The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Jeff Tee - For The Quill
The Oquawka Village Board held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, June 6th. Present were Trustees Don Rice, Tammy Bundy, Troy Jern, Shawn Hurt; Village President Lori Lipes; Village Clerk Callie Thacker; Village Water Clerk Carey Thacker; and Village Attorney Andy Youngquist. Trustees Brock Miller and Scott Ray were absent.
Jeff Tee addressed the board to say that it has been two or three years since the boat harbor has been dug out and since there were three new board members, I wanted to let them know that it must be dug out at least once every five years in order to avoid doing a ‘clam study’. I explained a clam study is required by the EPA after five years because they feel that gives clams enough time to establish a colony. I noted former Trustee Shawn Lain used to keep tabs on the timing but since he is no longer on the board, I wanted to put it out there so the new board members were aware of the issue.
Lipes informed the board that a window at the new Oquawka Museum had been broken by a rock that was thrown in to it by a mower that was being operated by a village worker. There is a $500 deductible on the insurance and the glass will be replaced in 2-3 weeks.
Youngquist announced the village had won a court judgment against Zack Ferguson for $9542.92 for the illegal cutting of a walnut tree on village property.
There have been complaints about the property owned by Holly Braun at 109 North 5th street. The property is overgrown and full of trash. Youngquist noted last year’s property taxes have been sold and this years haven’t been paid yet. Youngquist went on to explain he felt the best solution was for the village to acquire the property by judicial deed. The village has used this method in the past. Youngquist will look in to the matter further.
Pool Manager Branick McVey addressed to board to give an update on the pool. He noted there are eight lifeguards in rotation and attendance is up from last year. He went on to explain there are problems with the baby pool He said the pump went out of it and it leaks so bad that he has to refill it every day. Jern noted it has been a problem since the last time he served on the village board, which was several years ago. Lipes stated you can’t keep enough water in it to keep it sanitized and she feels it would be better just to close it. Bundy asked if it would be possible to fill it in with concrete and make it a splash pad. Bundy and Jern will look into the slash pad idea.
The board voted unanimously to spend $362.46 for cleaning supplies at the museum.
Sealed bids were opened for the sale of a village owned lot on 3rd Street. Three bids were received. Scott Kelly of Gladstone had the winning bid at $3300. Other bids were $1500 and $500. Bundy made a motion to accept Kelly’s bid of $3300. All members voted yes. Motion carried.
Youngquist informed the board they needed to make some more decisions before he could draw up an ordinance to lease the Clay Street right-of-way area to the Millers and Hainds. Youngquist explained they could lease the property up to 99 years but if it’s a term in excess of 20 years, there’s a ‘publication of notice’ requirement. Bundy asked if they should just make the term for 20 years. Jern agreed. Youngquist suggested the lease should not be an automatic renewal and should be able to be terminated by either party.
The cost of the lease will be any costs incurred by the village to put forth the lease plus $1 per year. Other provisions will include no building or structures are to be erected on the property and any fencing would have to be approved by the board. Also, the village would maintain the right to access the property for easements and utilities. The issue is set to be voted on at the July meeting.
Lipes told the board she had been informed by a former board member that installing a flashing light near the river on Schuyler Street could be a liability to the village if the light were to malfunction and someone drove into the river. Jern asked Youngquist if this was correct. Youngquist answered he would like to do some research before he answered the question. Bundy suggested Lipes contact the Illinois Department of Transportation about the issue.
The FFA Truck and Tractor Pull will be Saturday, July 1st.
Jern announced he had been informed that Nicor had installed a gas service across 3rd Street at the Bill Simpson residence and had humped the road up in doing so. After some discussion about who should repair the damage to the road, it was decided to call Nicor about the damage. Streets supervisor Jeff Petersen stated Nicor had installed the service line without calling in a utility location request.
Jeff Tee
River Rat News
“Just the facts, Ma’am”