|
December 11, 2007 Mayor Franks called the Truth in Taxation Hearing to order with Sturtewagen, Gustafson, Curran, Fulton, and VanKerrebroeck present. The purpose of the hearing was to listen to public comments about the tax levy. Also present at the hearing was Dennis DeRycke. No public comments were made. Sturtewagen, seconded by Gustafson, made a motion to adjourn the hearing. Motion carried. Then Mayor Franks called the December meeting of the Village Board to order. VanKerrebroeck, seconded by Sturtewagen, made a motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. Motion carried. Gustafson, seconded by Curran, made a motion to pay the monthly bills. Motion carried. Because of the untimely death of Trustee Grove Killelea the agenda was shortened. Board members had a moment of silence for Killelea and shared memories. Sturtewagen, seconded by Curran, made a motion to donate $250 to the Grove Killelea Memorial Fund. Motion carried. There was no police report, Economic Development Report, or update from Shive-Hattery representatives. Curran, seconded by Gustafson, made a motion to adopt Ordinance #300 (Annual Tax Levy). Motion carried. Mayor Franks thanked Trustee VanKerrebroeck for all the work he did on getting the levy materials ready. At the November meeting the bids for the backhoe were read and tabled. Franks told board members that some new features needed to be added to the specifications. One was the type of bucket. If any options are purchased in coming years, and it is likely that they will be, then the hydraulic bucket is necessary. Another is a swivel hook for the bucket. Board members asked for feedback from village employees after they tested the backhoe from Deere and Caterpillar. The employees favored the Deere backhoe. It was more user-friendly. Jerry Sheldon, of Martin Equipment of Illinois, submitted a new bid of $71,256.00. ($5906 over last month’s bid due to the new options) Altorfer’s did not make a bid with the new options. Curran, seconded by Gustafson, made a motion to buy the backhoe from Martin Equipment as presented at the November meeting. Motion carried. The Curran, seconded by Gustafson, made a motion to add the features (hydraulics in the front and bucket hook) as presented on the most recent bid given by Martin Equipment. Motion carried. VanKerrebroeck, seconded by Curran, made a motion to get a $65,000 recurring loan from BankORION at a fixed interest rate of 5.1% with the option to pay the loan off early if possible. Motion carried. Franks reminded board members that the village will need a new mower for the next mowing season. Board members then discussed the new pickup to be purchased pending a state bid. Fulton presented board members with copies of state bids given to other villages. It was decided to go ahead with the purchase of the truck from Turpin’s because waiting for the state bid process would just take too long and the truck is needed now. Also purchasing a truck in this area might mean better service when needed or possibly a loaner truck. Curran suggested that the village sell the brown truck that is no longer needed. No action was taken. Mediacom sent a letter to village stating that they would be raising cable rates in January 2008. The net change for Family Cable will be $3, for broadcast basic, $1, and for expanded basic, $2. Tipping fees from Prairie Hill will also be raised in January 2008. The raise is $1 per ton. There being no further business Sturtewagen, seconded by Gustafson, made a motion to adjourn. Motion carried. Also present at the board meeting was Don Sierens.
Julie
DeSplinter
|