The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Stronghurst Board Discuss Gaming Machines

By: Shirley Linder, Quill Editor

At the regular Village of Stronghurst meeting, held on Monday, July 2nd, two representatives from Accel Entertainment Gaming were present to provide information and answer questions regarding gaming machines.

The Feedlot Grill and Rivals on Main are both interested in having gaming machines in their new establishments.

The representatives told the board there is no cost to the village and that they would receive 5% of the profits off the machines, paid bi-monthly. They also said they fix the machines, empty them, do all the accounting, etc. The state will send in inspectors periodically and sometimes an undercover person to make sure no one under 21 is playing the machines. The establishments must be licensed by the state and no establishment can have more than 5 machines.

Sara Evans said she would have room for 2 or possibly 3 machines. She said the area would be roped off and the machines would be locked until 1 p.m. They would be placed where the bartender could keep watch on them.

Trustee Bruce Caldwell said everyone he had talked to was not in favor of them and neither was he.

Caldwell said, "When the whole liquor thing started we said this is the way it is going to be, passed the ordinance, everybody was all for it. Any time, nothing against Sara and Robbie, someone comes up wanting something we walk backwards and here we are walking backwards again."

Shane Reed's opinion is the village needs the revenue. Jerry Nortrup said in his opinion it was a no brainer.

Mayor Brendan Schaley said those who had talked to him about it wanted to see any money coming to the village be spent in the village on something that would benefit the entire village.

The matter was tabled and will be placed on next month's agenda for further discussion.

Chris Cooper, MSA Representative, brought a request from Maguire Iron, Inc. for a payment of $17,982.12. This included the remainder of the paint and additional electric work. It was brought to the board's attention by Ronnie Gittings that the electrical work at the pump house in not finished and it will be more complicated to switch from the old tower to the new, due to the way installed.

There was a lengthy discussion about penalties being brought against Maguire Iron, Inc. due to the deadlines not being met during the project. It was finally decided to withhold $6,000 from the payment of $17,982.12 and ask that a representative from Maguire Iron, Inc. be present at the next board meeting to discuss this issue.

Gina Anderberg representative of GovPay was present to answer questions regarding the village being able to accept credit/debit card payments for water bills. This is a free service to municipalities and the village would receive payments within 48 hours. Every morning the clerk would receive a reconciliation sheet. The village is asked to sign a 5 year contract but there is no penalty if they decide not to continue, only a 30 days notice. There will be a fee to the customer for using this service, which goes to the company. The board approved signing up and the representative will work with the clerk to set it up.

Police report report for June included: 87 hours worked; 2 training hours; 425 miles on squad car; 1 traffic stop with a verbal warning; 10 service calls; and 22 business checks.

Dalton Spiker of Oquawka Scout Troop 61 is in the processing of earning his Eagle Scout ranking and approached the board inquiring if they would be interested in him painting the fire hydrants in town. The board readily agreed to him painting the 51-52 fire hydrants, with the board providing the paint and equipment. Bruce Caldwell was appointed his representative and Ronnie Gittings will be his supervisor of the project.

In other business the board:

• Approved the minutes
• Approved the paying of bills
• Heard the auditor would like more than one person to sign off on the bank account
• Robbie Root of Rivals on Main asked if there were stipulations as to where he could place a LED sign at his business. Since there is none, he said he would stake it out and then get board approval
• Heard of problems at the rest room in the village park. Shane Reed volunteered to lock it up each night
• Passed the Appropriation ordinance
• Directed Ronnie Gittings to get bids for 3 trees to be cut down, one at Danny Moore's, one at 304 N. Elizabeth Street, and one other
• Clerk Hollie Allen went over the audit report with the board
• Agreed to pay Security Savings $6,600 a month on their loan
• Discussed the security cameras in the park and the possibility of having them so they could be viewed at city hall. This would mean using someone's internet and they have talked with David Knutstrom
• Discussed antennas on the water tower. At present antennas are used by the sheriff's department, fire department, Henderson County Highway Department, and 3 or 4 by Derby Tech. On the new tower there only 6 brackets. No decisions made

Present: Mayor Brendan Schaley; Trustees, Mike Bohnenkamp, Shane Reed, David Vancil, Jerry Nortrup, Bruce Caldwell, (Amanda Kane absent); Employees, Ronnie Gittings, Hollie Allen, Arbry Vancil, Attorney Bill Rasmussen; Guests, Chris Cooper, MSA, Randy Jarvis, Robbie Root, Scott Ray, Dalton Spiker, Mr. Spiker, Sara Evans, Virginia Ross, Gina Anderberg, two reps from Accel Entertainment Gaming, Shirley Linder.

The next regular meeting will be held at 7 p.m. August 6th at the village hall. Meetings are open to the public.