MINUTES
PALESTINE VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
November 7, 2019

Palestine Board of Trustees met on November 7, 2019, at 6:00 pm.  Trustees answering the roll call were J.R. Dunlap, Mary Michael, Twilla Davis, Brian Nethery, Gene Purcell and Tim McDaniel.

Staff Members present: Police Chief, Jeff Besing, Shirley Adams, Village Clerk, Patricia Schofield, Mayor’s Consultant, Kathy Clark, DPW Superintendent and David Miller, DPW.

Visitors present:  Nancy Jenkins, Allison Dunlap and Chris Dewitt (WTYE).

Meeting called to order by Gene Purcell, Mayor Pro-Tem as Mayor Byrley was absent.

The meeting began with all present reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Minutes were taken by the Village Clerk.

The Minutes of October 3, 2019, were accepted as presented. 

Opening of Bids:  For the 1997 Dodge Ram Truck.  
10/25/19	Riley Anderson		$300
10/30/19	Tom Woodard			$151
10/31/19	Randy Bailey			$135

Tim McDaniel moved that we accept the bid from Riley Anderson for $300. J.R. Dunlap seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS:
1. Update-Bridge repairs/replacement on South Main St.  At this point we are not having a survey done, however, if our attorney deems it necessary, we will order a survey.

2. LED Sign update by J.R. Dunlap.  J.R. updated the application and re-submitted it for approval. Hopefully, we will receive an approval soon.

3)  Discuss the increase of sewer rates.  The consensus was that we need to increase the sewer rates to help sustain our sewer system. As it is, county wide we are still on the lower end of fees. J.R. Dunlap moved that we increase the sewer rates as proposed. These will become effective January 1, 2020 by Ordinance 2019-O-06.  Brian Nethery seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously. 

Proposed Increased Permits & Fees as shown below:			Current	:	Proposed:
	Building /Demolition Permit (each)				  $25     	  $30
	Dance Permit/Car Show					  $15      	  $20
	Golf Cart/Neighborhood Vehicle Permit (each)		   $35                  $40 
	Community Facility/Pioneer Room/Pavilion Permit (each)	    $65       	   $70
	Community Facility & Pavilion together			    $100                $70
	Solicitor’s Permit-per person per day. 				     $25                  $25 
	(as approved by Chief Besing)

Tim McDaniel moved that the proposed Permits/Fees increases be approved. Mary Michael seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously. The increases will become effective January 1, 2020.

4)  Discussion of Cannabis Business Establishment. (See letter from Attorney Weber – For Discussion, An Ordinance Prohibiting Cannabis Business Establishments.   A couple of Trustees felt this should be put on a ballet and voted on by the Village residents. However, the majority of the Trustees did not feel that was necessary.  J.R. Dunlap made a motion that the Village approve an ordinance prohibiting Cannabis business establishments in the Village of Palestine.  Tim McDaniel seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.  The Ordinance No. is 2019-O-05.

5)  Approval of Holbert & Phipps, LLP – 3 year Contract for Annual Audit.  J.R. Dunlap moved that the Board approve the 3-year Contract with Holbert & Phipps, LLP.  Brian Nethery seconded motion. Motion passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:
1)  Employee Christmas Party.  The Village employee Christmas party will be held in the Pioneer Room on Friday, December 6, 2019, at 6:00 PM.  

DPW REPORT:  Kathy Clark.  
David Miller, a new trainee for wastewater and DPW has been hired. He is being trained for Operator/Supervisor.

Leaf season has begun.

Yearly lift station inspections showed severe wear on one impeller at the North station and two at the Porter station. They will soon need replacing. One pump was removed at the Main St. station bound for Vandevanter’s Decatur shop for core replacement and diagnosing low meggers. When it returns, pump 2 will be pulled for same issues.

The USDA Rural Development upgrade program is in the invite stage, at this point. It isn’t likely our projects will fall under their requirements for a grant, but likely for a low interest loan.

During maintenance at the Bryan Street lift station, we found the electrical supply pole ready to break off at the ground. Kathy has scheduled LeFever to change the pole. She has also scheduled them to change power into the wet well for LaMotte lift station floats.  The atmosphere in the wells is very corrosive. 

The committee for MFT will need to meet to discuss next year’s budget. The 2019 budget is over on December 2019.

Three employees will be certifying for General Standards/Mosquito, in the spring.

POLICE REPORT:  Chief of Police, Jeff Besing. 
The 2019 Wine & Arts Festival went really well with no issues pertaining to law enforcement.

The trunk or treat gathering at the Main Street Pavilion went well but there was lower attendance due to the inclement weather. There were few incidents of trees being decorated with “soft white decorative paper” and no complaints were called in.

We had our application testing process this past Saturday (Nov. 2nd) at Robinson High School. Chief Besing had 9 applications turned in and only 4 applicants showed up for the testing process. Only 2 passed the physical test and returned with me to the Pioneer Room for the written test. Those results will be discussed in our executive session. 

PIONEER ROOM/COMMUNITY FACILITY – NOVEMBER – TIM McDANIEL

FYI:  SHELTER (cold/heat) – Pioneer Room – Designated Overseer. This will be revisited at next month’s meeting. It was suggested we use the same schedule we use for the Pioneer Room each month for the designated overseer. 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Budget Committee:  Shirley Adams, Chairman.  Oct. & Nov. Financials given out. The Village received the second distribution of Property Tax Monies from the LaMotte Township.

Bldg Regulations, Permits, Maintenance: Harry Gene Purcell, Chairman.  A permit for a fence was  issued.

Employee Relations Committee: Harry Gene Purcell, Chairman. David Miller was hired as stated in Kathy’s DPW report.

FOIA Officers:  Shirley Adams, Chairman.  FOIA/OMA Certifications are complete. 

Ordinance Committee: Pat Schofield.  Bridge work finished.

Streets, Sidewalks, Alleys Committee: Tim McDaniel, Chairman.   We have a few more sidewalks to be repaired/replaced when Dave has time.  The chip & seal project is complete for this year.

Sewer/Lagoon Committee: Brian Nethery, Chairman.  

At 6:57 pm J.R. Dunlap made a motion that to go into Executive Session for the purpose of 2 (C) (1) Personnel.  Tim McDaniel seconded motion. Motion carried.

Regular Board Meeting resumed at 7:20 pm.  The two candidates for the position of a Police Officer for the Village was discussed during the Executive Meeting. The consensus was that the Personnel Committee should interview Jacob McGinness for this position.  The interview will be on Wednesday, November 13, 2019, at 4:15 pm.

With no further business to discuss Tim McDaniel moved to adjourn. Brian Nethery seconded motion.   Meeting adjourned at 7:24 pm.

__________________________________	____________________________
  	   PRESIDENT					      CLERK