January 2021 Minutes
January 26, 2021
A meeting of the Stratton Village Board of Trustees was held on Tuesday January 19, 2021 at 7:00 pm CT at the Village Clerk’s Office. Notice of the meeting was posted and availability of the agenda was communicated in the advance notice. A poster of the “Open Meetings Act” was clearly visible on the wall, and Chairwoman J. McDonald directed the attention of those present to the poster. All proceedings hereafter shown occurred while the meeting was in session. Present: Chairman J. McDonald, Trustee T. Jones, Trustee J. Griffiths, Trustee M. McDonald, Superintendent K. League, Clerk T. Hedrick, members of the Library Board Roberta Loescher and Janet Felt, and members of the public Jennifer Reynolds, James Reagan and Shawn Hanes.
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm.
OPEN FORUM: Superintendent League reminded new trustees that if they plan to be absent from a meeting to notify Chairman J. McDonald, Clerk Hedrick or himself so that the trustee can be excused from the meeting. If the trustee is not excused from the meeting their annual salary will be deducted for that meeting.
Trustee Griffiths discussed her plans to advertise to the community for an app that would help the community communicate with each other regarding services, activities and events. She stated that she hopes for this to help unify the community and spark ideas for betterment of the town. Superintendent League reminded the board of social media rules for avoiding a quorum with board trustees.
Motion by T. Jones and second by M. McDonald to approve the previous minutes, treasurers’ report and claims. Roll call: Unanimous Ayes. Motion Carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Chairman J. McDonald made a nomination for Shawn Hanes to fill the vacant Trustee position for the balance of the unexpired term ending in December 2024. Shawn Hanes introduced himself to Trustees. Motion made by M. McDonald and second by J. Griffiths to appoint Shawn Hanes for the vacant Trustee position. Roll call: Unanimous Ayes. Motion carried and vacancy declared filled by Shawn Hanes. S. Hanes then took the oath of office.
Clerk Hedrick informed the board that she spoke with Dale Schilke with Engineering International earlier in the day and updated them on several items they are continuing to work on. J. Felt updated the Board on the status of moving the Library books and computers into the new building.
Motion made by J. Griffiths and second by T. Jones to go into executive session to discuss real estate sale of property at 502 Bailey. Roll call: Unanimous Ayes. Motion carried
Motion made by M. McDonald and second by T. Jones to leave executive session from discussing real estate sale of property at 502 Bailey. Roll call: Unanimous Ayes. Motion carried.
Motion made by M. McDonald and second by J. Griffiths to accept the offer of $16,000 for the property location at 502 Bailey. Roll call: Unanimous Ayes. Motion carried.
The property for sale at 311 Bailey was reviewed. Superintendent League was directed to winterize the building to save on utility costs as it is only being used for storage at this time. The Board would also like to see more signs and advertisement regarding the listing at the current asking price.
NEW BUSINESS:
Audit Review was postponed to the next regular meeting due to accountant not being present.
Clerk Hedrick asked the board if they would like to have the Library include shared cleaning expenses and shared utilities in their next budget. The Library board did not have any disagreements with this change. The board would like to hear the opinion of our accountant regarding this change. Clerk Hedrick will contact them and report back.
Motion made by T. Jones and second by J. Griffiths to approve Rates Resolution 492 to reflect the new water rate. The current and new rates and reason for the increase was reviewed. Superintendent League stated that there are several costs of maintaining the water system that have increased over the years and the Village needs to make sure the customer rates are reasonable while still covering the cost to provide the service. Roll call: Unanimous Ayes. Motion carried. The new rate is as follows:
WATER RATES - effective with January 2021 meter reading
Residential and Commercial
$34.75 service fee
0 - 50,000 gallons at 310 cents ($3.10) per 1,000 gallons used
50,001 and up at 85 cents ($0.85) per 1,000 gallons used
Deed of re-conveyance for 201 Hartford was postponed until the next regular meeting due to not having the documents from our attorney at this time.
Motion made by M. McDonald and second by T. Jones to adjust the committees to reflect for the new Trustee appointed as follows: Streets, Alleys & Landfill- J. McDonald and J. Griffiths; Electricity- M. McDonald and T. Jones; Water & Sewer- T. Jones and S. Hanes; Finance- T. Jones and J. McDonald; Health & Welfare: M. McDonald, J. McDonald, J. Griffiths and S. Hanes; Park & Recreation- M. McDonald and J. Griffiths. Roll call: Unanimous Ayes. Motion carried.
Superintendent League discussed options for Street Superintendent. League will be contacting a company to request a quote for services.
Motion made by T. Jones and second by M. McDonald to approve drawdown #7 for CDBG 19WW001. Roll call: Unanimous Ayes. Motion carried.
Motion made by T. Jones and second by M. McDonald to approve drawdown #16 for CDBG 18PW012. Roll call: Unanimous Ayes. Motion carried.
Motion made by T. Jones and second by M. McDonald to approve Resolution 493 appointing Village of Stratton Utilities Superintendent and Assistant Utilities Superintendent to NMPP members’ council. Roll call: Unanimous Ayes. Motion carried.
The current statues of the building located at 308 Bonner was discussed. There has been debris falling into the roadway and sidewalk and causing a safety concern. Motion made by M. McDonald and second by J. Griffiths to begin the nuisance abatement process for the building. Roll call: Unanimous Ayes. Motion carried.
Surplus Equipment was postponed to the next regular meeting due to Superintendent League not being present to discuss the equipment in question.
Streets, Alleys, & Landfill Committee Report: T. Jones requested that handicap markings and signs be placed at the front of the new Library and Village Office building.
Electricity Committee Report: Pole testing for the town needs to be completed and Superintendent League will be contacting someone to begin the process.
Water & Sewer Committee Report: Nothing new to report.
Finance Committee Report: Chairman J. McDonald signed the semi-annual program income report pertaining to CDBG to be submitted. Clerk Hedrick informed the board of some issues with how comp time is being claimed and reported. The board would like more information pertaining to cost and functionality of a time clock and how many hours of comp have been claimed over the past few years. Clerk Hedrick will also check with other towns to see how they address the situation of comp hours.
Health & Welfare Committee Report: Nothing new to report.
Park & Recreation Committee Report: The board requested that advertisements be ran for swimming pool employees and a part-time park and recreation employee.
Motion made by T. Jones and second by M. McDonald to adjourn the meeting at 8:27pm. Roll call: Unanimous Ayes. Motion carried.
The next regular meeting of the Village Board of Trustees will be held on Tuesday February 16, 2021 at 7:00 pm at the Village Office.
