Village of Strasburg
105 East Commercial
P.O. Box 385
Strasburg, Illinois 62465
Ph: (217) 644-3007
Fax:(217) 644-3005
Public Hearing on USDA Rural Development Application for Financial Assistance
July 20, 2015 at 6:15 PM
Village President Michael Antonacci called the Public Hearing for the USDA Rural Development Application for Financial Assistance to order at 6:15 PM.
Lee Beckman, Milano and Grunloh, explained that the Village was applying for a Rural Development Loan to help with the grant to install the new water lines, meters and valves in the north part of town. He noted that the project should hopefully be bid in December of January.
He noted that we needed to have the DCEO Grant closed by the June 2016 meeting so that we could apply for the next grant to replace the water lines, meters and valves in the south part of town.
Hearing closed at 6:25 PM
Minutes – Strasburg Village Board
July 20, 2015 Meeting
The monthly meeting of the Strasburg Board of Trustees was held July 20, 2015. Present were President Michael Antonacci, Trustees Jack Clark, Shane Corley, Cinda Held, Alice Jeisy, Anita Renshaw, and Chuck Wade. Also present were Village Clerk Linda Oakley, Fiscal Clerk Karla Tabbert, Attorney Dustin Probst, Gary Kull, Lee Beckman with Milano and Grunloh and Bill Teichmiller with EJ Water.
A hearing was held on the 2015-2016 Appropriations Ordinance. As the Village has applied for a Federal Disaster Grant in the amount of $600,000 this amount would be added as a restricted fund in the Sewer Fund. There was no public comments on the proposed Appropriations Ordinance.
Mr. Teichmiller noted that EJ Water is in the process of installing a six inch water line starting at the high school and coming north. This line will be hooked into the Village’s waterlines and will be used as an emergency line and should be completed within 60-90 days. Mr. Teichmiller asked the board to make sure what we want and how much water we are wanting. Cost to the Village would be $2.80/thousand gallons plus a $250/month fee.
It was noted that the water softener at the water plant was again not working properly. Cost could be up to $5,000 to fix. Mr. Teichmiller would have one of their technicians come up to the water plant to see if the water softener could be fixed and if so, the approximate cost estimate.
Mr. Kull reported that he had received the quarterly report from the Foundation. Strasburg Foundation has $40,000 in the permanent fund and $9,000 in the “in-out” fund. He announced that SCAN would be holding a sweet corn/pork burgers dinner on Thursday, July 23 in conjunction with the Farmer’s Market.
Motion by Trustee Held to approve the omnibus agenda with the exception of the Reconciliation of Accounts that was not available was seconded by Trustee Wade. Motion voted on and carried by unanimous consent.
It was reported that the bridge railing on the bridge south o the Feed Mill had been installed and both railings painted. Also, most roads had been patched with patch mix.
Under Finance Committee, President Antonacci noted that as per Village Ordinance, the Village could raise water and sewer rates annually. Trustee Corley requested that a study be done to know what the costs would be from EJ Water before looking at raising water/sewer rates. Figures should include costs if the Village does or does not go with EJ Water.
A building permit was issued to Dean Kessler for a new garage.
Ronald “Bubba” and MaRanda McClain had placed a deposit on a lot in Yok Acres. Closing should be by the end of the month.
Trustee Held noted that $900 of new mulch had been placed at the park in the playground area. Larry Durbin hauled the mulch. The Lions Club will be paying for half of the mulch. Two new toilets had also been installed in the restrooms at the park to hopefully alleviate some of the problems that had been occurring. The Lions Club will also be paying half of the cost of the new toilets.
Trustee Held noted that the Strasburg Hog Roast would be held on September 5. A committee meeting would be held on Tuesday, August 18. Held noted that we will hopefully have arm bands to sell prior to the event for the inflatables.
Motion by Trustee Clark for the Village to purchase rain insurance – ½” between hours of 2-9 PM with $8,000 coverage at the cost of $352 was seconded by Trustee Corley. Motion voted on and carried. Clark – yea, Corley – yea, Held – yea, Jeisy – yea, Renshaw – yea, Wade – yea. 6 yea – 0 nay – 0 absent.
Attorney Probst noted that he had submitted the Legal Service Agreement for the Rural Water Grant.
Attorney Probst reviewed the proposed Ordinance #15-3, “Annual Appropriations for FY 5/1/15-4/3/15”. Motion by Trustee Corley to adopt said Ordinance 15-3, “Annual Appropriations for FY 5/1/15-4/3/15” with the addition of $600,000 for the sewer grant was seconded by Trustee Clark. . Motion voted on and carried. Clark – yea, Corley – yea, Held – yea, Jeisy – yea, Renshaw – yea, Wade – yea. 6 yea – 0 nay – 0 absent.
Motion by Trustee Wade to contract Dove & Dove Attorneys, Dustin Probst for legal representation for the Waterline Project was seconded by Trustee Held. Motion voted on and carried by unanimous consent.
Discussion was held regarding possible action regarding Abandoned Buildings. As per Attorney Probst the first things the Village needs to consider are which building we are interested in and what the cost to the Village would be. There are several different procedures to take into consideration one being that the Village can go to court and force the land owner to clean up the property.
Discussion was held regarding the Karn residence. No response had been received from Mrs. Karn. As a certified letter has to be sent each time the grass is over 12 inches tall and then wait 10 days until it can be mowed, the consensus was to mow approximately one time per month if the property owner did not respond to the request that they mow.
Trustee Renshaw presented information regarding police protection. In 2009 the Village Police was paid $460 for 45 hours/month (for the month ending October 31, 2009). She had talked with Chris Debolt regarding grants to help get a policeman and a police care. He was to get her the information needed to apply for the grants. Mr. Debolt informed Trustee Renshaw that he had someone who may be interested in the position.
Committee Assignments were updated. Finance - Renshaw & Jeisy; Water/Sewer - Wade; Streets & Alleys, Parking - Corley; Economic & Community Development - Kull & Wade; Community Building/Park - Held, Clark; York Acres – Renshaw & Held; Building & Business Expansion; Permits – Michael Antonacci.
Motion by Trustee Wade to take $500 out of water and $250 out of MUTF and pay to Richland Township as a token of the Village’s gratitude for allowing Road Commissioner Oakley to help the Village was seconded by Trustee Held. Motion voted on and carried. Clark – yea, Corley – yea, Held – yea, Jeisy – yea, Renshaw – yea, Wade – yea. 6 yea – 0 nay – 0 absent.
Motion by Trustee Held to leave regular session was seconded by Trustee Renshaw. Motion voted on and carried by unanimous consent. Meeting recessed at 8:40 PM.
Motion by Trustee Wade to enter executive session as per 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) to discuss probable or imminent litigation was seconded by Trustee Held. Motion carried by unanimous consent. Entered into executive session at 8:47 PM.
Motion by Trustee Clark to exit executive session at 9:13 PM was seconded by Trustee Wade. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
Motion by Trustee Wade to enter into regular session was seconded by Trustee Renshaw. Entered into regular session at 9:14 PM.
Motion by Trustee Wade to pursue civil action against Chris Daniels for conversion and hire Dove and Dove at the standard hourly rate was seconded by Trustee Clark. Motion voted on and carried. Clark – yea, Corley – yea, Held – yea, Jeisy – yea, Renshaw – yea, Wade – yea. 6 yea – 0 nay – 0 absent.
Motion to adjourn. Meeting was adjourned at 9:20 PM.
Linda D. Oakley
Village Clerk
Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 8:00 AM – 12 Noon, 1:00 – 4 :00 PM