City council holds Committee of the Whole monthly meeting
The Villa Grove City Council met for their regular non-voting Committee of the Whole meeting on October 26, 2020 at 6 pm.
After the call to order, roll was called with only councilman Hooker being recorded as absent. Also present were Mayor Eversole Gunter, Administrator Athey, Public Works director Arbuckle, Chief of Police Rea and City Clerk Osborne.
Mayor Eversole Gunter then called for public comments, and Camargo Township Library director Jackie Wells was on hand to thank the city for the TIF grant which allowed the library to complete their tuck-pointing project, to insure the building remains in good condition. She also mentioned that the library would be hosting a “scavenger hunt” at the park, utilizing safe social distancing, for the kids on Halloween. Wells also informed the council that she is in the process of writing a grant for a “story walk”, and would like to put it in at Richman Park. Both the council and Public Finally, Ms. Wells and the council discussed the Christmas tree lighting festival, which they have collaborated on in the past, and it was decided that Mr. and Mrs. Claus would be present, but rather than having kids make their wishes in person from Santa’s lap, there would be a mailbox for children to drop their wishes into so that Santa, Mrs. Claus and their elves could respond to each child.
Next, administrator Athey reviewed several projects that she had been working on.
Mayor Eversole Gunter then made her report and indicated that Villa Grove High School had recommended that twin sisters Alexa and Lydia Howard be sworn in as junior aldermen, and that they would be assuming their role after January 1.
Moving on to a discussion of business:
* All wastewater lift stations were in need of upgrades to their omnisite pump alarm systems, at a cost of $299 each.
* Glass partitions being installed at city hall and the police station were paid for by a Covid CURE fund and that work had begun on the installation
* It was decided that city offices would maintain their regular hours on Election Day
* Christmas Tree Sales prices and dates were discussed.
The city then moved to closed session at 7 p.m., emerging at 7:42, and finding no further business, adjourned at 7:43.