Village of Millstadt Board Meeting
Village Hall
November 21, 2005
7:30pm
The meeting was called to order by President Bruce Nowak with the following Trustees answering to roll call: Al Lehr, Linda Lehr, Joel Mueth, Mike O’Donnell, Larry Toenjes and Milton Touchette. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
A motion was made by O’Donnell and seconded by Mueth to approve the minutes of the November 7, 2005 meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCES
The Clerk read a thank you letter from St. James Auction Chairpersons, Carol Elder and Lynn Muskopf, regarding the donation of a pool pass for the annual dinner benefit. St. James raised over $65,000.
COMMITTEE ON ACCOUNTS
Toenjes stated that the bills have been reviewed. A motion was made by Toenjes and seconded by O’Donnell to approve the bills as presented. The motion carried unanimously.
Toenjes stated a $35.00 gift certificate was given to employees for a holiday gift last year and he suggested the gift be given again this year. A motion was made by Toenjes and seconded by O’Donnell to approve the holiday gift certificates. The motion carried unanimously.
Toenjes stated that they are working on the tax levy and hope to have it completed soon.
The Village has hired a new maintenance worker that wasn’t considered in this year’s budget. The auditor suggested using water or sewer funds to pay. Toenjes recommended using the water fund. A motion was made by Toenjes and seconded by Touchette to pay the new position from the water fund. The motion carried unanimously.
Toenjes has reviewed health insurance options. The best coverage for cost was through United Health Care. The current cost through Central Management Services is $532.00 per person, while with UHC the cost would vary by person. The Village would save almost $1,000 per month by using UHC. A motion was made by Toenjes and seconded by Mueth to go with United Health Care insurance provided that the Village is able to opt out of the state plan and that UHC would accept the quoted rates. The motion carried unanimously.
Toenjes stated that an executive session would take place at the end of the meeting regarding real estate and personnel.
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PUBLIC WORKS- SEWER, WATER, REFUSE AND MOSQUITO CONTROL
Al Lehr reported the IEPA should have issued a permit for the meter on Kropp Road this week. They are working on the permit now. Stan Jarvis stated the water tower overflowed at 4:00am this morning. Illinois American is working on figuring out what happened.
Lehr reported sludge should be hauled next week. A few complaints were received regarding the new waste-hauling employees tossing trashcans and lids. Tracy Holmes has put in a call to the company.
PUBLIC WORKS- STREETS, ALLEYS AND SIDEWALKS
O’Donnell reported leaf pick up is progressing. Jarvis stated that they were behind as the radiator is getting clogged up. Jarvis is looking into a self-contained unit where the workers aren’t getting sprayed with leaf debris and dust. Jarvis said there are two trucks picking leaves up, but leaves dropped quickly this year and it has been a challenge keeping up.
PUBLICWORKS-PUBLICBUILDINGS, MAINTENANCE AND EQUIPMENT
O’Donnell faxed information on the jail lease, and is waiting to hear from Attorney Flynn. The new roof is on the police department building.
CABLE SERVICES AND CELLTOWERS
Linda Lehr reported Connie Hess was working on the website for the Village. Hess stated she is waiting to hear from some departments on specific details, but it is progressing.
ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND ANNEXATIONS
None
PARKS, POOL AND RECREATION
Mueth reported that Laura Schaefer ordered more tree seedlings for the NaturePark.
Mueth also reported two fans were donated by the school to be use at the concession stand. Mueth asked Jarvis whether they could be installed before this spring. Jarvis said it would be best to hire an electrician. Jarvis added that the pool pump has been rebuilt.
CEMETERY
AL Lehr reported that the flags were raised on Veteran’s Day and compliments were received.
COMMUNITY CENTER
Linda Lehr reported that the Community Center would hold a meeting on November 28th at 7:30pm. The Center will be closed the day after Thanksgiving.
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PLANNING COMMISSION
Touchette noted that the comprehensive plan was reviewed at the last Planning Commission meeting. The next meeting is December 20th at 7:30pm.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Chief Wilkerson announced he would like to have Sgt Alan Hucke appointed to the rank of lieutenant. The mayor announced the appointment.
A motion was made by Linda Lehr and seconded by O’Donnell to approve the mayor’s appointment of lieutenant. The motion carried unanimously.
BUILDING COMMISSIONER
No permits were issued.
OLD BUSINESS
Nowak raised the issue of how many lights were needed on Mueller Lane. It was agreed that five lights would be sufficient.
Nowak said he would talk to Bill Vollmer about the issues of drainage before discussing the Alpine Trails 1st Addition final plat.
O’Donnell asked of the status on the intergovernmental agreement with Dupo. Attorney Flynn stated they are working on it.
NEW BUSINESS
President of the Millstadt Sister Cities organization, Otto Faulbaum, stated that the 12th annual Weinachtfest would take place on December 4th. There was some confusion over the Village’s sponsorship of the Weinachtfest. Faulbaum stated that the event began when Al Mehrtens was the mayor. Faulbaum stated the financial support of the Village is pretty modest with $500 on the budget. The organization tries to be self-supportive. Faulbaum requested something be reinstated in the Village minutes to renew its commitment to the organization. Nowak stated that the Village would continue to support the Weinachtfest.
A motion was made by Mueth and seconded by Al Lehr to continue to hold the Weinachtfest. The motion carried unanimously.
Al Lehr added that the parade would begin at noon and anyone wishing to thrown candy should meet before noon.
On the issue of leaf burning Nowak stated he would like to send out a survey on burning in the Mail-n-More flier. O’Donnell asked if we could put it on the water bill.
Connie Hess said she could put it on the website but the water bill went out today. As an alternative a note could be put on the next water bill to look at the website and poll.
The Treasurer’s report was submitted. A motion was made by Toenjes and seconded by Linda Lehr to approve the Treasurer’s report. The motion carried unanimously.
The Clerk’s report was submitted. A motion was made by Toenjes and seconded by Al Lehr to approve the Clerk’s report. The motion carried unanimously.
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CITIZENS INPUT AND COMMENTS
Carol Bueckmann asked if consideration of all burning not just leaf burning would be considered. Burning is hard on those individuals with asthma and allergies. Burning of trash is not allowed in the Village.
TC Blevins stated that the cops take their skateboards and give them tickets for skateboarding. His friends would like to raise money to build a skateboard park.
Mueth stated that there was some talk about putting one in. Smithon and Belleville have one. Mueth said there are temporary structures that are easily removed. Flynn stated that the park would be covered under general liability. A space would have to be created to install a skate park as there is no present space available.
Chief Wilkerson stated that complaints come from private business owners. Wilkerson said that they haven’t issued any tickets nor have they taken any boards.
Dave Woehlke asked whether anyone has come out to look at the erosion issue from the stormwater run off. Nowak stated that he and Randy Burk have not had time to meet and look at it. Steve Muskopf said that Burk thought they would need a storm sewer, which would be expensive.
A motion was made by Toenjes and seconded by O’Donnell to go into Executive Session. The motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Linda Lehr and seconded by Mueth to close the Executive Session. The motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Toenjes and seconded by O’Donnell to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
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Laura W. Schaefer, ClerkBruce Nowak, President
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