Macon Reporter

Village of Bethany Board of Trustees met June 11.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

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

A motion was made by Trustee McLain to approve the minutes from the May 9, 2024, regular meeting, seconded by Trustee Ruppert. Roll call taken, all ayes, motion carried.

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

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

Public – Shannon Risley introduced Ed Cobau representing the IMUA. He was here to present a scholarship to Cannon Berstein for $1000. This marks the third or fourth winner from Bethany.

Greg Gustafson Water Improvement Project Updates - SNC construction Ryan Walters as a representative was here. There have been a few hits of cables and water mains which is expected with underground work. They have presented pay request #1 in the amount of $266,350.74. They will also be doing all of the ground restoration in due time. With this request we are about 19% completed with this project. A motion was made by Trustee McLain to approve pay request #1 for SNC in the amount of $266,350.74, seconded by Trustee England. Roll call taken, all ayes, motion carried. We are still waiting on the electric panel for the water treatment plant. We have a pay request from Commercial Electric in the amount of $36,009.75 for materials they have used. A motion was made by Trustee McLain to approve the pay request #1 from Commercial Electric in the amount of $36,009.75, seconded by Trustee Ruppert. Roll call taken, all ayes, motion carried. The detention tank foundation is now complete. The pipes are up and ready for the tank. Bruder Tank has verified the pipe location. The shop drawings for the tank are complete. The assembly build will start soon. The water treatment plant floor repairs are now complete and it looks great. A&R cleaned up outside around the plant getting ready for the Bethany Celebration. The Village is helping SNC with stored materials. Fire Chief Mike Jennings suggested a new hydrant to be installed adjacent to the High School, right off the north parking lot. Both Mr. Gustafston and Village Manager Shannon Risley thought this was a very good idea. Mr. Gustafson has been in contact with Village Attorney Patrick Sullivan in regards to a utility easement.

Zoning Agreement with Moultrie County - This is not completed yet. The State’s Attorney wanted some wording changed. The County should approve it next month.

TIF Extension - The Board has a print out of all the taxing bodies that the Trustees will need to attend. Trustee Gill will talk with the County and Lake Land College. Trustee Ruppert will talk with the Library Dist. Trustee McLain will talk with the School Dist,. and the Townships. President Book will talk with the Park, Dist. and the Fire Dept.

Bids for the Sale of the Trailer - next month

Bids for the Sale of Village Lots - published and opening in July

Adding Two (2) Personal Days for All Employees - This will need to be changed in the handbook. Trustee Gill made a motion to change the handbook to add two additional personal days to all full time employees, seconded by Trustee Ruppert. Roll call taken: Gill-yes; Doty absent; Ruppert-yes; England-yes; McLain-abstain (conflict of interest); Allen-yes; motion carried.

BASO Special Event Permit for Car Show & Road Closing - They are asking to have the car show Aug 24th time is 4-7 pm. They submitted a request for road closures for Main St. to the railroad tracks, the little leg of Washington in front of the depot from W. N. Water to the tracks, and Lincoln street . There was concern as to closing Main St. all the way to Church with the houses there. A motion was made by Trustee McLain to approve the request from BASO with the change of closing Main St. at the east end of the business district, seconded by Trustee Ruppert. Roll call taken, all ayes, motion carried.

Special Event Permit for BASO Safe Trick or Treat - The date for this is Oct 26th the Saturday before Halloween from 2:30 to 6:15. They are requesting the business district of Main St. and Lincoln St. from the tracks past the bank. A motion was made by Trustee McLain to approve this BASO request, seconded by Trustee England. Roll call taken, all ayes, motion carried.

Special Event Permit for BASO Christmas on Main St - Date for this is Dec 8th from 2:30 to 5:00. This is a request for Main St. in front of the Village Hall and the road, Washington St. in front of the Depot. A motion was made by Trustee Ruppert, to approve this request to close Main St. in front of the Village Hall and Washington St. in front of the Depot, seconded by Trustee McLain. Roll call taken, all ayes, motion carried.

IMEA Contract Extension Ordinance - This extends our purchasing power with IMEA. A motion was made by Trustee McLain to approve Ordinance #24-838 Contract Extension with IMEA, seconded by Trustee England, Roll call taken, all ayes, motion carried.

Replacing Second Office Computer - President Book is getting pricing for replacing the 2nd office computer.

119 E. Main St - Village Attorney Mr. Flynn suggested putting cones in front and declaring it a nuisance, sending them a notice citing a building code violation. He would be willing to send out a letter to the owner. This building could possibly be in probate. There is still an obligation to maintain the property. We are unsure who the building actually belongs to. Mr. Flynn will talk with Treasurer Jessica Henderson concerning who it could potentially belong to.

214 S. Crowder St - The Trustees received a copy of an email concerning this property. Officer Nichols contacted the deceased owner's daughter. She is working on getting this property in her name. This will be tabled until next month to check on progress.

New Squad Car Installation and Possible Restitution - Chief Nichols and Village Attorney Mr. Flynn have discussed this item. The gentleman that has worked on things like this before has damaged the vehicle during installation of items. Chief Nichols has been in discussions with the State’s Attorney concerning this. The State’s Attorney will contact Chief Nichols tomorrow with a decision to pursue this case or not. It was discussed to wait and see what the State’s Attorney wants to do and then send a letter with a small claims complaint enclosed. We do have an estimate from S&S for repairs on the damage to the squad car. A motion was made by Trustee Allen to approve payment to S&S Lighting & Communication LLC in the amount of $2222.50 for repairs on the squad car, seconded by Trustee England. Roll call taken, all ayes, motion carried.

Reports – Utilities Manager Shannon Risley, and Chief Nichols.

Correspondence – NONE

Committee Meeting Dates – NONE

With no other business to discuss a motion to adjourn was made by Trustee Allen and seconded by Trustee McLain. Voice vote taken, all ayes, motion carried. The meeting was adjourned.

https://www.villageofbethany.com/documents/116/MINUTES_6-13-2024.pdf