Village of Franklin Board of Trustees met April 7.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
Mayor Paul Turpin called the regular monthly meeting of the Village of Franklin Board of Trustees to order at 7:00 pm in the town hall. Trustees present via Zoom were Abby Flynn and Tami Thompson. Trustee Lincoln Hill was present in the Village Hall. Trustee Wyatt Smith entered the meeting at 7:05 pm. Trustee Amanda Ahlers entered the meeting at 7:31 pm.
Treasurer Susan Smith presented the Treasurer's Report for March. She informed the Board sewer lost money but the other businesses did well. Lincoln Hill made a motion to accept the Treasurer's Report for March. Abby Flynn seconded the motion. The voting was as follows: Wyatt Smith-yes, Lincoln Hill-yes, Tami Thompson-yes, and Abby Flynn-yes. The motion was carried. Susan Smith presented the Bills Paid and to Be Paid for March. Tami Thompson made a motion to accept the Bills Paid and to be Paid for March. Lincoln Hill seconded the motion. The voting was as follows: Lincoln Hill-yes, Tami Thompson-yes, Abby Flynn-yes, and Wyatt Smith- yes. The motion was carried.
Clerk, Ashley Turpin presented the Trustees with minutes from March. Wyatt Smith made a motion to approve the minutes from March. Tami Thompson seconded the motion. The voting was as follows: Tami Thompson-yes, Abby Flynn-yes, Wyatt Smith-yes, and Lincoln Hill- yes. The motion was carried.
Andy Fairless presented his Utility Supervisor report. Andy informed the board he received a survey from EPA in regards to our transite water pipe. It is an old asbestos-cement pipe that needs to be replaced. Andy has been in contact with Jim Morris from Benton & Associates about replacing it. Mayor Turpin said there is also grant money available which the Board will discuss later in the meeting.
Buildings, Roads, and Drainage - There is nothing new to report from this committee. Finance/Payroll - There is nothing new to report from this committee.
Insurance - There is nothing new to report from this committee.
Personnel - There is nothing new to report from this committee. However Mayor Turpin added the Village employees are currently low on work due to the pandemic. They are required to work but only completing essential tasks such as water main break, pot holes, mowing, meter reading and gas main breaks. Mayor Turpin would like to give the employees 1-2 days off per week. They could still come in if there was an issue, but this would eliminate them sitting without tasks, in close quarters. All of the present trustees agree it is a good idea.
Utility Reconnect - There is nothing new to report from this committee. Andy Fairless added utilities cannot be shut off during this time due to the pandemic.
Utilities - Mayor Turpin began discussion regarding gas. The new transportation fees are in place. It went up approximately $2. Residents will continue to be billed as usual but the Village program used for billing can track the extra expense and provide an amount for future reimbursement if need be. Mayor Turpin also added that he sent out an email regarding the water transite replacement. Replacement will cost over $1 million. The grant is for possibilities of $250,000 to $5 million.
Abandoned Property is put on hold due to the pandemic.
The Panhandle Municipal Defense update has no changes. The charges are now coming through.
Mayor Turpin stated the contract for the cell tower was received. It'll pay $1000 for 3 years. The company will review the site first and then once they begin building it will be $500 per month and go up by 10% annually.
The IMGA Annual Meeting was postponed due to the pandemic.
The abandoned vehicle action is being placed on hold due to the pandemic.
The basketball court in the park needs to be sealed. Mayor Turpin said we currently have one bid, but need more than one. Mayor Turpin would like 3 bids by the next meeting in order to have it completed for the 4th of July events.
Tami Thompson knows there is paint coming off the south end of the Pavilion in the park, near the Baptist Church. Andy said he would put it off one more year with everything going on and focus on the asphalt this year.
The Village board discussed the Village entrance signs. The local sign companies were unavailable to take their calls so it is on hold due to the pandemic.
Trustee Nicole Fromme believes the banner company is not open due to the pandemic.
Andy has called in regards o the quote for the Village Office maintenance but has not received a response due to the pandemic.
Mayor Turpin said the purchase for the maintenance building closes on the 9th of April.
Tami Thompson made a motion to approve the attempt to get a Rebuild Illinois Grant and do the paperwork. Abby Flynn seconded the motion. The voting was as follows: Abby Flynn-yes, Wyatt Smith-yes, Lincoln Hill-yes, and Tami Thompson-yes. The motion was carried.
Wyatt Smith made a motion to approve the transfer from sewer back to the gas business account. Tami Thompson seconded the motion. The voting was as follows: Wyatt Smith-yes, Lincoln Hill-yes, Tami Thompson-yes, and Abby Flynn-yes. The motion was carried.
Tami Thompson made a motion to keep closed session minutes closed. Lincoln Hill seconded the motion. The voting was as follows: Lincoln Hill-yes, Tami Thompson-yes, Abby Flynn-yes, and Wyatt Smith-yes. The motion was carried.
Mayor Turpin discussed the employee handbook update. He sent a copy to Tami Thompson for review. Mayor Turpin would decide if a special meeting was needed. Village employees will have the opportunity to review as well.
Mayor Turpin stated the Village could put signs up around the park enforcing a closure until further notice. Walking through it would be fine, but playing on the toy or having gathers would be prohibited. Tami Thompson made a motion to close the park until the COVID-19 lockdown is lifted by the state. Amanda Ahlers seconded the motion. The voting was as follows: Tami Thompson-yes, Amanda Ahlers-yes, Abby Flynn-yes, Wyatt Smith-yes, and Lincoln Hill-yes. The motion was carried.
The Village building has a leak in the roof. There is a corroded pipe on top of the building. The roof was redone in 2011 and had a 20 year warranty but the company went under promptly after completion of the roof. Wyatt Smith asked how much money should be poured into the facility before looking into other options. The other trustees agreed.
Mayor Turpin added the young man that rides his four wheeler around town was asked to take his four wheeler home recently. Andy Fairless got pictures of him riding. The police have already addressed him once. Mayor Turpin asked the board what they would like the next action to be. The trustees agree the Village should send another letter.
Lastly Mayor Turpin informed the trustees the Village received a new tax this month for the local sheriff cannabis use tax in the amount of $42.62.
Wyatt Smith made a motion to adjourn. Lincoln Hill seconded the motion. The voting was as follows: Amanda Ahlers-yes, Abby Flynn-yes, Wyatt Smith-yes, Lincoln Hill-yes, and Tami Thompson-yes. The meeting adjourned at 7:45 pm.
http://www.franklinillinois.net/assets/20-4%20Minutes%20April%2020.pdf
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