Kankakee Times

Village of Ashkum Board of Trustees met Nov. 6.

Here are the minutes provided by the board: 

The Ashkum Village Board met Monday, November 6, 2023 @ the village hall. Present were Paul Heideman, Donna Schmitz, Mike Cotter, Shannon Meier, Angie Gray, Shelley Ponton, Ellen Mikeworth, and April Lyons. Maintenance Supervisor Derek Miller, Treasurer Krystal Alberts, Therese Simoneau from The Advocate, and Jeff Hall were also in attendance.

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

Clerk Donna Schmitz read the minutes of the October 17, 2023 meetings. April Lyons moved to approve the minutes as amended seconded by Mike Cotter, and the motion passed.

NEW BUSINESS/VISITORS

President Heideman recognized Jeff Hall who was present to discuss delinquent water bills of his tenant. Jeff reported Maintenance Supervisor Derek Miller contacted him about terminating the water service of his property due to lack of payment. Jeff asked if there was a way the village could notify the owner of the property after a renter missed two billing cycles. Jeff is on the village board in Clifton and they notify the owner when an account is delinquent. A lengthy discussion followed and Jeff was advised the village doesn’t notify the owner but offered other avenues he could take. He could contact Utility Clerk Troy Meier and ask if one of his renters was delinquent whether he could be contacted, he could put the water in his name and collect the money from the renter or increase the rent to make allowances for water service. Jeff reported the renter is moving and the bill will be paid tomorrow.

President Heideman recognized Maintenance Supervisor Derek Miller who reported on the following:

Ø Derek reported the cost for putting Internet service in the park would run $55 a month and an additional $19.98 for a static IP address, which would increase internet security. The total monthly cost would be $64.98. Derek purchased a neo booster under the advice of his Frontier representative which would help expand services to other areas in the park and offers numerous options for security. Mike Cotter moved to approve going with Frontier for Internet service at a monthly cost of $64.98, seconded by Angie Gray and the motion passed.

Ø A proposal from Layne regarding Well #2 was received, but they didn’t feel comfortable giving a quote for replacing the pump, the wire, and the pipe. They said they would come out with two guys, pull it, televise it and do the same as Ortman for a cost of $10,000. They didn’t want to give a quote for replacing the well without knowing what the problem was. Layne has the most history with the wells, the village and they actually sent people to look at the well. Derek felt very comfortable that Layne is the best option. Shelley Ponton moved to go with Layne for the work needed on Well #2, seconded by Ellen Mikeworth and the motion passed.

Ø An estimate to replace three steel doors for the bathrooms in the park in the amount of $9,072 was received from Meister’s. The board thought it was too pricey. Derek reported he contacted Dave Lemenager but he didn’t respond. The board felt we needed two estimates and asked Derek to contact Prairies.

Ø The tornado siren is fixed and working properly.

Ø He hasn’t picked up the smart bulbs yet. Derek has been working with Mike to see if the Bluetooth bulbs will work. Derek will purchase a couple and test them and if they work will purchase the amount he needs.

Ø A letter was received from The EPA and several things need to be fixed. They would like the inside of the water tower inspected. Derek was directed to contact Farnsworth Engineering about an inspection.

Ø Today is Derek’s one-year anniversary and he’d have the Christmas lights up this week.

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

Ø A letter from the Iroquois County Zoning Board of Appeals was received stating there was a public hearing to consider the application of Mark & Kyle Balthazar (Central Body Shop) for a Conditional Use for towing company on the property.

Ø An invoice from IMLRMA for our liability insurance and league dues was received. If we pay the full amount ($22,258.17) by November 17th, we would receive a credit of $224.83 and with our dues of $150 the total amount due would be $22,408.17. Ellen Mikeworth moved to pay the bill by November 17th to recognize the 1% savings, seconded by Angie Gray and the motion passed

President Heideman recognized Treasurer Krystal Alberts who gave the treasurer’s report for September 2023. Angie Gray moved to approve the report as read, seconded by Shannon Meier and the motion passed. April Lyons moved to present the bills to the Finance Committee, seconded by Mike Cotter and the motion passed. Finance Chairman Mike Cotter reported expenditures of $11,859.97 in the General Fund; and expenditures of $11,821.14 in the Water Works Fund. Total expenditures in both funds were $23,681.11. Mike Cotter moved to pay all September bills in the usual manner, seconded by Shannon and the motion passed.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Trustee April Lyons reported her family would like the memorial money for her father be donated to the Fire Department in his name. April reported she received information from the Codifiers who gave the village two options. The first is to update and put on line which would take 6 months for $800 - $1,400, $1,500 to go online (roughly $3,000 total). After it’s online, it would cost $595 to store it and any changes would be $22 per page. The second option is to do a complete recodification. They have all our codes and files and would go through it checking on conflicts with other ordinances, any conflicts with state law and update it all. The cost would be $9,000 for the complete recodification, new books, binders, and the $1,500 for placing it online. Any changes would be reported to our staff attorney. Time line would be 10-14 months to complete. The storage cost would be $595 and changes would be $22 per page. April also reported we could do an update for $1,400 and new books for $595 and not have them online. April moved to do the update, get the new books, and not put the ordinances online, seconded by Angie Gray and the motion passed unanimously.

Trustee Ellen Mikeworth reported when Neil Piggush gives his bid for the work on Main Street using COVID money, the bid should be clean – the same as Robinson’s so there wouldn’t be problems if she’s contacted. She asked if we could do a zoom meeting with Brian Hiatt about demo orders but he wasn’t available. Concerns about some of the properties being sold on contract were voiced.

Trustee Shelly Ponton reported there will be a Lion’s Club meeting tomorrow and she’ll get the issue with the costs relating to the handicap swing will be taken care of.

Trustee Angie Gray had no report but asked about the purpose of the Mobile DMV. She was advised the Mobile DMV will be providing a lot of the services locally that the Driver’s License Office does. They’ll be in Clifton on November 17 but you have to call for an appointment. Angie also reported new chairs are needed for the office. After discussion, President Heideman reported he would check on pricing and report back.

Trustee Shannon Meier had no report but asked if the village was going to decorate the planters on Main Street and maybe have Christmas trees again. Everyone agreed it would be nice to decorate for Christmas.

Trustee Mike Cotter had no report.

Clerk Donna Schmitz had no report.

Treasurer Krystal Alberts reported the Finance Committee met with her to the process of paying bills and will continue to reviewing the books on a monthly basis.

As there was no further business to come before the board, April Lyons moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m., seconded by Shelley Ponton and the motion passed.

The next scheduled meeting will be Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at the village hall.

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