Sangamon Sun

Village of Pawnee Board of Trustees met June 9

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Call to Order:

• President Clarke called the meeting to order at 7:00pm

Roll Call: 

• Deputy Village Clerk, Leah Wise called roll 

• Trustees in attendance: Dale Walters, Troy Grant, Patrick Murphy, David Skinner 

• Trustees Absent: Phillip Thompson, Erika Guess 

• Also in attendance: Treasurer Brent Wise, Chief Barclay Harris, Attorney Don Craven, Jeff Schober, Jim Purdon 

Visitor's Recognition/Comments: 

• Jim Purdon appeared before the board to inquire about any new developments in the ongoing issue of possible leaks in one of his properties. No one resides at property; it is in the process of being sold. Trustee Skinner asked if Jim thinks that there is a leak between the meter and the house. Jim thinks so because he has had 2 plumbers out to check and can't find a single leak in the house. Treasurer Wise presented hourly meter reads suggested it looks like a toilet running, Treasurer Wise suggested a couple of options if no one lives there: we can turn off water at the meter or Mr. Purdon could turn off the valves in the house. Trustee Walters offered to relief the sewer charge. Clarke agreed but said that this is the last time they can offer this to which Jim agreed. 

Clerk's Report: 

• Minutes of May 27, 2025 were presented for review and approval 

• Motion made by Trustee Skinner to approve the minutes of May 27, 2025 as presented Second made by Trustee Grant 

Roll Call Vote Taken: Walters-yes, Grant-yes, Murphy-present, Skinner-yes, Clarke-yes Motion Carried: (5-0)

Personnel & Finance Committee Report: Committee Chair, Trustee Skinner 

• Trustee Skinner presented the bills payable for the week ending June 9, 2025 in the amount of $129,731.42 

Motion made by Trustee Skinner to approve the bills payable for the week ending June 9, 2025 in the amount of $129,731.42 

Second made by Trustee Murphy 

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

Motion Carried: (4-0) 

• Treasurer Wise advised the board that we received our engagement letter for a 2 year contract with our auditing firm in Carlinville. A 2 year deal for 2025-2026 would be between $27,000- 31,000/yr. 

Motion made by Trustee Skinner to accept the engagement contract 

Second made by Trustee Walters 

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

• Treasurer Wise advised the board that the old police Explorer sold for $4,600. We now have the red Expedition from Scott Day that we need to prepare to sell. 

• Treasurer Wise informed the board that we received the check from a grant that covers the cost of the newer tasers that were recently purchased by the police department. Also, the police retention grant and the camera grant for $16,000 that Kelly worked on came through and the purchases have been reimbursed. 

• Pawnee has been dismissed from the Payton lawsuit concerning asbestos. Mayor Clarke asked if we could sue to cover attorney fees. Attorney Craven advised that the insurance company will cover those costs.

Gas and Water Committee Report: Committee Chair, Trustee Walters 

• Trustee Walters advised the board that some of the new meters have been installed. 49 are currently installed and 50 more are on the way. 

• Trustee Walters advised the board that previously approved work at the take point is beginning this week.

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

• Jeff Schober reported of an issue at 701 Jefferson St. There was a large amount of water collecting in between garages and then running out into the street after heavy rain. Pictures were taken as well as a video. He checked out 703 Jefferson as well. From this he has been examining all of the tiles to see if any are cracked or broken. Matt with Kuhn & Trello will be taking video footage of the storm drains to help us find any problem areas and then to explore options to solve the problem areas. Another possible option Schober discovered after speaking with a salesman who had stopped in to speak to Steve, was to install sleeves on the pipes. Skinner suggested checking on any new construction to shut down if there is tile underneath and Mayor Clark agreed. Mayor Clark asked that Schober keep us informed. 

Police Committee Report: Committee Chair, Trustee Skinner 

• Chief Barclay Harris presented the Monthly Police Report 

Motion made by Trustee Skinner to accept the Monthly Police Report Second made by Trustee Murphy 

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

• Chief Harris reported an increase of issues with golf carts around town. A couple of the issues include the failure to get permits, failure to carry insurance, and some drivers not being of legal age to drive on the streets. Warnings are being given and in some cases tickets are given out and golf carts are being towed. 

• Chief Harris advised the board that he has a meeting scheduled with Bill Beaty to learn more about the tornado sirens and what the police department can do to help in times of emergency

Sewers and Parks Committee Report: Committee Chair, Trustee Thompson 

• No report 

Zoning Committee Report: Committee Chair, Trustee Murphy 

• Trustee Murphy advised the board of a change of business at 1100 block of Jefferson St. that should not require zoning changes. 

• Trustee Murphy advised the board that he is doing some comparison mapping with the zoning revisions and is finding some conflicts between map 1 & map 2. He will continue to compare different maps from different years to get it resolved. 

• Trustee Murphy advised the board that he will speak with Chief Harris so see about getting some police assistance to knock on doors to get people to pick up their yard and to get their grass mowed, etc. 

• Mayor Clark advised Trustee Murphy and the board that there have been complaints of a house on 4th street that is in very rough condition. Murphy advised the board that within the last 16 months he had submitted pictures of that house to the Public Health and they declared that it wasn't unsafe enough to take any action on it to tear it down. Murphy will revisit and look into resubmitting the house to Public Health.

Bargaining Committee Report: Committee Chair, President Clarke 

• No report 

Energy Committee Report: Committee Chair, President Clarke 

• No report 

Infrastructure Committee Report: Committee Chair, President Clarke 

• No report 

Unfinished Business: 

• No report 

New Business: 

• Mayor Clarke advised the board that he learned from Bill Beaty, The ESDA Director, that the tornado siren behind the school needs to be replaced as it is not compatible with the new radios due to age and technology. It is of the understanding that the siren itself works, it just may need to be manually turned on. Treasurer Wise informed us that the last siren that we purchased was around $40,000. Walters mentioned that as of the last report, all the ones that were not working at that time have been replaced. Mayor Clarke asked Treasurer Wise to find out from Scott Day how to sound the siren in question until it is replaced and to have a conversation with Bill Beaty on replacing it with a new and compatible one. Trustee Skinner suggested looking into a grant to cover the costs. 

• Clarke offered his congrats for the Pawnee Baseball team making 3rd place in the State Tourney

Motion to Adjourn: 

• Motion made by Trustee Skinner to adjourn 

Second made by Trustee Murphy 

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

Motion Carried: (4-0)

Meeting adjourned at 7:33pm on Monday, June 9, 2025. The next scheduled meeting of the Pawnee Village Board of Trustees is Monday, June 23, 2025 at the Village Hall. 

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