Kankakee Times

Village Of Onarga Village Board met April 8.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

1. Call to order at 7:00 p.m.

Cultra called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.

2. Roll Call

Shane Cultra, Village President; Fred Walraven, Trustee; Angie Martinez, Trustee; Matt Clark, Trustee; Holly Zirkle, Trustee; Sarah Barnett, Trustee; Russ Geisler, Trustee; Claudia Ramirez, Treasurer; Stephanie VonDrehle, Village Clerk; Tim Hamilton, Village Supervisor; Stephanie Wilson, Park Coordinator; Doug Brenner, Police Chief; Wendy Davis, Times Republic; Gilman Star.

3. Review and approval of Regular Village Board & Executive Session Meeting Minutes of Monday, March 11, 2019. Geisler motioned to accept the regular meeting minutes & executive session meeting minutes of Monday March 11, 2019 as presented. Zirkle seconded the motion. The motion carried.

4. Review and approval of treasurer’s report

Clark motioned to accept the treasurer’s report as presented. Martinez seconded the motion. The motion carried. Ramirez stated the balancing was off for March between the water and general, therefore the reports could possible change once she finds what the difference is.

Ramirez also stated adjustments were sent for Sherilynn to verify and once verified she would be putting these items through the account as well.

5. Review and approval of bills to be paid

Walraven motioned to approve the bills to be paid in the amount of $57,991.88 as presented. Martinez seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Ramirez informed the board the workman’s comp policy renewal that was originally going to cost $9000, is now down to $2,000 due to the reclassification of some items. Once she receives this information, she will present it to the board. Clark motioned to re-issue the checks that have not been deposited and escheat the 2 checks for Vincente Lopez in the amount of $11.99 and to Maria Lugo in the amount of $38.50. Geisler seconded the motion. The motion carried.

6. Public comment

Walraven motioned to open public comment. Martinez seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Marlin Lee spoke to board about the new business opening close to his home. Lee is concerned on how the vehicles are going to get there and that they might possible be on his property. Lee wanted to make sure everyone knew that in no way did he object to the business opening, he is just worried his land is going to be used without his approval. Clark suggest Lee to speak with Clarage, the Village’s enforcer on this matter. Clark got Lee’s number and will get the information to Clarage.

7. Review of correspondence to the board

VonDrehle informed the board about the about Summer in the Park asking for a donation. The board decided to hold off on approving a donation amount and have Wilson contact the coordinator on this matter first and this would be discussed at the next meeting.

8. Standing Committee reports

8.1 Infrastructure (Holly Zirkle, Sarah Barnett, and Fred Walraven)

Zirkle motioned to approve the Infrastructure Committee Meeting Minutes of March 26th and April 2nd as presented. Walraven seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Hamilton stated he had placed an ad for workers for the brick streets and he had 2 people interest already.

8.1.1 There was nothing new at this time for flooding relief.

8.1.2 There was nothing new at this time for East Seminary Drainage.

8.1.3 The Evergreen Street Repair should go out to bid in the Spring of 2020.

8.1.3.1 Walraven motioned to approve the North Evergreen Street Road Improvement Project Request for Expenditure Approval as presented. Zirkle seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Zirkle motioned to hire Roy Hurtado back as seasonal help at a rate of $12.02, which is the same as last year beginning April 22nd. Geisler seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Zirkle motion to approve the engineering contract with Piggush to not exceed the amount of $36,000. Walraven seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Clark inquired on the ditches on Seminary and the re-seeding that needs to be completed. Walraven stated he would contact Steve Rapp and see when he could get this completed.

8.2 Safety, Security & Enforcement (Fred Walraven, Russ Geisler, and Angie Martinez)

Walraven motioned to approve the Safety, Security, & Enforcement Committee Meeting Minutes of March 26th as presented. Geisler seconded the motion. The motion carried.

The board discussed the truck routes and what exactly they should do and reviewed the maps Brenner presented. Brenner stated he needed to send everything to Tungate to get finalized.

Geisler motioned to approve the 2 maps with certain limitations which will be defined in the upcoming ordinance. Walraven seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Walraven motioned to approve the spending of $1269 for a portable radio and an update to the different lights on the police squad car. Geisler seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Walraven motioned to approve the spending of $315 for car wash tokens and animal control gloves for the police. Martinez seconded the motion.

8.3 Parks and Recreation (Angie Martinez, Holly Zirkle, and Russ Geisler)

Martinez motioned to approve hiring back 5 lifeguards, 3 at a rate of $7.75 an hour and 2 at $10.00 per hour, stating these 2 would be the managers. Walraven seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Martinez and Wilson discussed the purchasing of umbrellas for the pool but need to get further information before the purchase can be approved.

Wilson stated the 4th of July celebration dates had been set for July 3rd and 4th. VonDrehle asked if the rates were going to stay the same as last year. Clark stated he believes this should not have changed last year and that this should be discussed. Cultra stated this would be discussed at the next meeting.

8.4 Finance (Matt Clark, Fred Walraven, and Sarah Barnett)

8.4.1 Clark reminded everyone to get with Ramirez to finalize their budgets as soon as possible.

8.4.2 Clark stated that the IEPA had approved the loan restructuring, if the Village increases the debt service charge, which had already been approved.

Clark motioned to approve the charging of the debt service fee to the owners who have grinders in their vacant lots, even if they are not using them at this time. Geisler seconded the motion. The motion carried.

8.5 Local and Intergovernmental Communications (Angie Martinez, Andy McCann, and Holly Zirkle)

8.6 Building Standards (Matt Clark, Fred Walraven, and Claudia Ramirez)

Clark stated he would like to talk to person who will be leading the Building Standards Committee, to give them information. Walraven stated he would get a hold of Clark.

8.7 TIF Committee (Matt Clark, Angie Martinez, and Andy McCann)

8.7.1 There was nothing new on the demolition of 131 N. Chestnut due to Behrend’s still waiting on Lizzio’s building to be cleared out.

Clark stated that there is an advertisement by Casey’s promoting Riley Homes for construction of homes. He also reminded everyone that there is 18 years left on the TIF properties and that once these properties are sold the Village will get a tax increment on these properties, therefore he reminds the board to promote the sale of these properties.

8.8 Litigation Committee (Matt Clark, Shane Cultra, Angie Martinez, and Mike Tilstra)

Clark stated he would stay on this committee due to his current and previous work with this but does not believe he should be the chairman. Cultra stated he would be.

Clark stated there had been no changes on the litigation since last month and he was still waiting for the rebuttal documentation.

9. Old business

10. New business

The board discussed the annual raises. A formal proposal on raises will be presented at the next meeting.

11. Executive session (if needed) for any lawful purpose including but not limited to: Appointment, employment, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees; Salary schedules for one or more employees; Selection of person to fill a public office or discipline, performance or removal of the occupant of a public office; Purchase or lease of real property or setting of a price for sale or lease of village property; Litigation, pending or probable.

Walraven motioned to open executive session at 8:23pm on the grounds of employment. Geisler seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Clark motioned to close executive session at 8:45pm. Walraven seconded the motion. The motion carried.

12. Possible action on any executive session item

Geisler motioned to change building permits to include that the person obtaining the permit must clean up any debris and dispose of it properly. Clark seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Geisler motioned to approve the increase in police pay from $19.00 to $23.00. Walraven seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Martinez thanked Brenner for all his hard work and for all he is doing for the Village.

13. Adjournment

Clark moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:46pm. Martinez seconded the motion. The motion carried.

http://www.villageofonarga.com/2019%208%20April%20OVB%20Minutes.pdf