The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Jeff Tee-River Rat News
The Oquawka Village Board held their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, September 3rd.
Village President Robert Eldridge and Village Clerk Jacqui Smith were absent. Village President pro tem Nancy Bundy conducted the meeting.
ATTORNEY REPORT
There was some discussion about whether to include the Antique fire truck in the Oquawka Fire Protection District (OFPD) purchase agreement. Included in the discussion was where it would be kept after the sale and maintenance of the vehicle. Nancy asked for a motion.
Trustee Shawn Lain made a motion to keep the truck. Second by Collier.
Lain: Yes Bundy: Yes Collier: Yes Ray: Yes Tee: Yes
Motion carried.
Village Attorney Andy Youngquist will draft a response to the OFPD attorney to inform him of the decision.
Trustee Brenda Tee asked Youngquist what else is there to do to get to a final draft of the purchase agreement so that the board could vote on it. Youngquist answered that from the village's perspective there was nothing more to do. He went on to say that he didn't understand some wording in the OFPD attorney's latest response which says "The OFPD Board may have other issues". Lain asked about other some wording in the response. Youngquist explained that typically an agreement will say when one side has to send notices to the other side, here are the addresses to send it to. Youngquist said the OFPD attorney is simply saying he wants the addresses of all the OFPD board members to be added to the list and not just the fire house.
STREET AND WATER
Street Supervisor reported they completed 98 J.U.L.I.E. locates in the month of August due to the fiber work that's being done by Tharp Brothers and all the digging done by Nicor after the high-pressure gas main was damaged outside of town, as well as the normal day to day locates. He also noted 58 tons of gravel had been hauled to the harbor after the dredging was done. Lain said 75 tons had been allotted for the harbor and asked Petersen to pile up another 15 tons in the corner lot so that it could be used as needed.
POLICE REPORT
Clifford noted Chris Sipes had turned in his two weeks' notice of resignation. The public safety committee will schedule a meeting to discuss hiring a replacement.
PARKS & RECREATION
Lisa Ray addressed the board to inform them of some vandalism that has occurred at Norma Jean Park. Two signs have been damaged. At the time of the meeting, Lisa had not been able to get an estimate for repairs, but it was noted that a new sign cost around $1200. Lisa also noted that teenage kids have been seen playing on the baby swing and it has been damaged in the past because of this. It was suggested that Police Chief Clifford make contact with park goers a few times a month to deter criminal activity.
FIRE DEPT REPORT
Nancy mentioned that Fire Chief Troy Jern had contacted her to inform her that they have not had new gloves in five years. He is asking for twenty new pairs of gloves at a cost of $45/pair for a total cost of $900. After discussion Trustee Tammy Bundy made a motion to buy the gloves, seconded by Tee. Lain: No; Bundy, Collier, Ray, Tee: Yes. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
Erica Pence, representing the Henderson County Health Department, requested the board make Norma Jean Park smoke free. The Heath Dept. encourages smoke-free environments in areas where children are present such as parks. After discussion on verbiage, Trustee Scott Ray made a motion to ban the smoking of tobacco products at Norma Jean Park, second by Collier. Lain, Bundy, Collier, Ray and Tee voted Yes.Adjourned was at 7:49 pm. Jeff Tee-River Rat News