Village of Stonington Board of Trustees met Sept. 8.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
The Board of Trustees met in Regular Session at 7:00 p.m. at the Stonington Community Center.
The Meeting was called to order by President Bruce Dowdy with the following Members present:
Trustees: David Blakeman, via GoToMeeting; Nathan Rybolt, Tara Ramsey, via GoToMeeting; Tammy Wilson, Andrew Callan, and Korey Bailey
Clerk: Jill Gilpin
Treasurer: Christine Lerch, via GoToMeeting
Superintendent: Jeff Tumiati
Village Engineer: Mark Bingham, via GoToMeeting
Village Attorney: Scott Garwood (Absent)
Chief of Police: Travis Peden, via GoToMeeting
Officer Manager: Debbie Niles, via GoToMeeting
Zoning Officer: John LeVault
Others in attendance: Kim Paisley, Breeze-Courier, via GoToMeeting; Jake Heberling, Asst. Superintendent, via GoToMeeting; and, Mike Blakeman, Pulley, Martynowski and Blakeman
Minutes of the regular meeting August 3, 2020 were presented to the Board for their approval. Motion made by Rybolt, seconded by Bailey, that the minutes be approved and filed as presented. Motion passed by all “Yea” votes.
The Treasurer’s Report for the month of August was presented to the Board for their approval. Motion made by Rybolt, seconded by Wilson, that the Treasurer’s Report be approved and filed as presented. Motion passed by all “Yea” votes.
The Gas Report for the month of August was presented to the Board for their approval. Motion made by Blakeman, seconded by Rybolt, that the Gas Report be approved and filed as presented. Motion passed by all “Yea” votes.
The Water Report for the month of August was presented to the Board for their approval. Motion made by Callan, seconded by Bailey, that the Water Report be approved and filed as presented. Motion passed by all “Yea” votes.
The Sewer Report for the month of August was presented to the Board for their approval. Motion made by Wilson, seconded by Rybolt, that the Sewer Report be approved and filed as presented. Motion passed by all “Yea” votes.
The Police Report for the month of August was presented to the Board for their approval. Motion made by Bailey, seconded by Rybolt, that the Police Report be approved and filed as presented. Motion passed by all “Yea” votes.
Bills against the Village were presented for the approval of the Board. Motion made by Bailey, seconded by Wilson, to approve and issue warrants for all bills. Motion passed by all “Yea” votes.
Zoning Officer‘s Report: Zoning Officer LeVault issued six zoning permit(s) in the month of August.
Permit #759-20 was issued to Gary Mendenhall located at 305 S. Main for a fence.
Permit #760-20 was issued to Steve Little located at 307 S. Livergood for a garage.
Permit #761-20 was issued to Nathan Frisch located at 702 W. North for a deck.
Permit #762-20 was issued to Britt & Val Talley located at 506 W. First for a garage.
Permit #763-20 was issued to Tammy Wilson located at 116 S. Maple for a fence.
Permit #764-20 was issued to Ron Smith located at 305 N. Pine for a carport.
President Dowdy asked for a motion to approve the Zoning Report for the month of August. Motion made by Bailey, seconded by Callan, to approve the Zoning report for the month of August. Motion passed by a 6-0 vote.
President’s Report: President Dowdy welcomed Mike Blakeman from Pulley, Martynowski and Blakeman. Mr. Blakeman presented the Annual Financial Report year ending April 30, 2020 and Independent Auditor’s Report. Mr. Blakeman discussed the comparative analysis dated April 30, 2020, comparing the last five years.
President Dowdy welcomed Engineer Mark Bingham to present his report. Engineer Bingham gave a brief update on the water project. The project is moving forward and Petersburg Plumbing & Excavating, LLC has been in town working on the water main directional drilling.
Engineer Bingham requested the following disbursement requests for the water project:
Chastain & Associates, LLC. $2,530.35
Petersburg Plumbing & Excavating, LLC. $90,783.00
President Dowdy asked for a motion to pay the requested disbursement of $2,530.35 for the engineering funds and requested disbursement of $90,783.00 Petersburg Plumbing & Excavating, LLC for the water project. Motion made by Blakeman, seconded by Callan, to pay the requested disbursement of $2,530.35 for the engineering funds and requested disbursement of $90,783.00 Petersburg Plumbing & Excavating, LLC for the water project. Motion passed with a 6-0 vote.
Chapter 4. Public Health, Article 2. Animals and Animal Control was amended at the Health & Safety Committee held on August 11, 2020. There were additional changes made by Trustee Blakeman and all Trustees agreed with the additional changes.
President Dowdy asked for a motion to approve all the changes to Chapter 4. Public Health, Article 2. Animals and Animal Control. Motion made by Rybolt, seconded on Callan, to approve the changes and amend Chapter 4. Public Health, Article 2. Animals and Animal Control. Motion passed with a 6-0 vote.
President Dowdy updated the Board on the Old Post Office. The tax deed buyer has no intention of keeping the property. The demolition bid is good through the end of this month. If nothing is done, there will have to be a new bid notice posted for the demolition. President Dowdy has reached out to the offices of Rep. Rodney Davis and Sen. Andy Manar to see if there any grants that could be applied for to help with the demolition of the building. Trustee Callan is going to reach out to Rep. Avery Bourne to see if she would be able to offer any help.
President Dowdy also asked Sen. Manar about the funding for the storm siren. Sen. Manar said that the funding was permanently put on hold.
President Dowdy discussed comp time for employees. He feels everyone deserves it and the employees have an option to take the extra time as pay or comp time. There is nothing in the policy book that states a maximum of how much comp time can be accumulated. Weekend call duties or evening duties is how comp time is can be accumulated.
Office Manager Debbie Niles wanted to mention that she attended the IMRF meeting this past year and comp time was discussed. She had asked how comp time affects IMRF when someone retires, and she was told that comp time needs to be in a policy. The comp time needs to be kept track of when it was made and when it is used so there is a total when someone retires.
It was decided to table the discussion on comp time until October meeting so there will be time to research how other municipalities handle the situation.
President Dowdy presented to everyone a new billing statement. The software is up running. In the next month or so you will have access to go into your account to see past bills, paid bills, usages, etc.
Village Attorney Report: Nothing to report.
Superintendent’s Report: Superintendent Tumiati reported that the Source Water Protection Plan was submitted to the EPA and he has received a receipt that it was received.
Superintendent Tumiati mentioned that we have received the five-tank discount on getting the water tower cleaned. He also reported the water project is going smoothly.
WATER – The Water Report for June 26-July 28, 2020 billing period was presented.
GAS – The Gas Report for June 26-July 28, 2020 billing period was presented.
SEWER – The Sewer Report for June 26-July 28, 2020 billing period was presented.
Committee Reports:
STREETS & ALLEYS: Nothing to report.
HEALTH & SAFETY – Nothing to report.
FINANCE – Nothing to report.
WATER – Trustee Callan report on cleaning the water tower. The Village has received the five-tank discount on getting the water tower cleaned. The tower has not been cleaned in 4 or 5 years. Our cost will be $5,100.00 for the cleaning.
President Dowdy asked for a motion to approve spending $5,100.00 on cleaning the water tower. Motion made by Callan, seconded by Blakeman, to spend $5,100.00 on cleaning the water tower. Motion passed with a 6-0 vote.
The Census Report is due the end of the month. The Census Report helps with funding and grants. The last report received
SEWER – Nothing to report.
GAS – Trustee Blakeman received a few calls from residents asking if the storm sirens are working. It is posted on the website that the second Tuesday of every month Christian, Montgomery, and Moultrie counties test storm sirens.
Officer Peden is going to test our storm sirens next month to see if they are working.
Since the funding for the storm sirens are on hold, Debbie Niles is going to find out if TIF funding is available to replace the non-working storm sirens.
Clerk Jill Gilpin wanted to report the Consolidated Election is scheduled for April 6, 2021. Petition packets will be ready for pick up at the Village hall on Monday, September 21, 2020 and can be circulated starting Tuesday, September 22, 2020.
President Dowdy set the date and time for the October Regular Meeting as Monday, October 5, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. in the Village Hall.
With no further business coming before the Board, a motion was made by Blakeman, seconded by Callan, to adjourn the Meeting at 7:55 p.m. Motion passed by all “Yea” votes.
https://www.villageofstonington.com/documents/654/September_8__2020_minutes.pdf
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