Kankakee Times

Village of Ashkum Board of Trustees met Oct. 16.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

The Ashkum Village Board met Tuesday, October 16, 2018 @ the village hall. Present were Paul Heideman, Donna Schmitz, Ed Tholen, Shannon Meier, Angie Gray, Russ Hull, and April Lyons. Trustee Jeremy Beherns was not in attendance. Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Hanson, Treasurer Krystal Alberts, and Ellen Mikeworth, a member of the Planning Commission were also present.

President Heideman called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Clerk Donna Schmitz read the minutes of the October 1, 2018 meeting. April Lyons moved to approve the minutes as amended, seconded by Shannon Meier and the motion passed.

NEW BUSINESS/VISITORS

President Heideman recognized Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Hanson who reported on the following:

Water service was terminated on a Washington Street residence due to lack of payment.

Jeff reported he would like to plant grass seed in the park by the gazebo, around the new playground area, and the east side of the park before winter sets in. The area by the gazebo would need to be torn up before seeding because nothing has gown yet. Jeff reported he went to Reed’s Rental checking on a self propelled seeder and wondered what the board thought about his idea. Some members thought planting grass should be in the spring, some said in the fall. Jeff reported he thought tearing up the ground by the gazebo and planting grass would fit better in his schedule now than in the spring because he will be very busy in the spring. He was advised to go ahead and try planting the grass seed now.

President Heideman recognized Ellen Mikeworth a member of the Planning Commission who was present to update the board of actions of their commission and to answer questions the board may have. Ellen reported on the following:

She recently attended a grant writing seminar in Pontiac. There is money available and all we have to do is apply for it. Ellen suggested maybe we could apply for a grant to help replace some of the old sidewalk in town. She asked if the board would like her to proceed with researching grants available and if so, she would need a contact person from the board. Ellen was advised to proceed with her research and Shannon Meier volunteered to be her contact person.

Leah Bohlman works with Senator Jason Barickman. Leah reported Saunemin has art plaques (representing periods of history) hanging on a chain link fence and asked if Ashkum would be interested in doing the same. It was reported we really don’t have a place to hang a traveling art museum where the public could view it. Ellen will advise Leah we would hold off on this project.

The Planning Commission will be asking Russ Schoon to consider being a member of their commission.

President Heideman brought the following before the board for discussion and/or action:

Halloween Trick or Treat hours should be set at this meeting. Ed Tholen moved to set the hours from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm (same as previous years), seconded by Shannon Meier and the motion passed. Russ Hull asked, if needed, could Third Street could be blocked off to traffic to accommodate Trinity & Methodist Church’s Fall Family Fun Night? Russ’s request was granted.

Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Hanson’s anniversary date is in October and he passed the water license test he took at the fall water conference so he is officially “an operator in training.” According to his job description/contract, his salary should be increased by $500 annually due to the promotion, and the board normally considers an increase on the anniversary date for the Maintenance Supervisor. After discussion Ed Tholen moved to give Jeff the $500 promotional increase and a 3% salary increase retroactive to October 1, seconded by Russ Hull and the motion passed unanimously. The $500 should be added to his current salary and the 3% increase added to that.

The Minit Mart liquor license will be addressed at the next meeting. There was a change in owners and liquor licenses cannot be transferred so approval of a liquor license application must be completed by November 18th. Their request and application have been processed through email.

President Heideman requested a motion to present the treasurer’s report to the board for action. Shannon Meier moved to present the treasurer’s report to the board, seconded by Angie Gray and the motion passed.

Treasurer Krystal Alberts gave the treasurer’s report for September 2018. Ed Tholen moved to approve the report as read, seconded by April Lyons and the motion passed. Ed Tholen moved to present the bills to the Finance Committee, seconded by Shannon Meier and the motion passed. Finance Chairman Ed Tholen reported expenditures of $10,381.40 in the General Fund; expenditures of $37,289.91 in the Road & Bridge Fund; expenditures of $20,081.19 in the Motor Fuel Tax Fund; and expenditures of $10,105.99 in the Water Works Fund. Total expenditures were $77,858.49. Ed Tholen moved to pay September bills in the usual manner, seconded by Shannon Meir and the motion passed.

Treasurer Krystal Alberts reported she called the bank regarding the automatic withdrawal for former Maintenance Supervisor Russ Schoon’s insurance premium. She was advised the village cannot stop the withdrawal that it must be go through Russ with his signatures. If BC/BS collected from our account and from Russ Schoon, there’s a problem that needs to be addressed. The village must be reimbursed from one or the other for the payments deducted after Russ’s retirement. Krystal reported she left a message on Russ’s answering machine regarding this issue, and will keep on top of the situation until it’s resolved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Trustee April Lyons had no report but advised the board she would not be attending the next meeting because she would be on vacation.

Trustee Russ Hull had no report.

Trustee Angie Gray had no report.

Trustee Shannon Meier reported the property on the corner of Fourth and Fine Streets looks amazing since the trees and shrubs have been removed, and the lawn has been cleared of debris. Dave Mayes purchased the property and indicated he has several options. He has a potential buyer but there is a problem with the foundation or he could tear it down and have a vacant lot. He is currently waiting for the power company to shut the power off so he could tear it down if he doesn’t sell it.

Trustee Ed Tholen reported a semi truck has been parking overnight on Main Street. We have an ordinance against trucks parking on Main Street so the offender needs to be notified.

Clerk Donna Schmitz had no report.

As there was no further business to come before the board, Russ Hull moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:17 p.m., seconded by Ed Tholen and the motion passed.

http://www.ashkum.net/pages/subpages/minutes.htm