Sangamon Sun

Village of Pawnee Board of Trustees met May 8.

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, Patrick Murphy, David Skinner, Troy Squires 

Trustees Absent: Phillip Thompson, Steve Gudgel 

Also in attendance: Attorney Don Cravens, Treasurer Brent Wise, Candy Kramer with the Pawnee Post, Chief Barclay Harris, Troy Grant, Dale Walters, Kevin Kuhn and Matt Zenick with Kuhn and Trello, Jeff Schober 

Visitor's Recognition/Comments: 

Kevin Kuhn with Kuhn and Trello appeared before the Board. President Clarke advised we had approved the water main project for Franklin, 8th Street, 4th, 5th, Harrison, Sherman, Nelson, etc. We had approved the project not to exceed $1.7M. Kevin Kuhn just recently received the bids and it came in at $1,792,036. Because a part of this project is around the school, Petersburg Plumbing & Heating bid the job for 6 days per week, 10hr days in order to get the work around the school completed over the summer and before school starts in the fall. This bid takes in to account overtime. President Clarke asked if we still wanted to proceed with the project. Consensus was that the project is not going to get any cheaper and we need to get this completed. Trustee Skinner asked if this was for 1 project or 2 projects. Kevin Kuhn advised there were 2 projects that we wrapped together into one. There is a Phase 1 and Phase 2. President Clarke advised we have been approved for a grant for $1.2 M from our congress woman Nikki Budzinski once the congressional budget is passed. We have $200,000 from Mike Murphy and $50,000 from State Senator Steve McClure. We'll be out of pocket about $30,000. Motion made by Trustee Skinner to move forward with the project not to exceed $1.8M Second made by Trustee Murphy 

Roll Call Vote Taken: Whitlow-yes, Murphy-yes, Skinner-yes, Squires-yes 

Motion Carried: (4-0) 

Kevin asked who they should coordinate with at the school. President Clarke advised Superintendent Tim Kratchovil and Scott Day. Trustee Murphy asked when they might start and when they might be completed. The whole project is 6-9 months. Kevin Kuhn advised they want to start as soon as possible. The school portion will start once school is out for the summer and will be completed prior to school starting in the fall. President Clarke advised him that fiber optic company is starting this week. This project takes priority. He also advised if they need something over the weekend, they should notify the guys on Friday. 

Clerk's Report: 

Minutes of April 24, 2023 were presented for review and approval 

Motion made by Trustee Murphy to approve the minutes of April 24, 2023 as presented Second made by Trustee Skinner 

Roll Call Vote Taken: Whitlow-yes, Murphy-yes, Skinner-yes, Squires-yes, 

Motion Carried: (4-0) 

Personnel & Finance Committee Report: Committee Chair, Trustee Skinner 

Trustee Skinner presented the bills payable for the week ending May 8, 2023 in the amount of $68,804.98 

Motion made by Trustee Skinner to approve the bills payable for the week ending May 8, 2023 in the amount of $68,804.98. 

Second made by Trustee Squires 

Roll Call Vote Taken: Whitlow-yes, Murphy-yes, Skinner-yes, Squires-yes, 

Motion Carried: (4-0) 

Trustee Skinner advised he met with Wells Fargo advisers and discussed investing. They suggested investing in US Treasuries. Last week the rate was 4.7%. It's probably a little higher now. This would be money market accounts with no commitment. If we want money, we ask today and get it tomorrow. We can also fund at will and set up multiple accounts. 

Motion made by Trustee Skinner to open investment accounts with Wells Fargo Advisory Second made by Trustee Squires 

Roll Call Vote Taken: Whitlow-yes, Murphy-yes, Skinner-yes, Squires-yes, Motion Carried: (4-0) 

Gas and Water Committee Report: Committee Chair, Trustee Squires 

Trustee Squires advised we replaced the generator and have the old one for sale. Trustee Skinner advised one sold just like this one a few years ago for $3,000. Consensus was to start the bids at $1500. This is a stand alone generator. We'll open bids the first meeting in June. Trustee Squires advised that there was one shut off for the past month. There is still one that remains shut off from last month. 

Trustee Squires advised they are prepping for CTI and doing more locates. They are supposed to be here this week to start. 

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

Trustee Whitlow advised they have been doing routine maintenance. 

President Clarke gave kudos to the guys for coming out last night during the storm to take care of the tree that fell. 

Police Committee Report: Committee Chair, Trustee Skinner 

Chief Barclay Harris presented his monthly police report. 

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

Second made by Trustee Squires 

Roll Call Vote Taken: Whitlow-yes, Murphy-yes, Squires-yes, President Clarke-yes 

Motion Carried: (4-0) 

President Clarke gave kudos to our first responders for their response and efforts relating to the accident last Monday. 

President Clarke advised our officers have to have mandated cameras in 2025. We'll talk about it  at the next meeting. 

Sewers and Parks: Committee Chair, Trustee Thompson 

No report 

Zoning Committee Report: Committee Chair, Trustee Murphy 

No Report 

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 

New Business: 

Discussed Ordinance 23-08 - An Ordinance Authorizing Village Expenditures Pending Adoption of Annual Appropriation Ordinance 

Motion made by Trustee Murphy to approve Ordinance 23-08 - An Ordinance Authorizing Village Expenditures Pending Adoption of Annual Appropriation Ordinance 

Second made by Trustee Whitlow 

Roll Call Vote Taken: Whitlow-yes, Murphy-yes, Squires-yes, Clarke-yes 

Motion Carried: (5-0) 

President Clarke discussed a potential ordinance for speed limits in alleys. We tried speed bumps they have not slowed anyone down. This would set alley speed limits to 5mph. This will be for the alleys between Harrison and Sherman and 4th and 5th Streets, Nelson and Harrison and 4th and 5th Streets, and Carroll and Nelson and 4th and 10th Streets. This is Ordinance 23-09- An Ordinance Approving an Amendment to Traffic Schedules/Speed Limits for the Village of Pawnee 

Motion made by Trustee Murphy to approve Ordinance 23-09- An Ordinance Approving an Amendment to Traffic Schedules/Speed Limits for the Village of Pawnee 

Second made by Trustee Whitlow 

Roll Call Vote Taken: Whitlow-yes, Murphy-yes, Squires-yes, Clarke-yes Motion Carried: (4-0) 

Motion to Adjourn Old Board: 7:23pm 

Motion made by Trustee Squires to adjourn sine dei 

Second made by Trustee Murphy 

Roll Call Vote Taken: Whitlow-yes, Murphy-yes, Skinner-yes, Clarke-yes, Motion Carried: (4-0) 

Mayor Comments: 

President Clarke thanked Troy Squires and Steve Gudgel for their years of service to the Village  of Pawnee 

Reconvene: 7:36pm 

Swearing in of New Board: 

President Clarke swore in new trustees Troy Grant and Dale Walters along with Brian Whitlow and Pat Murphy. 

Committee Assignments: 

President Clarke gave out the committee assignments. Trustee Grant is the committee head for streets. Trustee Whitlow is committee head for Gas and Water. He advised that committees generally meet as needed. 

Motion to Adjourn: 

Motion made by Trustee Murphy to adjourn 

Second made by Trustee Grant 

Roll Call Vote Taken: Walters-yes, Grant-yes, Murphy-yes, Whitlow-yes 

Motion Carried: (5-0) 

Meeting adjourned at 7:42pm on Monday, May 8, 2023.

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