The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Board held their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, October 1st. Trustee Scott Ray was absent.
ATTORNEY REPORT
Village attorney Andy Youngquist stated a recent letter from Oquawka Fire Protection District (OFPD) attorney John Brady noted that the OFPD would retain original copies of all past records and would provide the Village of Oquawka with copies of those records. Youngquist stated that if the board was ok with this, he would finalize the purchase agreement. Once finalized, the board will schedule a special meeting so that it can be voted on before the next OFPD meeting which is scheduled for Thursday, October 17 At that time, OFPD could also vote to accept the purchase agreement and finalize the sale of the Oquawka Fire Department.( When asked by Trustee Shawn Lain for clarification, Youngquist stated it is not unreasonable for this Village to want to retain records of a fire department it operated for decades. ( When asked by Trustee Brian Collier if he had talked with Doran Jones about the location of the septic system at the fire department bilding, Youngquist said he had not done so yet but the Village has said all along that it would provide the information to OFPD. Lain said he would discuss it with Jones directly after the meeting and try to get a map drawn of the location.
OLD BUSINESS
A resident who lives near the city dump has complained about fires left to smolder and the smoke was a nuisance to his family. It was stated that the Village must burn infected ash trees when they are taken down. Trustee Brenda Tee said she called the Des Moines County Landfill and they will take wood chips for free which should cut down on the smoldering issue. Many options and solutions for burning bigger logs were discussed including burning in the Village owned parking lot on the south side of the south levee, contacting the Director of Public Works in Galesburg about taking brush to the Galesburg Well property outside of town to burn, and only burning when the wind is in a direction so that it won t affect the complaining resident. It was unclear what the final decision was.
NEW BUSINESS
Trick or Treat will be October 31st from 6pm-8pm.
There was some discussion on using tree sap for dust control at the semi parking area and at the boat harbor. Trustees Nancy Bundy and Tammy Bundy both expressed concerns about using it at the boat harbor fearing that it would be messy when it gets wet. It was decided to try it at the semi parking area to see how it works.( Motion by Tee to use tree sap for dust control at the semi parking lot. Second by Collier.( Lain: Yes Tammy Bundy: Yes Collier: Yes Tee: Yes Nancy Bundy: No Motion Carried.
Motion by Collier to accept the estimate from Independent Heating and Refrigeration for relocation and replacement of the furnace at the Parks and Tourism building. Seconded by Nancy Bundy.( Nancy Bundy: Yes Tammy Bundy: Yes Collier: Yes Tee: Yes Lain: Yes Motion Carried.
Motion by Nancy Bundy to pay Carrie Thacker $25/hour to write grants as needed. Seconded by Tammy Bundy. ( Collier: Yes Tee: Yes Nancy Bundy: Yes Lain: No Tammy Bundy: Yes Motion carried.
When asked By Village President Robert Eldridge how to go about making the Village Clerk position an appointed one instead of elected, Youngquist answered the Village Board must pass a resolution by 2/3 majority vote. Youngquist went on to say if it's on next months agenda, he would have a resolution wrote up by then and the board could vote on it.
Tee asked Youngquist to go over the steps on dealing with abandoned and run-down properties in the Village. Youngquist stated it depends on where you want to be at the end of the process. If the Village wants to acquire the property, and in many instances, I think that's probably the best thing to do, there is a process by which, under state law, we can obtain a judicial deed to these properties. ( Tammy Bundy asked what if it's in an estate and they refuse to sell? After explaining some legal options, Youngquist stated the Village could move to acquire the property in the manor he had explained. Bundy then asked if it was legal for the Village to by properties for back taxes. Youngquist said it was legal but depending on the amount of taxes owed, it might not be the cheapest way to do it. Tee said she would like to pick a property and see what could be done. A couple of properties were discussed and a certain property was decided upon. Youngquist will start the process.
Tee has gotten estimates for sign stating the new rules for the semi-truck parking area as well as a new sign for Village Hall. Nancy Bundy made a motion to purchase a 3' x5' sign for the truck parking area for $335 from Sherwood Company in Burlington and a 4' x6' sign for Village Hall for $420 also from Sherwood Company. Seconded by Tee.( Tee: Yes Nancy Bundy: Yes Lain: Yes Tammy Bundy: Yes Collier: Yes Motion carried.
MEETING ADJOURNED
Jeff Tee, River Rat News