Village of Dix Village Board met Nov. 12.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
Sean Wilkey called the meeting to order at 7:01 P.M.
Roll Call: Trustees Present: Judy Bronson, Tiffany Gentles, Kurt Karcher, Brandy Mount and Sean Wilkey-Acting President Pro-Tem. Absent-Paul Ayers.
Officers Present: Village President-Vacant; Village Treasurer-Sharon Bean and Village Clerk Connie Hicks.
Meeting opened with prayer given by community member, Ron Hopkins and Pledge of Allegiance led by Sharon Bean.
Motion was made to approve the minutes from the October 8, 2019 regular board meeting by Brandy Mount. A second to motion was made by Kurt Karcher.
Motion carried 5-0.
Motion to accept the Treasurer's Report was made by Brandy Mount. A second to motion was made by Kurt Karcher.
Motion carried 5-0
Motion to approve payment of the bills was made by Kurt Karcher. A second to the motion was made by Judy Bronson.
Motion carried 5-0.
Recognition and Comments from the Public:
Shirley Wilson reported there were 20 bookings for the Dix Community Center for November 2019 including a blood drive and a meal for a funeral. Shirley also stated she has already started booking events for the year 2020. Max Wilson stated there was a huge problem with a stopped up toilet stool after a rental at the Community Center. He wound up having to call the plumber. The individual that rented the community center refused to pay the plumbing bill to have the toilet repaired.
Shirley Wilson along with other community members stated the new Community Organizer, Kim Wilson, was doing a wonderful job in the events we have had so far. She has also formed a So Glad You're Here committee and the Committee took doughnuts and balloons to Dollar General in recognition of being in the Dix Community for 3 years now.
Building and Grounds Committee:
Tiffany Gentles reported the flags were put out on the poles in celebration of Veteran's Day on Friday, 11/8/2019 and thanked Judy Bronson for gathering those flags on Tuesday, 11/12/2019 due to the icy and snowy weather that came in on Monday, 11/11/2019.
Hopkins Pest Control came and sprayed the Community Center on 10/22/2019. The water was turned off at the Dix Village Park on 10/29/2019. A work date has been set of Thursday, 11/14/2019 in the evening to check the Christmas decoration bulbs prior to these being put up by the volunteers.
Sean Wilkey let Tiffany know to contact Mike Koch and he would install the electrical box on the light pole beside the Dollar General Store so a decoration could be hung there.
Street and Alley Committee:
Kurt Karcher stated he had spoken with Paul Ayers and three of the drainage projects for the Village have now been completed. In regard to the tree removal on West Lincoln, the tree service came and removed the wrong tree. They will return between 11/13/19 and 11/15/19 to remove the correct tree that is growing beside the culvert.
On 11/11/2019, Paul Ayers and Sean Wilkey drove the streets throughout the Village to make a decision as to whether or not the streets needed to be salted or any snow needed to be plowed. The decision was made that the streets were not hazardous and didn't need service at this time.
Police Commission Committee:
Sean Wilkey reported that he has the contract agreement signed and this has been approved to return to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department.
Long Range and Planning Committee:
No Report.
Business Items:
Item #1: Update from Community Organizer
Kim Wilson reported there had been a huge and wonderful response to the Dix Village Trunk or Treat. There was a $300 budget for the event, but after getting items donated, there was only $ 157 spent. The donations came from Dollar General, Community Members, and Frito Lay. We had 17 trunks participating and 440 children came through the trunk or treat event. Kim was a little disappointed because she had asked for the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department to send a patrol for the Village during the event, but none was sent. We had participation from the Dix Bank, Studio 37, Dollar General, Altorfers and many community volunteers. The event was a huge success and everyone seemed very pleased with the prospect of more events to come. Prizes were awarded to Dollar General, Studio 37, and Brandy Mount for the best and most creatively decorated trunks.
Kim also reported the So Glad You're Here committee took balloons and doughnuts to Dollar General to celebrate their 3 year anniversary in Dix. The store was very appreciative and the store is doing really well in our community.
No Action Needed.
Item #2: Consider Village Motto
The mottos from the Rome Grade School contest were discussed and it was decided by the Village Board that the winner of the contest was "Come as a Stranger, Leave as a Friend" This is just the winner of the contest. The Village Board will choose and vote for a new Village motto at a later date.
A motion was made by Tiffany Gentles to award the $25 gift card to the student at Rome Grade School that came up with the motto "Come as a Stranger, Leave as a Friend." A second to the motion was made by Kurt Karcher.
Motion Carried: 5-0 Tiffany Gentles will pick up the $25 gift card at the Dollar General Store and deliver it to the superintendent at Rome Grade School.
Item # 3: Bluford Village President Requests Police Christmas Donation
Mike Bullard, the Bluford Village President has challenged the Village of Dix to make a $500 donation to Christmas for Cops. Christmas for Cops basically gives money to police officers for Christmas. A comment was made that possibly once we have our own patrol officer through the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department that next year we could do something for that individual, but the general consensus of the board was they were not in favor of making a Village donation to Christmas for Cops.
No action taken - Item Dies.
Item #4: Consider Ordinance Preventing the Sale of Cannabis
Sean Wilkey stated the Village basically has two choices regarding the sale of cannabis. The Village can either pass an ordinance to ban the sale of cannabis, or can pass an ordinance to tax the sale an additional 3% for revenue. Sean asked Village Attorney, David Leggans to draw up the ordinance that would ban the sale to enable the Village Trustees to review the ordinance.
Kurt Karcher made a motion to table the item until the December 2019 meeting to give the Trustees a chance to review the ordinance. A second to the motion was made by Judy Bronson.
Motion Carried: 5-0
Item 5: Ordinance Violation Reports
Sean Wilkey reported the court hearing dates for the two possible abatements for violations within the Village are set for this week. Those were for the Fatheree and McCrary violations.
No Action Needed.
Item 6: Miscellaneous
IDOT has given the Village a list of work they will be doing in the Village in the near future.
No Action Needed.
Item 7: Old Business
Sean Wilkey reported that garbage pickup contract with Republic Services has been signed and returned. He also stated that customers can get a second garbage can if needed for a price of $5.00 extra per month which the customer would be responsible for.
No Action Needed
Item 8: Correspondence
Nothing to report.
No motion or action needed.
Item 9: necessary and Proper
Nothing to report.
No action needed.
Item 10: Executive Session
No Action Needed.
A motion was made by Tiffany Gentles to adjourn the meeting. A second to the motion was made by Brandy Mount.
Meeting was adjourned 7:41 PM
http://villageofdixillinois.com/uploads/3/4/5/0/34506521/11.12.19_minutes.pdf