Village of Orion Village Board met Nov. 2.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
The regular meeting of the President and Board of Trustees was held at 7:00 p.m., via the Zoom electronic app (due to the COVID-19 pandemic) in lieu of Village Hall, 1202 4th Street, Orion, Henry, Illinois. The following members were present: Cooper, Drucker, Dunlap, Hancock, Nelson, Newman, and Mitton. Absent: None.
President Cooper called the meeting to order and led the board in the Pledge of Allegiance.
It was moved by Drucker, seconded by Mitton to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held October19, 2020. Ayes: Drucker, Dunlap, Hancock, Mitton, and Newman. Noes: None. Absent: Nelson.
Trustee Nelson arrived at 7:02 p.m.
It was moved by Drucker, seconded by Mitton to approve a recommendation from the Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals to allow Ryan and Amanda Ferry to change zoning from multiple family residential to commercial at 1209 1st Street in order to operate a beauty salon. Ayes: Drucker, Dunlap, Hancock, Mitton, Nelson, and Newman. Noes: None. Absent: None.
It was moved by Drucker, seconded by Dunlap to approve a recommendation from the Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals for a special use permit to operate a day care home at 1002 12th Avenue as requested by Mrs. Brandi Wells and Mr. & Mrs. Terry Miller. Prior to a vote Trustees Mitton and Newman expressed concern for the lack of a fence around the property. The house is at the corner of a busy intersection. Mrs. Wells said her state license does not require a fence. She is licensed for 12 children but currently has four. Mrs. Wells said she checked into retractable fencing but would need to ask her landlord before installing it. Ayes: Drucker, Dunlap, Hancock, Mitton, Nelson, and Newman. Noes: None. Absent: None.
As noted by Trustee Nelson, the salt shed roof was re-shingled and pipe for the 5th Street drainage project is in, but the project is not scheduled until the 3rd week in November. Also, an engineering study for placing ornamental lights along Rt. 150 would cost $3,500, so Trustee Nelson tabled asking for approval and instead asked the board to give placement of the lights further consideration. Purchase and installation cost about $7,000 per light when they were installed in the business district. In other street business, Trustee Nelson said he was looking to engineer 5th Street improvements so it could be ready for construction after completing 7th Street. When asked if there was a plan to install the flashing crosswalk signs, Trustee Nelson said installation was more involved than originally thought but it should be done within a couple of weeks.
Sewer Supt. Chris Lundburg said the VLR shaft has been repaired but it won’t be installed until next week or the week after.
Flushing of water mains has almost been completed and the ground storage tank will be cleaned next week. A water main break occurred on Thursday and was repaired today. About 30 properties were affected and without water for several hours. The break was on 11th Avenue between 12th and 13th Streets. Trustee Drucker said a water sample was collected and submitted for testing. If the sample tests negative for contaminants, a boil order instituted could be lifted by Wednesday.
Trustee Dunlap said pipe has been ordered for the Love Park parking lot.
It was moved by Dunlap, seconded by Drucker to approve the installation of touchless sinks, light switches, and hand dryers in both park restrooms and touchless sinks in village hall at an approximate cost of $12,000, to be reimbursed through the local CURE program. Ayes: Drucker, Dunlap, Hancock, Mitton, Nelson, and Newman. Noes: None. Absent: None.
Trustee Newman said the next Finance Committee meeting will be held Wednesday, November 11, 2020 at 4 p.m. The tax levy will be discussed.
Trustee Newman and President Cooper will meet with Village Attorney John Ames on Friday to discuss financing the 7th Street rehab project.
Trustee Newman said Henry County Sheriff’s Deputy Chad Baze had worked with Trustee Mitton on some security camera issues. President Cooper said Halloween Trick-or-Treat night went well, noting all children were attended by their parents.
Trustee Mitton said a Tri-City Electric representative recommended getting a new security camera upgrade for Central Park but to wait until the next upgrade is available. This would be instead of attempting to figure out the audio problem with the existing system. The upgrade could be installed over the period of 2-3 hours at a cost of $85 per hour. The issue will be added to the Nov. 16th agenda for approval.
Trustees Newman and Mitton and Park Supt. Arnie Sandberg met with a Tri-City Electric rep to determine how security cameras could be placed in Love Park. The park is too distant from village hall to connect wirelessly but could be done with fiber optics. Different camera locations within the park were considered and it was determined the cost would be approximately $14,245.
The project will be considered for application to the Wyman R. Coulter Trust. Trustee Mitton said it is important to protect the park against vandalism.
Discussion was held about the use of village hall by the food pantry and other organizations. It was suggested the food pantry allow only one client inside the building at a time. Pantry workers can use cellphones to let clients know when it is their turn to come inside. This practice will be in use through at least the end of the calendar year. President Cooper asked that the meeting room be measured for capacity to determine how many could inhabit it, according to CDC guidelines. Other organizations might be able to use the room if they can meet those guidelines, wear masks and practice social distancing.
It was moved by Drucker, seconded by Mitton to submit two applications to the Wyman R. Coulter Trust, with first priority given to a security camera system in Love Park in the amount of $15,000 and second priority to Christmas decorations for Central Park in the amount of $10,000. Prior to a vote Trustee Drucker asked it to be made clear that the board is trying not only to replace decorations one-for-one but also to add to the existing display. The motion was called for a vote. Ayes: Drucker, Dunlap, Hancock, Mitton, Nelson, and Newman. Noes: None. Absent: None.
President Cooper said two village employees are in quarantine after being in contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19. He asked the board to set a policy for handling such cases and consider paying those who are in quarantine. Scenarios were discussed that might cause employees to avoid telling an employer they had been in contact with a COVID-19 positive person and one was the fear of being without pay for 14 days. Clerk Sampson said the village board lacked policy on how to treat employee situations regarding the coronavirus. Once made aware of the two employees’ contact with a COVID-19 positive person, Clerk Sampson contacted the Henry County Office of Emergency Management for guidance. She was informed CDC guidelines recommend a 14-day quarantine. If the employees get tested and the tests proves negative, it is recommended they remain in quarantine. Trustees had varying opinions on whether employees should be allowed to use sick leave while in quarantine, if they do not test positive, even if they are required to stay in quarantine. It was noted policies of other municipalities could be obtained and Attorney Ames could be consulted.
It was moved by Mitton, seconded by Hancock to close village hall to the public for the remainder of calendar year 2020. Ayes: Drucker, Dunlap, Hancock, Mitton, Nelson, and Newman. Noes: None. Absent: None.
Clerk Sampson explained to the board that the village must register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse since they have employees who have a commercial driver’s license. Each employee with a CDL must also register on the site. The clearinghouse requires an employer to do a query on each registered employee at least once per year, but the employee must first sign a consent form. Clerk Sampson provided a sample consent form and said the village attorney should review it before the village board adopts its use.
It was noted the state of Illinois has mandated all employees complete Sexual Harassment Prevention Training, which can be done on the state’s Department of Human Rights website. The training must be completed by year’s end, and a certificate of completion must be presented to the village clerk.
President Cooper said Region 2 in the state of Illinois will be pushed back to COVID-19’s phase three regulations. Phase three begins on November 4, 2020. Henry County numbers are good but some of the other counties that share Region 2 with Henry County have caused the change. Restaurants and bars cannot allow indoor dining in phase three. President Cooper said officials in some municipalities will not enforce the change. He recommended anyone having a complaint against a non-compliant business submit their complaint to the Henry County Office of Emergency Management. That department will investigate and issue a citation if necessary. Concern was expressed that many of the small businesses will not survive another closure. The village board agreed with President Cooper’s recommendation to let Henry County OEM handle complaints. Mr. Brian Ossian, owner of The O Kitchen and Tap, was present and said it’s become a sink or swim situation. Businesses would like to continue being open but have concerns about someone getting COVID-19 at their establishment and risking their own liquor and gaming licenses for remaining open. Mr. Ossian said business owners are left without much of a choice. They end up with a building that’s not worth anything and no way to operate. President Cooper said it wasn’t fair for Orion to be included in the more restrictive phase. Trustee Newman said village officials cannot dictate police action within the village; it’s up to the county to decide how to enforce regulations.
There being no further discussion to come before the meeting, it was moved by Mitton, seconded by Drucker to adjourn. Ayes: Drucker, Dunlap, Hancock, Mitton, Nelson, and Newman. Noes: None. Absent: None.
https://orionil.org/government/meetings/2014-03-09-05-52-59/1291-minutes-2020-11-02-pdf/file
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