Sangamon Sun

Village of Divernon Board of Trustees met April 27.

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”, Tyler Bramley “Here”, and Dianne Brenning “Here”, and Larry Baer “Here”. Also present were Superintendent Rhodes and Chief Martin.

A motion was made by Baer seconded by Busch to approve the minutes of April 13, 2022. The motion passed 6-0. Busch made a motion seconded by Apgar to approve the Executive Committee minutes also of April 13, 2022. The motion passed 6-0.

Baer made a motion seconded by Brenning to approve the bills. The motion passed 6-0. Visitors

Leonard Emerson was present to voice concern about the vacant property located at 312 S. Lincoln and the abandoned vehicle on the property next door. Emerson was informed that the Village has been working to resolve the issues. Coy Ralston was present to issue a complaint about a van being towed. Mayor Copelin is looking into the matter. David Catlin was present to report their Annual Bike Night is scheduled for June 3, 2022. Catlin asked that First Street be blocked off from Kenney Street to Dodd Street.

Public Works:

Superintendent Rhodes reported that staff had been working on sidewalks pouring 6 ADA compliant access walkways. Rhodes also reported they had been putting in conduit readying for installation of the surveillance cameras in the park. A special electrical box is needed to complete the project at a cost of $150.22. Busch made a motion seconded by Apgar to approve the purchase. The motion passed 6-0.

Police:

Chief Martin reported that the department has been busy tagging vehicles that are abandoned, unlicensed or not running to be towed and stored at the owner’s expense if the issue isn’t corrected within the posted timeframe. Several vehicles have been removed as a result.

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

Busch delivered the checks to the privately owned food and bar service industry small businesses impacted by the pandemic. Mayor Copelin reported the mobile home located at 121 S. State, damaged in an accident, could not be replaced with another mobile home if the damage was more than 50% of its value per Ordinance 10-3-8 B. The owners have a right to appeal to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Public Utilities Water, Gas and Sewer

Bukantos reported Joseph Gaston was requesting the $20.00 late fee be waived due to an issue with his bank. Bukantos made a motion to approve the waiver seconded by Bramley. The motion passed 6-0.

Finance, Personnel, GIS:

Baer reported that language in the Village Personnel Code regarding sick leave needed to be revised to read those full-time employees shall earn one day of sick leave for each month after 90 days of continuous employment beginning on the first day of the next month following hire date. Baer made a motion seconded by Brenning to amend the Personnel Code to reflect the revised language. The motion passed 6-0.

Public Safety, Health and Safety:

Apgar reported he had reviewed the Hazard Mitigation Risk Calculation Factors and found them to be acceptable. Board members concurred that the factors were sufficient. Apgar also reported the Village Attorney reported we are still waiting for a court date on the IGA building.

Public Works, Streets, Alleys and Sidewalks:

Brenning reported that Ameren indicated a new street light will be added at the corner of N. Henrietta and Whiting Drive. She also reported that some street lights would be replaced with higher voltage bulbs which will put out more light. Ameren is still looking into more lighting by Village Hall.

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

Bramley reported that the telephone located on the board table would be replaced with a polycom phone to allow for conference calls. The cost of the new phone plus installation is $525.00. Bramley made a motion seconded by Baer to approve the purchase of the phone. The motion passed 6-0. Baer reported that three quotes were sought for the replacement of the tile and carpeting for the Village Hall. Flooring of Springfield had the lowest bid of $5816.18 for the flooring. John Robert’s Flooring gave a quote of $4965.60 to lay the flooring which includes the removal and disposal of old flooring, moving of furniture, taking up and replacing both toilets, purchasing glue, and replacing base board. Baer made a motion seconded by Bramley to approve $5816.18 for Flooring of Springfield for the flooring and $4965.60 for John Robert’s Flooring for the installation. The motion passed 6-0. Busch reported the American Legion and the Divernon Sportsmans Club will be running the beer tent at the Village Block Party. Sleeping Dogs will not be able to play due to a health issue with a member. Their guitar player has a band that will play instead called Jeff Young and The Bad Grandpa’s.

Old Business:

The Village-wide Garage sale is scheduled for this Friday and Saturday, April 29 – 30. The Village Clean up Day is Saturday, May 7. 2022 just west of the village Hall where it has always been. The Village Recycle Day is also Saturday, May 7, 2022 in the Village Hall parking lot.

New Business:

The village is still researching the possibility of solar energy for Village buildings and the sewer plant. The meeting ended with a motion by Busch at 8:33. p.m.

https://cdn.sitepreview.co/assets/uploads/sites/219/2022/05/Minutes-4-27-2022.pdf