Grundy Reporter

Wauponsee Township Board met Nov. 13.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

The regular scheduled meeting of the Board of Trustees of Wauponsee Township of Grundy County, the State of Illinois, was held on the above date at the Wauponsee Township Road and Bridge Office for the purpose of conducting normal business. Supervisor Wiesbrook opened the meeting at 7:00. The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag followed immediately

The meeting attendance roll call results are shown below.

Trustees: Jeff Carr Physically Present

Andy Chandler Physically Present

Tom Baker Absent

Steven Fannin Physically Present

Supervisor: Ed Wiesbrook Physically Present

Road Commissioner: Bucky Phillips Physically Present

Township Clerk Charles Sargent Physically Present

Residents Present:

Mark Doerfler

Joe Kodrick

Public Comments

Mr. Joe Kodrick addressed the Board with comments from himself and others in his neighborhood. He thanked Mark Doerfler for the improvements and maintenance of the Township roads during his time as Road Commissioner. Joe also presented several questions to the Board.

1. Will there be asphalt work in the subdivisions such as crack filling?

2. Is there any way to reduce the amount of stones spread during the winter road maintenance?

3. Is there a 5 or10 year plan for road work in the subdivisions?

4. There have been some large projects on the rural roads but not in the subdivisions where the tax base is. Why are they getting the attention? Road Commissioner Bucky Phillips and Mark Doerfler addressed the questions as follows: 1. Crack filling is scheduled for 2020 in the subdivisions. 2. The salt/sand mix is a cost saving effort and a safety issue since the sand provides traction before the salt begins to be effective.

The cost of salt has increased from $66/ton to $98/ton this year.

3.& 4. The decisions for road work are primarily based on road use and vehicle weight. Due to the high cost of asphalt, road preservation the becomes a key objective.

Approval of Minutes

Meeting minutes for the October 9th, regular meeting was presented. Meeting minutes for the October 2, 3 & 8, special meetings were also presented for approval. A motion to approve the minutes as presented was made by Trustee Fannin and seconded by Trustee Carr. The motion passed on a voice vote.

Approval of Claims

A motion was made by Trustee Fannin and seconded by Trustee Chandler to authorize the Township Fund claim invoices and bank fund summary reports as presented by the Supervisor.

Trustees: Jeff Carr Yes

Andy Chandler Yes

Tom Baker Absent

Steven Fannin Yes

Supervisor: Ed Wiesbrook Yes

The motion passed on a roll call vote. The claim invoices are shown on the attachment to these minutes.

A motion was made by Trustee Carr and seconded by Trustee Wiesbrook to authorize the Wauponsee Township Road and Bridge Fund claims as presented.

Trustees: Jeff Carr Yes

Andy Chandler Yes

Tom Baker Absent

Steven Fannin Yes

Supervisor: Ed Wiesbrook Yes

The motion passed on a roll call vote. The claim details are listed on the attachment to these minutes.

Supervisor’s Report

Ed Wiesbrook reported the following:

• Based on an inquiry with TOI, it was recommended the Township not contribute to funds to an organization seeking charity.

• The Township received a notice concerning an EDPA #2 (Economic Development Project Area) meeting on Dec. 4, 2019. Based upon the agenda and conversation with a representative; the Township will not attend since there is no activity in EDPA #2.

• The Personal Property Replacement Tax (PPRT) money is a reimbursement to the townships from the state for lost personal property tax due to a statute change in 1969.

Road Commissioner’s Report

Road Commissioner Bucky Phillips reported the following:

• The Road District will mow the Township and Road District grass in the coming year. We will terminate the contract with Steve’s Lawn Service.

• Reviewed budget for current year. The expenses for drug testing and computer support work were more than expected.

• The Road District responded to two fallen tree situations during the recent storms. One resulted in a local power loss.

• During the recent heavy rain, a culvert by Pig Ln. was eroded and a tree fell. The culvert will require reinstallation and the tree must be cut up.

• The Road District worked with the Southard Drainage District to remove a tree blocking the drainage path.

• The Whitetie Road project is complete except for striping.

• The Road District plans to hire a part time employee to assist with the computer work. The part time employee is the Road Commissioner’s daughter.

• The Road District is looking for part time employees to respond to tree removal situations. Clerk’s Report

Clerk Sargent reminded all present that in the event they are contacted concerning a FOIA request they should contact the clerk immediately because the response to the request must be made within five days.

Unfinished Business

Status Report on the MACK Audit and Financial Reports.

MACK continues to work on the Audit, Treasurers Report, Supervisors Report and the list of issues identified by the Township. A copy of the issue list and the initial response is attached to the minutes.

Status of Speed Bump Request

The Sherriff’s Dept is doing additional patrols of the area. Mark Doerfler will follow-up with them to determine if any other action has been taken.

Draft Supervisor and Clerk Stamp Policy for Board Approval or comments.

Following a discussion of the proposal, Trustee Wiesbrook made a motion to approve the policy. Trustee Chandler seconded the motion which carried on a voice vote.

New Business

Preliminary Tax Levy Discussion

Supervisor Wiesbrook presented a proposed Town tax levy to the Board. The proposal was for a 4.99% increase which is below the threshold for a Truth in Taxation Hearing. The additional funds are primarily to cover the unexpected audit costs. The Town Fund levy is estimated at $53,673. Bucky Phillips presented the estimated Road and Bridge tax levy which was also below the threshold for a hearing. The Road & Bridge estimate is $406,526. The final levies will be approved at the December meeting.

Adjournment

Being no further business, Trustee Carr made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Chandler seconded the motion, which carried on a voice vote.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:11 PM.

https://www.wauponseetownship.org/sites/default/files/board-meetings/minutes/2019/Wauponsee%20Township%20Board%20Mtg%20111319.pdf