The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Oquawka Street Project Coming In Under budget

By Sally Day for the Quill

The Schuyler Street Project is coming in under budget, according to Jared Fluhr, with the MSA Engineering Group. Fluhr told the Oquawka Village Board this at the Monday night meeting, October 6, 2014. He told board members the project was between $60,000 and $90,000 under the proposed budget.

Fluhr gave the board a funding payment overview, which was spread out over the past 13 months. He requested they pass a motion to pay the most recent payment application of $99,865.13 to Laviediere. The board passed this motion.

It was noted that Attorney Andy Doyle was asked to come early to the meeting to attempt to reach Laverdiere Construction, Macomb, who was the construction company working on the project. They could not be reached by phone.

In unrelated business, the board discussed the water bill rate increase. They had tabled this discussion from last month. The board asked visitors attending the meeting if they had any questions or anything to add to the discussion regarding the increase. No one spoke up. Scott Ray made the motion and Robert Eldridge seconded to increase the water rate to $15.00 for the first 1,000 gallons of water and $2.50 for each additional 1,000 gallons of water. The raise will take effect January 1, 2015. The motion passed unanimously. Attorney Doyle reminded residents that an additional infrastructure charge will be determined and added to the water bills very soon.

During his Police Report, Chief Keith DeJaynes mentioned the following activities: Criminal Arrests - Domestic Battery, 2; Battery, 1; Criminal Trespass, 1; Agency Assists - County Assists, 3; Ambulance Assists, 4; Domestic - Domestic Calls, 6; Civil Disturbances, 1; Tavern Calls, 3; Ordinance - Junk Violations, 7; Golf Cart Inspections, 1; Traffic - Speeding Citations, 1; Stop Sign Citations, 1; Operating Without Insurance Citation, 1; No Safety Glasses on Motorcycle, 1; Illegal Squealing/Screeching of Tires, 1; Driving on Suspended Driver License, 1; No Valid Driver License, 1; Other Calls, 43; Warrants, 1. Fuel 154.6 gallons. Mileage 1,503.1. Fines $800.00. Board member Nancy Bundy requested more information pertaining to individuals who have junk violations against them. Chief DeJaynes agreed to discuss it with her further after the meeting.

In other business, the board:

• listened to board member Scott Ray, who was standing in for Fire Chief Troy Jern, give the Fire Report. Ray asked that Jern be given permission to have the trucks tested and maintained at a cost of over $1000. These tests are annually mandatory. The board agreed.
• heard from Attorney Andy Doyle, that he had been working on the tax levy. He noted that the auditors said the board must raise their revenues.
• learned from board member Bundy, during the Parks and Recreation Report, that a special meeting, open to the public will be held on November 6 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the village hall. This meeting will feature a slide show of Oquawka parks. They will also show the public where village owned property and parks lie. They want to show the public the hopes and dreams of this group for the future of the parks. There will be a survey available to ask citizens what they would like to see done with the parks. This is part of the grant program. There will be door prizes and a question and answer period. Again, it was mentioned that having this meeting would dispel rumors on Facebook.
• heard great appreciation to the board and residents for the success of the Oquawkiek Schuyler Street Stroll held the weekend of September 27. Susan Meyer was on hand to discuss the Stroll and noted it had been very successful. She laughingly admitted many business owners asked if they could do this every month as it made a difference in the amount of people who came through their various businesses.
• set Halloween Trick or Treating hours from 5 to 7 p.m. On October 31.
• heard from Jeff Peterson, during the Street and Water Report, that he had set up two new water services, supervised tree clean-up and pot hole repairs this month. He also mentioned that the water had been shut off for the season at the pool, ball park, and museum. Peterson said he had not had any luck finding a truck for plowing snow this winter.
• agreed to allow persons watering plants along Schuyler Street to utilize golf carts in the process. Village President Sandra Moody asked this of the board and asked Police Chief Keith DeJaynes to keep a list of those watering plants, so as to keep it clear as to who has permission to use golf carts on Schuyler Street. She noted that this way villagers would not have to depend on Facebook for this information.
• heard a request from Village President Moody to create a sign to put outside the village hall, that allowed parking only for those attending to business at the village hall. The board took no action on this. Their main thought was that perhaps all businesses would want signs outside their businesses for parking only for their patrons.
• learned that trucks had still been using Pike Street, when that was meant only for the weekend of the 27th of September. The sign had merely been left up too long and when taken down the truck traffic halted.
• heard that the auditors had been here on October 1, and said the books looked very good. However, they noted that revenue needed to be raised to keep the books in good shape.
• learned that Pat Spears, representing Monmouth Fire Department, had asked permission to host a Fishing Tournament next year on the first or second week of September. This was okayed by the board.
• heard from Clerk Sandy Huff, who noted that there were petitions available at the village hall for the three four-year positions of trustees to begin their terms in 2015.
• agreed to pay approximately $175 for apple cider for the Fire Department's Annual Wiener Roast. The fire department will purchase the wieners. The date will be October 26.
• approved the September minutes, September bill, and the August treasurer's report.
• responded to roll call: John Fedler, present; Scott Ray, present; Jason Howard, present; Troy Jern, absent; Robert Eldridge, present; and Nancy Bundy, present. Also present were Village President, Sandra Moody, Village Clerk, Sandy Huff, and Attorney Andy Doyle.