Macon Reporter

Village of Lovington Board of Trustees met Jan. 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Call to order: Acting President Brittany Bates called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance: Acting President Bates led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call found the following trustees to be present: Todd Hale, Keith Stanberry, April Daily, Andrea Wardrip and Mike Young. Acting President Brittany Bates and Clerk Alma Fair were also present.

Visitors and Public Comments:

Bob Parrish – 3 things, trash and empty houses, also the property with more buildings than they are supposed to have. Inoperable vehicles - trailers that are in the alley’s.

Bates responded about the houses. Stanberry responded to the vehicles.

Parrish – upset that the police are in the office too many times when there are things happening in the Village. Golf carts without permit – Daily addressed we have addressed that a few months ago. Parking on the sidewalk

Minutes and action of Village Clerk

1. Discussion and action on the December 2024 invoices

A Motion was made by Daily and seconded by Stanberry to accept the December 2024 invoices as presented.

Discussion: none

YEA: Young, Hale, Wardrip, Daily and Stanberry

No: None

MOTION CARRIED

2. Discussion and action on December 9, 2024, Regular Meeting Minutes

A Motion was made by Young and seconded by Hale to approve the December 9, 2024 Meeting minutes as presented.

Discussion: none

YEA: Hale, Wardrip, Daily, Stanberry and Young

No: None

3. MOTION CARRIED Discussion and action on December 9, 2024, 1st Closed Session Minutes. A Motion was made by Young and seconded by Wardrip to approve the December 9, 2024, 1st Closed Session Minutes as presented.

Discussion: none

YEA: Wardrip, Daily, Stanberry, Young, Hale

No: None

MOTION CARRIED

4. Discussion and action on December 9, 2024, 2nd Closed Session Minutes.

A Motion was made by Daily and seconded by Stanberry to approve the December 9, 2024, 2nd Closed Session minutes as presented.

Discussion: none

YEA: Daily, Stanberry, Young, Hale and Wardrip

No: None

MOTION CARRIED

5. Discussion and action on December 16, 2024, Special Board Meeting Minutes A Motion was made by Daily and seconded by Young to approve the December 16, 2024 Special Board Meeting minutes as presented.

Discussion: none

YEA: Stanberry, Young, Hale, Wardrip and Daily

No: None

MOTION CARRIED

Clerk Fair reminded the trustees that employee evaluations needed to be done before the February meeting so that raises can be determined. She will send the trustees a copy of the evaluation form. She also asked that the trustees provide her with any changes in the appropriations for the new Appropriations/Budget for 2025-2026 let the clerk know before the February meeting so that she has time to prepare the Appropriations/Budget for the next fiscal year.

Treasurer’s Report

1. Discussion and action December 2024 treasurer’s report

A Motion was made by Daily and seconded by Stanberry to accept the December 2024 treasurer’s report. Discussion: Daily asked about the CD’s. Clerk Fair said they had been renewed this month so they were not on the December report but will be on the January report at the February meeting.

YEA: Young, Hale, Wardrip, Daily and Stanberry

No: None

MOTION CARRIED

Old Business:

1. Discussion on accepting Roger Walker’s bid for painting Village Hall

A Motion was made by Daily and seconded by Young to accept Roger Walker’s bid to paint the Village Hall’s front office for $500 and provide proof of insurance.

Discussion: none

YEA: Hale, Wardrip, Daily, Stanberry and Young

No: None

MOTION CARRIED

2. Discussion and Action of Fencing bids for Sewer Plant

Hale hasn’t seen any more bids – put on agenda again for next month

3. Discussion and Action on Brian Yoder request to purchase RR property from the Village Daily spoke with our attorney last week and we will be seeing something soon.

4. Discussion and Action on Zoning Ordinances

Daily read Gays ordinance that the Coles County Regional Planning prepared for them, and she thinks we need to contact them to prepare one for us; as well as find out the cost. Put on the agenda for next month for approval 5. Discussion and Action on wage increases for Chris Gillis for water and sewer operations effective November 1, 2024.

Stanberry spoke with our attorney and was told that it is okay to give back pay. He also showed what the cost increase might be.

A Motion was made by Young and seconded by Hale to approve a pay increase from $22/hour to $27/hour effect with the next pay period starting on 1-20-25.

YEA: Wardrip, Daily, Stanberry, Young and Hale

No: None

MOTION CARRIED

6. Discussion and Action regarding Chris Gillis back pay from increase wages for water and sewer operations effective November 1, 2024.

A Motion was made by Stanberry and seconded by Young to approve a $5/hour from 11-1-24 to 1-19-25 because of his resuming responsibility for water and sewer.

Discussion: None

YEA: Daily, Stanberry, Young, Hale and Wardrip

No: None

MOTION CARRIED

7. Discussion and Action to pay off the water tower loan

Clerk fair to find out from the USDA what funds can be used to pay off the water tower. This well be placed on next month’s agenda.

8. Discussion and Action on condemned houses

Bates asked the attorney to contact her and hasn’t heard from him. Daily reported that a family member of the attorney in the hospital. Put on the agenda for next month.

Daily will find out who owns the properties.

New Business: none

Closed Session

Meeting of “The Mayor & Commissioners of a municipality organized under article 4 of the Municipal Code held to discuss matters, which relate solely to exercise their executive or administrative responsibilities.”

5 ILCS 120/2 Sec.2 (c) (4) Evidence or testimony presented in open hearing, or in closed hearing where specifically Authorized by law, to a quasi-adjudicative body, as defined in the Act, provided that the body prepares and makes Available for public inspection a written decision setting forth its determinative reasoning.

A Motion was made by Hale and seconded by Stanberry to go into closed session at 7:23 pm for the purpose of 5 ILCS 120/2 Sec.2 (c) (4)

Discussion: none

YEA: Young, Hale, Wardrip, Daily and Stanberry

No: None

MOTION CARRIED

Return to Open Session

A Motion was made by Stanberry and seconded by Young to return to Open Session at 7:40 pm. Discussion: none

YEA: Hale, Wardrip, Daily, Stanberry and Young

No: None

MOTION CARRIED

Discussion and Action if needed from Closed Session

No action was taken

DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

Acting Presidents Report – Brittany Bates

Brian Buxton resignation effect 12/31/24 put on next month’s agenda.

Discussion about our attorney - Clerk Fair will contact Mt Zion Clerk to see who their attorney is - Stanberry looked in Decatur and this is the one he found James Jakowicz attorney from Decatur and he does municipal law. Clerk will contact him to see if he is interested in being our attorney.

Water & Sewer Report – Todd Hale

The softener Drains are scheduled to be replaced 1-24-25 by Burdick

JC Oye’s Plumbing will be giving us a quote to run an airline for the new air compressor Water leaks have been repaired on West Church and West Jefferson, Mechling backhoe assisted (both were service lines)

Hydrovac is scheduled for service on 1-17-25

Hale will check for more bids for fence at sewer plant

Park and Special Projects – Brittany Bates

June 7th will be town cleanup – we will have 5 dumpsters

Junefest will be on June 14th this year. Should have a fireworks proposal soon.

Police – Keith Stanberry

Christian Swisher has pneumonia last month. Our three part time officers are not always showing up - Stanberry will check with the sheriff’s department to see if we can get some help with them.

Streets and Alleys – Mike Young

Was left off the agenda so he is reporting under Miscellaneous below

Buildings and Grounds – April Daily

Nothing much to report - Chris is ordering new ropes for the flag poles. The one at the park is tied at the top so it can’t be lowered.

Insurance – Andrea Wardrip

Requested any and all updated forms from IML and will provide Donyell and Alma with them.

Miscellaneous Report

Young reported here

Barkey’s will be coming to evaluate the backhoe and can then move forward with a quote on a new and used option.

The brown plow truck had to be repaired during the snowstorm. The hydraulic line blew. It was also leaking antifreeze somewhere but couldn’t find where. Chris G will investigate further.

Adjournment:

A Motion was made by Young to adjourn at 8:00 p.m. YEA: all agreed

No: None

MOTION CARRIED

https://www.lovingtonil.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/01132025-agenda-mtg.pdf