MINUTES - BOARD of TOWN TRUSTEES
STATE of ILLINOIS TYPE OF MEETING HELD: Regular
LASALLE COUNTY, SS. TIME MEETING BEGAN: 5:00pm
TOWN of BRUCE TIME MEETING ENDED: 5:23pm
The October 08, 2014 meeting of the Bruce Township Board of Trustees opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Highway Commissioner John M. Barton was in attendance. The meeting was conducted by Mr. Henry Araujo as chairman and recorded by Ms. Sheryl Sedlock Township Clerk.
APPROVAL OF PRIOR MEETING’S MINUTES:
The first order of business was to read and approve the minutes from the September 10, 2014 Regular Meeting. Clerk Sedlock shared with the board that there were some concerns with the detailed information provided in the meeting notes on the items that were collected for the United States Military stationed in foreign countries. The notes identified a specific service person and their family members. With the terrorism threats increasing, we were asked to remove individual’s names from the minutes. It was also requested that we modify the June 11, 2014 Regular Meeting Minutes to remove the same names. This is just a precaution primarily because we now post our meeting minutes online.
MOTION MADE BY: Steve Biroschik 2nd BY: Bob Harrison
That the minutes of the June 11, 2014 and the September 10, 2014 Regular Meeting be approved with the modifications to remove individual names in reference to the giving of supplies to the United States Military. No further discussion was required.
Aye’s 5 Nay’s 0 Motion: Carried
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
There were no public comments raised at the meeting.
TREASURER’S REPORT/APPROVAL OF BILLS
A summary of the bills was distributed for review.
MOTION MADE BY: Jerry Christensen 2nd BY: Bob Harrison
That the bills be allowed and paid.
No further discussion was required. Clerk Sedlock took the roll call vote:
Trustee Bob Harrison: Aye
Trustee Jerry Christensen: Aye
Trustee Randy Baumrucker: Aye
Trustee Steve Biroschik: Aye
Supervisor Henry Araujo: Aye
Aye’s 5 Nay’s 0 Motion: Carried
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
SUPERVISOR’S:
Supervisor Araujo informed the board that we have received that 2014 Audit Report from Echol’s and Associates. We have copies available for review. He also reported that some of the shirts that have been ordered for the township officials have come in. The full order should be here before the Township Officials of Illinois (TOI) Education Conference in November. Reservation confirmation for the TOI Education Conference should be available shortly. The board members should check with Assessor Sullivan for details.
HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER’S:
Highway Commissioner Barton gave the board an update on the culvert repair on E. 18th Road. He reported that the repairs were completed with NICOR present due to the close proximity to their gas lines. He also indicated that the culvert would need to be replaced at some point in the future. His plan is to replace the culvert next spring or early summer. Highway Commissioner Barton informed the board that he is still investigating the best route to take in purchasing a new Back Hoe for the Road District. He has checked State Statues and spoken with the County Highway Commissioner. He is investigating an organization similar to the Illinois State Joint Purchasing Program known as the National Joint Powers Alliance (NJPA) out of Minnesota. He has made inquires and has asked the Township Attorney, Mr.Jerry Drendell, to advise him on whether he can legally purchase through this organization.
ASSESSOR’S:
Assessor Sullivan was not present for the meeting.
TRUSTEE’S:
There were no reports presented by the Trustees.
OTHER:
There were no other reports presented.
REPORTS BY SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
HEALTH BOARD:
Supervisor Araujo has been monitoring the clean up activity at 611 W. 3rd Street and gave the board a brief update.
OLD BUSINESS:
Supervisor Araujo asked the board if they had any further chances for the Bruce Township Employee Handbook which has been sent out for review at the August 13, 2014 Regular Meeting. There were no further changes requested.
MOTION MADE BY: Randy Baumrucker 2nd BY: Jerry Christensen
That the Bruce Township Employee Handbook be adopted and distributed to the employees of Bruce Township.
Aye’s 5 Nay’s 0 Motion: Carried
Supervisor Araujo asked the board if they had any questions or changes for the 2015 Tax Levy Ordinance for the Township (Ordinance No. 2015A). The draft was distributed at the September 10, 2014 Regular Meeting. There were no changes identified.
MOTION MADE BY: Jerry Christensen 2nd BY: Bob Harrison
That the 2015 Tax Levy Ordinance for the Township, Ordinance No. 2015A, be approved.
No further discussion was required. Clerk Sedlock took the roll call vote:
Trustee Bob Harrison: Aye
Trustee Jerry Christensen: Aye
Trustee Randy Baumrucker: Aye
Trustee Steve Biroschik: Aye
Supervisor Henry Araujo: Aye
Aye’s 5 Nay’s 0 Motion: Carried
Supervisor Araujo asked the board if they had any questions or changes for the 2015 Tax Levy Ordinance for the Road District (Ordinance No. 2015B). The draft was distributed at the September 10, 2014 Regular Meeting. There were no changes identified.
MOTION MADE BY: Jerry Christensen 2nd BY: Bob Harrison
That the 2015 Tax Levy Ordinance for the Road District, Ordinance No. 2015B, be approved.
No further discussion was required. Clerk Sedlock took the roll call vote:
Trustee Bob Harrison: Aye
Trustee Jerry Christensen: Aye
Trustee Randy Baumrucker: Aye
Trustee Steve Biroschik: Aye
Supervisor Henry Araujo: Aye
Aye’s 5 Nay’s 0 Motion: Carried
NEW BUSINESS:
Trustee Biroschik opened a discussion on the topic of creating a township flag. He noted that many townships have flags which are displayed at the TOI Conference each year. He asked the board to consider whether we could involve the community, specifically the school children, by hosting a contest for designing our flag. Trustee Baumrucker suggested we could look into awarding a prize, perhaps an art scholarship through the high school. Trustee Biroschik suggested possibly creating our own scholarship. Supervisor Araujo asked the board to give this some thought, those that are attending the TOI Conference this year can take note of the township flags and come prepared to discuss this topic at the November Regular Meeting.
MOTION MADE BY: Steve Biroschik 2nd BY: Randy Baumrucker
That the meeting be adjourned.
Aye’s 5 Nay’s 0 Motion: Carried
1 of 3