The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
By: Shirley Linder, Quill Editor
Mike Bohnenkamp reported at the village board on Monday, March 2nd that the new village squad car had arrived and was at Lundgrens getting the equipment put on it. The old car will be taken to Lundgrens and equipment removed from it and the new vehicle should be in use around March 11th.
Bohnenkamp reported they had gotten a good deal on the vehicle as some of the features were better than they ordered.
Melinda Whiteman of Eagle View Community Health Center was present at the meeting to inquire if the village could help in anyway with some improvements Eagle View was needing to make at the Stronghurst facility.
They are looking to improve the sidewalk in the front of the building, as well as the ramp to make it more accessible. They also are looking at installing automatic doors to make it more accessible for wheelchair users, as well as other.
She reported for the year of 2014 they had 3,896 medical visits and 3,665 dental visits, about 6500 visits for the year and this does not include traffic to pharmacy.
The board said they would pay half on the front sidewalk, but the ramp would be Eagle View's obligation.
Jade Parker, Diana Taylor and Jerry Keimig, members of the Stronghurst Booster Club, were present to update the board on the water spray park.
Parker said they did not receive the grant and therefore would like to move forward this year, if the board was agreeable, by breaking it up into two phases. This year they would install the pad and underground water jets, which should be done by July or August if all goes well.
Phase two would involve putting in ten above ground water features as the money became available.
They requested the location be changed for installation to the sand volleyball court instead of by the tennis court. The board agreed to this move.
Ronnie Gittings explained that it will be set to spray 40 gallon per minute but if that proves too much it can be lowered. In the essence of saving water it will be programed that jets do not all spray at once, it will have to be a certain temperature before it will run so it is not spraying on cool days, and it will not activate until the main button is pushed and then only for a programed time.
Diana Taylor said they would wait until the pad is in before deciding where to put the brick walkway.
The spray park will be turned over to the village once it is built but the booster club will continue with fund raisers and raising money for the above ground features.
Gittings reported that Mike Nelson has left the village as an employee for another job. Until help is hired Andrew Gittings and Matt Link are filling in.
The police report for February included: 115 hours worked; 717 miles on squad car; 3 traffic stops; 1 verbal warnings; 2 written warnings; 6 service calls-agency assists-1 ambulance calls 2 county; 1 arrest-warrant; 22 business courtesy checks.
The ordinance was discussed regarding shutting off water for vacationers. The ordinance says the homeowner is responsible for shutting off their water to the house and doing whatever is necessary so the pipes does not freeze. Also they are required to pay the minimum water bill for the time they are away.
The question of who is responsible for paying to move the antennas on the water tower once the new tower is erected was discussed. It was agreed that it would be the responsibility of the owners of the antennas. The village would supply the power. However, they are looking at this project to be a year or maybe two before this would need to happen as they won't know about the grant until October of this year.
Betty Waterman said she had been asked if the trash containers at Fishers Foods could be moved making it easier to go into the ally. Gittings will talk to Fishers regarding moving them back a little.
Lou Ann Nortrup reported Samantha Swisher has quit to take a job at the school so they would need to hire someone else.
The board entered executive session at 7:52 p.m. for the purpose of personnel.
They reentered open session at 8:34 p.m. with the following decided:
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m. until Monday, April 6 at 7 p.m.
Present: Trustees- Tony Anderson (Mayor pro tem), Mike Bohnenkamp, Deb Hale, Brendan Schaley, Betty Waterman, and David Vancil; Employees- Lou Ann Nortrup, Ronnie Gittings, Arbry Vancil, and Bill Rasmussen; Guests, Melinda Whiteman, Jerry Keimig, Jade Parker, Diana Taylor, and Shirley Linder