MINUTES
PALESTINE VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
DECEMBER 3, 2020

Palestine Board of Trustees met on November 5, 2020. Trustees answering roll call were J.R. Dunlap, Tim McDaniel, Mary Michael, Gene Purcell and Brian Nethery.  Twilla Davis was absent.
 
Staff Members present: Chief Besing, Shirley Adams, Village Clerk, Patricia Schofield, Mayor’s Consultant, and Kathy Clark, DPW Superintendent.

Visitors present. Carol Holbert from Holbert & Phipps, Jim Martin, Leonard Daugherty and Christian Seaney. 

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 5, 2020, were accepted as presented. 

                 OPENING BIDS FOR REAL ESTATE PROPERTY 
                     FORMER RAMSEY PROPERTY – 7 ½ LOTS.
Mayor Byrley opened the one and only bid received. It was from Jim Martin in the amount of $9,100.  By consensus, the bid was accepted by the Board. 

OLD BUSINESS: 
1)  Bridge repair/replacement update.  Still in progress, no update.

2) Reminder:  Employee Christmas Party-December 11, 2020 - Cancelled due to COVID restrictions.

3)  Reminder:  Peoples’ Party Caucus – December 7, 2020 – 6:00 P.M.

4)  Official Approval of Maxwell Concrete quote for apron around the aeration fountain in the lagoon.
Gene Purcell moved that the Quote from Maxwell Concrete be approved.  Brian Nethery seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.
 
NEW BUSINESS: 
1)  FY 2019-2020 Audit Review. Carol Holbert from Holbert & Phipps, LLP, presented the Trustees with a copy of the completed audit.  Her findings were that we had another good, clean audit. 

2)  IRWA Illinois Rural Water Association – State Funded Rate Study for the Village of Palestine – Board Approval to proceed – Reference flyer attached.   Died, for lack of motion.

3)  Official Approval of Phone Poll – John Deere 5400 Tractor repairs.  Kathy explained that extensive repairs were needed and gave some details. Gene Purcell moved that we approve and proceed with the repairs.  J.R. Dunlap seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously

4)  Larry Surrells – Re:  Contract.   Larry did not attend. This will be added to the January’s agenda.
DPW REPORT:  Kathy Clark. 
The DPW finished up a few repairs at the treatment plant, consisting of the fountain apron and replacing a deteriorating discharge on the fountain.  Photos shown to the Trustees.

The crew is building 6 overhead shelters for the lift station electrical panels, to further deter the elements. 

Kathy would like to purchase heat housing for 2 tractors. They are $349.99 each.  The consensus was to go ahead and get them purchased as cold weather is already here. 

Uof I is not conducting in person training and certifying for required General Standards and Mosquito Testing.  Kathy has chosen an option for on-line training and testing for David and Kelly. There is a fee of $45 each.

Leaf season finished with a little over 42 hours. 

POLICE REPORT:  Chief of Police, Jeff Besing. 
Jeff has been enjoying eating with the Grade School kids for the past 5 days. An anonymous donor donated lunches for the kids from Kindergarten thru 5th Grade. $700 was raised for the Shop with a Cop program. 

PIONEER ROOM/COMMUNITY FACILITY – DECEMBER – GENE PURCELL

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Budget Committee:  Shirley Adams, Chairman.  We received the final distribution of Property Taxes in the amount of $18, 246.16.  

Bldg Regulations, Permits, Maintenance: Harry Gene Purcell, Chairman.   

Employee Relations Committee: J.R. Dunlap, Chairman. 

FOIA Officers:  Shirley Adams, Chairman.  Complete.

Ordinance Committee: Pat Schofield.  

Streets, Sidewalks, Alleys Committee: Tim McDaniel, Chairman.  More sidewalks were replaced.

Sewer/Lagoon Committee: Brian Nethery, Chairman.  

With no further business to discuss J.R. Dunlap moved to adjourn.  Tim McDaniel seconded motion. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:02 PM.

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  	   PRESIDENT					CLERK