VILLAGE OF SCALES MOUND
Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees
Stone House
March 25, 2024
7:00 P.M.
The Regular Meeting of the President and Board of Trustees was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 25, 2024. Members present were Nicole Winter, John Duerr, Ruth Foley, Scott Ohms, Kristy Schueller, Garrett Hillary, and Janet Werner. Village Clerk Deven Morgensen, Village Treasurer Steve Stadel, Ron Duerr, were also present.
Werner moved, Schueller seconded that the minutes of the February 26, 2024, regular meeting be approved as read. All voted aye.
The Treasurer’s Report was reviewed. Duerr moved; Ohms seconded to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented and to place it on file. On roll call vote, all voted aye.
The monthly bills were reviewed. Foley moved; Hillary seconded that the March bills be approved for payment. On roll call vote, all voted aye.
CITIZENS COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS
- A) Citizens Comments – None.
- B) S.M. Chamber – 1) Stadel reported that the Chamber is hosting a Music Fest in June. Stadel was unaware of a date for the Village Board and Chamber to meet regarding the Christmas Lights. The Chamber will bill the village for putting up the Christmas lights for the past four (4) years.
- C) Contact Us Submissions – None.
- D) Other – The board discussed that the Park Pavilion is not reservable.
ORDINANCE VIOLATIONS/ADMINISTRATIVE LAW REPORT
1) President Winter and Attorney Hailey Wills attended court and Wills was found liable with seven (7) days to comply.
PUBLIC WORKS
- A) Monthly Report – 1) Ron Duerr reported that the manhole project is complete, and the SCADA system will be worked on to be finalized. Ron Duerr reported that there was a water backup incident near the park due to the drainpipe being plugged. The board discussed researching to determine liability between village and homeowner.
ZONING
- A) Report – The board discussed the current and potential permits.
OLD BUSINESS
- A) Other Stone House Repairs – Update from Scott Ohms – Ohms fixed the lighting in the upstairs hallway of the Stone House and is still looking into the outlets and the upstairs bathroom.
- B) Stone House Gutter Purchase – The gutters are installed, and the bill has been paid.
- C) Emergency Plan Update – Weekly Visitor advertisement will be published in April.
- D) Increase ComEd Street Lights – The contract has been signed and streetlights are in progress.
- E) Addition of Street Mirrors – The street mirrors were received, and Ohms is researching how to install them. The board discussed pole options to hang the mirrors.
- F) Water/Sewer/Garbage Rates – ACH forms for automatic payments will not have to be completed again for residents already signed up.
- G) Easter Party – The Easter Party went well with 52 kids. The board discussed positives and areas for improvement for next year.
- H) Sharps Container – The board discussed finding a location for the Sharps container and advertising it.
- I) May Mayor Meeting – The host of the mayor meeting rotates monthly. The host town/village covers the cost of the meal provided. President Winter will work with Southside to host in May.
- J) Garage Sales – Clerk Morgensen collaborating with Shullsburg and will advertise the sales.
OTHER COMMITTEE REPORTS
- A) Street/Maintenance – None.
- B) Sewer/Water – 1) Lead Service Line Update – Ron Duerr, Clerk Morgensen, and President Winter are meeting to gather remaining data.
- C) Finance –
- D) Park & Special Projects – None.
- E) Public Events & Safety –
- F) Trees & Sidewalks – None.
- G) Ordinance/Policy –
- H) Other – None.
NEW BUSINESS
- A) Committee Preferences for Annual Appointments in April – President Winter requested the board to advise if they have a preference on their committee assignments for annual appointments.
- B) Scales Mound Recreation Association (SMRA) Electronic Sign Request – SMRA inquired to see if the Village would be interested in contributing to a digital sign to replace their current sign. Since no quote was received, the board decided to table the topic until a quote is received.
- C) Steve Winter – Insurance Coverage – Confirmation was received through Village Insurance coverage that to provide liability insurance for Steve Winter, he would need to be a part time employee.
Duerr motioned; Ohms seconded to add Steve Winter as a part time employee to provide him with liability insurance coverage at the cost of $1,428 annually. On roll call vote, all voted aye.
- D) Safe Deposit Box – Access to the Safe Deposit Box will be checked and discussed by the Finance Committee.
- E) Garbage Pick-up Date Change – The Village board discussed the garbage pickup date changing to Fridays.
- F) Wage Increase Request from Village Treasurer – Treasurer Stadel requested a wage increase from $350 to $500 monthly. The request was tabled to allow the finance committee a chance to meet to discuss the increase. The finance committee will make their recommendations at the regular April meeting.
BRAINSTORMING –
- A) Sherry Hillary has cleaned the Stone House for seventeen (17) years and is requesting a wage increase from $70 to $80 monthly. The finance committee will meet to discuss this.
CLOSED SESSION – None.
ADJOURNMENT – Duerr moved; Werner seconded that the Meeting be adjourned at 9:01. All voted aye.
These Minutes were prepared by Village Clerk, Deven Morgensen.
These Minutes are subject to approval at the next Regular Board Meeting. Minutes are also available online at www.scalesmound.com.
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Village President
ATTEST: ________________________________________
Village Clerk