East Central Reporter

Village of Arthur Board of Trustees met Jan. 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

A regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Arthur, Illinois, was held on Monday, January 20, 2025, in the Village Board Room. Village President Rod Randall called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Roll call was answered by Trustees Matt Bernius, Isai Gutierrez, Jim Fleming, and Christy Bernius. Trustees Mike Hilgenberg and Dave Tiffan were absent.

Pledge of Allegiances

President Randall asked J. Fleming to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

Public Comment

Lamar Miller was the only visitor present.

Consent Agenda

C. Bernius made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda including the December 16, 2024 Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Minutes and the November and December 2024 Leak Adjustments Report. I. Gutierrez seconded. All Trustees voted YEA.

Approval of Expenditures

M. Bernius made a motion to approve expenditures in the amount of $76,284.60. J. Fleming seconded. All Trustees voted YEA.

Village President Comments and Announcements

President Randall noted that this meeting marked Trustee Matt Bernius' 22nd year of involvement with the Board of Trustees.

President Randall thanked Grant Corum and the Public Works Department for all the snow removal work they did.

President Randall gave the email address to vote for the next Illinois state flag design, which can be used until February 14, 2025. The site is ilsos.gov/special/IFC/home.html.

Trustees' Reports

Village Trustees also expressed their appreciation to Public Works for the work they put in during the recent storms.

Chief of Police Report

Police Chief Elliott Tinnon provided monthly reports from the Police Department. General calls for service were up, as were Police foot patrols. Chief Tinnon noted that Officer Heston has completed his probationary period. M. Bernius added that he has heard positive comments about Police officers handling situations with patience.

Public Works Supervisor's Report

Grant Corum was absent.

Comptroller's Report

Village Comptroller Erica Carter went through the Treasurer's Report.

Village Attorney Report

Village Attorney Kenny Crossman had no report.

Unfinished Business

none

New Business

1. Kenny Crossman went over the details of the 2012 Water Sewer Refunding Bond, noting that this is the last year for the bond, and it has been abated every year. M. Bernius made a motion to approve the abatement of the 2012 Water Sewer Refunding Bond for the 2024 Levy Year. J. Fleming seconded. All Trustees voted YEA.

2. J. Fleming made a motion to donate the remaining Village's K9 fund balance of $706.86 to the Douglas County Sherriff's Office for its K9 unit. I. Gutierrez seconded. All Trustees voted YEA.

3. Sergeant Tinnon provided a quote for upfitting the new Police Department truck. He requested quotes from four businesses and only received one. M. Bernius spoke with the Moultrie County Sherriff who said the quote is comparable to what they paid for the same work. M. Bernius made a motion to approve a bid from Foremost Truck and Trailer for upfitting the new Police Department truck in the amount of $14,960.47. J. Fleming seconded. All Trustees voted YEA.

4. Sergeant Tinnon explained the fingerprinting service offered by the Police Department. He noted that Arthur's Police Department is the only one in the area to provide this service. Discussion took place about offering this service one day per month and charging a service fee. C. Miller made a motion to allow the Village of Arthur Police Department to charge a fingerprinting service fee of $5.00 for Arthur residents, $10.00 for non-residents, and $20.00 for expedited fingerprints. I. Gutierrez seconded. All Trustees voted YEA.

5. M. Bernius made a motion to approve the final payment for the Village of Arthur Clarifier Improvements at the Wastewater Treatment Plant to Grunloh Construction, Inc. in the amount of $122,785.82. J. Fleming seconded. All Trustees voted YEA.

6. J. Fleming made a motion to approve the final payment for the SCADA (CPU communications) upgrade at the Arthur Water Treatment Facilities to Engineered Solutions Midwest, Inc. in the amount of $9,432.41. I. Gutierrez seconded. All Trustees voted YEA.

7. M. Bernius made a motion to approve Grant Corum and Michael Elsberry attending the IRWA (Illinois Rural Water Association) Annual Technical Conference in Effingham, IL on February 18-20, 2025 in the amount of $380.00. C. Bernius seconded. All Trustees voted YEA.

8. President Randall provided copies of proposed changes to the Local Tourism Grant program.

These changes would allow the Economic Development Committee, appointed by the Village President and approved by the Village Board, to review applications which may be submitted at any time throughout the year. Discussion took place about changing 90 days to 30 days as the length of time submissions must be made prior to the event. C. Bernius made a motion to approve the revisions to the Local Tourism Grant program, along with the change of 90 days to 30 days. I. Gutierrez seconded. All Trustees voted YEA.

9. J. Fleming made a motion to approve the proposed revisions to the Economic Development Assistance Program. C. Bernius seconded. All Trustees voted YEA.

10. M. Bernius made a motion to approve tentatively entering into an Intergovernmental Agreement with other local taxing bodies for the eradication of the poison hemlock issue along the drainage ditch within the Village's corporate limits. C. Bernius seconded. All Trustees voted YEA.

General Discussion

none

Adjourn

C. Bernius made a motion to adjourn. I. Gutierrez seconded. All Trustees voted YEA. President Randall adjourned the meeting at 7:41 pm.

https://arthur-il.gov/file/1056/1-20-25%20Meeting%20Minutes.pdf