Sangamon Sun

Village of Divernon Board of Trustees met April 10

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 on Wednesday April 10, 2024. Mayor Copelin called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Clerk Gail Hedges called roll: Joe Bukantos “Here,” Chuck Apgar “Here,” Randy Olson “Here”, Dianne Brenning “Here”, and Larry Baer “Here”. Also present was Superintendent Jeremy Rhodes and Chief Paul Carpenter. Absent was Craig Busch.

A motion was made by Apgar, seconded by Olson, to approve the amended minutes of March 27, 2024. The motion passed 5-0. 

Baer made a motion, seconded by Brenning, to approve the bills with the addition of IMCO. The motion passed 5-0.

Visitors:

Ben Spreen from Benton and Associates was in attendance to present the 2024 resolution for street maintenance in the amount of $192,000.00. Much like last year, more streets will be resurfaced. Apgar made a motion, seconded by Brenning, to approve the resolution. The motion passed 5-0. Spreen also shared an update on the water main project north of the Village to the sewer plant. The contractor has found that the creek bed is solid limestone and boring through will increase the project cost. An alternative was presented that will be more beneficial to the Village and not increase the cost. Once the weather clears, the project should be completed in 4 – 6 weeks.

Jon Hopkins was present to discuss the Board’s plan for parking along the bar. Hopkins stated that often the only parking available for his customers is on the side of the Corner Bar. Making the area parallel parking will significantly harm his business. Hopkins would like to work with the Board to come up with an acceptable plan that will address the issue of vehicles easily passing down Dodds St. along his bar. Mayor Copelin agreed. Several Corner Bar patrons and staff were present in support of Hopkins. Hopkins also mentioned the drainage ditch along the bar needs to be addressed. During heavy rain, the ditch floods.

DFPD Chief Randy Rhodes was present to share the difficulties the fire trucks sometimes have traveling down Dodds St. between 1st and State. Parking along the north side is more problematic, especially along the apartments. With vehicles parked along both sides of the street, sometimes the fire trucks have had to wait until another vehicle passes to proceed. This impacts the response time which is unacceptable.

Discussion followed. If the north side of Dodds had parallel parking, including a handicapped space at the apartments, and the south side along the Corner Bar had diagonal parking, the situation would be much improved. Property owners will need to ensure customers/renters are parking properly.

Public Works: 

Superintendent Rhodes reported that the IL Commerce Commission just performed a field audit. No issues were identified. Rhodes also reported that materials are needed for the water main replacement projects on Lewis and 1st Streets. IMCO has submitted a bid for $27,993.22 for materials the water main projects. Baer made a motion, seconded by Bukantos, to approve the purchase. The motion passed 5-0. Rhodes also presented a bid for a new truck from International at a cost of $121,494.30.

The Village saved $54,691.70 because the Village is a member of Sourcewell. Apgar made a motion, seconded by Bukantos, to approve the purchase.  The motion passed 5-0.

Police:

Chief Carpenter had nothing to report.

Economic Dev., Zoning, TIF, Building Permits:

Mayor Copelin reported the contract for the north gas station property will be signed once the party purchasing the property returns from a trip.  The Village needs to select a title company to handle the paperwork.

Public Utilities Water, Gas and Sewer

Nothing to report.

Finance, Personnel, GIS:

Baer made a motion, seconded by Brenning, to approve the Annual Certified Estimate of Revenue Report. The motion passed 5-0. The playground equipment has been prepaid deferring the cost to 2025. Baer reported the Village needs to transfer funds out of UCB because the maximum balance has been reached.  Baer made a motion, seconded by Brenning, to transfer $300,000.00 into a premiere savings account at Williamsville State Bank at a 4.5% rate of interest. The motion passed 5-0.

Public Safety, Health & Safety:

Nothing to report.

Public Works, Streets, Alleys, and Sidewalks:

Mayor Copelin requested Olson contact the owner of the concrete slab to the east of the apartments on Dodds St. to see if anything can be worked out for parking. Copelin asked that a handicap parking space be made in front of the apartments.  

Village Communication/Building, Grounds & Lights, Parks, Recreation

Apgar reported the newsletter should be ready in the next several days. Apgar also mentioned the .gov domain had been approved. The Village website needs to be updated. It was suggested the Village seek a new website contractor.

Old Business: 

Apgar indicated the Village Yard Sale is coming up April 26-27, and Clean-up Day is scheduled for May 4th. Details can be found in the Village Newsletter.  

New Business:

No new business.

Baer made a motion to go into Executive Session at 7:58 p.m. Olson made a motion to return to regular session at 8:22 p.m. Apgar made a motion, seconded by Baer, to approve the amended March 27, 2024, Executive Session minutes. The motion passed 5-0. Olson made a motion, seconded by Brenning, to reimburse Paul Carpenter his $3500.00 donation towards the purchase the police canine. The motion passed 5-0.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:24 p.m. with a motion from Apgar.

https://media.websitecdn.net/sites/219/2024/04/Minutes-4-10-24-1.docx