Kankakee Times

Village of Herscher Board of Trustees met Dec. 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Village President Shannon Sweeney called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. The following Trustees were present: Mike Bruner, John Branz, Bob Voss, Andy Cotter, and Skip Grigas. Jacob Wagner was absent. Also present, Deputy Village Clerk Vannessa Weaver, Janet Mau from The Herscher Pilot, Village Attorney Chris Bohlen, Public Work Employee Keith Witheft and Paula Priest from Pattern Energy.

Bob Voss moved to approve the Regular minutes of November 21, 2022; Mike Burner seconded. Motion carried 4-0-1, Skip Grigas abstained since he was absent from this meeting.

Mike Bruner moved to suspend the Agenda for Paula Priest from Pattern Energy to speak about wind turbines potentially coming west of town. John Branz seconded. All in favor; Motion carried.

Paula Priest from Pattern Energy presented the board with documentation for the potential of 6 wind turbines coming within 1.5 miles of Village.

Mayor Sweeney thanked Paula for her time and told her we would be in contact once everything was reviewed. Board will discuss counteroffer after next meeting.

Mike Bruner moved to return to Board Agenda. John Branz seconded. All in favor; Motion carried.

STREETS:

Bob Voss said all the decorations are up downtown for Christmas.

FINANCE:

John Branz presented the Accounts Payable Report totaling $106,596.22 to the Board for payment. John Branz moved to accept the accounts payable as presented. Skip Grigas seconded. Roll call taken Jacob Wagner-absent, Mike Bruner-aye, Andy Cotter-aye, John Branz-aye, Skip Grigas-aye, and Bob Voss-aye. All in favor; Motion Carried.

Payroll presented totaled $22,811.23. John Branz moved to accept payroll as presented, Skip Grigas seconded. Roll call taken Jacob Wagner-absent, Mike Bruner-aye, Andy Cotter-aye, Bob Voss-aye, Skip Grigas-aye, and John Branz-aye. All in favor; motion carried.

John Branz added:

-Passed out Budget Performance for May 1, 2022 thru October 31, 2022.

- The Illinois Funds Rate for today is 3.768%

John Branz spoke about open enrollment for Health Insurance and that we will be staying with BCBS.

John Branz moved to adopt Ordinance #22-09, the 2022 Tax Levy. Mike Bruner seconded. Roll Call taken: Mike Bruner-aye, John Branz-aye, Andy Cotter-aye, Skip Grigas-aye, Bob Voss-aye, and Jacob Wagner-absent. All in favor; motion carried

PARKS:

Andy Cotter spoke about the Bids for the walking path/dog park are due this Thursday. He also met with Nicole Smolkovich and discussed the community grants and what we would use it for.

WATER AND SEWER:

Nothing to report

ORDINANCE:

Nothing to report

POLICE:

Skip Grigas moved to donate $150.00, $75 from Village and $75 from Police, to Shop with a Cop. Andy Cotter seconded. Roll call taken: Bob Voss-aye, John Branz-aye, Mike Bruner-aye, Skip Grigas aye, Jacob Wagner-absent. Andy Cotter-aye. All in favor; Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS:

Mayor Sweeney presented Salon 180’s revision for more money ($27,732.50) on her grant submission. Andy Cotter moved to approve the new amount. Mike Bruner second. Roll call taken: Bob Voss-aye, John Branz-aye, Mike Bruner-aye, Skip Grigas-aye, Andy Cotter-aye, Jacob Wagner-absent. All in favor; Motion carried.

John Branz asked Chris Bohlen what was going on with insurance on Tank 3, Chris stated it’s in arbitration.

Andy Cotter spoke about how gas prices are higher in Herscher again, compared to 17 Casey’s within 20-mile radius. He is going to reach out to them again.

NEW BUSINESS:

John Branz moved to donate the cost of 2 bicycles to Bonfield Grade School Christmas giveaway. One from the Village and the other from Herscher PD. Skip Grigas seconded. Roll call taken: Jacob Wagner absent, Mike Bruner-aye, Bob Voss-aye, Skip Grigas-aye, John Branz-aye, and Andy Cotter-aye. All in favor; Motion Carried.

Mayor Sweeney spoke about being contacted by Donald “Boo” Wagner, from the Legion, about them being cited by the Liquor Commission for having Games of Chance. Chris Bohlen said he will work on drawing up an ordinance/ permit so this can be done.

OPEN TO THE FLOOR:

Nothing to report

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Motion to adjourn by Bob Voss. Seconded by John Branz. All in favor. Motion carried

https://herscher.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Bd-Minutes-December-5-2022.pdf