Macon Reporter

Village of Harristown Board of Trustees met Oct. 23.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Village of Harristown Board of Trustees held their monthly meeting on October 23, 2023 at 185 N. Kembark St, Harristown, IL. Trustees Jay Trusner, Les Jenkins, Jeff Eller, April Bogan, Kevin Vessels, Curt Terry, Budget Officer Rick Laskowski, Treasurer Teresa Acree, Attorney Joshua Dubbelde, Clerk Penny Allen, and Mayor Evelyn Deverell were present. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Adopt Meeting Agenda

Motion by Trustee Trusner to adopt the meeting agenda. Trustee Eller 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Approval of Minutes

9/25/23 regular board meeting – The water meter vote needs to be changed to 4-2, not 6-0. Motion by Trustee Vessels to approve minutes with above correction. Trustee Jenkins 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Visitors

No one wished to address the board

Treasurers Report

Treasurer Acree discussed.

Bills needing approved

CPA Laboratory testing $ 2,545.84

Braniff Communication warning sirens inspections $ 3,590.00

Attorney $ 5,310.00

Risk Management $34,319.00

McGuire Accountants $14,550.00

Total $ 60,314.84

Motion by Trustee Trusner to approve above payments. Trustee Vessels 2nd. Approved 6-0. Motion by Trustee Jenkins to approve Treasurers report. Trustee Trusner 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Budget Officers Report

BO Laskowski discussed. Motion by Trustee Vessels to approve Budget officers report. Trustee Jenkins 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Mayor Deverell discussed the Ameren program replacing street lights with LED lights. She asked BO Laskowski if he could check on the savings. He said if you look on the Ameren bill it will have a listing showing the lights and the cost. Trustee Terry, Trustee Brogan, and Trustee Eller said they currently have street lights that they pay for.

Mike Sorrentino discussed the replatt of subdivision 125 and 126 at Partridge Trace. They want to combine lots to put a garage on it so they get one tax bill. Motion by Trustee Vessels to approve the replatt. Trustee Trusner 2nd. Approved 5-1 (Trustee Jenkins abstained)

Camp Wilson Foursquare Church Expansion-Mr. Sorrentino said the church did not sign; it needs to be signed. Hearing is set for November 7th at 5 pm. This won’t be final until November meeting.

Public Works

Jonathon Closs discussed.

Trees-Quote received from HD Service to remove 3 trees all on Villages’ property. Lindale/Fieldcrest $ 1200; Twin Lakes $1700 ; William/Waldorf $700. Motion by Trustee Trusner to approve the above quote to remove these trees. Trustee Vessel 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Dump Truck-no bids received for this. Mr. Closs suggested fix it and take to Martin Auction but if we fix it, it may be best to just keep it. He will get quotes on what it would cost to repair it.

Old Business

Cable-proposed imposition of cable service providers fee. We have a franchise agreement with Comcast. Motion by Trustee Vessels to approve as 2023-19, 5% service provider fee, addressing the payment of cable service provider fees. Trustee Trusner 2nd. Approved 6-0.

New Business

Nothing to report

Personnel Committee –

Personnel Manual-Employees have not signed and there is a place for trustees to sign to approve it. This was approved back in June 2023. Need to get signatures from the trustees then will have the employees sign. Motion by Trustee Trusner for Trustees to sign and approve personnel policy from June 2023 approval. Trustee Vessels 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Streets and Alleys Committee

Nothing to report

Finance Committee

Nothing to report

Ordinance

Cannabis Ordinance- tabled.

Treasurer / Clerk positions-appointed or elected? Will need to decide. Attorney stated in municipal the Treasurer does not have to be elected. The Clerk position can be done by resolution by not less than 2/3 of village board. Trustee Trusner would like for both positions be appointed. Trustee Jenkins questioned if the treasurers salary be negotiable? Would like to leave as 4 year terms. Attorney will prepare resolution.

Ordinance Violations

27 Westway -village mowed and placed lien on property

5212 W. Main -fined

7895 W. Williams-lien placed and the mortgage company paid (received check from them for water and mowing). The company is sending out a representative to check out the house. Mayor Deverell is contacting them again.

Water and Sewer Committee

Sewer project-no updates. Still working on combining waste water facilities with Niantic and Illiopolis.

Economic Development

Movie in the Park-will be held October 27th. Possibly be moved into community center due to weather.

Trunk or Treat- October 31. Fire truck will be here also.

Veterans/First Responder Memorial-November 11 – dedication and dinner of Memorial. Dinner will be by donations.

Christmas Bazaar-November 18. A food truck will also be present.

In December, should hear about grants applied for the park. A wind screening will be put up on the park fence.

Motion by Trustee Vessels to enter closed session to discuss closed session minutes. Trustee Trusner 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Enter closed session at 7:25 pm. Back to regular session at 7:34 pm

Motion by Trustee Eller to approve written resolution to release approve closed session minutes. Trustee Terry 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Trustee Trusner said the cannabis facility is having special events and not telling anything about them. Mayor Deverell said she mentioned this to Krishner and he stated it is his private property so the village cannot say anything. Need to work on the ordinance; needs to be clearer. Trustee Jenkins stated a special use permit should have to be issued for events like this.

Motion by Trustee Trusner to adjourn. Trustee Eller 2nd. Approved 6-0

Meeting adjourned at 7:41 pm

https://villageofharristown.com/documents/231/VOH_10-23-23.docx