Wood River Township Board Meeting

WOOD RIVER TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING November 25, 2014, 6:00 p.m.

The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees was held on the above date in the Town Hall, 33 South Ninth Street, East Alton, Illinois. The meeting was called to order by Supervisor Mike Babcock at 6:00 p.m. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the Clerk took roll call with the members answering present: Mr. Babcock, Mr. Dettmers, Mrs. Hoffman, Mr. McRae and Mr. Pollard. Also present at the meeting were Township Highway Commissioner Mark Gernigin, Assessor Sandy Shaw and Attorney Don Weber.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Dettmers made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 28, 2014 Meeting of the Wood River Township Board of Trustees. Mr. McRae seconded the motion and on a unanimous roll call vote the board approved the minutes of the October 28, 2014 Meeting of the Township Board.

REPORTS BY OFFICERS, COMMITTEES OR SPECIAL COMMITTEES Mr. Gernigin reported that both leafers were now up and running.

RESIGNATIONS Mr. Babcock congratulated Mr. Pollard on his victory in being elected as a County Board Member. He acknowledged Mr. Pollard’s letter of resignation from the Township Board effective December 1, 2014. The Supervisor informed the Board that the Cottage Hills fire chief is retiring.

APPOINTMENTS The Clerk handed the Board Members letters from two people expressing their interest in being appointed to fill the vacant Trustee position due to Mr. Pollard’s resignation. They were from Mr. John Ward and Mr. Rick Noack.

TRANSFERS A request was made for a transfer of appropriations in the Road & Bridge Equipment and Building Fund totaling $8,000.00 and in the Road & Bridge General Fund totaling $5,583.46. The following transfers were approved on a motion by Mrs. Hoffman, a second from Mr. McRae and a unanimous roll call vote.

From Curb & Gutter to Capital Outlay Equipment $8,000.00 From Contingencies to Contractual Services Maint Equipment $1,350.30 From Contingencies to Contractual Services Maint Equipment $4,233.16

Total $13,583.46

TREASURER’S REPORT AND APPROVAL OF BILLS Mrs. Hoffman made a motion to approve the treasurer’s report and the payment of the bills. Mr. Dettmers seconded the motion and on roll call vote the board unanimously approved the payment of the bills. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Mr. Babcock asked to move the WRB Wood River Refinery Settlement Agreement discussion on the Agenda under New Business up to be discussed first. He introduced Melissa Erker, the Director of Government and Community Affairs, from Phillip 66. Ms. Erker congratulated the Board and Wood Township officials on their tremendous leadership. She commended the break the township gave to the taxpayers and the fact that the Township did not enter into the consortium. She stated that the long term tax agreement helps the refinery plan for the future. The agreement is for the tax years 2011-2017. The consortium members have all agreed to the agreement. The agreement states there will be no repayment of taxes already paid to the taxing bodies and all law suits would be dropped. This agreement helps the Refinery to invest in the future. They are planning on investing one hundred million dollars in the years 2016-2017 and another one hundred million dollars to complete the core project as well as a new turn around next fall. Mr. Dettmer’s made a motion to approve the signing of the Phillip-66 Tax Agreement. Mrs. Hoffman seconded the motion and on a roll call vote the board unanimously approved the motion.

Mr. Babcock stated the employee health insurance has been a stressful situation. The employees dependents cost rose 150% from last year. After a lengthy discussion, Mr. McRae made a motion to cover $200.00 of the dependents and family coverage effective December 1, 2014. Mr. Pollard seconded the motion and on a roll call vote the board unanimously approved the motion.

Mr. Babcock thought there should be some compensation to the employees who choose not to participate in the Township Health Insurance plan thus saving the Township over $500.00 per month. He suggested compensating them $200.00 per month. The Board would discuss it further next month after acquiring more information.

NEW BUSINESS The Board was given copies of Mr. Gernigin’s estimated tax levy for the Road and Bridge District. He is proposing a 0% increase. The board agreed on the estimated tax levy for the Township. Some of the fund amounts were adjusted but the proposed increase is 0%.

ADJOURNMENT Mr. Pollard made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Mr. Dettmers seconded the motion and on a unanimous roll call vote the meeting was adjourned at 7:07 p.m.

______Mike Babcock, Township Supervisor Sherry Tite, Township Clerk