MINUTES
PALESTINE VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
March 4, 2021

Palestine Board of Trustees met on March 4, 2021. Trustees answering roll call were J.R. Dunlap, Twilla Davis, Tim McDaniel, Mary Michael, Gene Purcell and Brian Nethery...

Staff Members present: Chief Besing, Kathy Clark, DPW and Stacey Myers, Deputy Clerk.

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 February 4, 2021, were accepted as presented. 

OLD BUSINESS:
1)  Bridge repair/replacement update.  Our local engineer Greg Palmer has advised that we are on track, with one environmental exception of the “Big Eyed Chub” fish survey, based on spotting one in 2016. 

NEW BUSINESS: 
1)  Review and approval of ordinance 41.25-unlawful use of an electronic communication device. Brian Nethery made a motion to approve the ordinance. Mary Michael seconded that motion. Motion carried unanimously.

2) Review and approval of ordinance No. 2021-0-01-execution and delivery of an agreement between The Village of Palestine and Crawford County for police radio and phone communications.  J.R Dunlap made a motion to approve the ordinance. Tim McDaniel seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.

DPW REPORT:  Kathy Clark.
The DPW has been busy with getting all the ally’s graveled. Further, a sewer line was damaged on west LaMotte Street. This occurred five years ago when Metro Communications was doing fiber optics and went through the sewer line. The problem was just discovered and Metro was contacted. They came the next day and had the issue resolved. Also, Metro Communications will be covering the expense of fixing the sewer line.  

POLICE REPORT:  Chief of Police, Jeff Besing. 
Chief Besing reported that he has been having issues with the Crawford County dispatch. He stated that they aren’t doing status checks on him or Jake like they are supposed to, among other issues. Chief Besing formally wrote to complain about this issue to Sheriff Bill Rutan but the issue has not been resolved. He went on to explain that the ordinance, 2021-0-01-Execution and delivery of an agreement between The Village of Palestine and Crawford County for police radio and phone communications, was so he could have legal ground if needed to get these issues resolved. Chief Besing is going to go before the Crawford County board of trustees to get this issue resolved. 

PIONEER ROOM/COMMUNITY FACILITY – March 2021 – Brian Nethery

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Budget Committee:  Shirley Adams, Chairman.  The February Financial Reports and Fund Balance Report was passed out to Trustees. A budget work day meeting was set for March 20, 2021 at 8:30am.

Bldg Regulations, Permits, Maintenance: Harry Gene Purcell, Chairman.  One building permit was issued. 

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

FOIA/OMA Officers:  Shirley Adams, Chairman was absent. 

Ordinance/Grant Committee: Pat Schofield was absent but a written report was handed out. In this report Pat stated that after many hours of work that we now have received the full amount of the COVID/CURE program money totaling $56,345.43. Also, we have successfully completed the sale of the 7-1/2 lots, formerly know has the Ramsey Properties, to Jim Martin for $9,100.00. This was closed on February 24, 2021.  

Streets, Sidewalks, Alleys Committee: Tim McDaniel, Chairman.  

Sewer/Lagoon Committee: Brian Nethery, Chairman.  

With no further business to discuss Gene Purcell moved to adjourn.  J.R. Dunlap seconded motion. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 5:34 PM.

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  	   PRESIDENT					DEPUTY CLERK