Kankakee Times

Village Of Onarga Village Board Met March 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; 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; & Gilman Star.

Walraven motioned to approve the bid opening for the sidewalk repair project. Rabe seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Iroquois Paving’s bid was for $281,175, which excluded ADA Railings and Street Lights. R&R Construction’s bid was for $270,300, which excluded the Street Lights. NBC Demolition’s bid was for $224,200, which excluded the ADA Railings. Integrity Concrete’s bid was for $185,836, which excluded Part I & Part II of the sidewalk repair, ADA Railings, and Street Lights. Kuester Electric only put a bid in for the Street Lights which was for $10,000. Mullis Electric only put a bid in for the Street Lights which was for $15,000. Goetting Pipe Shop & Welding only put a bid in for the ADA Railing which was for $8,200. Knuth Welding only put a bid in for the ADA Railing which was for $18,327.

The committee will meet to review all bids and make a recommendation at the next board meeting.

3. Review and approval of the Regular Village Board Minutes Monday February 8, 2021.

Zirkle motioned to approve the regular meeting minutes of February 8, 2021 as presented. Martinez seconded the motion. The motion carried.

4. Review and approval of treasurer’s reports

Martinez motioned to approve the January & February treasurer’s reports as presented. Walraven seconded the motion. The motion carried.

5. Review and approval of bills to be paid

Walraven motioned to approve the bills to be paid as presented in the amount of $78,637.42. Rabe seconded the motion. The motion carried.

6. Public comment

There was no one at the meeting for public comment.

7. Review of correspondence to the board

There was no correspondence to the board.

8. Review and Possible Action on Ordinances

There were no ordinances to be approved.

9. Standing Committee reports

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

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

Walraven motioned to approve the Infrastructure Meeting minutes of March 2, 2021 as presented. Rabe seconded the motion. The motion carried.

9.2.1 Evergreen Street Repair

Walraven stated that he spoke with Piggush and for the remaining block of Evergreen, the Village will not have information till the second quarter of 2021.

9.2.2 Bore & Jack Project

Walraven stated all documents have been submitted and the village will have to wait for 75 days for approval.

9.2.3 Sidewalk Project

The committee will meet to review all bids and bring a recommendation to the board at the next meeting.

9.2.4 Water Meter & Software Update Discussion & Possible Approval

Hamilton informed the board of the required update to the water meter software program. This update has to be completed due to the current software being out of date. The new software will have a tablet that will be used for meter readings. The pricing is as follows: Update to software and a tablet is $12,000 and the purchasing of 75 new meetings to replace defective meters is $16,275 for a total of $28,275. The Village can finance through the water meter company but thought they would ask Federated Bank to see if they could get a better rate. The Clerk will speak with the bank.

For this update there will also be an annual charge of $1833. Barnett motioned to approve the paying of water meeting company’s annual fee of $1833. Martinez seconded the motion. The motion carried. 

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

Geisler motioned to approve the Safety, Security, & Enforcement Meeting minutes of February 18, 2021 as presented. Walraven seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Geisler stated that Lemenager was no longer available for the police training; therefore the committee was going to have to look into other options. Brenner will be placing an ad in the newspaper for a certified part-time police officer. The committee also suggested increasing the part-time police pay from $23.00 to $30.00. The Village currently has two police officers who are not working currently but possible would with that pay increase. The current budget was reviewed and this pay increase would not make police over budget. Zirkle motioned to approve the increase in part-time police pay from $23.00 to $30.00 for any qualified, experienced, and certified officer beginning the March 24th pay period. Walraven seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Brenner informed the board that the Village should be receiving a check for Anderson’s police vest very soon. Brenner also discussed an ordinance being drafted for the requirement of mowing grass from the sidewalk to the road. Brenner will work will Tungate’s to get this ordinance written for approval.

Brenner informed all board members of his new phone number.

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

9.4.1 Budgets

Barnett reminded the board to work on their budgets, so these can be approved in April.

Barnett informed the board she received the engagement letter from Fox CPA’s for the annual audit. She will review this and add to the agenda in April for possible approval.

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

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

Geisler stated Behrens new store is to open April 1st.

9.7 TIF Committee (Fred Walraven, Sarah Barnett, Cole Rabe)

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. Walraven motioned to open executive session on matters of employment at 8:04 pm. Martinez seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Zirkle motioned to close executive session at 8:07pm. Martinez seconded the motion. The motion carried.

13. Possible action on any executive session item

Geisler motioned to approve bringing Roy Hurtado back at the same rate of pay as last year beginning immediately. Barnett seconded the motion. The motion carried.

14. Adjournment

Martinez motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:10pm. Rabe seconded the motion. The motion carried.