The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
The Oquawka Village Board held their regularly scheduled meeting on January 6. Present were Trustees Jim Miller, Brock Miller, Brenda Tee, Troy Jern Nancy Bundy; Village President Scott Ray; Village Clerk Callie Thacker-Matsko; Village Water Clerk Carey Thacker; and Village Attorney Andy Youngquist. Trustee Shawn Hurt arrived late.
PUBLIC SPEAKING
Resident Shawn Lain addressed his concerns to the board about not having a night time police officer. He stated he and other residents have noticed “different things at all hours of the night”.
Shawn noted the police kept different hours and random days in the past. Ray explained they can’t have 24-hour coverage. Jern added that a lot of people don’t report what they see to the sheriff’s Office.
ATTORNEY REPORT
Youngquist explained there had been a court hearing for Don McVey concerning his property. The McVey property across from War Memorial Park has been a nuisance for many years.
So much so, that the Village workers cleaned up the property a few years ago at the Village’s expense, only to have the property continue to be in disrepair again.
Youngquist explained the judge gave McVey a continuance on the matter because McVey said he needed more time to clean up the property. The next court date will be February 9th.
Youngquist also reminded the board there are still two open meeting act issues. One from Molyneux and another from Edwards. It wasn’t explained what he meant by “open meeting act issues” and first names were not given.
Youngquist then explained to the board he had written a form letter for Callie to explain to residents the consequences of damaging water meters and other Village property.
It was noted that a certified letter had been sent to resident Rudy Tucker, back in October, concerning a damaged water meter at his residence and informing him he was responsible for that damage.
When Bundy asked how to proceed, Youngquist explained the first step would be to send him a bill and if he doesn’t pay, they will probably have to sue him for the total cost of the repair including parts and labor.
STREETS AND WATER
The purchase of a new mower was discussed. Excessive water usage was discussed. It was explained the Village will no longer adjust water bills for resident’s excessive water usage due to leaks or other issues.
It will be up to residents to check for leaking toilets or other issues that may cause their water bills to drastically increase.
Mick Olson, representing Bruner, Cooper, and Zuck; informed the board the design and survey for the campground is complete. Olson explained the DNR and the Health Department will have to approve the campground.
Olson felt the only question at this point would be installing a dump station on the ease side of the levy, south of TS18.
POLICE REPORT
Ray asked the board to entertain the option of making current full time police officer Scott Rossin the new Chief of Police.
The designation is required by law in that a police department must have a designated chief.
Rossin asked to address the board before they voted. He acknowledged Lain’s earlier remarks during public speaking. He stated he has and will be as transparent as possible with the citizens and the board.
He said he has told the board that he would be interested in the position and he stated he made it clear to them that he was mainly going to work days, Monday through Friday, and that he would, maybe, occasionally work a night-shift and, occasionally, maybe work a day on the weekend.
He stated he informed the board he has been a police officer for 25 years and is almost 50 years old and he wants to be home with his family on nights and weekends.
He explained he answers calls when he gets to work and doesn’t sweep anything under the rug. Lain answered saying he understood but it used to a priority to make sure the bars were shut down by 2am but that’s not a priority anymore.
Tee stated there’s still the County, so people need to be sure they are calling the Sheriff’s office and not just calling Scott.
Ray explained they hired Rossin full time a few weeks ago because after the first of the year it was going to be much more difficult to hire police officers due to changes in Illinois law.
He went on to say there wouldn’t be any contract.
Scott agreed, saying “if you don’t like me, get rid of me and if I don’t like you, I will get rid of you”. He reiterated “if it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. There are no hard feelings.”
Motion by Jim Miller to designate Rossin as Chief of Police with no changes of terms or conditions to his employment. Second by Bundy.
Miller: YES Miller: YES Tee: YES Jern: YES Bundy: YES Hurt: YES
Motion Carried.
PARKS AND REC
Callie will start advertising for a manager and lifeguards for the pool.
MEETING ADJOURNED.