Village of Franklin Board of Trustees met Aug. 3.
Here are 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 in Village Hall were Wyatt Smith, Lauren Anders, Sarah Carter, Vickie Adkins and Amanda Ahlers. Trustee Abby Flynn was absent.
Guest, Dave Tannahill came to the board concerned about the AM/PM Gas Station getting a pour license and gaming permit, if the Village would allow it. Dave does not want to see The Green Wall struggle. He believes the community is not big enough for two locations. Dave came with a second concern regarding the tree that was removed near his house for the fiber optic line. He said they were reckless during the process and did not level out the area, nor reseeded it.
Treasurer Susan Smith presented the Treasurer's Report for July. Susan explained Municipal has a higher balance right now due to a conflict with our billing company, but she is hoping it will be straightened out soon so she can allocate that money to the correct accounts. Wyatt Smith made a motion to accept the Treasurers Report for July. Amanda Ahlers seconded the motion. The voting was as follows: Lauren Anders-yes, Sarah Carter-yes, Vickie Adkins-yes, Amanda Ahlers-yes, and Wyatt Smith-yes. The motion was carried. Amanda Ahlers made a motion to accept the Bills Paid and to be Paid for July. Sarah Carter seconded the motion. The voting was as follows: Vickie Adkins-yes, Amanda Ahlers-yes, Wyatt Smith-yes, Lauren Anders-yes, and Sarah Carter-yes. The motion was carried.
Clerk Ashley Turpin presented the trustees with minutes from July. Amanda Ahlers made a motion to approve the minutes from July. Sarah Carter seconded the motion. The voting was as follows: Sarah Carter-present, Vickie Adkins-present, Amanda Ahlers-yes, Wyatt Smith-yes, and Lauren Anders-yes. The motion was carried.
Andy Fairless presented his utility supervisor report. Vandevanter came to take a pump from Lift Station 3 that does not get used as much and substituted it with the broken one at Lift Station 2. It costs over $5,000.00 to repair the pump and takes 6-8 weeks. A new replacement costs $8,400.00. Lift Stations 2 & 4 are heavily used and need checked on daily. Lift Stations 1 & 3 do not get used as much and get checked on once per week. Nick and Andy worked on Lake Drive today. It’s not smoothed out yet, but the patching is in. They used a vibrating roller to compact it. Mike from the County Highway Department is going to come help smooth it out, plus the section in front of the high school, near the Village shed on Wyatt, and the corner of Prairie and Main Streets. Andy also went through all of the alleyways in the Village and ran a box blade on each. He does not think the alleyways need rocked yet, except the one behind Wyatt Street. Andy said the village employees went through all of the bills paid for gas, from 2013 to present, and compiled them into a spreadsheet. He also told the trustees Morrow Brothers Ford is down to their last service truck of the three they will get in October. There is another municipality that wants it, but they are waiting for Andy to say if the Village of Franklin wants it first. Ameren has not dropped of the poles for the cameras in the park. Lastly, Andy updated the board on court cases. First, the property went to trial and was given 30 more days to get rid of the tires and TV’s in the yard. They were also given 90 days for the broken playhouse and equipment. The two four -wheeler cases also went to court. One of the offenders has a job, has not been caught riding recently, and put the ATV up for sale. The other case is set up to pay $20.00 per month with the court. If he does not start paying, it will be brought up in court next month and then the Village will have the rights to seize the four-wheeler. The Village attorney is concerned about him paying only $20.00 per month.
Buildings, Roads, and Drainage – Mayor Turpin talked with the attorney about what we can or cannot do in regards to closing an alleyway that is still used by other residents. The attorney said it is completely up to the Board. The concern would be that if the Village would need heavy equipment to fix any of the sewer lines back there, they would have a hard time getting the equipment out. There is also a farmer would used the alleyway to get his equipment into the field. Lauren Anders said she is worried the amount of traffic that uses that small section of the alley would then start using the larger, longer portion and then it would need much more maintenance on a regular basis. The longer section is basically grass right now. She also stated, as a resident of that longer section, it would not be of a concern for her property if people used it more frequently. Wyatt Smith is in favor of closing the alley, but would like to reach out to a couple of people before voting. Lauren Anders will also talk to property owners along the alleyway. A decision will likely be made at the next monthly meeting. Andy Fairless stated earlier that Morgan County will come in to smooth out some of the roads.
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.
Utility Reconnect - There is nothing new to report from this committee.
Utilities – Mayor Turpin addressed the Board regarding the water grant the Village applied for to fix the pipe coming into the Village off of Highway 104. He recently received an email asking about the progress of the project. When Mayor Turpin sent correspondence letting them know the Village has not started because they were waiting to see what IDOT's plans are. The State had the wrong street listed in the letter. He has not heard anything back at this point. Mayor Turpin also informed the Trustees that Liberty Gas said the Village could compile 10 years worth of bills to show what the Village has put towards maintaining and repairing the gas system that they could possibly raise their bid. Andy discussed the spreadsheet during his report. The costs added up to around $100,000.00.
Andy Fairless discussed Property Legal Action in his supervisor report.
The Panhandle Municipal Defense case is still on-going.
There are no updates for the new Village web page. Ashley Turpin will touch base with Wesley Koehler this month. Ashley is also compiling pictures for Wesley to use on the Village web page.
Reitha Holtzman purchased the credits for the Text-Em-All mass communication system. She’s started inputting the names and information from the spreadsheet. Ashley Turpin and Reitha will work together on the system.
Andy Fairless presented the update on the cameras in the park.
Ashley Turpin will check with Abby Flynn to see if the new park benches were ordered.
The board discussed their concerns regarding the cost of maintenance on the service truck. A lot of money has been put into the truck in the last couple of years. The trustees discussed how much it would cost each business to purchase a new service truck and also the possibility of using some of the COVID relief funds the Village will be receiving. Wyatt Smith made a motion to purchase the service truck from Morrow Brothers Ford to replace the current service truck. Amanda Ahlers seconded the motion. The voting was as follows: Amanda Ahlers yes, Wyatt Smith-yes, Lauren Anders-yes, Sarah Carter-yes, and Vickie Adkins-yes. The motion was carried.
The Trustees reviewed the 2021 MFT seal coat bid and proposal from IRC, Inc. Amanda Ahlers made a motion to accept the proposal and award to IRC for $67,537.00. Sarah Carter seconded the motion. The voting was as follows: Wyatt Smith-yes, Lauren Anders-yes, Sarah Carter-yes, Vickie Adkins-yes, and Amanda Ahlers-yes. The motion was carried.
Mayor Turpin informed the board the State of Illinois non-entitlement units for COVID relief will reward the Village with $81,294.64.
The Trustees and Mayor Turpin shared concerning thoughts from local residents about extending the license for liquor and gaming to another business in town. They’ve had several reach out expressing their concern for The Green Wall making enough revenue if more businesses offer the same services. Mr. George Hamilton also sent correspondence to Mayor Turpin expressing his concern. Mr. Hamilton does believe the AM/PM is a crucial part of the community but worries the business will take away from his business and unfortunately COVID has made it very difficult financially for his business already. Mayor Turpin also suggested the Village trustees go into the AM/PM regularly to ensure it is being operated well under the new ownership before allowing another license. After much discussion the trustees decided to take a vote. Wyatt Smith made a motion to NOT change the liquor license at this time. Lauren Anders seconded the motion. The voting was as follows: Lauren Anders-yes, Sarah Carter-yes, Vickie Adkins-yes, Amanda Ahlers-yes, and Wyatt Smith-yes. The motion was carried.
Sarah Carter made a motion to reposition the cameras at the park to view the basketball court and East Street. Vickie Adkins seconded the motion. The voting was as follows: Sarah Carter-yes, Vickie Adkins-yes, Amanda Ahlers-yes, Wyatt Smith-yes, and Lauren Anders-yes. The motion was carried.
Mayor Turpin asked the trustees for their opinion regarding the Lift Station repairs. The trustees agreed the Village should use the COVID funds to repair the old one to keep it as a back-up, but still purchase a new one for that station.
Wyatt Smith made a motion to adjourn. Sarah Carter seconded the motion. The voting was as follows: Vickie Adkins-yes, Amanda Ahlers-yes, Wyatt Smith-yes, Lauren Anders-yes, and Sarah Carter-yes. The meeting adjourned at 8:56 pm.
http://www.franklinillinois.net/assets/21-8%20Minutes%20Aug%2021.pdf
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