Kankakee Times

Village of Onarga Village Board met Oct. 15.

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; Cole Rabe, Trustee; Holly Zirkle, Trustee; Sarah Barnett, Trustee; Russ Geisler, Trustee; Claudia Ramirez via phone, Treasurer; Stephanie VonDrehle, Village Clerk; Tim Hamilton, Village Supervisor; Doug Brenner, Police Chief; John Elliot, Gilman Star; Jeff Meyer.

3. Review and approval of Regular Village Board & Executive Session Meeting Minutes of Monday, September 9, 2019. Zirkle motioned to approve the regular & executive session meeting minutes of Monday September 9, 2019 as presented. Martinez seconded the motion. The motion carried.

4. Review and approval of treasurer’s report

Ramirez explained the corrections that were given to the Board. There were a few items that were classified incorrectly in QuickBooks and she reclassified these items to the correct fund. Ramirez told the Board if there is ever a negative in a suspense account, they should question why.

Barnett motioned to accept the treasurer’s report as presented. Rabe seconded the motion. The motion carried.

5. Review and approval of bills to be paid

Zirkle motioned to approve the bills to be paid in the amount of $105,353.77 as presented. Walraven seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Ramirez discussed the Intuit Payroll and how if employees would like she could set up direct deposit for payroll. Ramirez stated there are some employees who would like this and that each person who is set up there is a $1.75 fee.

Geisler motioned to approve the set up of direct deposit for those employees who want this option. Martinez seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Ramirez exited the meeting via phone.

6. Public comment

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

Jeff Meyer addressed the board on dead trees in Onarga and the possibility of not cutting them completely down to create tree carvings throughout the Village. Meyer stated Grand Prairie already has two trees that they are going to have this done to. Meyer suggested making it an annual event where professionals would come from all over who complete these type of tree carvings and then in turn it would bring people to Onarga and revenue. Meyer asked the Village if they had any information on carvers or any ideas to let him know.

Meyer also discussed the program Wreaths Across America, his wife is the Chairman of this program in Onarga. Meyer stated this program adds wreaths to as many Veterans graves, they can with donations and Village Participation. On December 14th people will be placing these wreaths and anyone who would like to help do this and any donations are very appreciated. Meyer then asked the Village for a donation as well.

7. Review of correspondence to the board

VonDrehle presented the board with a letter from the Village of St. Joseph on the Central Illinois Municipal Official Association Banquet which will be held Thursday October 24th at the Wheelhouse in St. Joseph.

VonDrehle presented the board with an Informational Bulletin on Municipalities and Counties imposing local Cannabis Retailers’ Occupation Tax beginning September 1, 2020. VonDrehle explained that the Board needed to decide if they are going to allow the sell in Onarga and if so if they are going to tax it as well. Cultra stated to add this to the next agenda for a discussion.

8. Review and Possible Action on Ordinances

There were no ordinances to be passed.

9. Standing Committee reports

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

Zirkle motioned to approve the Parks and Recreation Committee meeting minutes of September 16 as presented. Geisler seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Zirkle stated that anyone who calls for park reservations to give them Becky Morgan’s phone number and she will handle this.

Zirkle stated the leftover concession stand pop was given to Streets & Sidewalk employees and the remaining candy and pretzels would be frozen for next year. Cultra suggested giving the leftover candy and pretzels to the Santa Train to add to the bags that are given out.

Zirkle made the board aware that the pool cover would be on the pool in mid-October.

Zirkle stated the park needs new garbage cans. Hamilton found some that secure into concrete will need 10 to replace that current ones that are in disrepair. The committee will look into these garbage cans and present a recommendation at the next meeting.

The committee will be meeting to interview possible Parks & Street & Sidewalks employee.

Geisler motioned to grant the Parks and Recreation Committee the ability to hire a new employee for Parks & Streets & Sidewalks once they found someone. Martinez seconded the motion. The motion carried.

9.2 Infrastructure (Fred Walraven, Sarah Barnett, Cole Rabe)

Walraven motioned to approve the Infrastructure Committee meeting minutes of October 1 as presented. Barnett seconded the motion. The motion carried.

VonDrehle made everyone aware there will be a public hearing at 6:45 on November 12th before the regular scheduled board meeting for Evergreen Street Repair.

Walraven discussed the Village Clean-Up Day Fees and how this year the electronics and tire fees increased. Hamilton stated that the state has increased the fees for taking electronics and this pricing almost doubled from the previous year. Hamilton also stated someone dropped off a bunch of semi tires therefore increasing these prices as well. The board discussed the possibility of charging for electronics and possibly removing tires from the list of items to be discarded. Brenner suggested maybe putting a camera out there as well and only offer taking car tires instead of all tire. The committee will discuss this and be ready for next cleanup day.

Walraven stated he had met with Corbenn Clauss on a new truck for the Village. They were able to get a quote on a 2020 Ford F-450 & stainless-steel V-Plow in the amount of $66,344.60.

Walraven motioned to approve the purchase of the 2020 Ford F-450 & Stainless-Steel V-Plow in the amount of $66,344.60, which will be available in January or February. Geisler seconded the motion. The motion carried. Walraven also stated that the current truck needs a new plow for the front of it, due to the current one being to heavy for the truck.

Walraven motioned to approve the spending of $7,020.62 for a Boss Straight Blade for the 2008 Ford Truck. Geisler seconded the motion. The motion carried.

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

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

9.2.3 VonDrehle made everyone aware there will be a public hearing at 6:45 on November 12th before the regular scheduled board meeting for Evergreen Street Repair.

9.3 Safety, Security & Enforcement (Russ Geisler, Angie Martinez, Holly Zirkle)

Geisler motioned to approve the Safety, Security, & Enforcement meeting minutes of October 8, as presented. Walraven seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Brenner stated that there has been a major increase in calls to Nexus. The board is wondering if they could charge Nexus for these calls. Cultra stated Nexus is the largest employer in Onarga and does not feel this is a good idea.

Brenner stated he is working on signage in Onarga, specifically stop signs and is wondering if he needs an ordinance for this. He will speak with Tungate.

Brenner stated he has gotten 13 applications for the current police position that is open, two of which qualify. 9.4 Finance (Sarah Barnett, Fred Walraven, Cole Rabe)

Barnett motioned to approve the Finance Committee meeting minutes of October 1, as presented. Zirkle seconded the motion. The motion carried.

9.4.1 Barnett asked about the Tax Levy and what the board wanted to do for this ordinance. The committee will discuss and make a recommendation for the next meeting.

9.5 Local and Intergovernmental Communications (Angie Martinez, Holly Zirkle, Russ Geisler)

9.6 Building Standards (Russ Geisler, Holly Zirkle, Angie Martinez)

Geisler discussed the demolition of 208 N. Locust and getting quotes for this. The committee would like to get this torn down as soon as possible.

Geisler motioned to grant the Building Standards Committee the ability to approve spending for the demolition of 208 N. Locust to whoever came in with the lowest bid. Walraven seconded the motion. The motion carried. 9.7 TIF Committee (Fred Walraven, Sarah Barnett, Cole Rabe)

9.8 Litigation Committee (Shane Cultra, Fred Walraven, Sarah Barnett, Matt Clark, and Mike Tilstra)

Cultra stated a hearing was conducted and now we have to wait from 1 to 6 months for the judge’s decision. Once the judge decides the litigation can then be appealed and then the case will be sent to the State Supreme Court.

10. Old business

11. New business

Trick or Treating Hours were set for Thursday October 31st from 5pm to 7pm.

12. 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 8:19pm. Geisler seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Walraven motioned to close executive session at 9:00pm. Zirkle seconded the motion. The motion carried.

13. Possible action on any executive session item

Barnett motioned to approve the hiring of Samantha Sansone at a rate of $12.75 per hour to work 20 hours per week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and one Saturday a month. Walraven seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Zirkle motioned to approve the hiring of Becky Morgan as an annual employee with a salary of $10,500 per year. Martinez seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Geisler motioned to grant the Infrastructure Committee the ability to hire a company to complete the sidewalk repair. Zirkle seconded the motion. The motion carried.

14. Adjournment

Barnett moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:05pm. Martinez seconded the motion. The motion carried.

http://www.villageofonarga.com/2019%2015%20October%20OVB%20Minutes.pdf