City of Virginia
February 10th, 2025
Regular Meeting Minutes
Meeting Called to Order: 7 pm
Roll Call: Martin, Andrews, Stanbridge, Wulf, and Cox all answered present. Knous was not present.
Agenda Approval: Alderman Cox made a motion to approve the agenda and Alderman Wulf seconded, motion carried unanimously.
Minutes Approval: Alderwoman Stanbridge made a motion to approve the December minutes and Alderman Andrews seconded, motion carried unanimously. Alderwoman Stanbridge made a motion to approve the January 6th minutes and Alderman Cox seconded, motion carried unanimously. Alderwoman Stanbridge made a motion to approve the January minutes and Alderwoman Martin seconded, motion carried unanimously.
Approval of Monthly Bills: Alderman Wulf made a motion to approve the monthly bills and Alderwoman Stanbridge seconded, motion carried unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report
Guests
Michelle Carty, Tanner Force, John Shaner, Terry Ayers, Dennise Minor, Ronnie Paul
Monthly Reports
Police Chief: not in attendance
Fire Chief: 1 wreck on 78, 1 lift assist. Alderwoman Martin commented that today in Illinois, in the house briefing they announced about the 5 million dollar grant available, deadline is Feb 28th. Mayor asks if Fritsche does that, Stock confirmed yes.
Superintendent of Water Report (Dylan Cook): frozen meters, one main break, found another hydrant, need to have a Water/Sewer meeting has a list that he would like to discuss with the committee. The license holder of sewer gave list that needs to be looked at and done.
Superintendent of Street Report (John Ratliff): had a lot of problems, dump truck was down and couldn’t use it during the last storm, it was towed to Jacksonville and found it was the fuel pump. Its back now, ready for next storm. Both dump trucks will be out if we get this snow Wednesday. Rich Stock and Adam Bentley looked at the truck, they couldn’t figure out what was wrong but Hammer Down in Jacksonville was able to get it fixed. Mayor states there has been a lot of computer problems with that truck as well. Ratliff states he needs to have a meeting with the Street department and discuss what to do because the truck, it is about done
Park Board: ball diamonds need a lot of dirt work, lights on small field needs replaced, underground needs to be worked on at the pool. Mayor states will talk with Chad and Chris on Thursday about the issues with the pool.
TIF: no report
Attorneys Report
Attorney Laegeler states that all OV cases at a standstill because no one is available to inspect the properties and I don’t have a witness either. Until personnel can fill that role, either Ordinance Officer or Chief, we are at a standstill until then.
Mayors Report
Nothing to report
Aldermanic Reports
Cox thanked John and Street department for working with what they are working with, especially now knowing equipment was an issue. Also thanked the city for sending flowers to Betty Garver’s funeral.
Knous not present
Wulf large uptick with billing with the Water Department, there are a lot of questions we need to get answered. Dates its due are not consistent, not billing accurately as far as minimum charge and overage charge, need to get people educated, we should make public aware of what is going on if we are aware of issues
Stanbridge seconded the water issues, states a lot of it is being addressed and reformat the bill, thanked Stephanie for the work she has been doing. Mayor adds the programmer guy was here for 2 days, found a lot of data error and mistakes in the programming. It is being worked on so hopefully will come to a resolution soon
Andrews thanked Dylan and John for fixing water leak outside my house, had finance meeting to discuss budget, need to have more meetings, will have another finance meeting at the end of the month. Working on trying to get someone back in the office to help. Getting an accounting firm, accountant to come back in and help learn the system and make sure that we don’t get in this bind again. Everyone is learning and we appreciate everyone understanding. Alderman Wulf asks if we utilized another community to help, Mayor reached out to Havana two months ago and still has not heard back
Martin attended U of I Community Economic Development Seminar. They do a lot of surveys in rural communities and have some great information available. It was sad that the only other Cass County person was from the Beardstown Lincoln Museum. Number 1 thing they said that you should be a welcoming community because unwelcoming can be disastrous. They also mentioned to get your information out there with something like a brochure or short video as a greeting to your community is essential. It is also important to highlight interest for each age group (kids, adults, seniors) and include ethic groups to show diversity. What is needed in rural communities today is housing, daycare, and determine community assets and try to grow those assets. Very good seminar, wish more people would have attended
City Clerks Report
Nothing to report
Old Business
None
New Business
- Refund CRWD difference of the rate increases for the years 2021,2022,2023,2024 that were not applied to one of their biggest customers ($17297.80)
Mayor states they got a call from Laymon Carter and Eric Hays. They stated they weren’t getting the right rates. So we started looking through it. Laymon told us what he thought it was. We came up with the sum that needs to be refunded to Cass Rural Water. It was our mistake because we do the billing and meter reading. Alderwoman Martin asks where the money will come from, Mayor states it will come from VRWS. Alderwoman Martin do we have that amount readily available? Mayor states yes, there is plenty. With nothing further to discuss, Alderman Cox made a motion to approve to refund CRWD the difference of the rate increases for the years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 that were not applied to one of their biggest customers ($17297.80), Alderman Wulf seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Alderwoman Martin asks about liquor store, do they have a liquor license? Mayor states we made one for Caseys and they didn’t take it so there was one extra one. Alderman Wulf states we never voted for the pour license we just discussed it. Alderwoman Martin asks if they need both licenses if they have machines? Mayor states they have 2. Alderman Cox states we did vote for it, Alderwoman Martin agrees. Class A is what you have to have to get a gaming permit. Beer wine, liquor, pour, they have three. We are now out of licenses. Alderman Wulf states when Caseys came to us they were already selling alcohol. We voted for the pour not the liquor, that would be the only one that would have been available. Alderman Cox states the depot had one, then little Mexico took that one. Attorney states ordinance was last amended in 2021. Mayor states this will be reviewed. Mayor states these ordinances need to be reviewed and sent to the codifier to ensure that they are up to date. Will look into this.
With nothing further to discuss, at 7:28 pm, Alderman Wulf made a motion to adjourn the regular council meeting and Alderwoman Stanbridge seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
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Ashley Cox, City Clerk