The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Jeff Tee for The Quill
The Oquawka Village Board held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, July 11th.
Present were Trustees Don Rice, Brock Miller, Tammy Bundy, Troy Jern, Shawn Hurt; Village President Lori Lipes; Village Clerk Callie Thacker; Village Water Clerk Carey Thacker; and Village Attorney Andy Youngquist.
Trustee Scott Ray was absent.
Oquawka Pool Manager Brannick McVey addressed the ‘unfortunate circumstances’ that caused the pool to be shut down for five days last week. McVey summarized the issues as unforeseen events and stated everything has been sorted out and the pool is back open. McVey thanked Callie, Carey, and the Village maintenance workers for helping him work through the problems.
McVey noted the pool is averaging about 26 swimmers per day and that has been steady throughout the summer. McVey went on to say that after a discussion with the lifeguards, they felt Sunday, August 6th would be a good day to have the final open day at the pool.
I addressed the board to say I was speaking for a group of citizens who would like the board to consider putting in an RV campground at the DNR buy-out property along the river where the Palace II used to be. I stated I had spoken with a former campground owner and was told by him that there was room on the 200-foot-long property to have ten RV sites. I noted a single camp site might rent for $700/month. Therefore, 10 campsites could produce $7000/month. I noted other campgrounds in the area are open May through October so the potential income generated from the 10 sites over 6 months could reach $42,000 per camping season. I went on to explain that the group of citizens I was speaking for wanted me to address one other topic. I noted the Village’s fireworks were phenomenal as usual, and everyone I had talked to felt the same. However, now that they are over, we would like the board to look into getting the fireworks moved back to the river for next year. The board was receptive to the both ideas.
Shawn Lain addressed the board to say that he was having problems with lawnmowers riding past his business, The Muddy Cup, on the sidewalk. He asked if there was something the board could do to help resolve the issue. Jern asked if this would be something for law enforcement. Lain answered he sent pictures to Lipes and Police Chief Tim Edwards and hasn’t gotten a response. Lipes stated she didn’t think there was an ordinance against riding a mower on sidewalks. She went on to say there are bicycles and skateboards using the sidewalks as well. Bundy asked Edwards if he had asked the person not to ride by there anymore, Edwards responded he had asked the person to ride on the other side of the road in the area to avoid a confrontation. Lipes stated she had asked him to do that, as well. Edwards said in this situation, there are problems with both parties, so they need to resolve both issues. Bundy asked what other problems? Edwards said blocking the sidewalk with a snowplow and parking in a handicapped spot. Lain responded by telling Edwards to write the ticket. Edwards said he would do that. Edwards went on to say if you’re going to enforce one thing, you have to enforce them all. Bundy asked Youngquist if he would look in the sidewalk ordinances to see if something could be done about the issue.
A representative of Ameren was present due to some vandalism that had occurred the previous night. Electrical wires feeding the floodwater pump on the south side of TS18 had been cut and the meter had been removed from its base. Jern asked if TS18 still had security cameras and if they were working. Edwards said he hasn’t been able to contact the owner yet. Shawn Lain stated he had been out at around 2am the previous night and may have information about the incident.
Lipes stated she has been in contact with Nicor about the hump in the road on 3rd Street that was created by one of their crews while installing a service. Nicor seems to be stalling on fixing the road. Lipes will contact them again.
Police Chief Edwards stated he had contacted The Health Department because he witnessed raw sewage being dumped on the grass at a property in the Village. The Health Department issued a cease-and-desist order to the resident and posted it at the property in question.
Edwards stated that Lipes asked him to tell a property owner at 8th and Mercer Streets to stop letting off their fireworks while the Village Fireworks were in progress. Edwards told the homeowner they could resume after the Village Fireworks were done. When they resumed, a firework went through the window of Edwards’ Police car causing significant damage. Lipes said she believes it was very negligent due to the amount of people and littles kids, including her own grandkids, in the area and she feels the homeowner is responsible to pay for the damage. The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office is handling the investigation of the incident because it isn’t legal for Edwards to do a report on himself. It was noted by Youngquist that if the Sheriff cited the individual for Criminal Damage to Property and the damage was more than $300, then it is considered a felony.
Brenda Tee, representing the Parks and Tourism Committee, stated they would like to move the bell that is currently in front of the old museum to the new museum. Tee asked if the maintenance crew could pour a concrete slab for the bell. Tee went on to say she had been in contact with Alan Miller about getting a new sign for the museum.
Youngquist stated he had drafted an ordinance for a partial Clay Street closure and to authorize the lease of the area to the Miller and Hainds families. The terms of the lease were not recited at this meeting. Motion by Trustee Brock Miller to approve the ordinance. Second by Jern. Voting YES: Bundy, Jern, Hurt, Rice, Miller- Motion carried.
As the meeting was about to adjourn, Jern asked if they were going to go into closed session to discuss a personnel issue. Most of the board members seemed to have the impression that the closed session was supposed to be on the agenda. Lipes stated “we had decided not to go into closed session at this point.” Jern asked how can you do that when a closed session had been requested. Jern stated he had talked to the mayor about personnel and he thought she had talked to Youngquist and there was supposed to be a closed session. Lipes replied she had one person call her and request a closed meeting. Nobody else called her. Miller said there was a few people who had addressed some concerns to him and wanted to talk about things as a board so he requested the closed session. Lipes stated she wanted the entire board to be there for the closed session and she knew Ray would be absent. Jern asked if they were going to discuss the personnel issues. Lipes said its not going to happen tonight and there would be no closed session tonight. Lipes said she had asked what the concerns were and wanted to address a few things first. She said she had asked Tammy for times and dates. Bundy asked Youngquist if a board member wants something to change, are they required to provide evidence? Youngquist answered they are all speaking in very general terms. He went on to say Village personnel are supervised by the mayor and the mayor is taking steps to address some concerns. He stated if those steps don’t satisfy the board, the board has the authority to address the issue. Youngquist went on to say that if it is a personnel issue, he would suggest that when the board does address it, the board has its I’s dotted and its T’s crossed. Miller asked if they could work on this at the work session meeting the following week. Jern said probably not because it’s personnel. Lipes agreed. Miller said “you can’t have a closed meeting and you can’t have an open meeting.” When someone mentioned you have to discuss personnel in a closed meeting, Miller stated he tried that a couple weeks ago.
The meeting adjourned .
Jeff Tee
River Rat News
“Just the facts, Ma’am”