Village of Dix Village Board met Oct. 8.
Here is the minutes provided by the Board:
The Dix Village Board met in regular scheduled session on Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at the Dix Village Hall. Village Trustee, Sean Wilkey called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
Roll Call: Trustees Present: Tiffany Gentles, Kurt Karcher, Paul Ayers, Brandy Mount and Sean Wilkey-Acting President Pro-Tem. 1 Vacant Trustee Position.
Officers Present: Village President-Vacant, and Village Treasurer-Sharon Bean and Village Clerk Connie Hicks.
Meeting opened with prayer given by community member, Phil Pitman and Pledge of Allegiance led by Sharon Bean.
Motion was made to approve the minutes from the September 10, 2019 regular board meeting with a minor correction by Paul Ayers. 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 Tiffany Gentles. A second to the motion was made by Kurt Karcher.
Motion carried 5-0.
Recognition and Comments from the Public:
Geneva Jones stated there were some Village residents walking their dogs and letting the dogs use the bathroom on her property. She stated she has kindly asked these neighbors to stop letting their dogs go to the bathroom on her property, but they continue to do this. She stated she is raising young children and she does not want them stepping in this in her own yard. Sean suggested the homeowner possibly post no trespassing signs, but also stated the Village would send out a letter to the dog owners regarding the Ordinance that prohibits residents from allowing their animals on others property. Geneva also stated the house next door to her house on North Main Street has been abandoned and the weeds and brush have grown up in the yard because no one is taking care of the yard any longer. Sean stated the Village will look into this and possibly send a letter to the property owner to get this resolved.
Phil Pittman, presented the Village Clerk with a FOIA request. Phil also presented a petition to the Village trustees outlining safety concerns on West Lincoln Street and stated the residents on West Lincoln Street feel the Village has neglected the residents on this street because the tree at the end of the road that is growing in the ditch next to the culvert has not yet been removed, the grass hasn't been mowed properly on the right of way and the brush has not been cleared out of the guard rail over the Interstate properly. He stated that at the last Village Board meeting he donated $100 toward the removal of the tree and once the tree has been removed, he will donate another $300 towards the tree removal. Village Trustee, Paul Ayers, stated the tree removal is one of the business items on the agenda for tonight's meeting. Phil Pittman also asked who at the last Village Board meeting accused him of bribery because of the $100 he donated towards the tree removal. Village Trustee, Brandy Mount assured Mr. Pitman that no one had accused him of bribery. Village Trustee, Kurt Karcher, stated the Village Board did discuss speaking to Village Attorney, David Leggans regarding the donation just to make sure the Village could accept donations, but nothing was ever implied that Mr. Pitman was trying to bribe anyone or the Village.
Max Wilson reported there were some new Village residents that had been letting their dog run loose in the Dix Village Park. He stated there was no problem yet as a result, but we could have a possible problem in the future with this and wanted the Village Board to be aware.
Building and Grounds Committee:
Tiffany Gentles reported the Rome Grade School contest was now over and they had voted one the three top slogans from the classes at Rome Grade School. She read the slogans the students had come up with. The slogans will be put on the agenda for the November 2019 meeting for the Village Trustees to review.
Tiffany Gentles contacted ServePro regarding the stripping and waxing of the Dix Community Center floor. ServePro no longer does this service. Serve Pro gave us instructions on the process and the Village will purchase the supplies and Max Wilson will complete the stripping and waxing of the Dix Community Center floor.
The dates were set as to placement for the Village flags for Veteran's Day. Placement of the flags will be on Friday, 11/8/2019 at 5:00 PM and the flags will be removed on Monday, 11/11/2019 at 5:00 PM. Tiffany would ask for any volunteers that can help to meet at the Village Hall at those times.
A work date was set on Thursday, 11/14/2019 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM for going through the Christmas lights to have them ready for placement later in November.
Tiffany Gentles stated the water in the Dix Village Park will need to be turned off soon. Max Wilson stated he wants to make sure the restrooms are cleaned and will let Tiffany know when that has been completed and either Tiffany or himself will call Jimmie the Plumber to come and turn off the water to the park for the winter. Shirley Wilson will contact the Pest Control Service to arrange the fall pest control service visit.
Tiffany Gentles reported that Max Wilson has built pallets for the chairs and tables in the Community Center to be able to get these items off the floor for easier cleaning of the floor. Tiffany also reported that Shirley Wilson would like to relinquish the part of her job description that requires posting events on the Village Marquee and let the Community Organizer take over that task. Kurt Karcher stated this would require changing two of the Village employee job descriptions and we would need to do this possibly in closed session after next month's meeting
Street and Alley Committee:
Paul Ayers gave all the Village Trustees a copy of the Street and Alley project list which includes completed projects and projects that are scheduled for completion.
Police Commission Committee:
Kurt Karcher reported that we have the contract now from Jefferson County Sheriff's Department and the contract just needs to be signed by the President Protem and sent along with the $500 basic fee back to the Sheriff's Department.
Long Range and Planning Committee:
Nothing to Report.
Business Items:
Item #1: Appointment of New Village Trustee
A motion was made by Kurt Karcher to approve Village resident Judy Bronson to the vacant position of Village Trustee. A second to the motion was made by Paul Ayers.
Motion Carried 5-0
Judy Bronson was sworn in by Village Clerk, Connie Hicks.
Item #2: Approve Trash Removal Contract with Republic Services
The representative from Republic Services went over the contract for the trash removal for the village. A question was asked regarding possible recycling and she explained that China has stopped accepting recycle materials from the United States. She said they are currently looking for other markets to accept recycle materials. If something was added to the current trash service contract for recycling it would add an approximate $4 to $5 per customer for curbside services.
Motion was made by Kurt Karcher to accept and approve the trash removal contract with Republic Services. A second to the motion was made by Brandy Mount.
Motion Carried: 6-0
Item # 3: Approve Annual Tax Appropriation.
Motion was made by Kurt Karcher to approve the annual tax appropriation. A second to the motion was made by Tiffany Gentles.
Motion Carried: 6-0
Item #4: Approve MFT Projects
A motion was made by Kurt Karcher to approve the list of the current Motor Fuel Tax Projects as presented by Paul Ayers. A second to the motion was made by Brandy Mount.
Motion Carried: 6-0
Item 5: Information about funds received to remove tree on West Lincoln Street.
Sean Wilkey spoke with Village Attorney, David Leggans regarding accepting donations to the Village. The Village is allowed to accept monetary donations. Paul Ayers stated the Village would be glad to accept donated funds, but feels the Village Trustees should have a discussion on the process of handling donated funds.
No Action Needed.
Item 6: Information on possible action at 221 West Washington Street
The placement of a new mobile home at 221 West Washington Street was done in violation of the ordinance requiring a permanent foundation for all new mobile home placements. A letter has been sent to the property owner by Village Attorney, David Leggans.
No Action Needed.
Item 7: Information on possible action on Village owned Miller Street Property
Sean Wilkey spoke with Village Attorney David Leggans and the Miller Street Property can only be sold by bid. The property cannot be donated.
No Action Needed
Item 8: Update on abatement projects.
Sean Wilkey spoke with Village Attorney David Leggans regarding the properties set for abatement due to ordinance violations. A court date has been set in November 2019 to obtain a judgement to proceed with the abatement process.
No motion or action needed.
Item 9: Village Ordinance Violation Reports
Sean Wilkey stated the Village would send an initial letter regarding the complaint at tonight's meeting made by Geneva Jones in reference to dogs being allowed to use the bathroom on her property.
No action needed.
Item 10: Miscellaneous
Kim Wilson passed out the flyers for the upcoming community Trunk or Treat event to be held on Thursday, October 31, 2019. Tiffany Gentles assisted in making up the flyers and took them to Rome Grade School to be sent home with students. Paul Ayers will put the event on the Dix website and on the Village Facebook page. The event will be held from 5:00 pm to 8:00 PM. Max Wilson has volunteered to start grilling hot dogs for the event around 4:30 PM on that date. Phil Pittman has agreed to loan the Village their popcorn machine. We will be giving out free hotdogs and popcorn during the event. Cash prizes for the best decorated trunk have been donated by Osborn Funeral home in
Dix, IL. They have also donated ribbons for prizes as well. The Dix Community Center will be opened up for the use of restrooms. The postmaster of Dix has also volunteered to help at the event. The prizes for the winning trunks will be $50, $25 and $25. Altorfer's is extremely excited to be able to participate in community events.
Kim Wilson would like to form a hospitality committee of volunteers to welcome new businesses into our community and also to recognize a business each month to tell them we are so glad they are here in Dix and possibly take them doughnuts as recognition and post their pictures on our Village Facebook page. Dollar General would possibly be the first business recognized. They have now been in the community 3 years and this would be a way of acknowledgment. Everyone was in agreement this was a wonderful idea.
Sharon Bean stated she contacted the State of IL regarding the DCEO grant and is currently trying to find out who is in charge of those funds to find out when we can possibly expect our grant funds for the Village.
No Action Needed.
A motion was made by Kurt Karcher to adjourn the meeting. A second to the motion was made by Tiffany Gentles.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:16 PM
http://villageofdixillinois.com/uploads/3/4/5/0/34506521/oct_2019_minutes.pdf
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