The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
The Oquawka Village board held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, June 14th. Present were Trustees Don Rice, Shawn Lain, Tammy Bundy, Brian Collier, Scott Ray, Brenda Tee; Village President Lori Lipes; Village Clerk Callie Thacker; Village Water Clerk Carey Thacker; and Village Attorney Andy Youngquist.
Village Water Clerk Carey Thacker announced the glitches in the water billing software have been fixed and all water bills are now corrected. Carey went on to say that people are starting to use the online bill pay system for the water bills, however some people still like to pay in person at Village Hall. Carey requested the board consider getting a credit/debit card reader for those that want to pay in person with a card.
President Lipes stated she had called to have the dumpster at the municipal harbor picked up and had ordered the “No Mulch” signs for the Village dump area.
Mike Greenleaf, representing engineering firm Bruner, Cooper and Zuck; addressed the board concerning a proposed water project which would update all water meters in the Village along with other improvements such as raising the well house located near River Drive above flood stage. Mike explained the first step is a feasibility study. The study must be done in order to qualify for an EPA loan forgiveness program that the Village is considering applying for. The loan terms are 1% interest on a 20-year note. The program would provide forgiveness up to $400,000. Mike has explained that water bills must be raised as a requirement for the loan forgiveness program. How much the water bills will be raised has not yet been determined, however $8/month has been mentioned.
Police Chief Tim Edwards asked the board to purchase two tablet computers with mounting hardware to be used in the police cars at a cost of $4915.52. The tablets will replace current laptops and will also act as dash cams, in car cams, and will eliminate the need to use cell phones as a hotspot while patrolling. Motion by Lain to purchase the tablets. Second by Rice. The board all approved.
The board voted unanimously to hire Brannock McVey as Pool Manager. Lipes announced the pool was set to open on Thursday, June 16th.
Lipes stated the 4th of July Committee was asking for $150 for a magic show, $500 for a petting zoo and carriage rides, and $1000 for a band. It was noted the committee had already raised around $1500. There was some confusion as to why the committee needed such a large sum donated.
No one from the committee was present at the meeting to explain or answer questions. Bundy asked if they should make a motion for $1000. Tee stated the Parks and Tourism budget was $2000 for the year and explained the fiscal year just started. Tee noted the Schuyler Street Stroll and Christmas parade would be coming. After some discussion, Tee made a motion to donate $650 to fund the magic show and the petting zoo and carriage rides. Second by Ray. With Rice: YES Lain: ABSTAIN Bundy: NO Collier: YES Ray: YES Tee: YES Motion carried.
A motion was made to go into closed session and upon returning, a motion was made to continue to pay Chris Petersen her wage and insurance through July 31st. All approved.
A motion was made to make a counter offer to Western Illinois Realty in the amount of $45,000 for the purchase of the Western Illinois Realty office, located across the street from Village Hall. Bundy abstained with Rice, Lain, Collier, Ray and Tee voting yes.
Motion carried and the meeting adjourned.
JEFF TEE- OQUAWKA
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