McLean County Times

Village of Dwight Board of Trustees met Nov. 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Held in the Public Services Complex

209 South Prairie Avenue, Dwight Illinois

November 13, 2023 at 6:30PM

President Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:37PM and asked for a roll call.

PRESENT: Paul Johnson, Village President; Marla Kinkade, Trustee; Jenny Johnson, Trustee; Brian Berta, Trustee; Justin Eggenberger, Trustee; Pete Meister, Trustee and Randy Irvin, Trustee

OTHER Village Officials in Attendance: Crissy Livingston, Village Administrator; Cory Scoles, Public Works Director; Mike Nolan, Police Chief; Michael Callahan, EMS Chief; and Whitney Scott, Village Clerk

The Village Board Minutes from October 23, 2023 were presented for approval. Trustee Irvin made a motion, with a second from Trustee Johnson, to approve the minutes as submitted. Roll call. All voted aye. Motion carries, 6-0.

FINANCIAL REPORTS

Payment of the November 13, 2023 bills in the amount of $448,999.04 were presented for payment from the various funds. Trustee Kinkade made a motion, with a second from Trustee Meister, to pay the bills as submitted. Roll call. All voted aye. Motion carries, 6-0.

The September 2023 Treasurer’s Report was presented for review. Trustee Eggenberger made a motion, with a second from Truste Kinkade, to approve the report as submitted. Roll call. All voted aye. Motion carries, 6-0.

Village Administrator Livingston presented a request for a fund transfer of $308,503.75 from the Water Fund (51) to the Water Bond Fund (41) for paying interest and principal on Bond 2021A. Trustee Kinkade made a motion, with a second from Trustee Meister, to approve the fund transfer. Roll Call. All voted aye. Motion carries, 6-0.

Village Administrator Livingston presented a request for a fund transfer of $356,111.25 from the NHRM Sales Tax Fund (36) to the NHRM Bond Fund (47) for paying principal and interest on Bond 2021C. Trustee Eggenberger made a motion, with a second from Trustee Johnson, to approve the fund transfer. Roll Call. All voted aye. Motion carries, 6-0.

PUBLIC FORUM

Randy Irvin, on behalf of DEA, shared that they will be putting up the Christmas tree in Clock Park the weekend after Thanksgiving, and are planning a clean-up of the area and decorating with colorful lights.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

President Johnson shared that he’d recently attended a meeting hosted by State Representative Jason Bunting for area presidents and mayors and confirmed that many surrounding communities are facing similar issues, and they’ll continue to meet quarterly. Johnson thanked the DEA for hosting a meeting for concerned business owners to meet with Shelly from the Assessor’s office. It was learned that a community assessor is appointed and/or elected, and while they’re required to take classes to be certified and obtain continuing education credits, no one really governs that. Because there is such little oversite, the State determined that it was necessary to hire a third-party company to complete assessments, as it hadn’t been completed in fifteen years.

VILLAGE REPORTS

Village Administrator Livingston advised that issues with the 27-year-old cast iron piping throughout the Complex had resulted in essentially a flood; she continues working with the adjuster and obtaining quotes for the necessary repairs. Livingston expressed her gratitude to Cory, Joe, Callahan and the EMS Crew for their quick discovery of the issue and quick action to mitigate the damage. Livingston also advised that she had received the appraisals on the Village buildings and noted a concern that the Depot appraised at $1 Million; the Board discussed potentially having a historic appraisal done, as well as needing further information how that may impact the insurance costs. This topic will be further discussed at the next Admin meeting.

Chief Callahan stated that they had received a $1,877 donation from the Women’s Club towards the purchase of an AED for Garrett Park and confirmed that it has been ordered with a three- to four-week lead time. The Board discussed options for where the AED should be kept; concerns that if left out it would be stolen or damaged, but if locked in the concessions area, not enough people would be able to access it. It was determined that because all coaches have keys to the crows’ nests, it should be stored in the crows’ nest of the Pinto field, which is most centrally located between the fields. It was also determined that all coaches and assistant coaches should be CPR certified and that Callahan would work with DYBS to coordinate a few options for training.

Chief Nolan stated that the two newest officers have started week twelve, have entered into their shadow-phase and are now solo in the squads and have each covered partial shifts solo with Nolan and Beier available if needed. Nolan also advised that two officers had recently joined the Livingston County Area Tactical Response Team, comprised of officers from Dwight, Pontiac, and the Livingston County Sherriff’s Office, to provide support on high-risk calls. Nolan shared that he’d received praise for both officers, confirming that they’d each be a great fit for the team. Nolan also advised that mental health related calls are on the rise.

Public Works Director Scoles congratulated Sara on the start of her ninth year! Scoles stated that the hydro-seeding of the Williams Street project has been completed and asked that residents refrain from watering until Spring. Scoles advised that chipping is done for the season, but leaf pick-up continues Mondays throughout November, and that the street sweeper will be out again this fall, but it cannot handle leaves. Scoles confirmed that the plow trucks are fired up and ready for the season, they continue working to get the holiday lights up throughout the Village and that they’ve taken advantage of the weather to get started on the Renfrew Park restroom remodeling and repairs. Livingston and President Johnson thanked Scoles and the Public Works crew for their amazing work to hang the Hometown Heroes banners throughout downtown, as well as the lighting on the Village Complex and the Christmas Music already playing on the downtown outdoor speakers!

COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Services, Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting, Monday November 13, 2023 at 6:15pm

PRESENT: President Johnson and Trustees Eggenberger, Johnson, Irvin, Meister, Kinkade, and Berta (arrived just after the meeting was called to order)

Also Present: Police Chief Nolan, EMS Chief Callahan, Public Works Director Scoles, Village Administrator Livingston, and Village Clerk Scott

Chair Eggenberger called the meeting to order at 6:15 PM

Police Officers: Chief Nolan advised the Committee that the department is down to eight officers, and potentially losing one more. He explained that high turnover and officer shortages are a state-wide issue and the primary reasons for our department are the pay scale, cost of insurance, and location. The officer who most recently resigned was offered a pay increase of $12,000 in his community, eliminating his commute. Nolan confirmed that four candidates recently tested, with one passing on the initial test, and two more passing on re-testing. Nolan advised that early registration for the January 7th academy opens on December 11th.

Livingston also expressed concerns with only having nine full-time officers, which leaves the night shift with only one officer on duty. She confirmed that she’s still working on finding the funds for an additional officer salary in the budget but would like to have ten officers to be fully staffed. The committee unanimously agrees to support working towards a ten-officer department; Nolan continues working on grants and Livingston will continue working on the budget and will follow up with her findings and recommendations at a future meeting. Nolan also recommended the reimbursement policy be reviewed and revised to clearly define costs; he’s working on a comprehensive list of uniform, equipment, and incidental costs to include.

EMS Services: Chief Callahan presented the 2023 Response Summary for Emington and Campus calls, and a proposal to charge either $500 or $750 per call in the renewal agreement. The committee unanimously agreed to charge $750 per call for both Emington and Campus. Callahan and Livingston will work with Attorney Ehrgott to draft an agreement.

With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 6:37 pm.

OLD BUSINESS

Livingston requested an approval to process payment to Ferguson in the amount of $368,292.94 for the purpose of paying for the Smart Meter Project. Trustee Irvin made a motion, with a second from Trustee Berta, to approve the payment. Roll Call. All voted aye. Motion carries, 6-0.

Livingston also requested an approval to process payment to Amalgamated in the amount of $48,142.50 for the purpose of paying interest and principal on Bond 2021B. Trustee Johnson made a motion, with a second from Trustee Meister, to approve the payment. Roll Call. All voted aye. Motion carries, 6-0.

Livingston also requested an approval to process payment to Amalgamated in the amount of $120,912.50 for the purpose of paying interest and principal on Bond 2016B. Trustee Irvin made a motion, with a second from Trustee Berta, to approve the payment. Roll Call. All voted aye. Motion carries, 6-0.

NEW BUSINESS

Callahan presented a request from Rachel Dyer to change her employment status from a full-time paramedic to a part-time paramedic, effective December 1st, 2023. Trustee Kinkade made a motion, with a second from Trustee Irvin, to approve the request as submitted. Roll call. All voted aye. Motion carries, 6-0.

Mary Boma submitted a sign permit application for a new “Welcome to Downtown Dwight” sign to be posted in the grassy area near 162 E. Main Street. Trustee Irvin made a motion, with a second from Trustee Meister, to waive the permit application fee and approve the permit for the community sign. Roll Call. All voted aye. Motion carries, 6-0.

Tio Tino’s Tacos submitted a Video Gaming Terminal License application for four terminals. Trustee Kinkade made a motion, with a second from Trustee Johnson, to approve the application. Roll Call, Kinkade (aye), Meister (abstain), Berta (aye), Eggenberger (aye), Irvin (aye), Johnson (aye). Motion carries, 5-0.

Livingston advised that ACH Payments will soon be available for paying water and sewer invoices, she’s working with Attorney Ehrgott to determine the draw date and creating an agreement form. The Board unanimously approved.

Livingston advised that the Municipal Code book has not been codified since 2015 and there are over 150 Ordinances that need to be added. Livingston has obtained quotes ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 (depending on exact number of Ordinances and number of pages) from American Legal and General Code to update our Municipal Code Book. Trustee Kinkade made a motion, with a second from Truste Meister, to approve Livingston to move forward with Municipal Code Book updates, at a cost not to exceed $20,000.00. Roll call. All voted aye. Motion carries, 6-0.

Finding no further business, President Johnson asked for a motion to adjourn. A motion to adjourn was made by Trustee Kinkade with a second by Trustee Irvin. All voted aye by voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:22PM.

http://www.dwightillinois.org/Board%20Minutes/2023/VBM-23-11-13%20Minutes.pdf