Kankakee Times

Village of Ashkum Board of Trustees met Feb. 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Ashkum Village Board met Monday, February 5, 2024 @ 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 Attorney Brian Hiatt were also in attendance.

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

Clerk Donna Schmitz emailed the minutes of the January 23, 2024 meetings. Shannon Meier moved to approve the minutes as written, seconded by Mike Cotter, and the motion passed.

NEW BUSINESS/VISITORS

President Heideman recognized Village Attorney Brian Hiatt, who was present to update the board on the following:

Ø He prepared the migrant ordinance which sets up a procedure for registering ahead of time, fines, and other legal actions to be taken for buses that drop passengers off and leave. Upon questioning about what rights do we have if that happens, Attorney Hiatt responded there could be criminal penalties, civil nuisance actions, and lawsuits against the bus company. Ellen Mikeworth moved to approve Ordinance #2024-01 AN ORDIANCE ADOPTING RULES AND REGULATIONS REGARDING UNSCHEDULED INTERCITY BUSES, seconded by Shelley Ponton and the motion passed by a roll call vote. Cotter, aye; Meier, aye; Gray, aye; Ponton, aye; Mikeworth, aye; Lyons, aye.

Ø At previous meetings, there was discussion about demolition of certain properties not being maintained and are hazardous to their neighbors and community. If they are vacant, the process will be much easier and can be handled with a fast track court demolition order which applies if the building is three stories or less in height (all qualify). The chief code official determines the is building is vacant, open, and is a continuous hazard to the community. If those conditions are met, we post a notice on a sign on the easement stating we may demolish or repair the building, wait 30 days, send a certified notice to all owners or lien holders, publish in the paper, and then we can go. If we go this way, we can avoid court intervention, which would speed things up quite a bit.

Ø President Heideman had sent the information from MCC Network Services, LLC d/b/a Conxxus regarding their intention of installing fiber optic cable on public right-of-way, and asked if the village can do anything about it. After reviewing the paperwork, Attorney Hiatt responded the Illinois Commerce Commission approved Conxxus’ application to provide cable and video service and we can’t stop them from digging. Ellen asked if that situation would apply to the C02 pumping they’re doing under the aquafers, but no one had heard anything about it. Maintenance Supervisor Derek Miller said he’d research the matter.

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

Ø When Derek was hired, and according to his contract, the village is to provide a life insurance policy as part of his benefit package. Derek reported he has a life insurance quote from Hanson Insurance Agency for $50,000 at a cost of $194 annually. He left the quote for the board to discuss and let him know their decision.

Ø Derek asked if his number could be added to the web page as there have been instances where vendors tried to get in touch with him and couldn’t. Clerk Schmitz will forward the information to Nick Ponton who updates our web page.

Ø Derek reported he’ll be working on the lead and copper reporting the IEPPA wants completed by April. This report applies to every building in the village where there’s water service.

Ø Derek explained the end points of the water meters have lithium batteries and after 15-20 years they need to be replaced. Due to this, Badger suggested not replacing all of them at once. Derek also reported Badger works with Locis more than any other software company in the state. They will wait until we go to Locis and not wait on a response from Team Software.

Ø Delinquent water bills were discussed and Derek reported he advised one owner their service would be terminated Friday if the account wasn’t paid.

Ø Layne will be here next week with the well.

President Heideman asked if there was a motion to approve the audit for fiscal year ending April 30, 2023 and to pay the $4,800 invoice? Angie Gray moved to approve the audit and to pay the invoice, seconded by Shannon Meier and the motion passed.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Trustee April Lyons had no report.

Trustee Ellen Mikeworth had no report.

Trustee Shelley Ponton had no report

Trustee Angie Gray had no report.

Trustee Shannon Meier reported Steve Golden emailed Troy he got rid of the dumpster and would like to have the regular garbage pickup service. President Heideman will call Star to inform them of the change. Shannon asked if President Heideman heard back from Piggush and was advised he had. He will report on the drive through at the next meeting.

Trustee Mike Cotter had no report.

Clerk Donna Schmitz had no report but reminded everyone the Awards Banquet is Saturday night.

There was discussion about what to give Ed in appreciation for his years of service on the village board. Mike Cotter moved to give a $300 gift card plus activation fees, seconded by Shannon Meier and the motion passed. Shannon volunteered to purchase the gift card.

Treasurer Krystal Alberts reported she made a mistake on the December 2023 treasurer’s report. The last batch of checks, which totaled $4,162.52, wasn’t posted so the reported balances are incorrect. Expenditures in the General Fund was reported as $45,967.62 but should have been $48,898.21; expenditures in the Water Works Fund was reported as $10,021.18, but should have been $11,253.11. Total expenditures in both funds was reported as $55,988.80, but should have been $60,151.32. April Lyons moved to approve the corrections to the December 2023 treasurer’s report, seconded by Shannon Meier and the motion passed. Krystal also reported the estimate to purchase the Locis Software for our programs and training would run $15,600. Krystal talked to Julie from Chebanse and she would be available to demonstrate their system on February 14th at 2:30 p.m.

April Lyons moved to approve the life insurance quote for Derek, seconded by Shannon Meier and the motion passed. A check should be turned in with the application so Derek will be covered immediately.

As there was no further business to come before the board, Ellen Mikeworth moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m., seconded by Shannon Meier and the motion passed.

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