MINUTES
PALESTINE VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
October 3, 2019

Palestine Board of Trustees met on October 3, 2019, at 6:00 pm.  Trustees answering the roll call were J.R. Dunlap, Gene Purcell, Mary Michael, Twilla Davis, Brian Nethery and Tim McDaniel.

Staff Members present: Police Chief, Jeff Besing, Shirley Adams, Village Clerk, Patricia Schofield, Mayor’s Consultant, Margaret Littlejohn, Utility Clerk and Kathy Clark, DPW Superintendent.  

Visitors present:  Nancy Jenkins, Jodi Wiseman, Lanny Hoke, Chris Dewitt (WTYE), and Tom Osborne (Robinson Daily News).

Meeting called to order by Mayor Rob Byrley

The meeting began with all present reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Minutes were taken by the Village Clerk.

The Minutes of September 5, 2019, were accepted as presented. 

OLD BUSINESS:
1. Update-Bridge repairs/replacement on South Main St.  Almost complete. When complete, it will be sent to our attorney to determine where the cut off is from the Village and Township. He will then prepare petitions for approval from the land owners.

2. LED Sign update.  J.R. Dunlap sent in the application for a State Permit so now we are awaiting approval from the State. The cost of the sign is through donations only; there will be no cost to the Village.

NEW BUSINESS:
1)  Approve Holbert & Phipps, LLP, 3 year Contract for Annual Audit.  This will be voted on at the November’s Board Meeting.  J.R. Dunlap moved to accept the contract and Mary Michael seconded motion. Since we didn’t have the contract in hand, J.R. rescinded motion.  This will be revisited at the November Board Meeting.

2)  Discuss the increase of sewer rates-see attached schedule for proposed rate increases-(including Proposed Progressive Increased Sewer Rate increases based on the Sewer Lagoon Project).   The sewer fund is holding its own; however, we have to prepare for unexpected repairs or maintenance which could significantly deplete the fund.  Also, the grant/loan that we are working to get expects that we will increase our rates incrementally as time goes on. After more discussion, the Trustees felt they needed more time to review the proposed increases. This will be put on the Agenda for the November Board Meeting.

3)  Approval for Resolution for transfer of ‘excess funds’ between accounts.  This was NOT discussed as it had already been done.

4)  Discussion of a possible ordinance to control the sale of marijuana.  Brian Nethery made a motion for a discussion of a possible ordinance to control the sale of marijuana. Tim McDaniel seconded motion.  Mayor Bryley said most of the feedback he has received from the public has been negative. Lanny Hoke said he feels that the Village might as well benefit from it through taxes rather than another community getting it. Tim McDaniel basically said the same. Chief Besing handed out some information he has obtained. From his research, the number of fatalities in Colorado from drivers testing positive for cannabis (marijuana) increased from 11% in 2013 to 21% in 2017.  It is an intoxicant which can slow down a person’s reflexes and make them less aware of other motorists Mary Michael suggested we leave it up to the voters (the next elections will be in March). In the meantime, we can check with our attorney and get his thoughts.  Gene Purcell moved that we table the motion for now. Tim McDaniel seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.

5)  Approval of Halloween activities for the Village of Palestine.   J.R. Dunlap made a motion that Trunk or Treat be held from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm and the Village’s Trick or Treat be from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.  Gene Purcell seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.

6)  Officially approve Gatter Brewing request from 9-12-19.   They had requested that families be able to bring their children with them – ONLY UNTIL 7:00 pm.  A phone poll was taken on September 12th.   J.R. Dunlap moved that we formally approve their request. Tim McDaniel seconded motion. Motion carried with J.R. Dunlap, Mary Michael, Brian Nethery and Tim McDaniel voting ‘aye’.  Twilla Davis and Gene Purcell voted ‘nay’. 

DPW REPORT:  Kathy Clark.  
The gutter repair at 400 block, west side of South Jackson, is complete. Went a little over estimate, to allow concrete for approach repair. The approach was poured over existing gutter, so it had to come out and we had to replace it.

Chip and seal was completed last week.

The Motor Fuel projects for streets are done, with the exception of money left in the Misc. Maintenance budget.

Kathy was told in August our salt supplier has limited and/or spoken for salt supplies, but they will let her know in November about filling our request.

Rock was put around the lagoon levy.

Kathy has asked Crawford Seamless Gutting to fix the leaky gutter above the handicap ramp on the Pioneer Room. They will be here at their earliest opportunity. They have bought out the company that installed the gutters.

POLICE REPORT:  Chief of Police, Jeff Besing. 
Chief Besing said it has been another busy month with traffic enforcement; people seem to be driving faster than normal, especially related to school zones.

He has part time officers scheduled to help him with the upcoming Wine & Arts Festival.

He has sent out 21 applications through the internet for people who have expressed interest in our patrol officer position. He has receive 5 applications back so far. Applications have to be returned no later than 3 PM on October 11th to be considered for the testing phase.

The physical agility test will be conducted on Saturday, November 2nd, beginning at 8:00 am at the Robinson High School and those that pass the physical test with return with him to the Village Hall to take the written exam which takes about three hours to complete.

Unfortunately, he has not received any applications that meet the “lateral hire” criteria but he does have some favorable candidate applications otherwise. Jeff did find two academies that will have classes beginning in January.

PIONEER ROOM/COMMUNITY FACILITY – OCTOBER – MARY MICHAEL

FYI:  Fall Clean-up:  October 23, 24, and 25th.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Budget Committee:  Shirley Adams, Chairman.  No financials available at this time. In September, we received the 2nd distribution of property taxes, in the amount of $39,457.8.  

Bldg Regulations, Permits, Maintenance: Harry Gene Purcell, Chairman.  No permits issued. 

Employee Relations Committee: Harry Gene Purcell, Chairman.  

FOIA Officers:  Shirley Adams, Chairman.  FOIA/OMA Certifications are complete. 

Ordinance Committee: Pat Schofield.  

Streets, Sidewalks, Alleys Committee: Tim McDaniel, Chairman.   We have a few more sidewalks to be repaired/replaced when Dave has time.

Sewer/Lagoon Committee: Brian Nethery, Chairman.  

With no further business to discuss Tim McDaniel moved to adjourn.  Brian Nethery seconded motion.   Meeting adjourned at 6:40 pm.

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  	   PRESIDENT					      CLERK