Hopkins Township

Allan Johnson, Supervisor Lynette Springman, Clerk

Mary Downes, Trustee Jack Green, Trustee

Merle Heckman, Trustee Arthur Scott, Trustee

Arlyn Folkers, Highway Commissioner Shirley Conklen, Assessor

June 12, 2006

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order by Supervisor Johnson at 7:00 p.m. This was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

ROLL CALL

Officials Present: Supervisor Johnson, Clerk Springman, Highway Road Commissioner Folkers, Trustees Downes, Green, Heckman and Scott. Official Absent: Assessor Conklen, Trustee Green and Scott

Visitors/Public: Sue Dirks, Nick Dirks, Rosanne Kaletka-Johnson and Bill Searing

AGENDA

MOTION by Supervisor Johnson, seconded by Trustee Downes to approve agenda

Roll Call:

Ayes: Johnson, Downes, Heckman

Nayes: None

MOTION CARRIED, 3-0 Approve agenda

MINUTES

May 8, 2006 and May 26, 2006

MOTION by Supervisor Johnson, seconded by Trustee Heckman to approve minutes of May 8, 2006 and May 26, 2006 meetings.

Roll Call:

Ayes: Johnson, Downes, Heckman, Scott,

Nayes: None

MOTION CARRIED: 4-0 Approve minutes

COMMUNICATIONS FROM VISITORS/PUBLIC

Sue and Nick Dirks from the Eagle Scouts attended the township meeting to see if the Board would approve a project involving Como Cemetery. To become an Eagle Scout, an individual must service and be leader of a project. Ben Dirks who is the son of Sue and brother of Nick would be interested in leading a project for Como Cemetery to inventory, photograph and catalogue the headstones in the cemetery. Nick explained that heading a project involved getting volunteers to help with project, donations if needed and approval of project by Scout Master and Keith Zoeller. Once the project is approved an completed, the individual must write a paper describing the project and the hours worked including the volunteers time then submit an application for becoming an Eagle Scout. A survey was completed in 1978 of Como Cemetery however Ben Dirks would make an inventory with the information on the current headstones, the condition of the headstones and size of the headstones. Ben will proceed with project if he receives approval from Scout Master and Keith Zoeller.

Bill Searing question Highway Commissioner Folkers on Science Ridge Road, Prairie Center Road and Agnew Road. Highway Commissioner Folkers explained that he was currently working on buying the right of way on Science Ridge Road. He further explained that the tube on Prairie Center Road was replaced and the gravel received from the Walmart Distribution Center was applied to Agnew Road. Bill Searing requested approximate value of expenses to receive the rock from Walmart Distribution Center and repair costs to install tube. Highway Commissioner Folkers replied that he would get him that information.

REPORT

Assessor Conklen

Assessor Conklen was absent.

Clerk Springman

Clerk Springman attended the Clerks meeting May 12, 2006 at Bradley, IL. The classes attended were Clerks’ Duties & Responsibilities, Legal Do’s and Don’ts and Freedom of Information Act.

Highway Commissioner Folkers

Highway Commissioner Folkers reported Rockford Blacktop supplied 60 foot of tube for Prairie Center Road and hauled approximately 20 loads of dirt from Walmart Distribution Center. A 30 mph sign was posted on Mellott Road. Highway Commissioner Folkers and crew has been hauling rock and mowing this month.

Trustee Downes, Green, Heckman and Scott

Trustee Downes had nothing to report.

Trustee Green was absent.

Trustee Heckman had nothing to report.

Trustee Scott reported he and Trustee Heckman cut trees at Como Cemetery. The grandsons of both Trustee Scott and Trustee Heckman mowed the cemetery.

Supervisor Johnson

A) Transferred $685.72 to Road & Bridge &$5,698.67 to Town Funds from the Distribution Fund - Amcore. The current Amcore balances are Distribution Fund (5092) $3,667.23; Town Fund (13360) $90,789.41; Road Fund (13525) $42,563.70; General Assistance Fund (1523) $19,733.83.

B) Transferred all AMS/Computer funds as approved May 26, 2006.

C) Houskeeping Items - We received extra $250,000 collateralization monthly statement. Checks from Scott & Elizabeth Sterk $660.53 and Steven & Jennifer Haan $660.53 for vacate of Spring Drive deposited. Overpayment refund of $562.00 from TOIRMA deposit. There is no new information from the IRS. The loan on the grader went up to $1,550.75 per month.

PAY TOWNSHIP BILLS

Supervisor Johnson reconciled the Distribution and General Assistance Funds. The accounts balanced and were found to be in order.

Township and Road bills were presented half hour before meeting in Treasurers office. Officials present: Supervisor Johnson, Clerk Springman, Highway Road Commissioner Folkers. MOTION by Supervisor Johnson, seconded by Trustee Downes to transfer from Township Fund to Distribution Fund to pay bills of $6,721.37.

Roll Call:

Ayes: Johnson, Downes, Heckman, Scott

Nayes: None

MOTION CARRIED: 4-0 Approve, Pay the Township bills

MOTION by Supervisor Johnson, seconded by Trustee Scott to transfer from Road Fund to Distribution Fund to pay the bills of $12,585.22.

Roll Call:

Ayes: Johnson, Downes, Heckman, Scott

Nayes: None

MOTION CARRIED: 4-0 Pay Road Fund bills

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

A) Update Como Cemetery Mowing - No bids were submitted to mow cemetery so three local companies were contacted to quote job. Only one company sent back a quote for the job. Megli Lawn quoted price of $1560 for mowing 6/12/06 to 11/12/06. Sisson Lawn quoted price of $250 per application for spraying cemetery.

B) Route 30 Entrance to Como Cemetery - The easement agreement with Quality Ready Mix was recorded in the Whiteside County Recorders office. The bill submitted by John Miller (attorney) was $1070.31 for recording of easement, order dismissing lawsuit and final bill for services. John Miller’s bill will be paid in next months bills.

C) Animal Control Tickets and Prosecution - There have been 7 animal control tickets issued. If the township were to proceed with civil litigations, the approximate cost per litigation is $100 - 125 plus costs. Fines are $5 - $50 according to the judge’s discretion.

MOTION by Supervisor Johnson, second by Trustee Heckman to take off table the motion to engage attorney and send letters to defendants for prosecution of animal control tickets with prosecution date.

Roll Call:

Ayes: Johnson, Downes, Heckman, Scott

Nayes: None

MOTION CARRIED: 4-0 engage attorney to sent letters to defendants

NEW BUSINESS

A) Budget and Appropriation Ordinance - Road District of Hopkins - MOTION by Supervisor Johnson, second by Trustee Heckman to accept Budget & Appropriation Ordinance Road District Ordinance No. 2006 - 2007.

Roll Call:

Ayes: Johnson, Downes, Heckman, Scott

Nayes: None

MOTION CARRIED, 4-0 Accept Budget & Appropriation Ordinance Road District

B) Tentative Budget and Appropriation Ordinance - Town Fund Township of Hopkins - MOTION by Supervisor Johnson, second by Trustee Scott to accept Budget & Appropriation Ordinance Township Ordinance No. 2006 - 2007.

Roll Call:

Ayes: Johnson, Downes, Heckman, Scott

Nayes: None

MOTION CARRIED, 4-0 Accept Budget & Appropriation Ordinance - Township

C) Whiteside County Prevailing Wage for 2006 - 2007 - MOTION by Supervisor Johnson, second by Trustee Heckman to accept Whiteside County Prevailing Wage for 2006 - 2007.

Roll Call:

Ayes: Johnson, Downes, Heckman, Scott

Nayes: None

MOTION CARRIED, 4-0 Accept Prevailing Wage 2006 - 2007

COMMUNICATIONS FROM VISITORS/PUBLIC

Rosanne Kaletka-Johnson would like to thank Mary & Steve Downes, Glen, Lynette, Seth and Zachary Springman, Arlyn Folkers, Art Scott and Allan Johnson for coming to Como Cemetery on May 27, 2006 to help with clean up. She would also thank Merle Heckman and Art Scott for mowing.

ADJOURN

MOTION by Trustee Heckman, seconded by Trustee Scott to adjourn.

Roll Call:

Ayes: Johnson, Downes, Heckman, Scott

Nayes: None

MOTION CARRIED: 4-0 Adjourn

______

Lynette Springman

Hopkins Township Clerk

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