Village of Odell
Official Minutes of the December 13, 2021, Regular Board Meeting
Village of Odell, Illinois
Council Room, Odell, Illinois, Monday December 13, 2021, a Regular Board Meeting was held this date at 7:00pm, at Village Hall, Council Room, 213 S. Front Street, with Mayor Brian Mills presiding and with proper notice having been posted.
Roll Call
Roll call showed the following Trustee members were physically present: Brian Verdun, Trisha Biernat, Emily Gall, Randy Pagel, and Tom Russell
Staff Present: Iris Thorne
Village Attorney Present: Nick Ehrgott
Guests Present: Deputy Jordan M. Blain, Don Emberling, David Thorne
Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Mills led the Pledge of Allegiance
Minutes of the November 08, 2021 Regular Board Meeting
Trustee Brian Verdun moved to approve the minutes from the November 08, 2021 Regular Board Meeting; second by Trustee Tom Russell;
Approved by roll call vote:
Yeas: Brian Verdun, Trisha Biernat, Emily Gall, Randy Pagel, and Tom Russell – 5;
Nays: None
Treasurer’s Report
Board packets contained the Treasurer’s Report and the Year-to-date Fund Summary for the month ending November 30, 2021. Treasurer Jim Rebholz was not present. Account balances are as follows:
| Odell Checking | $ 40,464.68 |
| Illinois Funds Gen Fund MM | $ 288,638.62 |
| Illinois Funds MFT Fund MM | $ 47,948.25 |
| Odell MFT Checking | $ 512.49 |
| Odell Tourism Checking | $ 8,068.84 |
| Odell Water Reserve MM | $ 127,467.91 |
| Odell General CD’s | $ 168,836.96 |
| Odell Infrastructure Reserve MM | $ 22,730.79 |
Trustee Brian Verdun moved to approve the November 30, 2021 Treasurer’s Report; second by Trustee Tom Russell;
Approved by roll call vote:
Yeas: Brian Verdun, Trisha Biernat, Emily Gall, Randy Pagel, and Tom Russell – 5;
Nays: None
Bills
Board Listing Report #150 ran on December 13, 2021 at 5:23pm representing all due bills for the Village due in December; Board Listing Report #151 ran on December 13, 2021 at 5:42pm representing all due bills for Tourism due in December; and the between Meeting Paid Bill List for $8,802.58.
Board Listing Report #150 ran on December 13, 2021 at 5:23pm representing all due bills for the Village due in December; Board Listing Report #151 ran on December 13, 2021 at 5:42pm representing all due bills for Tourism due in December; and the between Meeting Paid Bill List for $8,802.58; second by Trustee Tom Russell.
Approved by roll call vote:
Yeas: Brian Verdun, Trisha Biernat, Emily Gall, Randy Pagel, and Tom Russell – 5;
Nays: None
Police Report
Deputy Jordan M. Blain of the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office was present to review the November Police Activity within the Village.
Committee Reports
Water & Sewer – Trustee Tom Russell will contact the office for revenue reports for January discussion.
Police & Streets, Alleys –
Finance –
OLD BUSINESS:
Auditor for F/Y 2021 – 2022
Trustee Brian Verdun moved to approve Rick Phillips as Village Auditor for the 2021 – 2022 Fiscal Year; second by Trustee Emily Gall;
Approved by roll call vote:
Yeas: Brian Verdun, Trisha Biernat, Emily Gall, Randy Pagel, and Tom Russell – 5;
Nays: None
Miscellaneous Old Business
Mayor Mills updated the board on the status of 109 N Front St; the drainage issue on N West Street and on the generators.
NEW BUSINESS:
Resolution on Residency Requirements for Village Employees
A Resolution to update the Village Employment Policy to state “no residency requirements” for Village Employees was presented to the Board.
Trustee Brian Verdun moved to approve the amendment to the Employee Policy on residency requirements; second by Trustee Trisha Biernat;
Approved by roll call vote:
Yeas: Brian Verdun, Trisha Biernat, Emily Gall, Randy Pagel, and Tom Russell – 5;
Nays: None
Resolution on Appointment of Village Clerk
A Resolution was presented to the Board to change the Village Clerk position from an elected position to an appointed position.
Trustee Brian Verdun moved to approve the Resolution to change the Village Clerk position from an elected position to an appointment by the Village Board after the current term is expired; second by Trustee Trisha Biernat;
Approved by roll call vote:
Yeas: Brian Verdun, Trisha Biernat, Emily Gall, Randy Pagel, and Tom Russell – 5;
Nays: None
Hiring of Village Maintenance – One Position
On December 07, 2021 an Executive Session Board Meeting was held for the purpose of interviewing candidates for the Village Maintenance position.
Trustee Randy Pagel moved to hire Cody Roberts for the Village maintenance position; second by Trustee Brian Verdun;
Approved by roll call vote:
Yeas: Brian Verdun, Emily Gall, Randy Pagel, and Tom Russell – 4;
Nays: None
Abstain: Trisha Biernat – 1
Maintenance Garage Heating Issue
Mayor Mills informed the board that the heater in the Maintenance Garage where the pickup trucks are parked is running 24/7. It would cost $6,000 to insulate it. Issue was tabled for continued research/discussion.
Miscellaneous New Business
Mayor Mills stated that the Village can receive funds if the Village opts-in on an Opioid Lawsuit Settlement. Attorney Nick Ehrgott will prepare the Resolution to be approved at a Special Village Board meeting next Monday, December 20, 2021 at 6:00pm.
Trustee Trisha Biernat moved to adjourn at 7:41pm; second by Trustee Emily Gall;
Approved by roll call vote:
Yeas: Brian Verdun, Trisha Biernat, Emily Gall, Randy Pagel, and Tom Russell – 5;
Nays: None
Dated: December 13, 2021