MINUTES
PALESTINE VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
August 6, 2020

Palestine Board of Trustees met on August 6, 2020. Trustees answering the roll call were J.R. Dunlap, Twilla Davis, Tim McDaniel, Mary Michael and Gene Purcell. Brian Nethery was absent.

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

Visitors present:  Jessica Sisil, Palestine Grade School Principal and Superintendent.

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 July 2, 2020, were accepted as presented. 

OLD BUSINESS:
1) LED Sign Update – J.R. Dunlap.   We held a ribbon cutting on July 29th.  Mayor Rob and a representative from First Robinson Savings Bank cut the ribbon.  The Village wishes to thank anyone who contributed in any way to get the sign up and running.  We are very proud of how it turned out. A big thank you to J.R. for heading up this project. 

2)  Bridge repair/replacement update.  We haven’t heard from anyone as of this date.

NEW BUSINESS:  
1) John Boyd-Containment of cats in Palestine.   Mr. Boyd did not attend meeting.  We do not have an ordinance specifically regarding cats other than there can be no more than 3 cats per household.

2)  Chief Besing – Alternative Ordinance Process – Police Department (See copies attached for 14 day Notice and 30 day Notice.   This Ordinance will simplify our Ordinance procedure and save the Village in attorney fees.  Gene Purcell moved that we accept this proposal.  Tim McDaniel seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.

DPW REPORT:  Kathy Clark.  
The storm water situation on W. Grand Prairie should be remedied.  More roots were found and cleared out.  
The “crack filler” for the hot box has been received so the DPW will begin repair work on some streets.

POLICE REPORT:  Chief of Police, Jeff Besing. 
The Palestine Police Dept. was awarded $4,404 from the Mary Heath grant that Pat had submitted for us.  We then purchased 9 new portable radios, 2 Active Shooter Vest kits and a uniform bullet proof vest for Officer McGinness.

Their training  unit is back to providing training, so Chief Besing and Officer McGinness will be attending a couple of training classes this month which will meet the state mandated requirements.

Chief Besing has been questioned about abandoned vehicles in our community. There are some that he has been able to write ordinance citations to, but the majority of them fall into the “free pass” issued by the Secretary of State which stipulates that law enforcement cannot issue citations to the vehicles with expired registrations until November 1st due to COVID-19 closures of license facilities (which are now open but backlogged with renewing drivers licenses and license plates).

The Dept. has been busy with traffic enforcement and ordinances. There are a few residences that have been given a week to get their property cleaned up; however, they have failed to do, so they will be issued ordinance citations tomorrow.

Chief Besing said they are eager for school to get back in session on the 24th of this month and they will be ready for the extra pedestrian and vehicle traffic in the morning and afternoon.  He reminded the public to be extra cautious while driving during those times and watch out for the kids.

PIONEER ROOM/COMMUNITY FACILITY – AUGUST -  J.R. DUNLAP

FYI:  FALL CLEAN-UP DAYS – OCTOBER 28TH (as of now).
FYI:  Thank you letter from Crawford County Spay & Neuter – Closing Sept. 1, 2020.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Budget Committee:  Shirley Adams, Chairman.  July Financials were handed out, along with Fund Balance Reports for June and July. No date scheduled for annual audit.  
We received our first distribution of Property Tax Monies in the amount of $70703.94.
We also received the 2020 final installment of Motor Fuel Tax “Rebuild Illinois” Grant money.

Bldg Regulations, Permits, Maintenance: Harry Gene Purcell, Chairman.   Two permits for fences was issued and one for a deck last month.

Employee Relations Committee: Harry Gene Purcell, Chairman. 

FOIA Officers:  Shirley Adams, Chairman.  Complete.

Ordinance Committee: Pat Schofield.  Working on paperwork for the bridge. 

Streets, Sidewalks, Alleys Committee: Tim McDaniel, Chairman.  There are two places on Wilson St. scheduled to be repaired/replaced when Dave can get to them.

Sewer/Lagoon Committee: Brian Nethery, Chairman.  

Other Business:
Mary Michael reported that Oblong has applied for a permit for the Oblong parade/Fall Follies; however, it may or may not be approved. They should know something by October 1st.  

Jessica Sisil thanked the DPW for the use of their saw horses while they were painting in front of the High School. She also let us know that for this year the high school will be a “closed campus” due to
COVID-19 issues. She felt the LED sign was a great improvement for Palestine. 

Penny Shaw, from the Flying S, had several interns this summer, and they found time to touch up/paint the signs at the entry to town from the east at Main & Franklin and Franklin & LaMotte.  They did an amazing job.   

With no further business to discuss J.R. Dunlap moved to adjourn. Tim McDaniel seconded motion. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 5:35 PM.

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  	   PRESIDENT					      CLERK