Monticello Village Board Moving Forward With Background Checks and Interviews for New Police Chief

The Monticello Village Board met on Wednesday, February 1, 2017. The boardroom again was nearly standing room only, with the majority of visitors there to learn if the board would come to a decision about a new police chief. The agenda listed a notice for a closed session for “Considering employment for Police Chief position.”
The meeting began with Robert Harvey’s Finance Report. After approving February invoices and payroll, the board heard a recommendation on a contract for the codification of ordinances. A representative from General Code was in the audience to answer to give a brief overview and answer questions. The process is expected to take between 12 and 24 months to complete. The board approved the contract with General Code.
Trustee Tere Dunlap reported that there would be a meeting of the Green County Solid Waste Management Board on February 9th. Dunlap said that she was planning on attending and invited any board members who would also like to attend to contact her. She added that she believed the meeting would be simply informational, and that the GCSWM board is considering billing municipalities at a flat rate tipping fee, without monthly adjustments for the facilities shortfalls or excess revenues.
Dunlap also reported that the Public Works Committee was recommending the purchase of four recapped tires or new rear tires for the refuse truck. The board approved a maximum of $1,500 to be spent on the tires.
John Waelchli, of Light It Up, LLC, spoke to the board about replacing streetlights, beginning with those on Main Street. He said that replacing the current lights with LED bulbs would not only provide brighter lighting but also save about half of the electrical cost compared to the current bulbs. The LED bulbs have no ballast and are surge protected. Brian Grossen reported at the Public Works meeting that currently about three light bulbs per year need replacing at a cost of $60 per bulb, with ballasts costing approximately $150 each. Initially the cost of LED is approximately $350 per light, including installation, which involves removing the ballasts from the current lights, after that bulbs can just be screwed in. The LED lights have a five-year warranty.
In the unfinished business section of the meeting, the board again discussed the property at 215 E. Lake Avenue. Village Attorney Alicia Augsburger told the board that the letter report of title on the property showed that there were no lien holders or mortgage on the property. The board decided to proceed with getting bids to raze the property.
At 7:35 p.m. the board went into closed session to discuss the police chief position and the two external applicants that had cleared the Personnel Committee. The room full of meeting attendees filed out. Most waited in the hall or outside, although some left.
At 8:40 p.m. the board returned from Closed Session. A motion was made by Greg Bettin to move forward with background checks and interviews with new outside consultants for the candidates, as recommended by the Personnel Committee for the position of police chief. The motion was seconded by Tere Dunlap, and the board approved. The meeting adjourned.