Macon Reporter

Village of Harristown Board of Trustees met Oct. 28.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Village of Harristown Board of Trustees held their monthly meeting on October 28, 2024 at 185 N. Kembark St, Harristown, IL. Trustees Kevin Vessels, Les Jenkins, Jay Trusner, Kurt Terry, Jeff Eller, Financial clerk Teresa Acree, Budget Officer Rick Laskowski, Attorney Joshua Dubbelde, Clerk Penny Allen and Mayor Evelyn Deverell were present. Trustee April Bogan was absent. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mayor Deverell thanked Misty and Les for their help while she was sick

Adopt Meeting Agenda

Motion by Trustee Trusner to adopt the meeting agenda. Trustee Vessels 2nd. Approved 5-0.

Visitors

Trustee Bogan arrived at 6:33 pm

Reed Sutman-he is not a resident of the village but he purchases items from Mystic Greens. He is concerned about this business using plastic bags. He has requested to them, when he makes a purchase , that he does not want the plastic bag but they keep giving him one; saying it’s a state law he has to have it in a bag . He said this is not a state law; state law only requires for it to be in a sealed container. Mr. Sutman said plastic bags are harmful to the environment. He is asking the Board to amend our ordinance to say they do not have to have plastic bags. He also asked the board to talk to the business about lying to him. He said he has purchased from other dispensary’s and they don’t put his items in a plastic bag.

Approval of Minutes

Motion by Trustee Vessels to approve the minutes from regular board meeting 9/23/2024. Trustee Jenkins 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Treasurer Report

Treasurer Acree discussed. Motion by Trustee Vessels to approve report. Trustee Trusner 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Motion by Trustee Vessels to approve the checks. Trustee Eller 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Budget Officers Report

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

Engineer

Report received but engineer not present. MFT is finished. The wells were decommissioned last week. Service line replacement -nothing received yet

Public Works

Mr. Closs not present. Doing a lot of work on Twin Lakes ditch. Working on new park; reimbursed for the work our guys did. One water leak.

Old Business

No old business

New Business

IPWMAN-Mayor Deverell discussed. This is $100/year to join. If a major disaster happens, we can ask other villages, that also participate in this program, to help us. Motion by Trustee Vessels to approve resolution for intergovernmental agreement with IPWMAN and sign agreement. Trustee Trusner 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Durflinger-7425 W Main-the water is turned off and requested credit for the payments he has made while it has been turned off. This is required in our ordinance; if water is shut off, still have to pay minimum monthly fee. If a resident does not want to have a monthly bill, they can pay $200 terminate fee, meter would be removed, and then have to pay to have it put back in. Motion by Trustee Vessels to follow ordinance; according to our ordinance, resident to pay minimum amount each month or pay to have it removed. Trustee Trusner 2nd. Approved 6-0

Personnel Committee

Nothing to report

Public Works Committee

Trustee Vessels discussed EJ Water. They will have a meeting to try and come to a mutual agreement.

Public Works Committee

Drainage-181 S Wyckles – this will be fixed. Will need to come up with something stating waiving liability; saying it is fixed and the village is done with it. Mr. Closs is going to look at it and make sure everything was put back as it was suppose to be.

Pest Control-Sentinel quote of $75 to spray inside and out of the village hall.

Gutters-one quote received from Gutter Geeks to clean gutters and install gutter guards for a price of $ 3375. Board would like to get another quote. Motion by Trustee Vessels to approve to accept a bid up to $3500 to clean gutters and install gutter guards. If no other bids are received, approve Gutter Geeks bid. Trustee Terry 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Heather Drive-quote received from Elite paving for Heather Driver $32,000. This will need to be put out to bid because of cost

Finance Committee

OLAF donation-this organization is for Christmas gifts for Niantic Harristown residents. Motion by Trustee Trusner to approve $1500 to OLAF. Trustee Jenkins 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Ordinance

Mystic Greens- they have cut down all the weeds. Received an email from Rose Hupp. The architect submitted the blueprints; have until January 25, 2025.

Business

Storage of America-construction start date and site plan review

Community Park

Mayor reported progress. This is going over budget. Switching from asphalt to concrete and a parking lot (which wasn’t in original plan) caused this to go over budget. Still need mats under swings, basketball hoop, nets, and paint. Treasurer Acree emailed grants to see if we can get additional funds. Approximately $5550.98 additional money is needed, not including the paint. Motion by Trustee Vessels to approve $5550.98 for additional funds from the TIF fund to the equipment needed at park. Trustee Trusner 2nd. Approved 6-0

Bensen Sign -still working on signs; hope to have within next 2 months.

Mayor Deverell questioned if a camera is needed for the park? Board would like to have one

Received a thank you note from Sangamon Valle primary school , thanking Village for their donation.

Attorney

Discussed home rule vs non home rule. Home rule locations can do what you want unless Illinois says you can’t. Harristown is non home rule; we have to have items approved by ordinance or resolution. Most small communities are non home rule.

Trustee Terry questioned if the board needs to look into the plastic bag issue. Board does not think we need to get involved. It is a Mystic Green issue, not a village issue.

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

Meeting adjourned at 7:27 pm

 https://villageofharristown.com/documents/231/VOH_10-28-2024.docx