MINUTES
PALESTINE VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
January 5, 2023

Palestine Board of Trustees met on January 5, 2023. Trustees answering roll call were J.R. Dunlap, Tim McDaniel, Mary Michael, Gene Purcell and Brian Nethery. Twilla Davis was absent.

Staff Members present: Stacey Myers, Rita Carmouche, Luke McNair and Chief Besing. 

Visitors present were Tim and Tammy Duffield.

Meeting called to order by Mayor Byrley.

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

Minutes were taken by the Village Clerk.

The Minutes of December 2022 were accepted as presented. 

OLD BUSINESS:
1) No Old Business. The next phase should begin on the Main Street Building soon. 

New Business:
1) Discussion for Proposal of Chicken Ordinance. J.R. Dunlap made a motion to discuss an ordinance for chickens inside Village Limits. Brian Nethery seconded the motion. Chief Besing presented an Ordinance that was adopted by Hutsonville for allowing chickens inside Village limits. It was decided to table and vote on this ordinance at the next monthly board meeting.

2) Discussion and Approval –Vandevanter Maintenance Contract. Taylor explained to the trustees that this contract is not needed and the Village DPW is capable of preforming maintenance. Not signing this contract would save the Village of $8,891.00. Gene Purcell made a motion for not approving the Vandevanter Maintenance Contract. J.R. Dunlap seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. 

3) Discussion and Approval of Vandevanter Harrison Lift station Repair. Brian made a motion to approve the Harrison lift station repairs with Vandevanter or B&S at a cost of around $12,596.49. Gene Purcell seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.

4) Official Approval of Phone Poll on DPW Truck Purchase. J.R. Dunlap made a motion to approve the purchase of the DPW truck with a loan through FRSB of 78,000.00. Tim McDaniel seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.

DPW REPORT:  Luke McNair stated that the DPW had been busy with road repairs and putting gravel down in the alleyways. Also, he stated that they had used the leaf Vac 50 hours this year. The DPW Barn has new guttering that has been put up to stop water from flooding the barn when it rains. Lastly, Mark and Luke are scheduled for testing in the spring for the standards test as well as the mosquito testing.

POLICE REPORT:  Chief Besing reported that he and Village Clerk Stacey has attended the Crawford County Development Association meeting with representatives from Greater Wabash Regional planning Commission where present for. At this meeting it was discovered that the police squad grant applied for in August 2022 had not been submitted, due to the representative had quit unexpectedly and did not process our application. Stacey and I will be attending these quarterly meeting to be able to be better informed on our status and grant processes.  

PIONEER ROOM/COMMUNITY FACILITY –January 2023 – Twilla Davis

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Budget and Finance Committee:  Stacey Myers, Chairman. Financials were handed out.

Bldg Regulations, Permits, Maintenance: Harry Gene Purcell, Chairman

Employee Relations Committee: Mary Michael, Chairman. 

FOIA/OMA Officers:  Stacey Myers, Chairman. 

Ordinance/Grant Committee: Stacey Myers

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

Sewer/Lagoon Committee: Brian Nethery, Chairman. 

At 5:28pm, Gene Purcell made a motion to go into Executive Session for the following 2 (C) (21) Semi-annual Review of the Closed Minutes as mandated by section 2.06. Brian Nethery seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously. 

At 5:34pm Tim McDaniel made a motion to return to Regular Session. J.R. Dunlap seconded. 

With no further business to discuss, Tim McDaniel made a motion to adjourn. J.R. Dunlap seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 5:36pm. 

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  	   PRESIDENT					VILLAGE CLERK