January 2, 2024

Call to order at 7:00 pm by President Mat

Members answering roll call, President Mat Diehl, Angie Niehaus, Dean Wright, Mike Tichler, Kirk Knoup, Jamie Melville, and Cheryl Liebenstein.

The minutes from the December meeting were reviewed and accepted without dissent, by Dean. Second by Kirk. Motion Carried.

Angie made a motion to pay all bills as presented, with the approval to pay the J&R Supply bill when we get the revised bill with the returns listed.  Motion second by Mike.  Motion carried.

Dean made a motion to approve the treasurer report as presented. Second by Angie. Motion carried.

No transfer of funds needed.

Maintenance Report

Visitor

Marlyse Johnson was present to request a special permit liquor license. The Spanish Club from the school will be holding a fundraiser for their trip to Spain. The fundraiser will be held March 16th.  They will be holding a music trivia night.  Little John’s will be providing the beer/alcohol.  Dean made a motion to approve a special use liquor license for Little John’s for March 16th from 5pm to 11:59pm. Motion second by Kirk.  Motion carried.

Steve Olson From Water Run LLC was present to inform the board of a new program designed for rural communities for water and sewer reporting and management. Steve noted that the program is still in development and has a live date for May 1, 2024. Steve is currently the water operator for Davis, Rock City and Dakota.  He is also serving as Mayor of Davis.

The program is designed for data entry with entries being populated to EPA Audit reports. It also covers asset management and capital improvement plans. A task function with reminders for hydrant flushing, backflow inspections, etc. Reports are integrated with SCADA information.

This program also allows for villages to map all their shutoff valves, hydrants, manhole covers, well sites and any other areas they want listed.

The initial cost of the program is $1,000.00 with a monthly $250.00 fee.  All mapping is done with a fee of $10.00 per location.

Board members questioned if report data could be recovered if an account is closed. All the data can be downloaded if you choose to discontinue the program. All data is stored on a secure server.

Mike questioned if the village could do their own mapping and then have it loaded to the program.  At this time, they are considering renting out the GPS equipment but no final decision has been made.

FINANCE/TIF FINANCE

Minimum wage is now $14.00 per hour.

Discussion was made regarding sow removal hourly wage.  They work odd hours and many night time hours.  It was suggested that we move the wages from $16.00 per hour to $18.00 per hour.  Dean made a motion to increase the winter plow help to $18.00 per hour.  Motion second by Kirk.  Motion carried.

WATER/SEWER

The committee only received one bid for tree removal on South St. That bid came in at $1700.00.  The tree is on village property and removal should cease the sewer backup problems the Cantrell house has been having. The committee will make calls for more bids. Board members agreed that the committee can make the final decision on the bids and have the work done.

Board members discussed concerns on Water Run program since it is still in development. They would like to see the program running and see how it works after May 1, but then would we still be able to get a 2–3-year deal on the initial rates. If we sign up now any payment would be contingent on the application working properly. A decision will be made at the February meeting as to whether we go with the program, wait until after May to see how it is working or wait indefinitely.

STREETS/ALLEYS/LIGHTS/SIDEWALK

No report

BUILDINGS/GROUNDS

No report

CEMETERY

No report

POLICE

Fred has received several applications for part-time officers. One is a local person and one is from Polo. Fred can make the decision to hire.

We may have to update the laptop computer for the squad car so that it is compatible with the updates that Stephenson County has done with their software. Fred will monitor this and let the board know.

 LIQUOR

Old Business

We have not received the Gill’s contract yet. Josh confirmed that it is being looked at by their lawyer. Information will be made public when we get the contract.

New Business

As of January 1, 2024 the village will now be required to give paid time off for any employee who has worked more than 40 hours.  The new law states that for every 40 hours worked the employee will receive 1 hour of paid time off.  The Maintenance/Water Sewer Operator is exempt from this law as we have paid time off established in the Employee Handbook. Jamie and Cheryl will work together to keep track of the employee hours.

A board member was questioned as to what a new business needed to do if coming into the village.  At this time, they would need to be registered with the State and county and be established in the business district.

After review of the confidential minutes, Angie made a motion to keep the employee yearly reviews as confidential and not to be made public. Kirk second the motion.  Motion carried.  The village had no other confidential meeting minutes.

Motion to adjourn at 8:40 by Kirk.  Second al by Dean.  Motion carried.

Attest: Cheryl Liebenstein, Village Clerk