Galesburg Reporter

Village of Williamsfield Village Board met Aug. 5.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

The Williamsfield Village Board met in regular session on August 5, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. in the Village Hall. Present were President Tonkin, Trustees Trudy Self, Michael Gray, Stanley King and Ryan Smith. Trustees Pam Courson and Stuart Hickerson were absent. Also present were Jeff Campbell (Steven's- Campbell Insurance), Susan Ott, Don and Tiffany Pool, Stephanie Landon and Larry Mattson, Treasurer Mary Rice, Tom Rice (R/0 Plant) and Village Clerk Tori Courson.

Motion by Trustee Smith and seconded by Trustee Self to approve the minutes of the July 2019 meeting as presented. Roll Call Vote - Self-yes; Gray-yes; Smith-yes; King-yes. All in favor. Motion carried.

New Bills: The following bills were presented for approval.

Motion by Trustee Gray and seconded by Trustee Smith to approve the new bills as presented. Roll Call Vote - Self-yes; Gray-yes; Smith-yes; King-yes. All in favor. Motion carried.

President Tonkin reviewed financial statements for the month. All were in order. Motion by Trustee Gray and seconded by Trustee Self to approve the financial statements. Roll Call Vote - Self-yes; Gray-yes; Smith-yes; King- yes. All in favor. Motion carried.

Public Comment: Jeff Campbell representing Stevens-Campbell Insurance presented to the Board a packet and spreadsheet that show the Village's coverage and values. The Board questioned whether volunteers were covered under the policy and Jeff stated that the Village1s property was covered but not the volunteers. For instance, if a volunteer was drilling a hole and hit something, that would be covered but if a volunteer were to get injured, the volunteer would not be covered. He also stated volunteers are exempt from suing the Village. Trustee Courson gives Jeff a roster of the volunteers at the Parks for Jeff to keep on hand. When Jeff renewed the Village s policy, he did a thorough check, reevaluated properties and was able to adjust to the accurate coverage. The new water building has been added to the policy and the Village's vehicles are covered that employees drive as well as substitutes that are granted permission to drive. Last year's policy cost $20,397 which had $1.6 million coverage and this year1s policy cost $18,698 with $1.85 million coverage. Some of the decrease cost was due to workman's comp being lowered. The Board is going to get a log book that Village employees can check vehicles in and out.

Stephanie Landon was upset that her 8 year old son was pulled over by the police with his lights on for riding his bike in the street. Stephanie stated she appreciated the officer's concern for her son's safety. She stated that near her home on West Gale, drivers speed and constantly disobey stop signs. She felt like the police should be more worried about laws being broken that she rarely sees patrolled. She suggested installing a 4-way stop sign on Poplar and Gale Street to maybe help stop the vehicles. A Board member suggested cameras and another resident suggested holding a seminar at the school to educate the young drivers about speeding and stop signs with school starting soon.

Correspondence: President Tonkin stated the Village received a letter about the public hearing being held on August 7 at the Knox County Zoning Office regarding the solar energy garden to be possibly installed on Pine Street.

Mediacom sent a notice of modification of service and supplied a template ordinance that the Village could adopt as a franchise agreement. Trustee Gray stated it would not be necessary to adopt.

President Tonkin has been in contact with Jordan Newell at Massie and Quick LLC. about the growth and sales of CBD oil in Municipalities. The rules of growing it are very complicated as well as all of the agricultural rules. Selling CBD oil would be different rules and the Village would potentially benefit from sales. The Board will need to think more about how they are going to handle in the fall so they are prepared in January 2020.

Street Report: Walsh Brothers are going to install the tile near Highway 180. The Village's maintenance department is going to assist and use their equipment and supplies to help save money. Trustee Smith, President Tonkin and Andy Logsdon from Bruner, Cooper and Zuck are going to meet Thursday or Monday to finalize a list of sidewalk repairs and streets to oil and chip with Motor Fuel Tax Funds.

Police Report: Chief Robertson has been working on unsightly properties.

Park Report: They are still working on trying to schedule a date to move the caboose. As of July 30, Balagna has not committed to a date. Hopefully they will hear something soon. Before ag day, there are a few trees and bushes that need trimmed due to the hard winter. They would like to offer an outdoor plant division event in the spring, possibly sponsored by the Garden Club. There was a discussion about installing another sign leading people to Doubet-Benajmin Park. Last weekend there were people at the park from Galva, Woodhull, Galesburg, Victoria, Oneida, Yates City, Elmwood, Texas and Florida for two events held Saturday and Sunday. The Julie Strom Frisbee Toss that had to be cancelled twice in the spring will now be held on August 31.

Water Report: Nothing to report

Maintenance Department: They purchased a new sprayer pump, they are painting the inside of the shop, painted cross walks and almost have the bat wing put back together.

Old Business: The loan for the Village's portion of the water grant was processed and completed. A former Williamsfield resident is one of the Board members on the Regional Transit System.

New Business: Don and Tiffany Pool recently purchased a new home in Williamsfield and are interested in purchasing 2 lots in the new subdivision to build a garage for storage. They would position the garage on the lot so, if it were to be sold, the next person can build a house right in front of it. They have been in contact with Debbie Newell and Debbie wasn't sure if that would work because the land was donated and there are certain restrictions on the sale of the lots. The Board is going to check with Jordan Newell on the rules of the sale of the lots. The lots are supposed to be residential to help bring tax revenue to the Village.

President Tonkin spoke with Tim Farquer and Jordan Newell at Massie and Quick LLC about the traffic control for the pickup and drop-off of kids at the school's new sidewalk and parking lot. The Village's current ordinance regarding streets and sidewalks will not need to be updated due to the changes.

The Village discussed the truck they are considering purchasing for the maintenance department. It is a 2007 GMC 1⁄2 ton 2WD. Trustee Smith voiced his concerns and recommended the Village get a heavier four wheel drive truck so they would be able to take the plow off of the Hum-Vee and put it on the heavy duty truck. The decision on a purchase was postponed pending further correspondence with Wight Chevrolet and research on the potential cost and availability of such a vehicle.

Motion by Trustee Smith and seconded by Trustee Gray to adjourn the meeting. All were in favor.

https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/b56699_b0f319eb7de44b098f922fa024e9ecaf.pdf?index=true