Macon Reporter

Village of Harristown Board of Trustees met June 24.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Village of Harristown Board of Trustees held their monthly meeting on June 24, 2024 at 185 N. Kembark St, Harristown, IL. Trustees Les Jenkins, Kevin Vessels, Jeff Eller, Jay Trusner, April Bogan, Kurt Terry, Budget Officer Rick Laskowski, Attorney Joshua Dubbelde, Clerk Penny Allen and Mayor Evelyn Deverell were present. Financial clerk Teresa Acree was absent. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Adopt Meeting Agenda

Motion by Trustee Vessels to adopt the meeting agenda. Trustee Trusner 2nd. Approved 6-0. Approval of Minutes

Motion by Trustee Trusner to approve minutes of regular board meeting May 20, 2024. Trustee Eller 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Visitors

None wished to address the board

Treasurers Report

Bills needing approved

IMCO supplies $ 1529.36

Attorney legal services $ 2166.00

Fergerson meters $ 3850.00

Trustee Trusner questioned the city annexation bill from the Attorney. This was for one of Parks property they wanted to annex into the village. Attorney Dubbelde is working on this.

Motion by Trustee Vessels to approve 2 of the above bills (IMCO and Attorney) in the amount of $ 3695.36; holding Fergerson bill, waiting for more information. Trustee Trusner 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Budget Officers Report

BO Laskowski discussed. Will add $10,000 from Martin Auction for truck that was sold to show less difference. Motion by Trustee Trusner to approve Budget officers report with the $10,000 added. Trustee Terry 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Electricity agreement-contract expires at the end of the month. Calpine has the best rate so far. Motion by Trustee Trusner to go with a 4 year contract with Calpine @ 8.14 cents. Trustee Jenkins 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Zoning/Planning-nothing to report

Engineer

Well quote – have Durbin Thermal wait until fall to decommission the well.

Service line – 2 -3 service line leaks this month.

Public Works

Mr. Closs not present. These is an issue with the sand filters at the sewer plant. Old Business- nothing to report

New Business

CEFCU credit cards – Motion by Trustee Trusner to issue Chad Leffler and Jesse Hamilton CEFCU credit cards with a $2,000 credit limit. Trustee Vessels 2nd. Approved 6-0

Motion by Trustee Terry to remove Julie Rose from the CEFCU account and add Theresa Acree to the CEFCU account. Trustee Vessels 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Permit to sell fireworks-Parks has someone that wants to set up a firework stand to sell fireworks next year. Board is not interested in doing this

Ideas for new Village signage-ideas were distributed that were received from Bendsen. Waiting on another company to submit ideas.

Indus TIF agreement and Resolution 23-02-this stated that the growery would be completed in 2 years. Krishna would like to request an extension of this resolution. Trustee Jenkins would like to wait and see if they start work on it in September as they said. Trustee Trusner does not really want to give an extension. Tabled

Partridge Trace Pond- There has been several comments on facebook on who actually owns this pond. Mayor Deverell is concerned about Village liability even though we don’t own it. Attorney stated a municipality cannot be forced to take title, would have to accept ownership. It is not clear if Village ever accepted this property. There was suppose to be a home owners’ association. Not clear who owns it. Mrs. Dickman, resident in Partridge Trace, stated they have never seen anything in their paperwork about a homeowners association. Their land does not touch pond, it stops at slope. John Rose stated he thinks the Village is doing good things for children; the pond is good entertainment for kids, family. He feels village should take responsibility and make it a good thing for the village. Board requested the Attorney to find a title company to see who owns this.

Kitchen Cabinets for Community Center-Mayor Deverell discussed getting additional cabinets for the center (upper cabinets). She is getting quotes.

Personnel Committee-nothing to report

Public Works

Jonathan Closs would like to schedule meeting to make a decision regarding the sand filters at the lagoon. Trees need to come down.

Sewer agreement with EJ Water – still have not received

July 9 6 pm – public works committee meeting

Finance Committee-nothing to report

Ordinance

Ordinance Violations- house at 7710 W. William Street, Billy Parrot and Wes Rice residents. There are several cars in the back yard (8-9). A letter was sent to them stating the cars need to be licensed. They paid the fine but did not move the cars or license them. Another letter was sent telling her they would be fined again. She is now saying the cars are for sale. She did stop by the village hall and was very rude and left the premises speeding off wildly. Mayor asked the Board if they want the fine removed? Trustee Trusner stated he heard that Mr. Rice said he didn’t care, he would keep paying the fine. Trustee Jenkins said ordinance says one vehicle is allowed if you are working on it. The Board does not want the fine removed. Another letter will be sent telling them they need to pay fine, register the vehicles or pay $30 permit per vehicle if they are selling them. The ordinance regarding speed limit in the village will also be sent to her stating there was a complaint about her driving.

Solar Solicitors-Chapter 7 regarding solicitors. A decision needs to be made whether solicitors are allowed with a permit or not allowed at all.

Ordinance for Elected Officials Pay-need to get Treasurers position ordinance passed; change from elected to appointed position. Treasurer appointed beginning 5/1/2025; leave compensation blank for now then pass ordinance later for the compensation. If the pay cannot be listed as hourly, it will need to be listed as salaried. Attorney will revise ordinance removing the pay so this can be passed at next meeting.

Ordinances-various ordinances distributed for Board to look at and decide if changes are needed. Chapter3 – cats to have rabies shot, same as dogs. Chapter 6 leave fees as is. Chapter 8 don’t include specific franchise. Chapter 14 change as discussed. Chapter 16 changing definitions, leave 2 headlights and tail lights. Chapter 23 hold off on this one. Board was requested to look at these ordinances.

Economic Development

Park- bids opening for concrete on July 10

Wycklesfest – a lot of the businesses are active in this celebration Celebration and fireworks- this Saturday

Magician at Hall on July 11

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

Entered closed session at 8:31 pm

Back to regular session at 8:38 pm

Motion by Trustee Trusner to approved and release closed session minutes from October 23, 2023, November 27, 2023, March 25, 2024 and May 20, 2024. Trustee Terry 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Motion by Trustee Vessels to adjourn . Trustee Trusner 2nd. Approved 6-0 Meeting adjourned at 8:39 pm

https://villageofharristown.com/documents/231/Meeting_Minutes_6-24-24.pdf