October 14, 2008                                                                       Regular Meeting

Mayor Franks called the October meeting to order with Sturtewagen, Gustafson, Curran, DeRycke, Fulton, and VanKerrebroeck present. Also present at the meeting were Francis Sierens, Terry Stout, and Marilyn Verdick.

Minutes
Sturtewagen, seconded by DeRycke, made a motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. Motion carried.

Monthly Bills
VanKerrebroeck, seconded by Fulton, made a motion to pay the monthly bills. Motion carried.

Police Report
Tim Wise gave the police report showing 13 citations and 13 warnings for the month. The police department has authority now to write tickets in Bureau County. The new Route 6/ Patriot Way intersection is in Bureau County. Wise is in the process of writing a new Guilty Form for Ordinance Violation. The fines could be paid at the village clerk’s office instead of without a court hearing.

Economic Development Report
Tracy Diehl gave the Economic Development Report.  She met with Sue Cochran of B&B Printing to discuss the new Henry County Tourism Booklet. She suggested that the Village of Annawan ad be bigger for the new booklet. Tourism money from the hotel tax can be used. No action was taken. Diehl showed board members various tourism brochures from Plymouth, Wisconsin, printed by Terry and Mary Kay Evans. Board members have wanted a new brochure for the village. Diehl will check on prices and report back at the next board meeting. She asked board members for ideas that would qualify for the Fred and Ethyl Grant (through the Henry County Telephone Company) because the grant needs to be applied for ASAP. On Nov 4-5-6 there will be a grand opening for Patriot Renewable Fuels.

Yearly Audit
Teresa Welch, of Blucker, Kneer and Associates, was present at the meeting to present the 2007-2008 Audit. She reported a clean audit for the year ending April 20, 2008. She gave board members a synopsis of the audit and figures from previous years showing that the village funds are improving. She suggested a resolution be passed each year either forgiving or repaying the transfers from fund to fund. Sturtewagen, seconded by DeRycke, made a motion to accept the audit. Motion carried.

Shive Hattery Update
Land Acquisition talks are going well. S/H is to pick up the final review set with IDOT comments on October 17^th. The bid opening is still set for January 16, 2009. They anticipate construction beginning March of 2009.

Concession Stand Update
Curran reported that the footings for the new concession stand have been poured. He hopes to get a final cost number from Charlie Farmer be the end of the week. Board members said they want the number before the building goes up.

Job Descriptions
Fulton and VanKerrebroeck handed out draft copies of job descriptions for village employees. They asked board members to bring them back to the next meeting with suggestions for changes.

Tree Trimming Bill
Terry Stout, of Terry and Ann’s Tree Trimming, was present at the meeting to discuss payment of the bill he gave the village after the July windstorm. Board members thought it was excessive. Stout agreed to lower his bill by one-half.

Maintenance Building
Although a new building is needed, board members agreed that it just isn’t the time for that because of the expense. So instead the roof will be repaired. Bids were received from Jerry VanDamme and Dave Colgan. Gustafson will talk to VanDamme to see if some repairs can be done before winter and then completed in the spring. Colgan does not have a roofing license so his bid wasn’t accepted.

Storm Damage to Dugout at Howes Park
The village received a check from IMLRMA for $7140.87 for storm damage in Howes Park. The bathroom doors have been repaired. The dugout needs to be repaired next. VanKerrebroeck will get bids from Jerry VanDamme and Dave Colgan. Board members told VanKerrebroeck to proceed after getting the bids because then the repairs could get started before the next board meeting.

Maintenance Agreement with IDOT
Board members approved an agreement allowing IDOT to reimburse a portion of the costs related to the maintenance of the new traffic signals at US 6 and Patriot Way. The agreement is in effect from 7/31/2008 to 6/30/2011. The State will have 67% of the responsibility; the village will have 33% of the responsibility for maintenance and energy charges.

IMLRMA Questions
Board members directed the village clerk to call the insurance company to find out the answer to several questions: Do we have towing insurance for our vehicles? Are there any safety courses for village employees offered? The clerk will also add some things to the insurance policy: flagpoles flying from village street lights and the new clock in front of the village hall donated by the family of Grove Killelea in memory of his death.

Resolution
Board members decided to look into getting a CD, earmarking it for capitol projects. Investigation will have to be done to find out where the best rates can be obtained. No action was taken.

Gold Star F.S.
Mayor Franks has been in touch with Dave VanDeVelde of Gold Star F.S. to find out if locking in a price for fuel for six months to a year was feasible. With the state of the economy at this time no action was taken, but Franks will keep in touch with VanDeVelde.

Winter Salt Mixture
Gustafson will get in touch with Greg Wancket to find out if the usual mixture ordered by the village yearly is available and what the price is. He will report back to the board.

Election Petitions
Election petitions for the April election are available at the village hall. The petitions can be circulated beginning October 28, 2008. The terms of Franks, VanKerrebroeck, Fulton and DeRycke will expire in April.

Adjournment
There being no further business, Sturtewagen, seconded by DeRycke, made a motion to adjourn. Motion carried.

Julie DeSplinter, Village Clerk