City Council

October 9, 2023 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE DWIGHT VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES Held in the Public Services Complex 209 South Prairie Avenue, Dwight Illinois October 9, 2023 at 6:30PM President Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:30PM and asked for a roll call. PRESENT: Paul Johnson, Village President; Jenny Johnson, Trustee; Brian Berta, Trustee; and Randy Irvin, Trustee ABSENT: Justin Eggenberger, Trustee; Marla Kinkade, Trustee; and Pete Meister, Trustee In the absence of three trustees, Village President Paul Johnson provided the fourth vote on all action items. OTHER Village Officials in Attendance: Crissy Livingston, Village Administrator; Cory Scoles, Public Works Director; Mike Nolan, Police Chief; and Whitney Scott, Village Clerk The Village Board Minutes from September 25, 2023 were presented for approval. Trustee Johnson made a motion, with a second from Trustee Berta, to approve the minutes as submitted. Roll call. All voted aye. Motion carries, 4-0. FINANCIAL REPORTS Payment of the October 9, 2023 bills in the amount of $117,262.40 were presented for payment from the various funds. Trustee Berta made a motion, with a second from Trustee Irvin, to pay the bills as submitted. Roll call. All voted aye. Motion carries, 4-0. PUBLIC FORUM None PRESIDENT’S REPORT President Johnson thanked The Paper for their recent Facebook posts reporting on the new things going on around town; stating that he appreciated them helping put the word out and was glad to hear more and more people are looking to their Facebook page. Johnson stated that the Dwight Youth Football Seniors are headed to the playoffs this weekend, and the new dealership is officially open and things are looking great out there. He also congratulated Chief Callahan on the recently awarded Firehouse Subs Grant! VILLAGE REPORTS Village Administrator Livingston advised that she continues working on several grants (more specifics to be discussed in New Business). She stated that she had received notification that the Illinois Personal Property Replacement Tax has not been computed correctly over the past several years, and 1 October 9, 2023 that municipalities would see a decrease over the next several years to balance out the incorrect formulas previously used. She expects Dwight will see a decrease of approximately $39,000 this fiscal year. Livingston also confirmed that she continues working on the new Village website and hopes to have that up and running by the first of the year. Livingston, on behalf of Chief Callahan, also provided the following EMS updates: IDPH Inspections were completed, with compliments toward their cleanliness and organization. EMS was awarded a $30,150 grant from Firehouse Subs, which will purchase 15 full sets of rescue/protective gear (pants, coats, helmets, boots and gloves) for their full-time employees. Their current equipment is approximately twenty years old and will be kept for use by part-time employees. Callahan also continues to work on grants for cardiac/AEDs and pagers and monitors. Chief Nolan advised that the two newest officers have started week 7 and are doing phenomenal. He also reported that the State of Illinois seems to be catching up on past due invoices and that they’ve recently received payment on the last four officers that went to training and those funds have been deposited in the appropriate accounts. Public Works Director Scoles advised that the Williams Street project is nearing completion; paving is finished, signage should be up this week and then the street will be opened. Scoles confirmed that the new playground equipment for Lion’s Lake is assembled and will be installed within the next week or two, depending on the weather, and that repairs on the Renfrew Park West Restrooms will begin soon also. Fritsch confirmed that the mailings regarding the arsenic report were completed and that they had only received 10-15 phone calls, and that they’ll be meeting with Farnsworth later this week/early next week on the corrective action plan. Truste Irvin inquired about a Facebook post regarding a needle found at the Amtrak station; both Nolan and Scoles advised that it had not been officially reported and they were unaware of the situation. Scoles confirmed that there is signage in the Amtrack station with emergency contact information, but that they’d look into updating the sign to include non-emergency contact information as well as possibly a sharps container. OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS Chief Nolan shared a Letter of Resignation from Officer Bakalik, who has recently accepted a position with the Marseilles Police Department. Chief Nolan confirmed that Bakailk had not yet completed his two-year obligation and they’re working on getting the numbers together, alongside some equipment that Bakalik wishes to purchase from the department. Trustee Irvin made a motion, with a second from Trustee Johnson, to approve the resignation as submitted. Roll call. All voted aye. Motion carries, 4-0. Thomas M Kulasik submitted an application for solicitation, effective immediately through November 27, 2023, from 2:30 – 7:00PM on weekdays and 10:00AM – 3:00PM on weekends. The Board discussed, collectively agreeing that they’ve not approved any previous solicitors permits as far back as could be remembered, in addition to current ordinance prohibiting solicitation on Sundays and Holidays. The Board unanimously decided to table the issue to further discuss at the next meeting. 2 October 9, 2023 Livingston presented the Economic Recovery Strategy for review. Trustee Irvin made a motion, with a second from Trustee Johnson, to adopt the Strategy as submitted. Roll call. All voted aye. Motion carries, 4-0. Livingston stated that the last item of new business is the Route 66 Grant; she explained the quick turnaround time, as she was just made aware of the Grant in early October with a deadline of Friday October 13th. Livingston presented and reviewed several ideas and suggestions, advising that the best suggestions due to timing constraints were for a Route 66 themed splash pad at Renfrew Park, Renfrew Park West Parking lot upgrade with EV station and sidewalk and the upgrade of the Lion’s Lake parking area to include motorcycle parking, EV station, (which would bring power out to Lion’s Lake, making lighting an option), and adding a 20x20 shelter with sidewalks. Livingston further explained that she’s working on a master list of projects with estimated costs, so we’re prepared for any future Grants that become available with the small time frames for applications. She also advised that the Route 66 Grant is typically available each year, with different dollar amounts awarded each year, and that next year we may reapply for funds toward restrooms out at Lion’s Lake. Livingston advised that the Grant appears to favor EV stations, and that Chamlin & Associates would be assisting with the Renfrew Park and Lion’s Lake design and Hitchcock would be assisting with the splash pad designs to accompany the grant application for a fee. Livingston also advised that she had recently learned about a large Parks and Recreation conference to be hosted in January and that she and Cory Scoles would be attending. Trustee Johnson made a motion, with a second from Trustee Irvin, to proceed with the design planning necessary to complete the grant application along with future projects as discussed. Roll call. All voted aye. Motion carries, 4-0. Finding no further business, President Johnson asked for a motion to adjourn. A motion to adjourn was made by Trustee Irvin with a second by Trustee Berta. All voted aye by voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:13PM. APPROVED: _______________________________________ Paul Q. Johnson, Village President ATTEST: ____________________________________ Whitney M. Scott, Village Clerk 3