Macon Reporter

Village of Bethany Board of Trustee met Sept. 16.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

The regular board meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by President Jon Book. The following Trustees were present; Dave Doty, Jeannie Ruppert, Mike Jennings, Greg McLain, Raven Russell, and Brian Gill.

A motion was made by Trustee Doty to approve the minutes from the August 13, 2020 regular meeting, seconded by Trustee Ruppert. Roll call taken, all ayes, motion carried.

A motion was made by Trustee McLain to approve the “Statement of Income and Expenses” seconded by Trustee Russell. Roll call taken, all ayes, motion carried.

A motion was made by Trustee Doty to approve the “Banks and Checks Journal” seconded by Trustee Ruppert. Roll call taken, all ayes, motion carried.

Public - No one in attendance wishing to address the Board

Water System Improvements - The Board met last night to discuss this project for making a decision tonight. Trustee McLain stated that we’re not going to have a better time than now to do as much as we can. Village Attorney Jack Kiley was asked about when the TIF expires if the Village could use that money to help pay off the loan. The TIF Attorneys will be contacted concerning this. A motion was made by Trustee Russell to move forward with the BC & A proposal to apply for the Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program through Rural Development with a preliminary cost of $2,104,250.00 and for preliminary engineering costs not to exceed $30,000, seconded by Trustee Ruppert. Roll call taken, all ayes, motion carried.

House at 308 S. St. John St. - this will be discussed in executive session.

House at 416 W. N. Water St. - this will be discussed in executive session.

Helping with Transformers at the School - this will be tabled until next month for final numbers.

Change in Phone Service - this will be tabled until next month until a suitable service is found.

Compensation for The Village President and Village Clerk - The current salary for both positions is $4,000/year. The Finance Committee has been looking at the numbers for the past few months; Chairman Gill would like to recommend a monthly increase to $417 or $5,000 per year. This is based on villages around our size in the area. After discussion concerning keeping compensation the same, A motion was made by Trustee Russell to increase the Village President compensation from $4,000 per year to $6,000 per year, seconded by Trustee Ruppert. Roll call taken: Gill-yes; Doty-yes; Ruppert-yes; Jennings-yes; McLain-present; Russell-

yes; motion carried. A motion was made by Trustee Russell to increase the Village Clerk compensation from $4,000 per year to $6,000 per year, seconded by Trustee Ruppert. Roll call taken: Russell-yes; Gill-yes; Doty-yes; Ruppert-yes; Jennings-yes; McLain-abstain (conflict of interest); motion carried. These increases will take effect after the Consolidation Election April 6, 2021.

Employee Appreciation Dinner - Village Manager talked with the employees and they liked any Friday in October. October 23rd will be the date. Trustee McLain will check with the Diner to see if they are still interested in catering. Happy Hour will be at 5:30 with the meal beginning at 6:30.

Other Old Business - Closing on the purchase of the building at 301 W. N. Water St. will be tomorrow at 3:00pm. The wire transfer payment was made today.

TIF Agreement with Lance Whitney - The TIF Committee met with Lance Whitney. Mr. Whitney has $10,000 on his last agreement that has expired. He asked for more help with a new agreement: roof seal-$18,000; store front-$10,000; A/C-$12,000; electrical work-$5,000 for a total of $45,000. The TIF Committee recommends a $40,000/three-year forgivable loan. A motion was made by Trustee McLain to give Lance Whitney a TIF agreement for a three-year forgivable loan in the amount of $40,000, seconded by Trustee Gill. Roll call taken, all ayes, motion carried.

Town-Wide Speed Limit & W. N. Water St - This was a request from Police Chief Nichols. It was mentioned that this was tried before and it was not a good situation. There was discussion concerning the different streets with different speed limits. President Book would like to gather more information on this. A solution could be to post more speed limit signs and to make the expectation known. This will be tabled until the Chief can provide some input.

Check Signing Policy - Treasurer Jessica Henderson stated that the Auditors suggested that the Village put into place a check signing policy. She presented a policy to the Board that stated what the current practice is. A motion was made by Trustee Russell to implement the new check signing policy as presented effective immediately, seconded by Trustee Doty. Roll call taken, all ayes, motion carried.

Lettering for Police Car - Chief Nichols had a quote for the Board. A motion was made by Trustee Russell to approve a quote for lettering on the police car in the amount of $587.87, seconded by Trustee Jennings. Roll call taken, all ayes, motion carried.

Town-Wide Trick or Treating & Christmas on Main St. - Halloween is Saturday, October 31st. BASO wanted to know what the Village was planning. Many towns have cancelled this and BASO was not sure on the amount of participation. A motion was made by Trustee McLain to set Trick or Treat hours on October 31st for 6pm to 9pm, seconded by Trustee Ruppert. Roll call taken, all ayes, motion carried. A motion was made by Trustee McLain to approve blocking streets on the day BASO chooses to have Christmas on Main St., seconded by Trustee Ruppert. Roll call taken, all ayes, motion carried.

Other New Business - President Book mentioned there was a gentleman interested in the two lots on Washington St. He would like to put one or two tiny houses on them. He would like to talk to the Board next month.

Reports - were given from; Shannon Risley, Utilities Committee, TIF Committee, and Chief Nichols

Correspondence - None

Meetings Before the Next Meeting -

Finance - 10/8/20 @ 6:15 pm

• Tax Levy

A motion was made by Trustee McLain to enter into executive session to discuss litigation, seconded by Trustee Russell. Roll call taken, all ayes, motion carried.

A motion was made by Trustee McLain to enter back into open session, seconded by Trustee Doty. Voice vote taken, all ayes, motion carried. No action will be taken on the executive session.

With no further business to discuss a motion to adjourn was made by Trustee McLain, seconded by Trustee Doty. Voice vote taken, all ayes, motion carried.

https://www.villageofbethany.com/documents/116/9-10-20_min.pdf