Sangamon Sun

Village of Divernon Board of Trustees met March 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The regular meeting of the Village of Divernon Board of Trustees was held at the Village Hall. Mayor Jim Copelin called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Clerk Gail Hedges called roll: Craig Busch “Here”, Joe Bukantos “Here”, Chuck Apgar “Here”, and Dianne Brenning “Here”, Larry Baer “Here”. Tyler Bramley was absent. Also present were

Superintendent Rhodes and Chief Martin.

A motion was made by Bukantos seconded by Apgar to approve the minutes of February 23, 2022. The motion passed 4-0 with Brenning and Baer voting present.

Baer made a motion seconded by Brenning to approve the bills with the addition of $649.95 for folding tables for the park and the reissue of a check in the amount of $83.40 to David Dambacher. The motion passed 5-0.

Visitors

John Cranmer was present to discuss the need for additional handicap parking spaces around the Village square. The Village will look into the matter.

Public Works:

Superintendent Rhodes reported that he met with Ameren to discuss street lights. Higher wattage bulbs will be added in some areas where poor lighting is an issue. New street lights will be added at the Village Hall to light the parking lot. A new light will also be added at the intersection of North Henrietta and Whiting Drive. The tile near Cornsilk which handles storm water flow was jetted to improve flow helping to reducing flooding.

Police:

Chief Martin reported he found a 2022 Dodge Durango for $41,500 which includes wiring and a push bar. Baer made a motion to approve $41,500 for the purchase seconded by Apgar. The motion passed 5-0.

Committee Reports: Economic Dev., Zoning, TIF, Building Permits:

Mayor Copelin discussed he had talked with the coordinator of the Rails to Trails program to discuss the possibility of getting a trail through Divernon which could potentially link to Springfield north and Farmersville south. Further research is needed including identifying grants to cover the cost. Copelin then reported he met again with Swieca to discuss next steps for the vacant gas station properties. Swieca approved allowing the Village to demolish the buildings and clear the lots. Busch made a motion to approve $9200 for each property to demolish and clear the properties excluding concrete. The motion was seconded by Baer and passed 5-0.

Public Utilities Water, Gas and Sewer

Bukantos requested the water tower be cleaned by power washing. Superintendent Rhodes will seek bids for power washing.

Minutes March 9, 2022 Page 3883 Finance, Personnel, GIS:

Baer presented the 2023 Village appropriations. The Village Board will act on the appropriations at the March 23, 2022 meeting. Baer made a motion seconded by Brenning to approve the audit firm of Eck, Schafer and Punke to conduct the 2022, 2023, and 2024 audits. The 2022 audit will cost $12,500 and each of the following two years will increase by $200. The motion passed 5-0.

Baer made a motion seconded by Brenning to approve the lease of two new copiers from CDS Technologies in the amount of $98 monthly plus $.01 per black and white copy and $.06 for colored copies. The motion passed 5-0.

Public Safety, Health and Safety:

Apgar reported the old IGA building will be inspected to determine if it should be tagged dangerous, and if so demolished.

Public Works, Streets, Alleys and Sidewalks:

Bukantos identified several sidewalks that need to be replaced. He’ll work with Superintendent Rhodes to add to the already planned list of sidewalks to be replaced.

Village Communication/Building, Grounds and Lights, Parks, Recreation:

Apgar reported he’s working on the next newsletter. Busch is looking for a block party parade chair and volunteers to help supervise the children’s activity areas. Anyone interested should contact him.

Old Business:

Busch made a motion seconded by Baer to purchase 15 trees from Designer Landscapes in the amount of $5,640.39. The motion passed 4-1 with Bukantos voting no.

New Business:

Apgar reported that Cleeton’s will be providing the 30 ft. roll-offs for the Village clean-up. Village residents will be charged $35 per load to be discarded which amount as last year.

The meeting ended with a motion by Baer at 8:06. p.m.

https://cdn.sitepreview.co/assets/uploads/sites/219/2022/03/Minutes-3-9-2022.pdf