MINUTES
PALESTINE VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
October 1, 2020

Palestine Board of Trustees met on October 1, 2020. Trustees answering roll call were J.R. Dunlap, Twilla Davis, Tim McDaniel, Mary Michael, Gene Purcell and Brian Nethery...

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

No visitors present. 

Meeting called to order by Mayor Byrley.

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

Minutes were taken by the Village Deputy Clerk.

The Minutes of September 3, 2020, were accepted as presented. 

OLD BUSINESS:
1)  Bridge repair/replacement update.  Changing jurisdiction – still in progress with no update.

2)  Employee Christmas Party-December 11, 2020-Catered by Blended Eatery

3) Loading and unloading area-specifically to allow Brock’s Storage units patrons a place to utilize their storage unit. Gene Purcell made a motion to approve designated parking for loading and unloading for Brock’s storage. Tim McDaniel seconded that motion. JR Dunlap voted nay, Twilla Davis voted yea, Tim McDaniel voted yea, Mary Michael voted nay, Brian Nethery voted nay and Gene Purcell voted yea. As this was a tied vote mayor Rob Barley voted yea to break the tie, motion was passed.

4)  Discussion of Sanitary Sewer Lagoon improvement progress/progress. Kathy Clark spoke with the director/engineer of rural development out of Effingham. She explained that new requirements were brought to her attention, such as we would have to raise our sewer rates almost twenty dollars a quarter. In addition, the Village of Palestine would have to apply for a loan through a financial intuition for approx. $154,000 and be denied to qualify. 

Kathy stated that we are going to have to address some issues at the lagoon, such as control panel for discharge tank and piping unit. Along with various pumps, fountain apron and rip rapping on banks of the pond. The trustees recommended we try to do some of the repairs with the Village available funds. 

NEW BUSINESS: 
1)  Reduction of Golf Cart/SXS permits for qualified Veterans. Our current charge for golf cart/SXS permits are $40.00. Discussion was to lower this fee to $35.00 for qualified veterans with ID and official documents. Motion was made by Brian Nethery to lower the fee to $35.00 and Gene Purcell second that motion. The vote was anonymous. 

2) Discussion on hay rides in Village limits.  Presley and Talee Harris residents, of the Village of Palestine, is asking permission to have a hay ride in Village limits charging $2.00 per person. Discussion was that county has no rulings on hay rides but state law is no person riding in back of a pickup truck and or wagons. This information was provided by Sheriff Rutan, Crawford county sheriff. Gene Purcell made a motion to vote to prohibit for hire hay rides in the Village of Palestine limits. Mary Michael seconded the motion. The vote was anonymous.

DPW REPORT:  Kathy Clark. 
The DPW has been staying busy with crack sealing on West Grand Prairie and South Main. Chip and sealing was completed with over 8,997 sq. yards covered. The rebuild Illinois Motor Fuel Tax allowed us to triple the budget for this.

The DPW has been able to do more of their own road repairs due to David repairing multiple equipment, but a jack hammer is needed to be able to save on hiring out and allowing the DPW to be able to complete more road work themselves. Kathy stated that she can buy a Bauer 15amp jackhammer at Harbor Freight for $360.00

The LED sign has been popular for rentals this month as well. So far a total of 19 listing have been booked. Kathy has been working to get the internet server installed at the sign. She has been able to successfully do this and has been working with Stacey to teach her more about the program and LED sign.

The DPW has secured 12 tons of road salt and the salt shed is stocked with approx. 20 tons. 

POLICE REPORT:  Chief of Police, Jeff Besing. 
Ten ordinance citations have been written under the new procedure this past week. Out of those issued, four have paid on time, three have not paid by their 30th day and have had their fines increased to the next level.

The property at 201 N Main St that Chief Besing has issued citations for too tall grass and weeds. The owner of the house has had four different forwarding addresses. The property has been vacated and owner’s whereabouts is unknown.

A reimbursement check for Jake’s academy was received in the amount of $4,542.94 which reduces the amount taken out of the budget for training to approx. $1,200.00.

K-9 dogs were brought into both schools as done every year. Along with the “Active shooter Drill” training was done at both schools. Although, this training was done, a verbal presentation due to COVID restrictions. 

PIONEER ROOM/COMMUNITY FACILITY – OCTOBER– MARY MICHAEL

FYI:  FALL CLEAN-UP DAYS – OCTOBER 28TH CONFIRMED

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Budget Committee:  Shirley Adams, Chairman.  The state has issued payment for Jakes training and we also have received the second installment of taxes.  September financials were not available at this time.

Bldg Regulations, Permits, Maintenance: Harry Gene Purcell, Chairman.   Two permits were issued. 

Employee Relations Committee: J.R. Dunlap, Chairman. 

FOIA Officers:  Shirley Adams, Chairman.  Complete.

Ordinance Committee: Pat Schofield.  Grant for equipment for DPW for $908.80 was applied for. 

Streets, Sidewalks, Alleys Committee: Tim McDaniel, Chairman.  Dave will be working on sidewalks on Wilson Street with other projects as he can get to them. 

Sewer/Lagoon Committee: Brian Nethery, Chairman.  

At 5:58pm, JR Dunlap made a motion to convene into Executive Session under Section 2 (C) (6) for the setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the public body. Brian Nethery seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.

Regular Session resumed at 6:13pm. The trustees agreed to wait on appraisal of property before setting a price. Motion carried unanimously.

With no further business to discuss J.R. Dunlap moved to adjourn.  Tim McDaniel seconded motion. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:15 PM.

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  	   PRESIDENT					   DEPUTY   CLERK