Villa Grove city council holds regular monthly meeting
The Villa Grove City council met on Monday, November 9 for their regular monthly meeting, with all aldermen plus Mayor Eversole Gunter, Administrator Athey, Public Works director Arbuckle and Chief of Police Rea in attendance. Clerk Osborne was absent, so Athey filled the role of clerk for the meeting.
After saying the Pledge of Allegiance, Mayor Eversole Gunter called for a motion to approve the consent agenda, which included the following:
* Minutes of the last regular city council meeting, held October 13, 2020
* Closed minutes of the last regular city council meeting, held October 13, 2020
* Minutes of the last regular committee of the whole meeting, held October 26, 2020
* Closed minutes of the last regular committee of the whole meeting, held October 26, 2020
* Authorization for the payment of bills in the amount of $233,400.78
* Financial statements for the month ending September 30, 2020
* Cash balance report for the month ending October 31, 2020
* Approval of 4 Omnisite Pump Station Alarm Upgrades for lift stations in the amount of $1216.78
* Approval of the installation of glass partitions to city offices for continuing Covid Mitigation
Finding no public Comments, Mayor Eversole Gunter then asked for COTM reports, and Alderman Garrett reported that he had been approached by an individual to judge the efficacy of opening a cannabis dispensary in Villa Grove. Without in depth knowledge of the ramifications for the city, it was determined that further review of IML samples should be reviewed, and that the subject would be re-approached at a future Council meeting.
City Administrator Report
Administrator Athey then made her report and noted that the Auditor’s reports had been completed, with the TIF report being extended. She also noted that the glass partitions had been installed at public safety and city hall. Finally, she stated that her office was now able to focus on regular city business issues.
Public Works Report
Director Scott Arbuckle noted that leaf collection was ongoing, and that there were no major issues concerning public utilities at this time.
Chief of Police Report
Chief Rea noted that he and his officers were in the process of beginning to work on the issue of junk vehicles and property violations within the city of Villa Grove. He further noted that both new officers were progressing well in their training at PTI, with above average scores.
Mayoral Report
Mayor Eversole Gunter noted that all three major city projects, including the Air Scrubber at the Water treatment plant, the demolition of the old water treatment plant, and the McCoy waterline project were out for bids, with bid opening scheduled for December 18 at Fehr Graham.
Finally, Mike Klein asked to address the council regarding the inclusion of maintenance and operation expenses of any new sewer plant facility if it were decided that a new plant should be built. A decision was made for the public works committee to hold a special meeting on November 16 to discuss the sewer issue in further detail.
Finding no other business, the call to adjourn was approved unanimously at 6:26 p.m.