeson advised they scoped the storm drains today. They dug 3 holes. Jeff Schober advised they ran 80' down in one spot and they ran into a lot of mud, broken tiles and lots of roots. This is located near the Christian Church. There is a pond behind Carter's on Rutledge and about 10th Street. This is probably county property. There is currently no place for the water to go. Trustee Richeson said the main reason they are scoping the lines is to find out where to cut the ditches and so we know where it will drain. President Clarke asked if we had to have a permit to build a pond. No one is sure. Discussed the storm sewers on Lincoln Street. There was too much water in the line so they weren't able to scope it. Discussed the Schrage issue by the apartments. He looked behind there and it was full also. They are going to fix the issues on 13th Street first.

Police Committee Report: Committee Chair, President Clarke

• Chief Barclay Harris advised he got an email from Sangamon County in regards to a new emergency system. It is called SAM, Sangamon County Alert Messaging. It is has been offered to us and the county will pay for it. We would be able to notify the community and let them know if there is an emergency type situation. The "opt-in" date is August 14, 2020. Trustee Thompson said if we opt in we can always opt out. We could set up the account and don't activate the account. It might cost later and now it is free. Consensus was that we would opt-in.

• Chief Harris advised that he and Treasurer Thein interviewed for the part time officer position. He would like permission to move forward with the 2 people he found. The fitness test is August on the 22nd. They will have to pass the fit test before entering the part-time academy which is October 4. They are also doing the 40hr firearms class prior to that. He is looking to hire 2. Consensus was to proceed.

Sewers and Parks: Committee Chair, Trustee Thompson

• No report

• Trustee Thompson wanted to thank the Village employees on clean up after the storms.

Zoning Committee Report: Committee Chair, Trustee Murphy

• Trustee Murphy advised there are several building permits in progress.

• He is working on a complaint on 8th street,

•  He is requesting that the property owner tarp the gaping holes in the garage at the Clarizio property in the 200 block of 10th.

• Discussed the property at 1004 Rutledge. This is next to Gary Eby. Steve and Gary were over there on Rutledge. This is an abandoned home. The account is inactive. They called the number on the door with no response, however, Kelly got a response today and they are going to try to get someone out there. The house was not secured and animals have been in there. The people working for the mortgage company are asking for a week to get something done. They advised that when they came and took pictures, there were still vehicles in the yard. We are granting them until Monday as opposed to putting liens on the property. They are also going to pay the outstanding utilities.

• Discussed Ordinance 20-16-An Ordinance Approving a Public Works Contract. This is an agreement between the Village of Pawnee and the Sangamon County Public Health Dept. The fee is $125/call. Any property we have that is dangerous, they will complete the paperwork through the States Attorney's office to get the demolition completed. They will also do public health violations. This basically will take the burden off the village and staff. They will do it all. Trustee Squires also asked about building code violations pertaining to gas leaks. Attorney Cravens will find out. 

Motion made by Trustee Thompson to accept Ordinance 20-16 An Ordinance Approving a Public Works Contract with the Village of Pawnee and the Sangamon County Public Health

Second made by Trustee Richeson 

Roll Call Vote Taken: Richeson-yes, Thompson-yes, Burnley-yes, Murphy-yes, Skinner-yes, Squires-yes 

Motion Carried: (6-0)

Bargaining Committee: Committee Chair, President Clarke

• none

Energy: Committee Chair, President Clarke

. none

Infrastructure: Committee Chair, Trustee Richeson

• none

Unfinished Business:

• Discussed the west end sign. Attorney Cravens had several conversations. He thinks the best thing we will get is 4yr extended warranty. If we sue, we will have to sue in Missouri and he doesn't think we will get much. They have agreed on an additional 4yrs warranty. Treasurer Thein doesn't believe the sign will last another 4yrs. It is currently broken right now. Consensus was to proceed.

• Opened bids for 700 Washington Street

o $10,000 plus closing costs from Rod Bourne 

o $10,100 from Reese Langheim. 

Closing costs will have attorney fees, recording fees, title search. Rod Bourn is the winner since he is paying the closing costs.

New Business:

• Resolution 20-03 - A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Intergovernmental Agreement with Raymond IL 

• Motion made by Trustee Thompson to accept Resolution 20-03 - A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Intergovernmental Agreement with Raymond IL

Second made by Trustee Richeson 

Roll Call Vote Taken: Richeson-yes, Thompson-yes, Burnley-yes, Murphy-yes, Skinner-yes, Squires-yes 

Motion Carried: (6-0)

• Discussed Ordinance 20-17 - An Ordinance Approving an Amendment to Chapter 7, Section 10 7-3 of the Village Code of Ordinances. This pertains to the retirement community which would allow them to asphalt or concrete in lieu of rock and chip 

• Motion made by Trustee Skinner to accept Ordinance 20-17 - An Ordinance Approving an Amendment to Chapter 7, Section 10-7-3 of the Village Code of Ordinances to allow the retirement community which would allow them to asphalt or concrete in lieu of rock and chip 

Second made by Trustee Squires 

Roll Call Vote Taken: Richeson-yes, Thompson-yes, Burnley-yes, Murphy-yes, Skinner-yes, Squires-yes 

Motion Carried: (6-0)

• Tonight is Cara Burnley's last day as Village Trustee. Thank you for your service to our community over the last 9yrs, 3 mos.

Motion to Adjourn:

• Motion made by Trustee Murphy to adjourn 

Second made by Trustee Squires 

Roll Call Vote Taken: Richeson-yes, Thompson-yes, Burnley-yes, Murphy-yes, Skinner-yes, Squires-yes 

Motion Carried: (6-0)

Meeting adjourned at 8:16pm on Monday, August 10, 2020. The next scheduled meeting of the Pawnee Village Board of Trustees is Monday, August 24, 2020 at 7:00pm at the Village Hall.

http://www.pawneeil.net/uploads/2/4/2/7/24273585/board_meeting_minutes_august_10_2021.pdf