SE Illinois News

Village of Freeburg Board of Trustees met October 2. 

Here is the minutes as provided by the board:

Call to Order: Mayor Seth Speiser called the Regular Board Meeting to order at 7:30 p.m., on Monday, October 2, 2017, in the Freeburg Municipal Board Room.

Pledge of Allegiance: Those present and the Board Members recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call: Trustee Denise Albers - here; Trustee Bert Pruett-here; Trustee Elizabeth (Lisa) Meehling-here; Trustee Ramon (Ray) Matchett, Jr. - here; Trustee Mathew (Matt) Trout - here; Trustee James (Mike) Blaies - here; Mayor Seth Speiser - here; (7 present, 0 absent) Mayor Speiser announced there is a quorum.

EXHIBIT A: Mayor Speiser stated we have the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting Tuesday, September 5, 2017 for approval.

Trustee Elizabeth Meehling motioned to accept the minutes from the Regular Board Meeting Tuesday, September 5, 2017, and Trustee Mathew Trout seconded the motion. All voting aye, the motion carried.

EXHIBIT B: Mayor Speiser stated we have the minutes of the previous Regular Board Meeting Monday, September 18, 2017 for approval.

Trustee Mathew Trout motioned to accept the minutes from the previous Regular Board Meeting Monday, September 18, 2017 and Trustee Elizabeth Meehling seconded

the motion, All voting aye, the motion carried.

EXHIBIT C: 

FINANCE: 

Finance Committee Meeting:

Trustee Denise Albers reported on the Finance Committee Meeting held on Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at 5:30 p.m.

1. REVIEW OF BOARD LISTS: Trustee Albers stated we reviewed the Board Lists, there were some questions which were answered. Trustee Albers said she asked how the employees like the Guardian program, and Village Administrator Tony Funderburg advised the committee it has been an accounting disaster. Public Works Director John Tolan commented he and his employees use the benefits. We are all interested to see how it will affect our taxes.

2. REVIEW OF INVESTMENTS: Trustee Albers stated we have a CD renewing in December 2017.

3. INCOME STATEMENT: Trustee Albers said we reviewed the Income Statement. Trustee Albers stated the Electric Department is over budget. Village Administrator Tony Funderburg advised us we have Windows 98 and had to upgrade in order for the SCADA to work properly and be protected from cyber-attacks. We were also briefed by Village Administrator Tony Funderburg regarding the current budget. Village Administrator Tony Funderburg stated some line items are hard to budget, such as overtime, vacation payouts and compensatory time payouts.

TREASURER'S REPORT: Trustee Albers said Treasurer Bryan Vogel was presented with the treasurer's report. Trustee Albers said she also asked Treasurer Bryan Vogel to draft a quick summary of the audit that we are going to have to approve tonight. Trustee Albers processed to read the quick draft that Treasurer Bryan Vogel prepared.

Trustee Denise Albers motioned to recommend to approve the 2017 Audit and Trustee Ramon Matchett, Jr. seconded the motion. ROLL CALL: Trustee Denise Albers - aye, Trustee Ramon Matchett, Jr. - aye, Trustee James Blaies - aye, Trustee Elizabeth Meehling-aye, Trustee Mathew Trout -aye, Trustee Bert Pruett -aye, (6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 absent). All voting aye, the motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS:

1. Newsletter: Trustee Albers said the 4th quarter newsletter has been sent out with all of the Fall Season information for the community. We will be posting the leaf pick schedule on the website for the residents.

NEW BUSINESS: None. 

TREASURERS REPORT: None. 

ATTORNEY'S REPORT None.

EXHIBIT E: 

ESDA REPORT: Mayor Speiser stated ESDA Coordinator Gene Kramer will not be here tonight. Gene's ESDA report is in our board packet, please review it. If you have any questions please call Gene.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: None,

EXHIBIT F:

REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE: 1. Zoning Administrator's Report: Mayor Speiser asked if anyone has any questions for Zoning Administrator Gary Henning. Zoning Administrator Gary Henning reminded everyone there will be a Public Hearing on Monday, October 16, 2017 at 6:00 p.m.

RECOMMENDATIONS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: None. CONTRACTS, RELEASES, AGREEMENTS & ANNEXATIONS: None. BIDS: NOne.

RESOLUTIONS: None.

ORDINANCES: None.

OLD BUSINESS: None.

NEW BUSINESS: None.

APPOINTMENTS: None.

COMMITTEE MEETING REPORTS: 

EXHIBIT G: 

Legal/Ordinance Committee Meeting:

Trustee Bert Pruett reported on the Legal/Ordinance Committee Meeting on Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at 5:30.

The following item or items were talked about or discussed: 

1. Zoning Report/Nuisance Properties: We discussed a nuisance property situation that we have been dealing with for some time. Village Attorney Fred Keck and Zoning Administrator Gary Henning went out the property the next day to look at it. Village Attorney Fred Keck will work on this issue with Mr. Moerchen's attorney, Al Paulson.

NEW BUSINESS: Trustee Pruett stated there is a farmer's market coming into town.

EXHIBIT H: 

Personnel/Police Committee Meeting:

The following item or items were talked about or discussed:

Trustee Elizabeth Meehling reported on the Personnel/Police Committee Meeting held on Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at 6:23 p.m.

POLICE:

OLD BUSIENSS: 

1. Police Department Expansion: Trustee Meehling said we did discussed the police department expansion. We were provided with a rough estimate for the shell of the building from LRB

Trustee Meehling said she is concerned about all of the other needs for the building. Trustee Meehling stated this estimate was not the total building cost. We agreed to have Village Administrator Tony Funderburg to prepare a RFP to get the bid process going. There are current funds available. Village Administrator Tony Funderburg believes it should be financed over 20 years, others on the committee thinks we should shorten that.

NEW BUSINESS: 

1. Attorney General Opinion on 911 Call Recording: Trustee Meehling said Attorney Fred Keck stated Attorney General Lisa Madigan is all about transparency. In the case cited, she found that 911 calls are subject to public disclosure under FOIA.

2. Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy for Officer Involved Shootings: Trustee Meehling stated that Attorney Fred Keck advised us a new law went into effect on August 25", stating officers have to be tested if they are involved in a shooting. Attorney Keck will work on a MOU to incorporate this into the police Collective Bargaining Agreement.

3. Request for Stop Signs at North Main Street/West St. Clair & School Zone Sign by St. Joe's School: Trustee Meehling said the committee asked Chief of Police Mike Schutzenhofer to look into adding a stop sign at North Main and West St. Clair. Chief Schutzenhofer stated he did look into this issue, and he doesn't see who will benefit from the stop sign located at that location. He thinks it becomes a safety issue for the fire department. The committee agreed not to place a stop sign there. We agreed on the school Zone sign on Alton Street at St. Joe's.

PERSONNEL:

OLD BUSINESS: 

1. Cleaning Bids for Village Hall: Trustee Meehling stated the committee discussed going out for cleaning bids for the village hall. Village Administrator Tony Funderburg advised us we have a cleaning firm in place.

NEW BUSINESS: 

1. Job Descriptions: Trustee Meehling said we discussed job descriptions. Trustee Meehling said Village Administrator Tony Funderburg put a lot of work into these job descriptions and they are much more inclusive. Village Administrator Funderburg said when he receive any further suggestions, he will send them out for review and will then move forward. Trustee Meehling stated Attorney Fred Keck recommends using an ordinance to adopt the appointed positions job descriptions. Those will need to be placed in the code book. Once the job descriptions are completed, we will concentrate on completing the employee handbook.

Trustee Meehling stated Public Works Director John Tolan received a complaint regarding the slag that was used on the roads. Public Works Director John Tolan did research on this and he provided us with material safety data sheet as well as an informational article regarding the two main kinds of slag and its effects. Village

Administrator Tony Funderburg gave us an update on what Father Mark said about the school Zone sign being placed at St. Joe's School.

Upcoming Meetings: Combined Planning and Zoning Board-Tuesday, October 10, 2017 - 6:00 p.m. Electric Committee Meeting - Wednesday, October 11, 2017 - 5:30 p.m. Water/Sewer Committee Meeting - Wednesday October 11, 2017 - 5:45 p.m. Streets Committee Meeting - Wednesday, October 11, 2017 - 6:00 p.m. Combined Planning and Zoning Board Hearing - Monday, October 16, 2017 - 6:00 p.m. Board Meeting-Monday, October 16, 2017-7:30 p.m.

VILLAGE MAYOR & TRUSTEES” COMMENTS: 

Trustee Denise Albers - No thank you.

Trustee Elizabeth (Lisa) Meehling - No thank you. 

Mathew Trout (Matt) - Matt said don't forget the Chili Cook Off will be October 14. Matt said they are still looking for more sponsors. We also need some volunteers in the beer stand and the welcome tent. If you would like to work please sign up tonight. 

Village Clerk Jerry Menard -No thank you.

Trustee James (Mike) Blaies - No thank you. 

Trustee Ramon (Ray) Matchett, Jr. - No thank you. 

Trustee Bert (Dean) Pruett - No thank you.

Staff Comments: 

Village Administrator Tony Funderburg-Just to let everyone know the meeting being held on October 10th is on the new subdivision out there by Wolf Road. If anyone can make that meeting try to do so.

Public Works Director John Tolan - No thank you. 

Chief of Police Mike Schutzenhofer-No thank you. 

Zoning Administrator Gary Henning – No thank you.

ADJOURNMENT: 

Mayor Speiser called for a motion to adjourn the meeting.

Trustee Mathew Trout motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:44.p.m. and Trustee Elizabeth Meehling seconded the motion. All voting aye, the motion carried.

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