Hopkins Township
Allan Johnson, Supervisor
Mary Downes, Trustee
Merle Heckman, Trustee
Arlyn Folkers, Highway Commissioner
Lynette Springman, Clerk
Jack Green, Trustee
Arthur Scott, Trustee
Shirley Conklen, Assessor
December 11, 2006
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Supervisor Johnson at 7:00 pm. This was followed by the
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
ROLL CALL
Officials Present: Supervisor Johnson, Clerk Springman, Highway Road Commissioner Folkers,
Trustees Heckman and Scott. Official Absent: Trustee Downes, excused for work-related travel,
Trustee Green unexcused absence and Assessor Conklen.
Visitors/Public: None
AGENDA
MOTION by Supervisor Johnson to approve agenda, seconded by Trustee Scott. Errors were
noted by Supervisor. MOTION by Supervisor Johnson to correct errors on agenda #8 Pay the
Town Bills of $6010.75 and 10 C Road Injection Machine Commercial Loan $52,000 for 5 years
Action, seconded by Trustee Heckman.
Roll Call:
Ayes: Johnson, Heckman and Scott
Nayes: None
MOTION CARRIED, 3-0 Accept corrections on agenda
Roll Call:
Ayes: Johnson, Heckman and Scott
Nayes: None
MOTION CARRIED, 3-0 Approve corrected agenda
MINUTES
November 20, 2006
MOTION by Supervisor Johnson to approve minutes of November 20, 2006 meeting, seconded
by Trustee Scott. Discussion followed. MOTION by Supervisor Johnson to amend minutes on
Highway Commissioner Folkers report line 11 add Road districts may borrow money from any
bank or other financial institution with the approval of the township board of trustees provided
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such money shall be repaid within ten years from the time the money is borrowed, seconded by
trustee Heckman.
Roll Call:
Ayes: Johnson, Heckman and Scott
Nayes:None
MOTION CARRIED, 3-0 Approve amendments to minutes
Roll Call:
Ayes: Johnson, Heckman and Scott
Nayes: None
MOTION CARRIED, 3-0 Approve amended to minutes
COMMUNICATIONS FROM VISITORS/PUBLIC
No visitors.
REPORT
Assessor Conklen
Assessor Conklen was absent.
Clerk Springman
Clerk Springman reported filing Tax Levy Township District Ordinance 11-20-2006 and Tax
Levy Road District Ordinance 11-20-2006 with Whiteside County Clerk on November 21, 2006.
Highway Commissioner Folkers
Highway Commissioner Folkers put up “Pavement ends” sign on Mathew Rd. The individual at
the railroad company that Highway Commissioner Folkers needed to speak to about train
whistle at Galt was on vacation. Highway Commissioner Folkers reported during snow storm
two trucks broke down otherwise everything went well. Highway Commissioner Folkers and
employees have been cutting brush and washing trucks.
Trustees Downes, Green, Heckman and Scott
Trustee Downes was absent.
Trustee Green was absent.
Trustee Heckman had nothing to report.
Trustee Scott had nothing to report.
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Supervisor Johnson
A) Rock Falls Dog Control Meeting 12/7/2006- Highway Commissioner Folkers and
Supervisor Johnson went to animal control meeting. The new law was discussed. There is
currently no prosecutor for the county due to past prosecutor being elected to office.
The county will have to get a substitute from the State’s Attorney Office.
B) GHJ Multi Assessment District Meeting @ Jordan Township 5:30 pm on 12/14/2006t
C) Thanksgiving Baskets- There were 4 families in Hopkins Township that were given
Thanksgiving baskets. The total bill was $80. Bill Searing and Sauk Valley Home
Improvement donated $50.
D) Housekeeping Items- Amcore Balances as of December 10, 2006 Distribution Fund
$14,813.55, Town Fund $154,655.92, Road and Bridge Fund $119,129.39 and
General Assistance Fund $26,080.46
. Checks deposited from Real Estate Taxes Mobile Home & Mobile Home Back Due
Distribution $85.38 and $47.58
Checks deposited from Comptroller Personal Property replacement Tax $450.15 and $98.32.
Check deposited from Ustick Township $233.90 and traffic fines $40.06.
PAY TOWNSHIP BILLS
Supervisor Johnson reconciled the Distribution and General Assistance Funds. The accounts
balanced and were found to be in order.
Township and Road bills were presented half hour before meeting in Treasurers office. Officials
present: Supervisor Johnson, Clerk Springman, Highway Road Commissioner Folkers, Trustee
Scott. MOTION by Supervisor Johnson to transfer from Township Fund to Distribution Fund to
pay bills of $6,010.75, seconded by Trustee Heckman.
Roll Call:
Ayes: Johnson, Heckman, Scott
Nayes: None
MOTION CARRIED, 3-0 Pay Township bills
MOTION by Supervisor Johnson to transfer from Road Fund to Distribution fund to pay bills of
$12,746.85 seconded by Trustee Scott.
Roll Call:
Ayes: Johnson, Heckman, Scott
Nayes:
MOTION CARRIED, 3-0 Pay Road Fund bills
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A) Recording of Township meetings- Springman & Green – Trustee Green was absent.
Clerk Springman reported from the Local Records Act (50 ILCS 205)
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Section 3 “Public record” means, any book, paper, map, photograph, digitized electronic
material, or other official documentary material, regardless of physical for or characteristics,
made, produced, executed or received by any agency or officer pursuant to law or in
connection with the transaction of public business and preserved or appropriate for
preservation by such agency or officer, or any successor thereof, as evidence of the
organization, function, policies, decisions, procedures, or other activities thereof, or because
of the information data contained therein, Section 4 All public records made or received by,
or under the authority of, or coming into the custody, control or possession of any officer or
agency shall not be mutilated, destroyed, transferred, removed or otherwise damaged or
disposed of, in whole or in part, except as provided by law. Section 7 Disposition rules,
Except as otherwise provided by law, no record shall be disposed of by any officer or agency
unless the written approval of the appropriate Local Records Commission is first obtained.
Clerk Springman also contacted TOI and Bryan Smith’s personal opinion is no tape recording
should be done for regular meetings because it then becomes a public record which then must
be maintained by Local Records Act. Clerk Springman is the keeper of records so
Clerk Springman has decided she will not be no recording the regular township meetings.
B) Update Animal Control- Tickets –The two animal control tickets were not paid
by October 31, 2006. Individuals were turned over to attorney. Attorney is going to
prosecute.
C) Internal Revenue Service - There is no new information.
D) Como Cemetery 1.MOTION by Supervisor Johnson to pay S&B Signs bill $135, seconded by Trustee
Heckman. Discussion followed with information that sign was to be brown S&B made
green. The lengths of signs on the boards were varying and they were all to be same size.
Roll Call:
Ayes: None
Nays: Johnson, Heckman, Scott
MOTION DENIED, 0-3 Pay S&B signs
2. Fence Installation –River City Fencing Inc. must have fence completed by 12/31/2006
according to bid.
There was also a cross sign “Scooter 2000-2006” in Como cemetery. Supervisor Johnson
notified Ruffit Park the sign was removed and sign could be recovered if they contacted
Supervisor Johnson.
NEW BUSINESS
A) Set 2007 Township Meeting Dates –MOTION by Supervisor Johnson to approve proposed
dates for 2007 meetings, seconded by Trustee Scott. Discussion followed with not being able to
have meetings on second Monday of February and October. MOTION by Supervisor Johnson to
set dates as followed January 8, February 13, March 12, April 9 Annual Town Meeting April 10,
May 14, June 11, July 9, August 13, September 10, October 9, November 19 and December 10,
seconded by Trustee Scott.
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Roll Call:
Ayes: Johnson, Heckman, Scott
Nays: None
MOTION CARRIED, 3-0 Accept amended 2007 meeting dates
Roll Call:
Ayes: Johnson, Heckman, Scott
Nays: None
MOTION CARRIED, 3-0 Accept 2007 meeting dates
B) Discussion of Township Policy for Removal from Office – Supervisor Johnson informed
the board that they should think of possibly setting policy for excused and unexcused
absences. Board to think about and discuss at another time.
C) Road Injection Machine Commercial Loan $52,000 for 5 years – MOTION by Supervisor
Johnson for Highway Commissioner and Road Treasurer to apply for loan for Road Injection
machine for 5 years for $52,000, seconded by Trustee Heckman. Current loans outstanding
are for Loader which will be paid off May 20, 2007 and Grader which the balloon payment
comes due November 12, 2008.
Roll Call:
Ayes: Heckman, Scott
Nayes: Johnson
MOTION CARRIED, 2-1 Apply for $52,000 loan 5 years
Other townships and Whiteside County will be charged to use the Road Injection Machine.
Road Injection Machine will be enclosed in the garage.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM VISITORS/PUBLIC
No visitors.
ADJOURN
MOTION by Trustee Heckman to adjourn meeting at 8:08 pm to next regular meeting
January 8, 2007 at 7:00 pm, seconded by Trustee Scott.
Roll Call:
Ayes: Johnson, Heckman, Scott
Nayes: None
MOTION CARRIED, 3-0 Adjourn to next regular meeting January 8, 2007 at 7:00 pm.
______________________________
Lynette Springman
Hopkins Township Clerk
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