Village Board

Village Board Approved Meeting Minutes March 26, 2024 Present : Mayor Lee, Trustees, Fowler, Speer, Zabelny, Trustee Farell Village Manager Shari Wilson-Pearce Treasurer Maryalice Edwards Code Enforcement Officer Mark Mazzucco Deputy Clerk Amy Harter DPW Superintendent Jeff Pearce Asst. Superintendent Chad McManus Guests: Nick Mucci, Russ Zurick, Cody Kelly Mayor Lee called the meeting to order at 5 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence. The meeting was held in the Board Room and was available via Zoom. Discussion Sewer Rates: Jeff Pearce met with MRB Group and reviewed the sewer infrastructure. There are several improvements needed in the near future including lift station upgrades. Resolution to increase the residential sewer rate to $165.00 Motion made by Trustee Fowler, seconded by Trustee Zabelny. Carried 4-0. In Lieu of Insurance: Shari Pearce provided an overview of the current policy and the costs of this benefit. The board discussed the policy and agreed to revisit the topic later in the year, this does not affect the proposed budget. At this time, Trustee Speer joined the meeting. Resolution to set the tax rate at $2.73 for the 2024-2025 budget year. Motion made by Trustee Fowler, seconded by Trustee Speer. Carried 5-0. Resolution to authorize the Village Manager to advertise the Public Hearing for April 9th at 6:00 p.m. to approve the 2024-2025 budget. Motion made by Trustee Fowler, seconded by Mayor Lee. Carried 5-0. Discussion Recreation Community Center: The board briefly discussed the amount of space utilized by the Recreation Department. There are four rooms that are available to the community, the Recreation Department has priority over these rooms currently. If they are not in use, the community is able to reserve the space. The building is at capacity and rarely has free space. 1 Employee vehicle damage: In February an employee backed into a fence gate that was not properly locked into place in the DPW parking lot. During working hours this gate is in a fixed, open position. The employee is seeking the cost of the insurance deductible. Repair estimates were provided to the Village Manager. The DPW Superintendent agrees that the fence was not secured; he feels the Village shares in the responsibility in this situation. The board agreed to pay the cost of the employees insurance deductible, which is $200. Resolution to authorize payment of $200.00 to Vicky Taylor for damages to her car. Motion made by Trustee Speer, seconded by Trustee Zabelny. Carried 5-0. Handbook Amendments The board discussed the following amendments to the Employee Handbook, these items will be placed on the April 2, 2024 agenda for consideration/approval: Clothing Allowance: In 2023, the Village Board approved a clothing allowance of $450 for each DPW employee. There is also a rental/cleaning allotment of $250 through CINTAS. This was a trial period. Jeff Pearce is recommending an increase to $700. Call in pay: Full time hourly employees that are called into work or that are required to attend Village meetings will be compensated for three hours of call in time. This is an increase from two hours. Fatigue/Extreme Overtime: In the event of extra long overtime hours, such as an extensive snow removal and/or emergencies such as water main breaks, the Superintendent shall have discretion to authorize sending employees home on regular hours and receive pay. Executive Session Trustee Fowler made a motion to enter into Executive Session at 5:45 p.m. to discuss an employee’s medical leave, seconded by Trustee Speer. Carried 5-0. Trustee Fowler made a motion to exit Executive Session at 6:30 and to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Trustee Zabelny. Carried 5-0. Respectfully submitted, Amy Harter Deputy Clerk 2