Donavon Mead of Carmi approached the Norris City Village Board Monday night seeking their assistance in purchasing the KerThob building on W. Main Street. He stated his intention to establish a welding and metal fabricaing shop at that location. He submitted an estimate of costs requesting assistance from the TIF district. Mead is asking for $32,000 for the purchase of the building and the cost to paint it. He also is seeking an additional $4250 for tooling and equipment that he would need to get started.The board stated they were very interested in helping this kind of usiness come to Norris Ctiy. A final decision was tabled to give members time to review his proposal. In other business, Luke Marsh presented a rendering of the signage to be placed at the entrance of town, welcoming visitors to Norris City. His proposal has been in the works for some time and he was able to present a finished design to the board Monday night and give them estimates of the cost. The estimated cost to have a sign made and locally installed with landscaping is estimated at approximately $3000 per sign. The board is considering purchasing more than one sign, with the possibility of three that would be installed at three entrances in the village. The board voted to spend $1500 at this junction to get the sign started.
The board convened the June monthly meeting at 7 p.m. with roll call, answered by all except for Carl Whipple. Joe Skaggs said the prayer and led the Pledge of Allegiance. The May minutes were approved as well as the treasurer’s report. The May bills were approved for payment.
Animal Control: The mayor stated that several loose dogs are now penned up.
The annual water tower maintenance is to begin tomorrow. The elevated tower will be drained, the interior will be examined, the tower will be painted and the new Cardinal logo will be added after the Norris City name.
The Mayor stated that the village is working on Steve Neal’s TIF proposal. He is setting up shop in the building on W. Main and will need garage doors and windows.
The mayor stated that the new police car is almost ready to be put in service.
The dam inspection report is in. Every year it is required that an engineer inspect the dam at the reservoir and write a report.
The mayor asked the board’s approval to appoint Joe Skaggs as the Ethics Officer. Former Board member Jack Johnson previously held that position. The mayor said he would ask Jack to stay on the Ambulance Board.
Board members expressed several concerns during that portion of the meeting. Sue James again said that loose dogs are a problem. Joe Skaggs wanted to revisit the idea of installing Caution: Children Playing signs, especially on E. Cherry St. since that is a truck route. Wayne McKenzie asked if stop signs could be installed at two location: Orchard and East St. and Caroll and Boyd. He said he was asked why, during the town wide clean up week, old windows were not hauled away. He also said that at the intersection of Brooks St. and Cherry St., vegetation is blocking vision. He also inquired about the ditches and who cleans them. Skip Land also inquired about ditches on properties and that he has been riding a bit with the police force. Sue James asked how to get rid of a water moccasin nest.
The board voted to proceed by resolution R-10-01 on the MFT oil and chip proposal for 2019. The engineer has given an estimate of $40,000.10 for this summer’s work, but the mayor said that with bidding, it could be less. He stated the mild winter had been generous to the streets. There will be a special meeting called to open the bids.
The mayor appointed Joe Skaggs to be mayor protem for the dates of June 7 through June 16.
The next meeting will be July 1 at 7 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m.
