Kankakee Times

Village Of Onarga Village Board met Sept. 14.

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, absent; Cole Rabe, Trustee; Holly Zirkle, Trustee; Sarah Barnett, Trustee; Russ Geisler, Trustee; Stephanie VonDrehle, Village Clerk; Tim Hamilton, Village Supervisor; Doug Brenner, Police Chief; Becky Morgan, Park Coordinator, absent; Jan Elliot, Gilman Star; Angelo Lekkas, Carrie Miller, Ashton Miller, & Shelby Johnson.

3. Review and approval of the Regular & Executive Village Board Minutes Monday August 10, 2020.

Rabe motioned to approve the regular meeting & executive session minutes of Monday August 10, 2020 as presented. Zirkle seconded the motion. The motion carried.

4. Review and approval of treasurer’s report

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

5. Review and approval of bills to be paid

Geisler motioned to approve the bills to be paid as presented in the amount of $128,540.91. Zirkle seconded the motion. The motion carried.

6. Public comment

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

Carrie Miller the head of National Honor Society for Iroquois West and Ashton Miller & Shelby Johnson students on the NHS informed the board of different communities surrounding Onarga recycling programs. They asked the board to try improving the current recycling program they have, which happens once a month. Cultra stated the Village’s current garbage contract was up next Spring and they would look into different companies that deal with recycling better.

7. Review of correspondence to the board

There was no correspondence to the board.

8. Review and Possible Action on Ordinances

9. Standing Committee reports

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

Cultra suggests that every year each committee come up with something to do to improve the park and make sure, this improvement is completed.

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

Walraven motioned to approve the Infrastructure Committee Meeting Minutes of July 16, 2020 & August 4, 2020 as presented. Martinez seconded the motion. The motion carried.

9.2.1 Evergreen Street Repair

Walraven informed the board the Evergreen Street Repair has begun. A different way to route drainage was trying to be figured out, but this could not be changed.

Walraven also stated the next block for the repair will need to go out for bid again due to the timing, however, Piggush is applying for a $320,000 grant for this repair, which should cover most of the project costs.

9.2.2 Bore & Jack Project

Walraven stated there was nothing new for the Bore & Jack Project at this time.

9.2.3 Sidewalk Project

Geisler stated the sidewalk project plan was signed; however, some issues need to be addressed prior to the Village being approved for grant. Cultra stated there are lots of different hoops the Village needs to jump through to get this approved. Attorney Tungate is involved with this as well.

Hamilton stated the retaining wall and curb need re-done on South Evergreen. He received a quote from Crane Concrete for this in the amount of $13,880.

Walraven motioned to approve the hiring of Crane Concrete for fixing the retaining wall and curbing for the whole block on South Evergreen in the amount of $13,880. Geisler seconded the motion. The motion carried. Hamilton informed the board the Village Clean-Up total was $10,591.30, which was a decrease of $4,000 from the previous year.

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

Brenner asked the board to purchase another cell phone for the police chief to have a separate phone used strictly for the Village. Brenner stated to add another line to the current Illinois Valley plan it would only be $.19. Geisler motioned to approve the purchasing of another cell phone and adding another phone line to the current Illinois Valley Cellular bill. Walraven seconded the motion. The motion carried.

The Board discussed Halloween Trick or Treating Hours and decided they would wait to hear what Public Heath guidelines stated prior to setting these hours. This will be re-discussed in the October meeting.

Brenner discussed the need for a new taser and the new program that the state has. Brenner stated now you lease the tasers for 5 years, $833 for the first year and $510 for the remaining 4 years. This includes maintenance on the taser as well.

Geisler motioned to approve the spending of $833 for the first year and $510 for the following 4 years for a new taser. Walraven seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Barnett inquired if body cams were being used or were going to have to be used. Brenner said at this time it is not a requirement but eventually probably will be required.

9.4 Finance (Sarah Barnett, Fred Walraven, Cole Rabe)

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

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

Geisler stated that the Behernds building has most of its doors now and they are just waiting for the brick front which he believes should start in 2 to 4 weeks.

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)

10. Old business

11. New business

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.

Barnett motioned to open executive session at 7:43pm. Rabe seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Rabe motioned to close executive session at 8:25pm. Geisler seconded the motion. The motion carried.

13. Possible action on any executive session item

Geisler motioned to approve Adam Lemenager to be placed on the Village’s eligibility for hire list for part-time police officers due to his recent interview with the Police Chief and Committee. Walraven seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Geisler motioned to approve the purchase of a BKS PepperBall Gun and supplies in the amount of $1500. Walraven seconded the motion. The motion carried.

14. Adjournment

Rabe motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:30pm. Walraven seconded the motion. The motion carried.

http://www.villageofonarga.com/2020%2014%20September%20OVB%20Minutes.pdf