HOLLIS TOWNSHIP ~ PEORIA COUNTY ~/ ILLINOIS
MINUTES REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING
THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013
After the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, the Supervisor called the meeting to order @ 7:00 P.M. at the Hollis Town Hall, 6430 West Wheeler Road, Mapleton, Illinois 61547-9615.
Board Members Present:
Supervisor Gary W. Thomas; Clerk Kelsey A. Archer; Trustees: William J. Gerdes, Tal B. Beckman, James E. Bailey and Brian B. Fengel.
The Supervisor announced a quorum was present.
The Road Commissioner, Dennis R. Beckman and the Tax Assessor Alice B. Dailey also attended this meeting.
Visitors: Mr. John W. Hamann, Coordinator for Rural Peoria County Public Transportation and Coordinator of Economic Development for Peoria County.
APROVE MINUTES of Previous Meetings:
1. Prior to tonight’s meeting, copies of Minutes from the Special Budget Hearing Meetings held on Thursday, May 30, 2013 @ 7:00 and 7:15 P.M. were distributed to Board Members for their review.
MOTION to accept the Minutes as presented made by Brian Fengel; second Tal Beckman. The motion passed unanimously with all ayes.
2. Prior to tonight’s meeting, copies of Minutes from the Regular Monthly Meeting held on Thursday, May 30, 2013 @ 7:30 P.M. were distributed to Board Members for their review.
MOTION to accept the Minutes as presented made by Jim Bailey; second Tal Beckman. The motion passed unanimously with all ayes.
AUDIT CURRENT EXPENDITURES, Investments, Transfer of Funds, Budget Line Item Transfers:
1. MOTION to accept for payment all Town Fund Invoices as presented to the Board on the Disbursement Summary June 27, 2013.
Motion Brian Fengel; second Tal Beckman. The motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
2. MOTION to accept for payment all General Assistance Invoice as presented to the Board on the Disbursement Summary June 27, 2013. (Annual Catastrophic Medical Insurance Premium)
Motion Bill Gerdes; second Jim Bailey. The motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
3. MOTION to accept for payment the Road & Bridge Fund Invoices as presented to the Board on the Disbursement Summary June 27, 2013.
Motion Tal Beckman; second Bill Gerdes. The motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
4. MOTION to accept for payment the Joint Bridge Fund Invoice as presented to the Board on the Disbursement Summary June 27, 2013. (culverts)
Motion Jim Bailey; second Bill Gerdes. The motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
VISITORS ADDRESSING THE BOARD:
Mr. John Hamann, coordinator for the Rural Peoria County Public Transportation, (also known as “County Link”) shared information with Board Members about this public transportation system which is based out of Bellevue, Illinois. They are soliciting contributions to help provide their service to residents in Hollis Township.
John presented a report which shows 642 trips provided by this service for residents who live in the 61547 zip code; however, they do not have information that lists services specifically for Hollis Township residents, which could include some people in the 61547 and 61607 zip code areas.
A round trip is counted as 2 trips on their report which covers a 15 month period from April 1, 2012 through June 25, 2013. Fares are $6.00 for a one-way trip and is payable by the rider at the time of the service. They are looking for more eligible riders who must live outside the city limits of Peoria to use this system.
County Link has 11 buses which have been provided by the State of Illinois through IDOT; they are also asking for a one year grant. Peoria County contributed $140,000. to County Link which helps pay for the gas and maintenance of the buses.
TOWN BUILDING, GROUNDS & EQUIPMENT:
Dennis Beckman has located the large wooden Hollis Township sign, which had been removed from the Wheeler Road hillside in front of our Township buildings some time ago. It will need repainting and new posts to mount it in its previous location to help people find our Town Hall. There were also suggestions to either mount a pole light on an arm, near or above the sign, or direct a flood light on the ground to reflect toward the sign to assist in viewing after dark.
Dennis Beckman has also made an inquiry with the Illinois Department of Transportation to replace the Hollis Township sign which was mounted out on Route 24 at the Wheeler Road intersection prior to the reconstruction of the bridge and lane improvements last year. Dennis will continue to work on these sign issues.
COMMUNICATIONS & Correspondence:
Pekin & LaMarsh Drainage & Levee District: Hollis Township received a letter of appreciation from the Levee District for the generosity of our time, money and resources provided to help during the high water event this spring on the Illinois River.
Mary Bontz, one of the Levee District’s Commissioners, asked our Supervisor if Hollis Township could store lumber and material used during the flood which is worth about $2,000.
Dennis Beckman responded to this inquiry stating that we do not have room to store anything in our maintenance buildings.
TOWN BUSINESS ~ Supervisor:
On June 12, Gary Thomas attended a meeting at the Mapleton Village Hall for an update on the Focus Forward Central Illinois (FFCI) regional economic development strategy which was presented by Economic Development professionals and was chaired by John Hamann.
Since John was present at our meeting tonight, he asked Hollis Township Board Members why more people are not building homes or business in our Township and why there is not more participation and attendance in our parks, which are exceptional.
One thought was expressed that the smell from the chemical plants in Mapleton and health problems caused from unclean air is likely one of the discouraging factors for individuals looking at our area.
Trustee Tal Beckman, who is in the construction business, mentioned that it is much more difficult and expensive to build in Peoria County due to their zoning requirements and the inconsistency in regulations.
Peoria County has applied for a grant to make our rural areas more attractive. John Hamann offered to check on flood zone areas and regulations in Hollis Township and will forward information when it is available.
CLERK BUSINESS / Business & Comments:
1. The 2013-2014 Budget & Appropriation Ordinanaces were filed in the office of the County Clerk on Thursday, June 6, 2013.
2. Our Clerk is requesting a 2013 Revised Edition of the TOI Clerk’s Handbook which is now available. The price for the inserts and disc is $50. Pre-orders are preferred and the deadline is July 1.
Please find payment for this purchase in this month’s Board Audit.
ROAD BUSINESS ~ Highway Commissioner:
1. Dennis Beckman is trying to get more information on the Gollon Road repairs.
2. A recent communication experience has prompted the need for some corrections to the Hollis Township web site. Our Township Clerk will contact Eric Lofgren to update some information which will make it easier for people to contact the Township through an email address directed to our Town Clerk.
3. Peoria County Highway Department Motor Fuel Tax: Hollis Township Report ~ No current information available at this time.
TRUSTEES/ Information / Business: nothing submitted.
TAX ASSESSOR’S OFFICE / Information / Business:
1. Alice Dailey had been asked to speak to the Board regarding the Maple Ridge Cemetery and their financial struggle with operation and maintenance of the cemetery.
When a lot is sold, 15% of the cost goes into a perpetual fund. They have raised the cost of purchasing a grave lot and rates have gone up to opening graves; however, their funds are falling short.
The Hollis Township Board suggested that if the Maple Ridge Cemetery needs help, they should come to a meeting to talk to the Board. Alice Dailey offered to contact Marcella Stetler to relay this information.
2. Alice Dailey presented a letter of appreciation from the Hollis Park District Commissioners for the out-of-pocket donations from the Township Board Members to help provide individual prizes to participants in the 2013 Ron Draper Kids Fishing Derby held in June. A framed picture of participants in this event was also received.
OLD UNFINISHED BUSINESS: none.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. In lieu of a full Audit for Hollis Township and Hollis Township Road District Funds, a MOTION was made to hire Willock Warning & Co., P.C. to complete the required Illinois State Comptroller’s Report and the GASB Reports for fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 which is due no later than September 30, 2013.
Note: Fiscal year ended 2012, the cost for this service was $670. The fee is variable with regard to the Road District’s changes in equipment and the hours required to alter depreciation schedules for the old and new equipment. The fee for this service is spilt between the Town and the Road & Bridge Funds.
Motion Jim Bailey; second Bill Gerdes. The motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
2. MOTION to approve the Advanced Registration Fee of $30.00 for the Supervisor to attend the TOWNSHIP SUPERVISORS OF ILLINOIS – Zone II Educational Workshop, Friday, August 23, 2013 at Stoney Creek Inn, East Peoria, Il. with lunch @ noon. RSVP requested no later than August 9, 2013.
Motion Tal Beckman; second Brian Fengel. The motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
3. Copies of the current PREVAILING WAGE ORDINANCES AND PREVAILING WAGE RATES were given to Board Members for their review and discussion.
MOTION to adopt the PREVAILING WAGE ORDINANCE NO. 2013 ~ 08 for the Township of Hollis, as of June 27, 2013.
Motion Bill Gerdes; second Tal Beckman. The motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
4. MOTION to adopt the PREVAILING WAGE ORDINANCE NO. 2013 ~ 09 for the Road District of Hollis Township, as of June 27, 2013.
Motion Bill Gerdes; second Tal Beckman. The motion passed with all ayes on a roll call vote.
Within 30 days after adoption, NOTICE OF PREVAILING WAGE ORDINANCES shall be published in a local newspaper with circulation in Hollis Township [Glasford Gazette or Limestone Independent News].
After publication, the newspaper will send us verification. Copies of ALL NEWSPAPER VERIFICATION NOTICES and a copy of the publication shall be forwarded to the Peoria County Clerk’s Office by mail or fax.
Within 15 days after adoption, ORIGINAL, COMPLETE SETS of each Prevailing Wage Ordinance (the entire document, including the wage rates) shall be forwarded to the Secretary of State’s Office, Index Department @ 111 East Monroe, Springfield, Illinois 62756. Complimentary copies shall also be sent to the Department of Labor, 900 South Spring Street, Springfield, Illinois 62704-2725.
Note: PEORIA COUNTY PREVAILING WAGE RATES FOR JUNE 2013 were obtained from the web site listed on the Wage Rates Document: http://www.state.il.us/agency/idol/rates/EVENMO/PEORIA99.htm. Also, enter only Prevailing Wage to obtain information. / THE ORDINANCES were created in our office and may be found in Microsoft Word under My Documents as PREV.WAGE ~ TOWN ORD. 2013 & PREV.WAGE~ROAD ORD.2013
5. MOTION to adjourn made by Jim Bailey; second Bill Gerdes. The motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 8:28 P.M.
Respectfully submitted:
Kelsey A. Archer, Town Clerk