Peoria Standard

Village of Gifford Board of Trustees met Nov. 4.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Village Board of Trustees met at 7:00 p.m. in the Gifford Village Building to hold their regular monthly meeting. Officers and Trustees present were President Ackerman and Trustees, Hammond, Harris, McFadden, Pannbacker and Severins. Trustee Starkey was absent. Treasurer Christie Huls, Clerk Diane Baker, Water/Maintenance Jess Childress, Water/Maintenance and Zoning Jon Couture were all present. Chief Weary was absent.

Earl Smith, Cindy Duden, Stacy Huls and Jarod Acton present from community.

Pledge of Allegiance and roll call.

Earl Smith was present to introduce Marguerite Bailey a liaison for Mike Marron. District 104 is redistricting and there is now an office open in Rantoul. She said they are available for questions, concerns and there to help with what we might need in the Village.

Stacy Huls was present to talk about the upcoming Bank Christmas Parade. It will be on Sunday, December 5th. There will be activities, Santa and music at the school from 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. with a gingerbread decorating competition. The parade will begin at 5:00 p.m. Main street will close for this with Sean’s help per the board and Stacy Huls will call the County to okay the closure.

Each Trustee and Officer had been furnished minutes of the last regular meeting. Trustee Pannbacker made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes. It was seconded by Trustee Severins. All trustees concurred in a roll call vote (5 yes, 0 no). Trustee Harris made a motion to accept the minutes as read. It was seconded by Trustee Severins. All trustees concurred in a roll call vote (5 yes, 0 no).

Each Trustee and Officer had been furnished printed copies of the bills to be considered for payment. Trustee McFadden made a motion to dispense with the reading of the bills. It was seconded by Trustee Harris. All Trustees concurred in a roll call vote (5 yes, 0 no). Trustee Pannbacker made a motion to pay the bills as presented. It was seconded by Trustee Hammond. All Trustees concurred in a roll call vote (5 yes, 0 no).

Each Trustee and Officer had been furnished printed copies of the Treasurer’s Report, Trustee Severins made a motion to dispense with the reading of the Treasurer’s Report, except for the summary. It was seconded by Trustee Pannbacker. All Trustees concurred in a roll call vote (5 yes, 0 no). The starting balance in Village accounts as of October 1, 2021 was $1,187,914.49. Total money received for the month of October 2021 was $67,825.42 plus $9.93 interest from CD#15399 and $6.88 interest from CD#8170. Total expenses for the month were $53,965.06 leaving a balance on October 31, 2021 of $1,201,791.66.

Water Report

Total gallons of water pumped for October, 2,038,000 gals, the daily consumption was 65,742 gals. • Jonathan met with Bio-Chemists from Bloomington, they discussed using new air diffusers in lagoons at the WWTP instead of the airlines we currently have.

• Jetted tile on South Willard St.

• Cleaned WWTP blower room and office after heavy rain forced water and mud inside the building. • Cut trees in the alleys and also graded the alleys adding rock.

• Mowed in town and at WWTP.

• Took all monthly water and waste water samples.

• Jetted another tile in the alley just South of East Plumb St.

• We had number 2 pump kick out about 5 times last week at WWTP. Jon Kizer came out and replaced 2 relays in the control panel.

• Back washed all pressure filters at WTP

• Read all water meters and remotes.

• Sent out 15 letters for non-payment of water and sewer bills.

• Logged all water bill receipts and made all deposits.

Jon Couture went with Mike Buzicky from MSA to look at what they thought was going to be a trickling system for the bioreactor but it was a rock filter system. It was not what they had expected but said the rock filter system could work for our system.

Jess said they would like to purchase a new pump costing $8,000 for the one that was just fixed.

Trustee Pannbacker made a motion to purchase a replacement pump for the WWTP for $8,000. It was seconded by Trustee Hammond. A roll call vote (4 yes, 1 no). Motion carries.

POLICE REPORT- Police Report, hand out, in investigative matters there were 13 incidents, 3 reports and 1 arrest. In traffic matters there were 23 incidents, 18 warnings, 2 citations and 1 arrest.

STREET AND ALLEY REPORT – No Report.

SANITARY AND STORM REPORT – Trustee Starkey absent. It was reported that they dug a tile up on Eiler Drive, there were a couple issues with the tile that the Village fixed.

It was brought up about the manhole bubbling by Pete Watson’s old house. Jess and Jonathan will jet it out.

POWER LIGHTS AND TELEPHONE REPORT– Trustee Severins reported all street lights that were out have been called in.

RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND PUBLIC RELATIONS REPORT – Trustee Harris reported he received a couple emails about water issues on North Park St. after the heavy rain. Possible it was the back flow preventer that may have failed and the other was needing a referral for an engineer.

FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE REPORT – No Report.

OLD BUSINESS

Liquor Ordinance was sent from our lawyer. Review and send changes/additions to Diane Baker before the next meeting.

It was brought up about the old McDaniel house on South Park St. again about the animals inside and could something be done before winter. Jarod Acton said he was boarding everything up and there would be no animals able to get in or out when he is finished.

It was brought up again about putting up Christmas decorations in town. There is an issue with power for some of the poles. Lighted decorations will be hung on the ones that have power and adding power to the others will be discussed at next year’s budget meeting.

One of the Trustees or the Mayor will talk to Sean about contacting the people who live in Sheffield’s old house on Park St. about the furniture sitting by the road and also have their garbage picked up in a timely fashion and not sitting by the road for weeks.

NEW BUSINESS

Trustee Pannbacker made a motion to okay the Maintenance Agreement with Cummins Sales and Service for the water plant and the waste water plant. It was seconded by Trustee Harris. All Trustees concurred in a roll call vote (5 yes, 0 no).

It was brought up to ask Neil to take the lights down from the gazebo at Emord’s Park. The Clerk will notify Neil.

Executive Session

Trustee Pannbacker made a motion to go into executive session to talk about personnel issues. It was seconded by Trustee Severins. All Trustees concurred in a roll call vote (5 yes, 0 no). Executive Session started at 7:35 p.m.

Trustee Pannbacker made a motion to come out of Executive Session and return to the regular meeting. It was seconded by Trustee Severins. Executive Session ended at 7:55 p.m.

Trustee Severins moved the meeting be adjourned. It was seconded by Trustee Harris. All Trustees concurred in a voice vote. The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m.

https://villageofgifford.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/20211104-gifford-minutes.pdf