MINUTES
PALESTINE VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
December 5, 2019

Palestine Board of Trustees met on December 5, 2019, at 6:00 pm.  Trustees answering the roll call were J.R. Dunlap, Twilla Davis, Brian Nethery, Gene Purcell and Tim McDaniel. Mary Michael was absent.

Staff Members present: Shirley Adams, Village Clerk, Patricia Schofield, Mayor’s Consultant, Kathy Clark, DPW Superintendent and David Miller, DPW.

Visitors present:  Tom Osborne (Robinson Daily News).

Meeting called to order by Mayor Byrley.

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

Minutes were taken by the Village Clerk.

The Minutes of November 7, 2019, were accepted as presented. 

OLD BUSINESS:
1. Update-Bridge repairs/replacement on South Main St.  We’ve heard nothing new at this time.  

2. LED Sign update by J.R. Dunlap.  J.R. received the application back once again. He has one more item to address and he will then re-send the application for approval.  

3.  Update on Matteson Building.  There was a court hearing on the 11th of November. Pictures were presented of the roof of the building and it looked to be in pretty rough condition. A roof inspector has been contacted and is scheduled for an inspection on December 12th.

NEW BUSINESS:
1)  Employee Christmas Party.  Friday evening – Dec. 6, 2019.

DPW REPORT:  Kathy Clark.  
The new Web site is up and running. We are getting good public feedback. Kathy will update as she gets new information.

One of the north lift station pumps has been repaired and installed and the second pump from that station is out for repairs.  

Kathy would like to get a quote from LeFever to change the float system in the wet wells at the east and west lift stations. There is the option to come directly out of the side of the well and trench for conduit all the way to the electrical panel. This will eliminate connections in the wet corrosive environment that ruins the floats. The existing conduit is too small to accommodate the extra wiring.

Kathy has been gathering more detailed information for Rural Development application to improve the lagoon.

She has been working with JULIE Damage Prevention to improve our locate system and reduce liability of damage by switching from grid notification to polygon notification system.

POLICE REPORT:  Chief of Police, Jeff Besing. 
Chief Besing was honored to spend four days with the Palestine Grade School elementary students for the 3rd annual “Lunch with the Law” fundraiser. The kids in grades K-5 raised $300 towards the Shop with a Cop Christmas Program.

Chief Besing participated the Thanksgiving County wide DUI detail on November 27th. The future new hire, Jacob McGinness, came down and rode with Chief Besing during the detail. Jacob was able to get a feel for our community and the other county agencies. He commented positively on our Leaverton Park Christmas display and the other community events that chief Besing told him about.

The Chief will also be performing Christmas music with the students at Palestine Grade School on December 20th, 2019.

Our new Officer, Jacob McGinness, will be sworn in at the January 2nd Board Meeting.  He will work with Chief Besing for a week and then attend the law enforcement academy beginning on January 12th in Decatur, IL.

Chief Besing would like to remind our village residents to be cautious this Christmas season when ordering packages and having them delivered to their homes. Make sure someone is home to receive them or have them delivered to a neighbor or your employment so they won’t be stolen from your door step.

PIONEER ROOM/COMMUNITY FACILITY – DECEMBER – J.R. DUNLAP

FYI:  Ordinance No. 2019-O-06 – Amending Chapter 7 – Sewer Service Rates – Attached for your file – Also attached are the new 2020 Permits and Fees.
FYI:  Letter from Mediacom re: program update. 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Budget Committee:  Shirley Adams, Chairman.  The November financial reports were not available in time for the meeting.  The 2020 IMRF rate is 11.48%.  The new 2020 Unemployment rate will be .625%. 

Bldg Regulations, Permits, Maintenance: Harry Gene Purcell, Chairman.  
Employee Relations Committee: Harry Gene Purcell, Chairman. 
FOIA Officers:  Shirley Adams, Chairman.  
Ordinance Committee: Pat Schofield.  
Streets, Sidewalks, Alleys Committee: Tim McDaniel, Chairman.   
Sewer/Lagoon Committee: Brian Nethery, Chairman.  

Other Business:
Brian said the curb stops at our visitor parking from the street are too long and could cause a tripping hazard.  He has looked into pricing shorter ones that we could use. Kathy will follow up with this and see that they are changed.

With no further business to discuss Tim McDaniel moved to adjourn. J.R. Dunlap seconded motion.   Meeting adjourned at 6:25 pm.

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  	   PRESIDENT					      CLERK