Post Messenger Recorder -

The Monticello Village board met on Wednesday, September 5, 2018, in the Monticello Village Hall board room. Trustees Dan Pederson and April Fuhr were absent.

In the Finance Committee report, the board approved the payment of payroll and invoices, as well as operator licenses for Anna Coldiron and Kelly Boeck. Village President Tere Dunlap also discussed the payment to Green County Development Corporation, for the village’s inclusion in the UniverCity Alliance project. Originally the cost for Monticello was estimated to be $5,000, but after receiving donations from around Green County the cost was lowered to $3,750. After reviewing some of the projects involved, the board approved the payment. The board also approved Gardner Appraisal Services. Dunlap noted that an appraisal had not been done since 2007, and there are plans for a village wide appraisal in 2019.

In the Personnel Report, Trustee Rene Nicholson told the board that the committee was requesting that the position of Sergeant be added to the employee handbook, along with a job description. The board approved the addition. After the approval of the position, it was requested that officer Larry Harkey be assigned to the position with no pay increase. Harkey accepted the position as a full-time officer after board approval to offer the position to him at the March 7, 2018 board meeting, and was a few days short of completing his six-month probationary period. The board approved the reassignment.

In the Public Works section, there was a discussion about looking into grants for recycling and garbage pickup. Trustee John Teasdale noted that Public Works is looking at hiring another full-time employee and cutting back on part-time employees hours.

In the Library Report, Tere Dunlap said she had meet with the new Library Director. Dunlap also noted the death of Gene Lynn, saying Lynn had donated $30,000 per year for the operation of the library and pointed out the board would have to look at cutting that amount from the Library’s budget, leaving approximately $120,000.

In the Public Safety report, Trustee Leaora Miller requested the purchase of four RE Squad Cameras. The cost for the cameras would be $5,395, plus installation. Miller added that Chief Conway had secured a grant for $4,000 to help offset the cost. The board approved the purchase. Miller also requested approval to purchase a Kenwood VHF 5-Watt Conventional Portable Radio at a cost of $453.50 to replace a 16-year-old radio. The board also approved that purchase. In the Fire District report, Miller noted that an inventory had been done on a safety deposit box. In the box were a variety of legal documents. She noted that the safety deposit box had not been accessed since 2011. The last person who had opened it was Richard Rufer.

The board also discussed the status of the property at 239 North Main Street. It was reported that the homeowner’s family has said they were attempting to clean up the property. Teasdale noted that he had been approached about the condition of the property, and concerns about rodents. According to letter from the Village’s attorney, the owners had been given until September 1, 2018, to obtain a building permit to complete repairs. So far that has not been done. After a discussion, the board decided to go ahead with court proceedings to raze the building.