The Odin Village Board Thursday night approved the village’s first raffle ordinance.
There will be a $50 fee and application process. Board members were told there were no regulations previously to control raffles. The board began looking at the ordinance because the Odin Fireman’s Association was interested in beginning a Queen of Hearts drawing. Mayor and Fire Chief Greg Smith says the drawing will now be pursued as a fund raiser for the fire department.
Smith announced the village now had title to all three of the delimited former business buildings in the 200 block of East Sugg Street. The board will seek bids to tear down the buildings in the spring. Smith says there are no plans for the land right now, but a downtown park could be created as at a least a temporary use.
The board reviewed snow removal. Smith feels the village staff did a good job compared to street conditions in other communities. Public Works Director Rudy Walker said they used the one ton of salt they had on hand fighting the snow and ice. 120 hours of regular time and 28.5 hours of overtime were utilized by the public works department in clearing the snow and ice. There was also expense in fixing equipment that failed during the storm recovery. With the cost of materials and man time, the storm cost the village about $4,200. Walker has ordered another ton of salt to be delivered next week so they are ready for any additional severe weather.
Police Chief Joe Nix was given permission to purchase two new squad car computers and docking stations, along with necessary programming, for $15,000. Nix says their current equipment is too old to work with technology of other departments. COVID relief funds given to the village will be used to pay for the cost. After being unable to find a qualified part-time police officer, Nix was given permission to hire his son Travis who is currently Sandoval Assistant Police Chief.
The board also authorized a new computer for the office as it is also too old to work with other new equipment. The cost will be paid through regular village funds if it is not eligible through the COVID relief money.
