The Dwight Village Board of Trustees met in regular session on Monday, January 9, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. with the meeting being called to order by President Bill Wilkey.  Roll call was as follows:

Other Village officials in attendance were Village Administrator Kevin McNamara, Public Works Director David Bozarth, EMS Director Al Metzke, Police Chief Tim Henson, Village Attorney Gary Neville, and Village Engineer Ryan Hansen.

President Wilkey led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.

A motion was made by Eggenberger and seconded by Kinkade to approve the minutes of the December 12, 2011 regular Village Board meeting.  Roll call was as follows:  Kinkade-aye; Dougherty-aye; Eggenberger-aye; Anderson-aye.  Motion carried, 4– 0.

The bills were presented for payment from the various funds in the amount of $39,021.42.  A motion was made by Anderson and seconded by Dougherty to pay bills as submitted.  Roll call was as follows:  Kinkade-aye; Dougherty-aye; Eggenberger-aye; Anderson-aye.  Motion carried, 4– 0.

A request to approve a fund transfer was made by Comptroller Patricia Drechsel.

A motion was made by Kinkade and seconded by Eggenberger to approve the transfer of $70,794.55 from the Sewer Fund to the Sewer Replacement Reserve Fund for the purpose of paying principal and interest on the 1998 IEPA waste water treatment plant loan.  Roll call was as follows:  Kinkade-aye; Dougherty-aye; Eggenberger-aye; Anderson-aye.  Motion carried, 4– 0.

In public forum, Barb Christensen, 106 S. Clinton St., inquired about the sewer rates being higher than the water rates.

An ordinance amending the Dwight Municipal Code, Chapter 10, Traffic, Article III, Rules for Driving, was presented.  The ordinance relates to the speed limit on Fieldman Road.

A motion was made by Anderson and seconded by Kinkade to pass Ordinance No. 1311, “an ordinance to amend Chapter Ten, Traffic, of the Dwight Municipal Code, Article III, Rules for Driving” by adding the following at the end of paragraph 10.321 a.:  “with the exception of Fieldman Road which will be at a speed in excess of thirty-five (35) miles per hour”.  Roll call was follows:  Kinkade-aye; Dougherty-aye; Eggenberger-aye; Anderson-aye.  Motion carried, 4– 0.

Livingston County is supposed to be doing a traffic study on Fieldman Road sometime in the future, but President Wilkey said Dave Winters of the Livingston County Highway Department indicated that it would be a while before the study is done.  Trustee Eggenberger commented that the study should be done during the school year when traffic is heavier on Fieldman Rd.

President Wilkey reported that Boobin’s Bar had closed permanently.

Village Clerk Drechsel reported that Bob Ohlendorf of the Dwight Area Chamber of Commerce stopped in to invite the Village Board to a ribbon cutting at Love’s Travel Stop on Wednesday, January 11^th at 10:00 a.m.

Chief Henson reported that Officer Middleton had started at the police academy January 8^th and would be graduating March 29^th, 2012.

EMS Director Metzke reported that the ambulance is back in service and running well.  Metzke thanked Kurtz Ambulance for the use of one of their ambulances for the past three months while ours was out of service.

January 9, 2012

Metzke also passed around a card of thanks from Peg Decker and informed the Board that she had given a very nice donation to the ambulance service.  Ms Decker had suffered cardiac arrest last fall and was brought back thanks to the efforts of the Village’s EMS personnel.

Discussion on Garrett Park baseball/softball fields was next on the agenda.  Several people had comments and questions relating to the work that needs to be done in order for the fields to be ready for play this summer.  Many spoke of being frustrated with the lack of any progress being made.  Those speaking were:  Dan Tarnowski, Tim Harms, Chad Brown, Mike Calandro, Mary Schultz, Tom Tock, Randy Irvin, Donna Roland, Gary Beier, and Sean Connolly.

Administrator McNamara stated he has been in contact with the Village’s insurance and is awaiting answers to questions involving repair and replacement of damaged items.  Trustee Kinkade suggested getting bids for the work, look at what we have from our insurance coverage, and have fund raisers if necessary, as was suggested by Tock and Roland.

President Wilkey said the work will be done as soon as possible and should be ready for this summer.

A request for funds was presented in a letter from Show Bus, a public transportation program for the citizens of Livingston County.

A motion was made by Kinkade and seconded by Dougherty to donate five hundred dollars ($500.00) to Livingston County’s Show Bus Public Transportation.  Roll call was as follows:  Kinkade-aye; Dougherty-aye; Eggenberger-aye; Anderson-aye.  Motion carried, 4– 0.

A letter of request from Dwight Community Chest for monetary support was also included on the agenda.  Administrator McNamara suggested looking into supporting Dwight Community Chest next fiscal year with one large donation instead of making individual donations to the many programs and organizations that Dwight Community Chest already supports.

Larry Vaupel, representing the Greater Livingston County Economic Development Council, was in attendance to invite everyone to the GLCEDC’s annual dinner meeting to be held at the Country Mansion in Dwight on Wednesday, January 18^th at 5:00 p.m.  The keynote speaker will be Colleen Callahan with the Illinois Division of Rural Affairs.  Vaupel said there would also be an update on GLCEDC’s activities and what’s expected in 2012, along with the business retention survey results.

The annual membership to the GLCEDC was also presented for approval.  The 2012 membership will be based on $2.00 per capita, using Dwight’s population of 4260.

A motion was made by Anderson and seconded by Dougherty to approve the Village’s annual membership in the GLCEDC for an investment of $8,520.00.  Roll call was as follows:  Kinkade-aye; Dougherty-aye; Eggenberger-aye; Anderson-aye.  Motion carried, 4– 0.

Committee meetings to further discuss Garrett Park and to discuss the future of Well 101 were set.  A Public Properties Committee meeting was set for Monday, January 16^th at 5:30 p.m., and a Utilities Committee meeting was set for Monday, January 16^th at 6:00 p.m.  Both meetings will be held at the Public Services Complex.

There being no further business, a motion to adjourn was made by Anderson and seconded by Dougherty.  All voted aye by voice vote.  The meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.

APPROVED:

                                                                        Bill Wilkey, Village President

ATTEST:

Patricia E. Drechsel, Village Clerk