Nicholas Bodine Present Ian Magerl Present

Village of Pleasant Plains

200 West Fourth Street, P. O. Box 177, Pleasant Plains, Illinois 62677

Jim Verkuilen, Mayor (217) 626-1024 Dave Stewart, Water Superintendent 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Greg Miles, Streets Superintendent Monday through Friday Kevin Kesselring, Chief of Police Judy Reiser, Village Clerk

JANUARY 27, 2014

The Village Board of Pleasant Plains met in a special session on Monday, January 27, 2014, at 7:00 p.m. at the Village Hall. President Jim Verkuilen called the meeting to order and roll was recorded:

Nicholas Bodine present Ian Magerl present William Riggins, Jr. present Duey Blair present JD Harris present Wayne Heideman present

President Jim Verkuilen declared a quorum present.

Staff Present: Jim Verkuilen, President Judy Reiser, Village Clerk

Visitor(s): N/A

Purpose of this meeting is to review the presentation of the retail sales tax increase and the uses of the sales tax revenue brought in by a retail sales tax increase if this were to pass, and review the newsletter regarding the sales tax increase referendum that will be on the March 18th ballot.

Trustees reviewed the letter that will be sent to each Pleasant Plains residence regarding the need to vote yes for the retail sales tax increase referendum.

Newsletter needs to emphasize:  This is not a property tax  The retail sales tax increase does not affect gasoline prices  Through traffic will primarily share cost of the sales tax increase  Increase in water pressure will only depend upon each individual’s home plumbing, i.e. size of pipes, water softeners, filters, etc.  It is the Board’s intent not to have to raise water rates to pay for a new water tower

Trustee Bill Riggins, Jr. suggested a possible water rate increase for non-residents to help defray water tower costs since the retail sales tax brought into the Village is normally used Minutes – Village Board-Special Session-January 27, 2014 towards our infrastructure. This money will now be used for a water tower that rural customers would also benefit from. Surrounding water departments’ rural rates are much higher than Pleasant Plains rates.

It was also suggested as part of the infrastructure that we slowly start updating our water meters to radio water meters. This is another item that can be handled through this sale tax increase. These meters cost approximately $100 each and therefore we could possibly purchase 50 a year until all 575 or so are replaced. The Water Department currently has a few in stock already. We are just looking to the future when we will be losing a person when Dave retires. Currently Neil has to stand over each meter with a wand to get the readings. The software with a radio meter will allow someone to drive by and the reading will be picked up on a laptop. This software also will detect leaks. It appears it will be more efficient than the current procedure. Ashland currently has had success with this system.

There being no further business, Trustee Nick Bodine made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Duey Blair seconded the motion. The motion was passed by voice vote. President Verkuilen declared the meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m.

Submitted by, Approved by,

______Judy Reiser, Village Clerk Jim Verkuilen, President

Minutes – Village Board-Special Session-January 27, 2014