Sangamon Sun

Village of Pawnee Board of Trustees met March 13

Here are 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: Brian Whitlow, Phillip Thompson, Patrick Murphy, David Skinner, Troy Squires

• Trustees Absent: Steve Gudgel

• Also in attendance: Treasurer Kelly Haney, Brent Wise, Candy Kramer with the Pawnee Post, Chief Barclay Harris, Steve Haney, Marsha Gehrs, Jay Smith

Visitor's Recognition/Comments: 

• Marsha Gehrs with Prairie Days appeared before the Board. They used to meet at the Food Pantry and quit. Now they want to meet at the Food Pantry again. They would meet on Wednesday nights just like they used to meet. It's only 10-12 meetings per year. Consensus was they can meet there again.

• Jay Smith with Locals appeared before the Board. On April 8, 2023, they will have a UTV ride sponsoring the Auburn Area Special Olympics. Registration is at 8:30am and they will depart at 9:45am. They will return in the afternoon. Consensus was to allow.

Clerk's Report: 

• Minutes of February 13, 2023 - Tabled

• Minutes of February 27, 2023 were presented for review and approval

Motion made by Trustee Skinner to approve the minutes of February 27, 2023 as presented 

Second made by Trustee Murphy

Roll Call Vote Taken: Whitlow-yes, Thompson-present, Murphy-yes, Skinner-yes, Squires-yes, Motion Carried: (5-0)

Personnel & Finance Committee Report: Committee Chair, Trustee Skinner 

• Trustee Skinner presented the bills payable for the week ending March 13, 2023 in the amount of $156,319.03

Motion made by Trustee Skinner to approve the bills payable for the week ending March 13, 2023 2023 in the amount of $156,319.03.

Second made by Trustee Squires

Roll Call Vote Taken: Whitlow-yes, Thompson-yes, Murphy-yes, Skinner-yes, Squires-yes, Motion Carried: (5-0)

Gas and Water Committee Report: Committee Chair, Trustee Squires

• Trustee Squires advised that Metro is down to 2 crews.

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

• Trustee Whitlow advised they are doing routine maintenance.

Police Committee Report: Committee Chair, Trustee Skinner

• Chief Barclay Harris presented his monthly police report.

Motion made by Trustee Skinner to approve Chief Barclay Harris's Monthly Police Report 

Second made by Trustee Murphy

Roll Call Vote Taken: Whitlow-yes, Thompson-yes, Murphy-yes, Skinner-yes, Squires-yes, Motion Carried: (5-0)

Sewers and Parks: Committee Chair, Trustee Thompson 

• Steve Haney advised he provided a book to order new garbage cans around the square. He would like everyone to review and give their recommendations. They don't want a door but need a top to keep them from filling up with rain. He would like a dome top. He suggests getting 9 total. President Clarke advised the cans at North Park are nice. They range from $700-$1700. Trustee Thompson and Steve Haney will meet and pick their top 3 and then come back to the board.

Zoning Committee Report: Committee Chair, Trustee Murphy 

• Trustee Murphy advised they receive a permit for 711 Carroll for a fence and a new permit for Copperheads. He is still working with the county on the problem properties.

• Kelly Haney provided an update on Jefferson Street property. She stated the bank called and they wanted to know if we have liens. We don't have any liens but she told them about us working with Sangamon County and the garage. They said they would take care of it. A neighbor advised they have been there doing some mowing and picking up. She was not sure which bank and it was Do Realty that is taking care of this. The bank used to be Fannie Mae. Steve Haney said the lot on Washington Street had a for sale sign in it.

Bargaining Committee: Committee Chair, President Clarke

• No Report

Energy: Committee Chair, President Clarke

• No Report

Infrastructure: Committee Chair, President Clarke 

• No Report

Unfinished Business: 

• None

Motion to Exit Regular Session: 7:14pm 

Motion made by Trustee Squires to exit regular session

Second made by Trustee Thompson

Roll Call Vote Taken: Whitlow-yes, Thompson-yes, Murphy-yes, Skinner-yes, Squires-yes, Motion Carried: (5-0)

Motion to Enter Executive Session: 7:19pm 

Motion made by Trustee Squires to enter executive session for personnel

Second made by Trustee Whitlow

Roll Call Vote Taken: Whitlow-yes, Thompson-yes, Murphy-yes, Skinner-yes, Squires-yes, Motion Carried: (5-0)

Motion to Exit Executive Session: 7:42pm 

Motion made by Trustee Squires to exit executive session

Second made by Trustee Murphy

Roll Call Vote Taken: Whitlow-yes, Thompson-yes, Murphy-yes, Skinner-yes, Squires-yes, Motion Carried: (5-0)

Motion to Re-Enter Regular Session: 7:45pm 

Motion made by Trustee Murphy to re-enter regular session

Second made by Trustee Thompson

Roll Call Vote Taken: Whitlow-yes, Thompson-yes, Murphy-yes, Skinner-yes, Squires-yes, Motion Carried: (6-0)

New Business: 

• President Clarke presented Ordinance 23-06 - An Ordinance Amending the Village Liquor Code. This updates the time from midnight to 2am. It was an oversight that this was not changed. Motion made by Trustee Thompson to approve Ordinance 23-06 - An Ordinance Amending the Village Liquor Code

Second made by Trustee Squires

Roll Call Vote Taken: Whitlow-yes, Thompson-yes, Murphy-yes, Skinner-yes, Squires-yes, Motion Carried: (5-0)

• Motion made by Trustee Thompson to approve a $2.50/hour raise for all full-time employees as agreed to with the police union collective bargaining unit and all part-time police officers will go from $22/hour to $24/hour starting May 1, 2023

Second made by Trustee Murphy

Roll Call Vote Taken: Whitlow-yes, Thompson-yes, Murphy-yes, Skinner-yes, Squires-yes, Motion Carried: (5-0)

• Trustee Thompson advised that he and Steve Haney agreed on a trash can. They would like the cans with wire mesh and a hood over the top. They are $618 plus holders. We will need 9 total so the cost for the can and holders (excludes tax and shipping) is $6,189.30. There will be no tax but there will be shipping charges.

Motion made by Trustee Thompson to purchase the 9 trash cans not to exceed $7,500 

Second made by Trustee Squires

Roll Call Vote Taken: Whitlow-yes, Thompson-yes, Murphy-yes, Skinner-yes, Squires-yes, Motion Carried: (5-0)

• President Clarke advised he received a call from a resident wanting to know if there are any rules for having a shipping container in their backyard as a shed. Trustee Murphy advised there is nothing in the current zoning rules prohibiting someone from having one. In one part of our zoning codes, it stays mobile storage units are allowable. There are approximately 2-3 houses in town currently with them. We will follow up with Attorney Cravens to see what other towns are doing. The ones already in town would be grandfathered in.

• President Clarke discussed the house across the street from the high school doors. Last week when it was windy, there were tree limbs down everywhere. One limb even went through the tenant's car window. They have a big dead tree in their yard. Do we send someone to trim the tree or do we call them and ask them to trim the tree. It is overhanging the village sidewalk so we have the right to trim it. Trustee Skinner advised he thinks it will be slow motion if we approach the owner. Consensus was we will contact the owner and give them until April 1, 2023 to trim the tree. If they do not, we will trim it back from overhanging the sidewalk. 

• President Clarke advised that Chief Harris brought up parking along Copperheads on Rt 104. Trustee Squires asked since it's a state highway, who has jurisdiction? Chief Harris advised we do. Trustee Murphy said there is nothing illegal about it. The limit on the parking is anywhere from 8hrs to 24 hrs. He would have to study the code to be certain. He thinks the best thing would be to put up no parking signs at least 5 car lengths before and after the entrance so that there are no obstructions when entering and exiting the establishment. We should also put up a no parking sign at our sewer lift station across the street. This area needs to be an obstruction free zone. The "No Parking" signs should also indicate it is a tow away zone at the owners expense. We will have Attorney Craven contact IDOT and determine the rules and see if they will purchase and install the signs.

Motion to Adjourn: 

• Motion made by Trustee Murphy to adjourn the meeting

Second made by Trustee Thompson

Roll Call Vote Taken: Whitlow-yes, Thompson-yes, Murphy-yes, Skinner-yes, Squires-yes, Motion Carried: (5-0)

Meeting adjourned at 8:03pm on Monday, March 13, 2023.

https://www.pawneeil.net/uploads/2/4/2/7/24273585/march_13_2023.pdf