East Central Reporter

Village of Arthur Board of Trustees met Aug. 15.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

A regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Arthur, Illinois, was held in the Arthur Community Building. Village President Rod Randall called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. Roll call was answered by Trustees Matt Bernius, Todd Dukeman, Jim Fleming, Dave Tiffan, and Christy Miller. Trustee Mike Hilgenberg was absent.

Pledge of Allegiance

President Randall asked M. Bernius to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

Public Comment

Visitors present were George Fritz, Stephanie Wierman, and Jerry Winters. George Fritz complimented the recent chip & oil work done to the streets and intersections.

Consent Agenda

No action was taken on the Consent Agenda. The August 1, 2022 Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Minutes and the August 8, 2022 Board of Trustees Special Meeting Minutes were not presented at this time.

Approval of Expenditures

M. Bernius made a motion to approve expenditures in the amount of $31,342.74. D. Tiffan seconded. All Trustees voted YEA.

Village President Comments and Announcements

President Randall reported that a memorial bench honoring John McGrath has been donated to the Village. President Randall thanked the family and friends who made this donation.

Trustees' Reports

J. Fleming thanked the Village for their support of the Lion's Club tractor pull by making the lagoon area available. It was a successful event.

Chief of Police Report

Police Chief Goodman provided monthly reports from the Police Department. Ten cats were trapped and released under the TNR program. Procedures were done by veterinary students from the University of Illinois and Graham Vet Clinic.

Chief Goodman attended the graduation of Dalton Donnals from the Police Academy in Belleville. Dalton started his first shift on Saturday.

Public Works Supervisor's Report

Grant Corum provided reports from the Public Works Department. Grant gave an update on the current projects being worked on. The water tower project is complete, and the cathodic protection is installed. It is now being refilled. The second coat of chip and oil on the roads will be done in a few weeks. The buggy lanes will be resurfaced on August 15-16. The contractor for the Arthur Homes Project is currently installing utilities.

Village Attorney's Report

Kenny Crossman had no report.

Unfinished Business

none

New Business

1. Stephanie Wierman provided details about the upcoming Cheese Festival which will take place September 3-5. Requested street closings include Vine Street closed from the second entrance of the Welcome Center to Park Street; Walnut Street closed from Progress Street to north of the IGA drive; Hickory Street closed from Progress Street through Park Street; Illinois Street closed from Ash Steet to the Sarah Bush alley; and Progress Street closed from Hickory Street to the alley behind Frenchie's Boutique. The Gazebo parking lot was also requested closed. Closures would occur Friday night at 6:00pm to Monday at 5:00pm. This year's parade route will run west on Progress Street to Vine Street, turn south on Vine Street to Logan Street, turn east on Logan Street to Pine Steet, and north on Pine Street to Progress Street. M. Bernius made a motion to approve the parade route, street closures request, etc. from the Arthur Area Association of Commerce for the Annual Arthur Amish Country Cheese Festival. J. Fleming seconded. All Trustees voted YEA.

2. George Fritz addressed the Board regarding a TIF grant request. The awnings at 134 & 136 Vine Street need to be replaced. These five awnings would total $11,400.00, and he requested 50% of the total cost. T. Dukeman made a motion to approve the TIF Façade grant request by Taylor-Fritz Properties for buildings at 134 & 136 South Vine Street in the amount of $5,700.00. D. Tiffan seconded. All Trustees voted YEA.

3. George Fritz provided details about a TIF Construction grant for a new roof at 122 South Walnut Street. The total amount of the project is estimated at $62,645.65. Discussion took place on each of the TIF criteria. This would be a large roof for two major downtown businesses: Dick's Pharmacy and It'll Do Bar & Grill. M. Bernius made a motion to approve 30% of the TIF Construction grant request by Taylor-Fritz Properties for the building at 122 S Walnut Street in the amount of $19,700.00. J. Fleming seconded. All Trustees voted YEA.

4. Chief Goodman explained the need for new Automatic External Defibrillators in the Village. Chief Goodman wrote a letter to the Timm Trust seeking funds for 13 AEDs and 4 cabinets. These AEDs would be placed in squad cars, the Community Building, the Visitor Center, the Arthur Public Library, the Arthur pool, Brad-O-Clen, the Public Works building, and each of the concession stands in Jurgens Park. Timm Trust approved $10,500.00 of this year's disbursement of funds to go toward the project and the balance being disbursed with 2023 funds. M. Bernius made a motion to approve the purchase of Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) for the Village and other public entities with reimbursable funds totaling $20,966.55. C. Miller seconded. All Trustees voted YEA.

5. J. Fleming made a motion to allow Derek Rhodes to attend 4 virtual ERTC wastewater courses via Southern Illinois University Edwardsville for the total amount of $160.00. C. Miller seconded. All Trustees voted YEA.

6. Grant Corum reported that the air compressor in the water treatment plant has a hole in the bottom of the tank. This tank was purchased in 2002. M. Bernius made a motion to purchase a new Quincy duplex air compressor for the water treatment plant from Central Power Products in the amount of $6,030.08. J. Fleming seconded. All Trustees voted YEA.

7. President Randall presented a quote from Pinnacle Point Graphics for imprinted letter openers to promote Arthur's upcoming Sesquicentennial Celebration. These letter openers could be sold by businesses or given out to honor the event. M. Bernius made a motion to approve the purchase of 1,000 letter openers from Pinnacle Point Graphics in the amount of $805.00. C. Miller seconded. All Trustees voted YEA.

General Discussion

Stephanie Wierman noted that there will be a circus at the Sale Barn on Wednesday night, August 17.

J. Fleming presented some ideas for the Sesquicentennial celebration including some Arthur trivia, a jeopardy game, folklore, and famous citizens. All ideas are welcome as the planning is underway.

Adjourn

C. Miller made a motion to adjourn. T. Dukeman seconded. All Trustees voted YEA. President Randall adjourned the meeting at 7:41pm.

https://arthur-il.gov/file/857/08-15-22%20Meeting%20Minutes.pdf