Village of Dwight Board of Trustees met Aug. 24.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
President Anderson called the meeting to order at 6:30PM.
PRESENT: Marla Kinkade, Trustee; Jenny Johnson, Trustee; Jerry Curtis, Trustee; Justin Eggenberger, Trustee; Randy Irvin, Trustee; Chuck Butterbrodt, Trustee; Jared Anderson, Village President
ABSENT: None
Others in Attendance: Jill Haacke, Village Clerk; Director; Irv Masching, Village Attorney; Austin Haacke, Finance Director; Tim Henson, Police Chief; Cory Scoles, Sewer Operator; Jenny Allsworth, EMS Director; Jane Anderson, Leslie Houch, Jill Launius, Kevin McNamara, Administrator
According to Section 6 of the Executive Order specifically suspends, for the duration of the Gubernational Disaster Proclamation, the Open Meeting Act requirement that public officials be physically present at public meeting. Public bodies are “encouraged” to : (1) postpone consideration of public meetings whenever possible; (2) provide video, audio, and/or telephonic access to meetings to ensure member of the public can monitor the meetings; and (3) update their websites and social media to keep the public apprised of changes to their meeting and of activities related to COVID-19.
Governor Pritzker signed a new Gubernational Disaster Proclamation extending the statewide declaration through Saturday, September 19, 2020. With the signing of a new disaster proclamation, public meetings may continue to be held remotely as long as certain requirements are met.
The Village Board Minutes August 10, 2020 were presented for approval. Trustee Irvin made a motion with a second from Trustee Kinkade to approve the minutes as submitted. Roll call. All voted aye. Motion carries.
FINANCIAL REPORTS
Payment of the August 24, 2020 bills in the amount of $83,782.49 were presented for payment from the various funds. Trustee Curtis made a motion, with a second from Trustee Eggenberger to pay the bills as submitted. Roll call. All voted aye. Motion carries.
Trustee Curtis made a motion with a second from Trustee Butterbrodt to approve the July 2020 Treasurer’s Report as submitted by Treasurer Diane Jensen. Roll call. All voted aye. Motion carries.
PUBLIC FORUM
None
VILLAGE REPORTS
President Anderson thanked the Public Works department and Cory for their quick clean up after the windstorm two weeks ago. He also thanked Lions Club for their clean up at Lion’s Lake and the Rotary Club for cleaning up along Old Route 66.
Kevin McNamara thanked Minooka, Morris and Coal City Public Works Departments, and Grundy County Highway Department, for coming to town and helping our Public Works department after the storm. He and Austin have been working on turning in all insurance claims for the storm, which include damage at the Texaco Welcome Station, Stevenson Pool, and the WWTP. The Cures Program agreement has been sent in and we will need an ordinance to accept the money and begin applying it toward COVID purchases for the Village.
The ITEP program is opening up again with a deadline November 2, 2020. In the past the Village has received two of these grants, the first went toward extending Pinecone Path and the other went to re-roof the old train depot. This is an 80/20 grant for the Village. One project that the Village could submit for is extending Pinecone Path down the abandoned line of Route 66.
McNamara informed the board that the detention center will not be building in Dwight at this time. ICA as decided not to currently build within the Chicagoland metropolitan area. The quiet zones started in July for the trains going through town and most of the conductors have gotten the message and are responding.
McNamara asked the board for some guidance on what do to with water late payments. Back in March the board authorized no shut offs or late charges during the pandemic. He is inquiring if they should keep that policy or begin to make some sort of effort to collect late payments since there are currently 146 past dye accounts totaling $52,720.00.
Finally, McNamara stated the area Workforce Board has met with LSC leadership and are setting up programs and a career fair for LSC employees. Nancy Norton of the GEDC set up a meeting with the U.S. Economic Development Administration and the Village.
Tim Henson noted that there has been an uptick in mental health cases that the police have been going out on calls for. There was some criminal damage at Franklin Corner this past weekend and some items were stolen from Geo’s, there have been juveniles arrested for the damages. There was also damage outside the old train depot, and some temporary cameras have been set up to deter any more vandalism. Detective Beier hosted a cookout for the Village employees last Friday that was well attended.
Cory Scoles reported that Renfrew Park is 90% cleaned up after all the storm and damage. He thanked the surrounding communities and general public for assistance around the Village after the storm. Finally, he reported that Well 7 is repaired and awaiting two consecutive compliance tests prior to being back in service.
Jenny Allsworth EMS is fully staffed with basics and paramedics. All is well on EMS side.
Jane Anderson from the Dwight Economic Alliance noted how everyone around town seems loves the micro pantry outside the old train depot. DEA has their occupancy permit, and the office will be open by appointment only. She is working with a company to have a pop-up doughnut store come to Dwight on September 12th, more information is to come.
OLD BUSINESS
At the beginning of the pandemic, the board agreed to pay our economic memberships a quarter at a time. Trustee Curtis made a motion with a second from Trustee Irving to approve the payment of the second quarter membership dues to Grundy for $532.40, Livingston for $2,126.00, and the Dwight Economic Alliance for $5,000.00. Roll call. All voted aye. Motion carries.
President Anderson presented the lease agreement between the Dwight Historical Society and the Village of Dwight. Trustee Kinkade made a motion with a second from Trustee Butterbrodt to approve the lease for the old train depot between the Dwight Historical Society and the Village of Dwight as presented. Roll call. All voted aye. Motion carries.
NEW BUSINESS
The Knights of Columbus are requesting their annual Tootsie Roll Bucket Brigade for September 11-12, 2020 if the State allows. Trustee Curtis made a motion with a second from Trustee Kinkade to approve the Knights of Columbus Bucket Brigade request as submitted and they also must follow all IDPH and CDC guidelines. Roll call. All voted aye. Motion carries.
President Anderson presented Dylan Williams and Brian McCreadie as candidates for full time paramedic positions with EMS. Trustee Curtis made a motion with a second from Trustee Irvin to accept the hiring of Dylan Williams and Brian McCreadie as full-time paramedics. Roll call. Motion carries.
President Anderson addressed expired terms on various Village committees. Anderson presented the appointment of Kim Drechsel, Mary Flott, Janice Lauritzen and Tracie Wargo for three-year terms on the Historical Preservation Committee. Trustee Eggenberger made a motion with a second from Trustee Kinkade to approve Kim Drechsel, Mary Flott, Janice Lauritzen and Tracie Wargo to three-year terms on the Historical Preservation Committee. Roll call. All voted aye. Motion carries.
President Anderson presented the appointment of Gerald Anderson for a five-year term on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Trustee Irvin made a motion with a second by Trustee Johnson to approve Gerald Anderson to a five-year term on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Roll call. All voted aye. Motion carries.
President Anderson presented the appointment of Barbara Christensen and Gene Mortenson for seven- year terms on the Plan Commission. Trustee Curtis made a motion with a second from Trustee Eggenberger to approve Barbara Christensen and Gene Mortenson for seven-year terms on the Plan Commission. Roll call. All voted aye. Motion carries.
Chief Henson noted he has been working with Fire Chief Johnson looking into some towers that were damaged in the storm causing both departments to lose paging capabilities. They will be working on addressing those issues at the next 911 Committee Meeting.
Randy Irvin is requesting Erv Daniels to follow up with new pool builds and the installation of the required fences.
The Board instructed McNamara to not shut off water but have the Water Department notify the past due accounts that payment arrangements are needed.
Finding no further business, President Anderson asked for a motion to adjourn. A motion to adjourn was made by Trustee Irvin with a second by Trustee Kinkade. Roll call. All voted aye. Motion carries. The meeting adjourned at 7:07PM.
http://www.dwightillinois.org/Board%20Minutes/2020/VBM-20-08-24.pdf
Alerts Sign-up