Kankakee Times

Village of Ashkum Board of Trustees met March 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Ashkum Village Board met Tuesday, March 19, 2024 @ the village hall.  Present were Paul Heideman, Mike Cotter, Shannon Meier, Angie Gray, Shelley Ponton, Ellen Mikeworth and April Lyons.  Brian Hiatt, Village Attorney, Maintenance Supervisor Derek Miller, Treasurer Krystal Alberts, Caitlin Miller, a member of the Planning Commission, Jim Lehmkuhl, Ash-Clif Police Chief, Randy Demierre, and Jon Meents were also in attendance. Clerk Donna Schmitz was not present.

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

Clerk Donna Schmitz emailed the minutes of the March 4, 2024 meetings.  Ellen Mikeworth moved to approve the minutes as written, seconded by Shelley Ponton, and the motion passed. April Lyons will take the minutes of this meeting.

NEW BUSINESS/VISITORS            

President Heideman recognized Brian Hiatt, Village Attorney, who was present to update the board of pending legal matters and to answer any questions the board may have. Mr. Hiatt reported on the following:

➢           Mr. Hiatt discussed the four properties posted with demolition warnings. Two were sold - one on Second Street and the trailer on Fourth Street. Randy Demierre purchased the property on Second Street and wasn’t aware of the demolition warning. He expressed concern about the amount of time he had to get the property remodeled, and was assured the village is willing to work with him. Anxiety about mold being disturbed and flying in the air was expressed by the board.  Derek reported the new owner of the trailer has started working on the property. Derek did an inspection and was advised what repairs would be done to bring the property up to code.

➢           The two properties on Main Street may be sold, but the village will proceed with the publication notice and certified letters. The owner will have 30 days to respond.

➢           The Lake Street property was also sold but the deed wasn’t changed. Attorney Hiatt suggested we proceed with publishing notices on this property.

➢           Mr. Hiatt gave an update on the property owner the village is in litigation with. The case has once again been delayed and the next court date is April 5th.

➢           The permit for the fireworks was discussed. After discussion, Mr. Hiatt’s legal advice was not to issue a permit for last year as was requested.

President Heideman recognized Jim Lehmkuhl, Ash-Clif Police Chief, who was present to discuss the computers in the cars that have leads. The current provider (Technology Management) will no longer provide their service as of June 26, 2024. They’ve located a new vendor (Mach) who will provide service at the same cost ($44.57 monthly). Jim reported he was provided a demonstration and likes the system. There will be a three-month introductory period.

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

➢           Derek inquired about the status of the credit card issue. Trustee Cotter reported it was able to be changed from Derek’s name to the village – it was the credit card company’s error.

➢           Derek reported he needed new blue flags used for marking places for digging and used the credit card. Discussion followed about the condition of properties after the fiber optics cable were run. Most properties look very good and Derek added the foreman is willing to pick up or redo areas the village doesn’t like.

➢           Derek reported there are two fire hydrants needing repair and/or replacement. One is located on Fifth Street in front of Gulquist’s and one the corner of Fourth and Washington Streets.

➢           There was a water main break at Tri Central that was repaired without interruption of water service.

➢           The pit in Trustee Ponton’s was fixed. The meter was replaced and a valve was required.The water service wasn’t interrupted.

➢           Derek reported another sample from well #2 was sent and failed the bacteria test again. Layne sent a formula to clean out and retest, which Derek did and sent in the test today. It the test fails again, they will send someone to help troubleshoot.

President Heideman recognized Caitlin Miller, a member of the Planning Commission, who was present to give an update on activities of their commission. There was nothing new to report on the Planning Commission, but Caitlin asked when the time sheets were due. She was advised they were due by April 30, 2024.

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

➢           President Heideman reported both his and Derek’s phones are hooked to the water tower and Derek reported it’s working as he’s already had calls.

➢           President Heideman reported additional keys to the village hall are needed. Derek will have duplicates made.

➢           President Heideman reported we would have to wait until October for the John Deere tractor, so he advised them to deliver one from the floor. The problem is, the cost will be an additional $57.40 due to the tire treads being a little different.   Shannon Meier moved to pay the additional cost, seconded by Mike Cotter and the motion passed. from the state. They are planning to sell the oldest tractor when the new one comes in. The squad car is to be sold also.

President Heideman recognized Treasurer Krystal Albert, who gave the treasurer’s report for February 2024. Krystal was directed to allow CD’s due to mature to “roll over.” Angie Gray moved to approve the treasurer’s report as read, seconded by Shannon Meier and the motion passed. April Lyons moved to present the bills to the Finance Committee, seconded by Angie Gray and the motion passed. Finance Chairman Mike Cotter reported expenditures of $15,220.87 in the General Fund; and expenditures of $15,916.50 in the Water Works Fund. Total expenditures in both funds were $31,137.37.  Mike Cotter moved to pay all February bills in the usual manner, seconded by Shannon Meier and the motion passed.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Trustee April Lyons inquired if Derek was able to close on his house after the problem with the village credit card and was advised he did and will be moving next week. April also inquired about the status of the trailer that had been discussed at previous meetings. Bob Bohlman had been contacted by the owner “for a favor to move it for him” but Bob said he wouldn’t move it. The trailer will be towed and will be stored, all at the owner’s expense.

Trustee Ellen Mikeworth gave an update her conversation with Piggush regarding plans for Main Street (135,529.50) versus Second Street combo ($235,651.50), which includes curbs, gutters, and intersection on Second Street.  We have $94,209.34 in ARPA funding, which must be spent by the end of this year; and if we go with the combo, the village will be responsible for $141,442.16. Ellen needs to know what we’re going to do as ARPA needs to get the plan for the village for to be compliant. Discussion followed regarding the differences. She’ll reach out to Piggush about questions for the board. Ellen also attempted to reach the owner of two campers parked in their driveway on Lake Street but was unable to get ahold of her. One of the campers is on village property. Ellen reported the Lions’ Club would like to purchase lights for the other side of the park because it’s so dark. Derek will get numbers to Ellen to present to the club.  The Lions’ Club is also going to get a table for Main Street and Ellen said she’ll get updated pricing for them.

Trustee Shelley Ponton inquired about the village credit card and was advised the error was the company put the card in Derek’s name – not the village. The matter has been taken care of.        .

Trustee Angie Gray had no report.

Trustee Shannon Meier asked about the cars parked on Main Street and was informed probably 5 or 6 have apartments on Main Street and can park there.

Trustee Mike Cotter had no report.

Treasurer Krystal Alberts inquired about getting the flowers on Main Street from FFA. Ellen stated a resident offered to assist with getting some height on the flowers. Ellen will ask for recommendations and contact the FFA (Brent Sorensen) at the high school.

President Heideman reported the Street Committee toured the village and streets to be done for the street program. Two streets were added to the list.

As there was no further business to come before the board, Shelley Ponton moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:06 p.m., seconded by Shannon Meier and the motion passed.

The next scheduled meeting will be Monday, April 1, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. at the village hall. 

https://ashkum.net/meeting-minutes