South Central Reporter

Village Of Aviston Board Met Feb. 1.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

The regular meeting of the President and Board of Trustees was held at 7:00 pm in the Village Hall. In attendance were Village President Dale Haukap, Village Treasurer Steve Goestenkors, Trustees Larry Harper (via conference call), Mike Kampwerth, Gary Litteken, Kurt Schmitz, and Kevin Eversgerd. Employees present included Gary Rakers, Dave Trame, Mike Kuhl, Irma Deimeke and Village Attorney Henry Bergmann (via conference call). Zoning Board President Mike Engel was also present.

1. MINUTES:

Minutes of the previous meeting were available for review. A motion to approve the minutes as presented was made by Kevin Eversgerd, second by Gary Litteken. Motion carried 5-0. A motion to approve committee meetings on January 10th and 17th as received was made by Kurt Schmitz, second by Kevin Eversgerd. Motion carried 5-0.

2. FINANCIAL REPORT:

Steve Goestenkors reviewed the Financial report. The Village collected $153K and disbursed $125K.

GF – Collected $77K and disbursed $79K. This was due to disbursements for the CURES fund of approximately $60K, which we are expecting reimbursement for. This fund has a surplus of $16K.

WF – Normal monthly receipts noted. Surplus funds of $81K were noted. SF – Discussion was held regarding raising rates. A motion was made to accept the option of raising the sewer rate by $1 for minimum usage and another $1/1,000 gallons. By doing this he estimates there to be approximately $29K increase in the fund. A motion to accept the option was made by Mike Kampwerth, second by Gary Litteken. Motion carried 5-0. New rates are to become effective May 1, 2021. An ordinance will be prepared for the March 1st meeting. PF – No change.

MFT – Income of $6.5K.

TIF & DRUG FUNDS – Minor interest noted in these funds. TIF #1 had small professional fees charge.

Annual Financial Report for the year ended April 30, 2020 was reviewed. Auditor notes were reviewed and discussed. A copy of the recommendations and financial report was given to all trustees.

A motion to approve the Financial Report and pay all bills was made by Gary Litteken, second by Kurt Schmitz. Motion carried 5-0.

3. POLICE REPORT:

Mike Kuhl stated that he had a meeting with the Boy Scouts last week. Looking into the possibility of doing a DARE program in school again or else with the Scouts. He also reported that officers need new ID’s. He is looking into possibly offering these to school, Scouts, etc.

- Policy – working with Federal Use of Force. He needs letter from the Board to set up a new LLRMI policy. He will make the letter available for what is needed. A motion to initiate a new policy for LLRMI was made by Kurt Schmitz, second by Kevin Eversgerd. Motion carried 5-0.

Discussion was held regarding the area at the Vintage Hall – where there are 2 pads poured on the west side of the building – people are still parking there. It was recommended that Gary Rakers order signs for the ‘no parking’ issue plus there was further discussion on how to block that entryway so vehicles cannot park there.

Kudos to Officer Little for handling a medical emergency over the weekend and performing CPR on the patient.

Body cameras will be needed by 2025.

Sealed bids for the old squad car are due by COB February 5th with opening on February 8th.

4. VILLAGE CLERK: No report/absent due to vacation. Report was in everyone’s packet.

5. PARK DISTRICT:

The Park District minutes were in everyone’s packet for review. Gary Litteken was in attendance at their meeting and reported that they are going forward with the dog park which was discussed last month. Discussion was held with regards to things that they’d like to see covered for the park, i.e. signs posted for individuals to clean up after themselves, dog park rules posted, bag stations. Park Board is requested to be present at the next Village Board meeting. 

- Park clean-up day is scheduled for March 20th.

6. CURRENT PROJECTS:

-Infiltration/Inflow Meters: Dave Trame is working with Kurt Schmitz 

- Water meter replacement – Kurt requests approval to issue a notice to prospective vendors for an RFP. A motion by Gary Litteken, second by Kevin Eversgerd to go forward with releasing the RFP. Irma will call vendors (list from Kurt) to ask for the support. Kurt will prepare a script for what is needed.

- Discussion was held for when the water meter replacement happens to hire someone to help. Mike Kampwerth suggested to hire someone as a full-time temporary for the period of April 2021 thru October 2022 to replace the meters.

- Village Hall repairs – Mike Kampwerth requested approval to fix the front door with a paddle latch system. ($462.07) Motion for approval by Kurt Schmitz, second by Larry Harper. Motion carried 5-0.

7. VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT:

-WW#4 – Dale Haukap and Kurt Schmitz visited Marvin Frohn to get the agreement signed for having Water Well # 4 on the Frohn property. Agreement was signed. We are to pay $X per test well and then after tests are approved, the Village agrees to pay $12K when the well is good to go. This agreement needs to be recorded at the Court House.

- Potential Business: APEX (plan is to be moved in by April); Flooring business – Mike Kuhl.

- Kurt Schmitz has been working with Steve Orabek/APEX for a TIF agreement. Kurt will write up the agreement covering 75% of the cost. Motion was made by Mike Kampwerth, second by Gary Litteken. Motion carried 5-0.

8. ZONING ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT:

Zoning Board minutes were available for review. Dave Trame stated (and Mike Engel confirmed) that they converse the week before the meeting and decided that if there isn’t anything special going on or needs to be brought up, that there will not be a February meeting. This is also working along with keeping people apart due to COVID.

An ordinance was written up for stop signs in Ades subdivision. This will be approved at the February meeting.

9. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT:

- Gary brought in several quotes for new magnetic flow meters. Gary recommends using Pedrotti because they make sure it all connect/works. A motion was made by Gary Litteken, second by Kevin Eversgerd to purchase from Pedrotti in accordance with their bid. Motion carried 5-0.

- A freezer is available from the city shed for sale. It will be ‘as is’. If any board member is interested, they are to submit bids by February 8, 2021.

- Fence review for shed – to be an L-shape and black coverings like what Aviston Auto Body has – tabled at this time.

- John Deere radio – a 2-way radio is desired for the JD to be able to talk to the Township guys. They would like it compatible with the new system with Sugar Creek channels. Gary is to get written quotes.

10. OLD BUSINESS:

- Restore Illinois – we should be getting funds back soon.

11. NEW BUSINESS:

- COVID Vaccine – vaccine will be given on Thursday, February 4th at the Legion. Village staff has coordinated appointment times and working with Clinton County Heath Department for all things needing to be done.

A motion to adjourn was made by Kevin Eversgerd, Second by Larry Harper. Motion carried 5- 0. Time was 9:15.

https://avistonil.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/mi020121.pdf