- DISTRICT PUBLIC/REGULAR MEETING
The trustees of the Menard County Cemetery Maintenance District met in regular session ahead of the Annual Meeting and came to order on Wednesday, December 11, 2019 at 9:06 a.m. at 19127 State Highway 123, Petersburg, Illinois.
AGENDA: Reggie Dowell moved to accept the agenda as submitted. Mark Stewart seconded. Motion passed.
PRESENT: Trustees: Richard Dennis, Reggie Dowell and Mark Stewart, Jerry Tice, Attorney, Allan Dean, Superintendent and Charlotte Watkins, Office Assistant.
MINUTES: Mark Stewart moved to approve the minutes of the July 17th, 2019 meeting as submitted. Reggie Dowell seconded, motion passed.
TREASURE’S REPORT: Reggie Dowell moved to approve the Financial Reports as submitted. Mark Stewart seconded. motion passed.
CANNABIS USAGE: Attorney Jerry Tice will check on incorporating Recreational Cannabis usage into our current Policy. Subject tabled
Till next Board Meeting.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT TRAINING: After discussion it was decided to have Superintendent Allan Dean to check what was available for on-line training.
LEVY ORDINANCE: Attorney Jerry Tice explained to the Board the evaluation and process of calculating the Tax Levy and how the Inflation Caps affect the Levy as well as the TIF Districts. Mark Stewart moved to approve the Levy Ordinance #150, Reggie Dowell seconded, Roll Call: Trustee Mark Stewart says Aye, Trustee Reggie Dowell says Aye and Trustee Richard Dennis says Aye. Motion passed. Richard Dennis and Mark Stewart signed levy documents including the Truth in Taxation form.
EQUIPMENT: Allan stated that a mower would probably be needed in the Spring to keep the replacement rotation in line. He informed the Board that he would have the figures for the March meeting. He stated that no vehicles were needed at this time.
OFFICE/ OFFICE EQUIPMENT: Office Manager Charlotte Watkins suggested
It was time to possibly upgrade Quick Books. Currently Quick Books 2017
Is being used. She will check the pricing to be submitted at the March
Board meeting for consideration.
CURRENT EMPLOYEE SITUATION: Due to the passing of Employee Kevin Pratt
Employee Sean Dassing will be promoted to a fulltime position. Manager Allan Dean would like to increase Sean’s hourly rate to $10.75 an hour and looking at the possibility of making him Salaried come the March Board meeting. After discussion, A motion was made by Trustee Mark Stewart to increase the wage to $10.50 hour. Reggie Dowell seconded. Motion passed.
President Dennis would like to look at up grading Asst. Manager Jeremy Bennett’s wages due to his performance during Manager Allan Dean’s absence. After discussion, Mark Stewart made a motion to increase Mr. Bennet’s wages to $17.00 per hour. Reggie Dowell seconded. Motion passed.
MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE: Allan informed the Board that currently no raises
Would be required to meet the new Minimum wage, but in 2021 there would have to be adjustment. He also informed the Board that the rules and regulations for cemeteries was to be updated by the State of Illinois this coming year. Attorney Tice suggested Allan speak with State Representative Tim Butler about a Statute for a Cemetery Referendum.
BONUSES: President, Richard Dennis reported that bonuses for Allan, Mitchell, Jeremy would be distributed at the joint meeting with Cemetery Board Members. He also informed the Board that Joel Hall Cemetery gave an additional $500 which would be divided among the Maintenance Employees. Mark Stewart made a motion to give Sean Dassing a Christmas bonus of $100.00. Reggie Dowell seconded the motion, motion passed.
OTHER: Manager Dean ask for advice from Attorney Jerry Tice about a
Problem they were having with a gentleman turning his dogs loose in Oakland Cemetery. The dogs had been aggressive towards Maintenance Employees and was concerned about the public walking in the cemetery. Mr. Tice suggested Mr. Dean speak with Sheriff Oller.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business for the Trustees, Mark Stewart moved to adjourn at 11:15 a.m., Reggie Dowell seconded, Motion passed. They concluded they should recess for lunch at Gilmore’s Diner and then attend the annual meeting with the cemetery representatives scheduled for 1:00 p.m. this date at the Maintenance District Office at 19127 State Highway 123, Petersburg, Illinois.
Respectfully submitted,
Mark Stewart, Secretary