Macon Reporter

Village of Bethany Board of Trustees Met March 11.

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 February 11, 2021 regular meeting, seconded by Trustee Ruppert. Roll call taken, all ayes, motion carried.

A motion was made by Trustee Russell to approve the special meeting minutes from February 18, 2021 seconded by Trustee McLain. 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 – Don Colbert and Tom Gregory did not appear for the meeting.

Greg Gustafson Water Improvement Project Update – Has the PER and Engineering Report for a final review. He has not received final approval on the final documents. He was hoping the board would give the President authority to sign once Rural Development gives its approval. Rural Development has been asking for more and more detailed information for these reports. Mr. Gustafson has no idea why they are asking for some of the detail that they are. Trustee McLain made a motion to approve President Book to be authorized to sign the final Engineering Service Agreement and the PER once it is authorized by Rural Development, second by Ruppert. Roll call taken, all ayes, motion carried.

Donation for Celebration Committee – tabled

Building Permit Rates/Zoning Fees – It was discussed last month on changing the fee structure. At least one of the meetings for this cost the Village $150. Trustee McLain made a motion to raise the building permit fee to $30, seconded by Trustee Doty. Roll call taken, all ayes, motion carried.

Electronic Recycling – tabled

Extending Road Closures for BBQ Festival - There are more participating than expected. They would like to extend the road closing along the side of Lincoln Street by the Diner. Board has no problem with closing this extra section of road.

House at 502 S. Washington Street – To be discussed in Executive Session as possible litigation

Wave Penalties on Utility Bills for April/May – The gas bills will hit some people pretty hard this month. Treasurer Jessica Henderson and Village Manager Shannon Risley were wanting to try and help those with high bills to have a little extra time to get these bills paid. It’s a way to let them know we understand and we’re trying to help, especially those who are on fixed incomes. Trustee Gill made a motion to wave the late fee on utility bills for the month of March, seconded by Trustee Ruppert. Roll call taken, all ayes, motion carried.

MFT Allocations – Matt Foster with Chastain presented the MFT allocations for the year 2021. Trustee Russell made a motion to approve the Resolution under Illinois Vehicle Code Res#21- 496 as presented, seconded by Trustee Doty. Roll call taken, all ayes, motion carried.

Policy for Utilities & Disconnections – Treasurer Jessica Henderson presented her current policy for how she is handling late and unpaid utility bills according to the current ordinances. The Board was grateful for the work she has put into this. She will work on an actual typed up policy for the Board to view.

Policy for Ordinance Fines/Complaints – Chief Nichols and President Book have been working on this. Chief Nichols typed up and presented a plan on how to handle these events. Chief Nichols would like to have our Village Attorney update the current Ordinance and create the forms needed to accompany the Ordinance. He would also like to see a committee established to handle these matters. This matter will be continued next month.

Amending Ordinance 1-3-1 – The Village Codification service made us aware that the changes in pay needed to be made as an Ordinance. These raises were approved a few months ago. Trustee McLain made a motion to amend Ordinance #21-794 regarding Elected Officials pay, seconded by Trustee Doty. Roll call taken, all ayes, motion carried.

Updating Health Insurance Policy – Our current policy needs to be renewed April 1st. To renew our current plan our total premium will go up. Our agent presented some different options that are available. There is a new plan that would be at a lesser cost for the Village. The Insurance will stay with Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Part-time Hire for J.U.L.I.E. Locates – To be discussed in Executive Session as Personnel Reports - were given from; Shannon Risley, Streets/Alleys and Chief Nichols Correspondence – several emails from the IML

Meeting Before the Next Meeting – none

A motion was made by Trustee Ruppert to go into Executive Session to discuss possible litigation and personnel, seconded by Trustee Doty. Roll call taken, all ayes, motion carried.

A motion was made by Trustee McLain to enter back into Open Session, seconded by Trustee Gill. Voice vote taken, all ayes, motion carried.

Trustee McLain made a motion to pay Steve Sowers $100/month for signing the water report retroactive for this past 12 months, seconded by Trustee Ruppert. Roll call taken, all ayes, motion carried.

Trustee McLain made a motion to hire Steve Sowers as a part-time employee to use as Village Manager Shannon Risley needs at a rate of $30 /hour, retroactive for a week ago, seconded by Trustee Ruppert. Roll call taken, all ayes, motion carried.

With no other business to discuss a motion to adjourn was made by Trustee Russell and seconded by Trustee Doty. Voice vote taken, all ayes, motion carried. Meeting was adjourned.

https://www.villageofbethany.com/documents/116/3-11-21_minutes.pdf