Sangamon Sun

Village of Divernon Board of Trustees met June 22.

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

A motion was made by Apgar seconded by Bukantos to approve the minutes of June 8, 2022. The motion passed 5-0.

Baer made a motion seconded by Brenning to approve the bills with the addition of Sunlife Ins. in the amount of $46.04 and Nicole Ball in the amount of $36.10. The motion passed 5-0.

Visitors

Stephanie Kaylor was present requesting that late fees be waived. Daryl Spellman was present as an interested resident, but did report the property north of the Masonic Lodge was gas station property

Public Works:

Superintendent Rhodes reported a tree located on Village property at 128 W. Springer, damaged by a recent storm, needed to be removed. Hemberger Tree Service gave a bid of $1200 to remove. Busch made to a motion to approve the $1200 removal cost seconded by Apgar. The motion passed 5-0. Rhodes reported the work on the First Street water main between Kenney and Springer had been completed. Rhodes also reported that the Gas Utility Alliance membership dues rate, based on the number of active meters, will go down $.10 per meter for calendar year 2023.

Police:

Chief Martin requested approval to purchase the protective vest for Austin Cronister from Riverton Police department in the amount of $300. Brenning made a motion to approve the $300 purchase seconded by Baer. The motion passed 5-0. The new police car is almost totally equipped and should be in services soon. Martin also reported that three juveniles would be picking up trash and cleaning the square as retribution for crimes committed.

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

As part of the Village’s beautification of the park, Busch presented various options for trash receptacles and picnic tables. After discussion, Busch made a motion seconded by Bukantos to purchase 5 river rocked trash cans to in the amount of $900 each. The motion passed 5-0. Busch also made a motion seconded by Apgar to purchase 1 rectangular ADA picnic table in the amount of $1,138, 1 8 ft. rectangular picnic table in the amount of $1,168.85, and 2 square picnic tables in the amount of $1,098.85 each. The motion passed 5-0.

Public Utilities Water, Gas and Sewer

Baer made a motion to waive the May and June late fees on the Stephanie Kaylor account seconded by Bukantos. The motion passed 5-0. Zachary King requested the late fee be waived due to an issue with the bank. Bukantos made the motion to approve the waiver seconded by Baer. The motion passed 5-0. Bukantos made a motion seconded by Apgar to approve Midwest Mobile Washers as the vendor to power wash the water tower in the amount of $6800. The motion passed 5-0.

Finance, Personnel, GIS:

A motion was made by Baer seconded by Brenning to transfer $450,000 from the sweep account into the money market and then purchase an 18-month CD in the mount of $175,000 earning 3% leaving the balance in the money market for future CDs. The motion passed 5-0. Baer reported the auditors have nearly completed their field work. The new flooring for the Village Hall has still not come in delaying the installation date. Baer made a motion seconded by Busch to increase monthly compensation for elected officials asfollows: trusteesreceive $100 monthly for committee activity plus $75 for each attended Village board meeting, mayor salary would increase to $500 monthly and clerk salary would increase to $500 monthly effective with the election following the end of current term for each individual position. The motion passed 4-1 with Bukantos voting no.

Public Safety, Health and Safety:

Busch reported the need for people to be able to turn the park pavilion lights on and off. This would give people the ability to enjoy the pavilion after dark. Rhodes indicated that public works would make that possible. Apgar reported things are moving forward in the courts with regard to the demolition of the old IGA building.

Public Works, Streets, Alleys and Sidewalks:

With electric rates set to increase, Baer made a motion seconded by Apgar to approve Homefield Energy as the electric energy supplier for the Village street lights beginning July 2022. The motion passed 5-0. The change has no impact on the maintenance of the street lights by Ameren

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

Busch provided an update on the Village Block Party. Maddy’s Tavern will be operating the beer tent alone since the Sportsman’s dropped out. Veterans interested in marching in the parade do not need to register, just show up for the lineup. The legion color guard will lead the parade. More volunteers are needed to monitor the inflatables.

Old Business:

The property located at 312 S. Lincoln, that was to be completed by the end of June, has had little improvement. The owner will be contacted to get details on the status. Brenning reported the dead trees on Brown Street coming into town would be replaced by Design Landscaping. Regular watering is a must during the next several months to ensure survival.

New Business:

Bukantos made a motion seconded by Apgar to approve an $85 donation to the Divernon American Legion for the annual golf outing. The motion passed 5-0. Baer made a motion seconded by Apgar to approve the liquor and gaming licenses for Maddy’s Tavern. The motion passed 5-0. Baer made a motion seconded by Bukantos to add Juneteenth to the list of Federal holidays recognized by the Village beginning in 2023.

The motion passed 5-0.

The meeting ended with a motion by Baer at 8:16 p.m.

https://cdn.sitepreview.co/assets/uploads/sites/219/2022/07/Minutes-6-22-2022.pdf