- Mayor Greta Akers said she was going to speak to Chris Sherer, who is looking through the proposed fire department ordinance so further action was tabled until the next meeting.
- There was no action regarding the employee handbook and further action was tabled until the next meeting.
- A revisited discussion on outside contract labor was brought up. There was much discussion and at the same time confusion as to what would qualify as “outside contract labor.” The issue has been referred to the Finance Committee and has been tabled until clearer language regarding what qualifies as such has been determined by the committee.
- The private line along Oak Street will be capped off in two weeks as the customers along that line are switching over to Montgomery County Rural Water.
- Akers spoke to water superintendent Stephen Bowers regarding issues at the water department, as well as the Monroe Street lift station. Parts have been ordered to make the repairs, but repairs have been delayed due to cold weather.
- Akers appointed White to be mayor pro-tem and was approved by the council.
- Kenny Vallelonga was appointed and sworn in to fill the aldermanic vacancy in Ward 2 created by Tim Taylor, who resigned from his post last month.
- Akers presented CERTOP’s water loss report, in which she noted that it isn’t extreme. The report is showing a gain, but that is likely due to attempted repairs at the water plant which didn’t quite fix the ongoing problem. Corrective action is still being taken.
- The council voted to pay $3,000 toward their DRAW loan and voted for monthly inclusion to bills in the amount of $500 per month in separate motions. Pending extra funds, the city can always submit a higher payment.
- The municipal utility tax was received in the amount of $4,262.05 for the month of December.
- The council voted to approve the December meeting minutes, treasurer’s report and January bills.
- A motion was made to approve repairs not to exceed $750, if city employees can make the repairs themselves, to replace two cylinders on a backhoe. If employees can’t make the repairs, a cost estimate will need to be submitted for the applicable repairs.
Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.