The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Jeff Tee – Special for The Quill
The Oquawka Village Board held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, February 6th. Present were Trustees Don Rice, Brock Miller, Tammy Bundy, Troy Jern, Scott Ray; Village President Lori Lipes; Village Clerk Callie Thacker; and Village Attorney Andy Youngquist. Trustee Shawn Hurt and Village Water Clerk Carey Thacker were absent.
Lipes mentioned she had talked with the person who has been living on his boat in the municipal harbor since December. The owner of the boat told Lipes he had gotten some parts for the motor and had it running for a few minutes. He said his plan was to leave the harbor when the ice thawed. It was noted the water around his boat was currently clear of ice. Bundy asked for a deadline for the boat to exit the harbor. Rice stated they need to make sure Lock 18 is open before they set a deadline.
Youngquist had previously requested the board make some changes to its water ordinances to comply with state laws and to simplify. The board submitted several changes to Youngquist for approval. Youngquist recommended a couple edits to the board’s proposal including water bills should be “joint and several” meaning both landlord and tenet are legally responsible for payment. Youngquist also asked to change language that states “unless other arrangements are made with the water clerk or other designated representative”.
Youngquist stated he thinks that’s a mistake unless there is a very specific program to pay over due water bills. He went on to say the idea of having a resident come to Village Hall and negotiate a payment plan or some other arrangement to avoid water shut off is a bad idea.
Youngquist noted he tells all his municipal clients they are not doing anyone any favors by letting them get their water bills in to the hundreds of dollars.
Motion by Bundy to accept the new ordinance as written with the proposed changes. Second by Ray. All members voted yes. Motion passed.
Streets Supervisor Jeff Petersen stated the plows had been out 7 times for snow and 3 times for ice during the month of January.
Zoning officer John Newton stated there were no permits issued during the month of January. He went on to say he has been asked several times about tiny homes. He advised the board they may want to think about any changes to the current ordinances that they may want to make. He noted the current ordinance has a minimum of 750 square feet of living space.
Mick Olson addressed the board concerning resurfacing Village streets using MFT funds. It was noted that there is currently $281,824 in the MFT (Motor Fuel Tax) fund. Mick noted there is also a little more than $20,000 from the Rebuild Illinois grant.
Miller stated he has been in contact with several people from the state and has been told there will need to be an inspection and the campground will need engineered and permits. Miller noted Mick Olsen would be able to help because he has done work with other campgrounds. Youngquist stated if they want to move forward with the campground, they will need to make some ordinances such as how it will be managed, etc. Youngquist stated he will do some research and get some ideas together for the February work session.
Lipes announced the Citizen of the Year award was presented to Cathy Rima Anderson. Lipes stated Cathy couldn’t attend the meeting due to an ongoing medical issue, therefore Lipes went to Cathy’s house to present the award in person. Lipes went on to say many businesses in town had donated items and she presented those items to Cathy as well.
Lipes noted some of the businesses that donated to the Citizen of the Year award are River Bank Fabrics, Mama’s Place, Auntie M’s, Bee You Apothecary, TS18, Fisher’s Grocery, Shear Elegance, Sandy’s Cut and Curl, Mississippi Waves, and Rhonda’s Greenhouse.
Lipes said she wanted to read the letter that was submitted to the board nominating Cathy. It is as follows:
“I would like to nominate Cathy Anderson for Citizen of the Year. Cathy has been an excellent, well known, and loved citizen in Oquawka for over 40 years. She participates in or attends all of the community events that she can. She has worked locally at Eagle View Community Health System for over 40 years, as well. Even though she has been fighting cancer for a couple of years, it hasn’t stopped her from working, putting her family first or being there for everyone else. She is the strongest woman I know, the nicest woman you’ll ever meet, and deserves to be recognized as such. I don’t know that there is anyone else in this community more loved than Cathy Anderson. Please consider her when voting on the Citizen of the Year for Oquawka. Thank you.”
I couldn’t agree more.
Jeff Tee
River Rat News
“Just the facts, Ma’am”