 |  |  |  |
Charles appointed as new Riverton Village Board trustee
The Riverton Village Board met Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. The minutes from Jan. 19 and bills were approved by a 5-0 vote.
“People on the Agenda” included Ralph Willoughby, who asked Chief Smith if the drug tests for all officers had been completed. “Yes,” replied Smith, and he also
mentioned that random tests had been conducted on two officers thus far as well.
Willoughby then inquired if crimes, like those recently reported in the Riverton Register, could be forwarded to the paper more often?
“People like to know what’s happening on their street or in their neighborhood” so they can take precautions when necessary, he said. Smith responded that information on
crimes is made public on a case-by-case basis, depending upon whether it’s still an active investigation and putting information out there would jeopardize an arrest.
Willoughby asked about the incentives discussed at the last village meeting for Dollar General. Would those incentives actually benefit DG or the contractor? Mayor Bob
Todd stated nothing had been decided at this point, and it’s going back to committee. Chuck Stone spoke up, and responded to Mr. Willoughby regarding the sewer tap fees
mentioned at the last meeting. Tap fees are generally paid for by the property owner or developer, he said. Trustee Jack Rader stated he believes incentives should be
intended for the business. There was more discussion about incentives among trustees, but specifics have not been decided.
“Old Business” included appointing a new trustee to fill the vacancy created when Cathy Black resigned in December. Mayor Todd recommended Dave Charles, and
trustees approved this 5-0. Attorney John Myers inquired about the swearing-in oath, and while one was being located, Mr. Charles could sit in the board seat but not yet
vote.
Todd said that it was a “mutual thing” between Charles and himself about Charles joining the board.
“Incentives for New Businesses” was tabled, and will go back to committee. Mayor Todd also recommended the “Personnel Code” item be tabled until the next board
meeting.
“New Business” had one item, which was the IMUA $500 Scholarship. Mayor Todd had reviewed the information; there are only four of these scholarships that are divided
among 75 municipalities, and it also requires a donation from the village. Since there’s no guarantee the village would be able to award a scholarship locally, he does not
see this as a good use of village money.
Chuck Stone’s report noted that a new meter for the sewer lagoon be purchased and installed as soon as possible. He estimated $3400 as the cost, but not to exceed
$4000. Treasurer Tim Laffey looked at the budget and informed trustees that $3,357 is the amount in that line item. Additional money can come from contractual services (to
fill in any gap up to $4000). Trustee Faires motioned to purchase a meter, Rader seconded, and this was approved 5-0.
Mr. Charles was sworn in at 7:15 p.m.
Chuck Stone informed trustees that he’d been contacted by the Sangamon County Regional Planning Commission regarding nine acres near Barclay that’s going to be
subdivided. Does the village want to handle subdivision control or do they want the county to handle it? Trustees decided unanimously to let the county do that.
Stone also informed trustees that meter reads in January were high due to the cold weather, and likely people will be calling the office or talking to them more frequently to
question their bills. However, the average low temperature was 14.4 degrees, average high 28.6 degrees, with 26 days in the month below freezing, per information Stone
obtained from NOAA.
Chief Dave Smith’s report included end-of-the-month statistics. He also said Tom Mulligan, Superintendent of the Riverton School District, had contacted him regarding the
district’s anticipated budget cuts. One of these may be the school resource person/liaison officer, which is Officer Jim Lawley. The district pays three-fourths of his salary,
and the village pays one-quarter. Smith said he did call the Justice Department to inquire about grants, however the next grant period opens in May. Trustee Faires
suggested this go to the Public Safety Committee. Smith stated Mulligan told him they will know within the month if the position will definitely be cut from their budget.
Linda Viola received an e-mail from the IMGA representative about the village’s agreement with them, set to expire May 1 of this year. A new agreement was part of that e-
mail, and trustees had been provided copies of this for review. Questions about the language as compared to the previous agreement included the 40 cents off per
decotherm with a 24-48 hour window, but Viola clarified this has something to do with bonds. The IMGA representative welcomes their questions, she said.
Utility customers who are level-pay users are part of a large number of delinquencies, per Viola. The list of delinquent customers will be reviewed monthly.
Viola asked Trustee Tina Raycraft if the contractor had signed an agreement for the pavilion at the Field of Dreams? “No, not yet” she responded. A contract needs to be
signed before the end of March. Mayor Todd directed a contact be given to Mr. Williams (who was previously mentioned at meetings as the contractor) for signature. Last,
bids on a new copy machine for the village office have been received and those will be reviewed by Linda Viola and Trustee Charles.
Trustee Pottier asked about the lift station at Lucky Horseshoe? A new one has been ordered, Stone replied, and the old station and building must be torn out before it can
be installed. Trustees wanted the time frame on this project, and were assured its completion would occur before the end of this fiscal year.
Meetings of the Administrative Committee and Public Safety Committee will be scheduled. Trustee Rader, Utilities Committee, told trustees the water plant upgrades are
moving slow; waiting on equipment to come in. Mayor Todd asked Chuck Stone about an estimated date of arrival? Stone anticipates next week on that equipment.
Trustee Tina Raycraft had nothing to report for the Parks Committee. Trustee Joe Bartley, Streets Committee, had talked to Larry Hoffman at IDOT regarding the Third Street
project. Everything looks good; the engineer plans to be at the Spaulding meeting and by the next Riverton village meeting trustees hope to have a signed document. Bartley
also said he’s passed along street improvement information to the school district for purposes of them deciding school bus lanes repaving, for instance. That could be
listed as an optional item under the bid, to get the same pricing, but the district would pay for it. Improvements to Jefferson Street will be included as an optional price item
under the IDOT agreement, just to see what it comes back at, per Bartley, and this was approved 6-0.
Linda Viola and Trustee Bartley also mentioned the Motor Fuel has been closed out and the village will see how the IDOT review comes back, as far as overtime, etc., for
possible reimbursement to the village.
No executive session was held. The meeting was adjourned at 7:41 p.m.
The Riverton Village Board met Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. The minutes from Jan. 19 and bills were approved by a 5-0 vote.
“People on the Agenda” included Ralph Willoughby, who asked Chief Smith if the drug tests for all officers had been completed. “Yes,” replied Smith, and he also
mentioned that random tests had been conducted on two officers thus far as well.
Willoughby then inquired if crimes, like those recently reported in the Riverton Register, could be forwarded to the paper more often?
“People like to know what’s happening on their street or in their neighborhood” so they can take precautions when necessary, he said. Smith responded that information on
crimes is made public on a case-by-case basis, depending upon whether it’s still an active investigation and putting information out there would jeopardize an arrest.
Willoughby asked about the incentives discussed at the last village meeting for Dollar General. Would those incentives actually benefit DG or the contractor? Mayor Bob
Todd stated nothing had been decided at this point, and it’s going back to committee. Chuck Stone spoke up, and responded to Mr. Willoughby regarding the sewer tap fees
mentioned at the last meeting. Tap fees are generally paid for by the property owner or developer, he said. Trustee Jack Rader stated he believes incentives should be
intended for the business. There was more discussion about incentives among trustees, but specifics have not been decided.
“Old Business” included appointing a new trustee to fill the vacancy created when Cathy Black resigned in December. Mayor Todd recommended Dave Charles, and
trustees approved this 5-0. Attorney John Myers inquired about the swearing-in oath, and while one was being located, Mr. Charles could sit in the board seat but not yet
vote.
Todd said that it was a “mutual thing” between Charles and himself about Charles joining the board.
“Incentives for New Businesses” was tabled, and will go back to committee. Mayor Todd also recommended the “Personnel Code” item be tabled until the next board
meeting.
“New Business” had one item, which was the IMUA $500 Scholarship. Mayor Todd had reviewed the information; there are only four of these scholarships that are divided
among 75 municipalities, and it also requires a donation from the village. Since there’s no guarantee the village would be able to award a scholarship locally, he does not
see this as a good use of village money.
Chuck Stone’s report noted that a new meter for the sewer lagoon be purchased and installed as soon as possible. He estimated $3400 as the cost, but not to exceed
$4000. Treasurer Tim Laffey looked at the budget and informed trustees that $3,357 is the amount in that line item. Additional money can come from contractual services (to
fill in any gap up to $4000). Trustee Faires motioned to purchase a meter, Rader seconded, and this was approved 5-0.
Mr. Charles was sworn in at 7:15 p.m.
Chuck Stone informed trustees that he’d been contacted by the Sangamon County Regional Planning Commission regarding nine acres near Barclay that’s going to be
subdivided. Does the village want to handle subdivision control or do they want the county to handle it? Trustees decided unanimously to let the county do that.
Stone also informed trustees that meter reads in January were high due to the cold weather, and likely people will be calling the office or talking to them more frequently to
question their bills. However, the average low temperature was 14.4 degrees, average high 28.6 degrees, with 26 days in the month below freezing, per information Stone
obtained from NOAA.
Chief Dave Smith’s report included end-of-the-month statistics. He also said Tom Mulligan, Superintendent of the Riverton School District, had contacted him regarding the
district’s anticipated budget cuts. One of these may be the school resource person/liaison officer, which is Officer Jim Lawley. The district pays three-fourths of his salary,
and the village pays one-quarter. Smith said he did call the Justice Department to inquire about grants, however the next grant period opens in May. Trustee Faires
suggested this go to the Public Safety Committee. Smith stated Mulligan told him they will know within the month if the position will definitely be cut from their budget.
Linda Viola received an e-mail from the IMGA representative about the village’s agreement with them, set to expire May 1 of this year. A new agreement was part of that e-
mail, and trustees had been provided copies of this for review. Questions about the language as compared to the previous agreement included the 40 cents off per
decotherm with a 24-48 hour window, but Viola clarified this has something to do with bonds. The IMGA representative welcomes their questions, she said.
Utility customers who are level-pay users are part of a large number of delinquencies, per Viola. The list of delinquent customers will be reviewed monthly.
Viola asked Trustee Tina Raycraft if the contractor had signed an agreement for the pavilion at the Field of Dreams? “No, not yet” she responded. A contract needs to be
signed before the end of March. Mayor Todd directed a contact be given to Mr. Williams (who was previously mentioned at meetings as the contractor) for signature. Last,
bids on a new copy machine for the village office have been received and those will be reviewed by Linda Viola and Trustee Charles.
Trustee Pottier asked about the lift station at Lucky Horseshoe? A new one has been ordered, Stone replied, and the old station and building must be torn out before it can
be installed. Trustees wanted the time frame on this project, and were assured its completion would occur before the end of this fiscal year.
Meetings of the Administrative Committee and Public Safety Committee will be scheduled. Trustee Rader, Utilities Committee, told trustees the water plant upgrades are
moving slow; waiting on equipment to come in. Mayor Todd asked Chuck Stone about an estimated date of arrival? Stone anticipates next week on that equipment.
Trustee Tina Raycraft had nothing to report for the Parks Committee. Trustee Joe Bartley, Streets Committee, had talked to Larry Hoffman at IDOT regarding the Third Street
project. Everything looks good; the engineer plans to be at the Spaulding meeting and by the next Riverton village meeting trustees hope to have a signed document. Bartley
also said he’s passed along street improvement information to the school district for purposes of them deciding school bus lanes repaving, for instance. That could be
listed as an optional item under the bid, to get the same pricing, but the district would pay for it. Improvements to Jefferson Street will be included as an optional price item
under the IDOT agreement, just to see what it comes back at, per Bartley, and this was approved 6-0.
Linda Viola and Trustee Bartley also mentioned the Motor Fuel has been closed out and the village will see how the IDOT review comes back, as far as overtime, etc., for
possible reimbursement to the village.
No executive session was held. The meeting was adjourned at 7:41 p.m.
Issue Date: Feb. 11, 2010
