Kankakee Times

Village of Herscher Board of Trustees met Jan. 17.

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: John Branz, Bob Voss, Jacob Wagner, Mike Bruner, and Andy Cotter, and Skip Grigas absent. Also, Village Deputy Clerk Vannessa Weaver, Police Chief Chad Scanlon, Public Works Employee Keith Witheft, Janet Mau from The Herscher Pilot, and Attorney Chris Bohlen. Residents Emily Jensen and Jonathan Hendrix, potential business owners Frank Cassar, Kasey Cassar, Adam Pate, Jesus Andrade, and Valeria Andrade.

Boss Voss moved to approve the Regular minutes of January 3, 2023; John Branz seconded. All in favor; Motion carried.

John Branz moved to approve the Executive minutes of January 3, 2023; Bob Voss seconded. All in favor; Motion carried.

STREETS:

Bob Voss stated he will be working on budgets for next fiscal year.

FINANCE:

John Branz presented the Accounts Payable Report totaling $75,593.98 to the Board for payment. John Branz moved to accept the accounts payable as presented. Mike Bruner seconded. Roll call taken Mike Bruner-aye, Andy Cotter-aye, Skip Grigas-absent, John Branz-aye, Jacob Wagner-aye, and Bob Voss aye. All in favor; Motion Carried.

Payroll presented totaled $15,280.22. John Branz moved to accept payroll as presented, Mike Bruner seconded. Roll call taken Jacob Wagner-aye, Mike Bruner-aye, Andy Cotter-aye, Bob Voss-aye, Skip Grigas-absent, and John Branz-aye. All in favor; motion carried.

John Branz added:

- The Treasurer’s Report for December 2022 shows a total of $2,182,358.31 in all accounts.

- The Personal Property Replacement Tax collected in December 2022 is in at $23,172.59

- The Regular Sales Tax is in from October in the $34,755.82

- The 1% Non-Home Rules Sales is in from October in the amount of $12,337.00

- The Telecom Tax is in from October 2022 in the amount of #1,346.12

- The Local Share of Income Tax collected in December is in at $22,637.04

- The Local Share of the State Use Tax is in from October 2022 in the amount of $5,466.89

- The Local Share of the Cannabis Use Tax collected in December 2022 is in at $193.05

- The Local Share of the Video Gaming Tax collected in December 2022 is in at $2,669.71

- Passed out Budget Performance from 5/1/22 through 12/31/22

- Would like to have a first budget meeting with someone the week of January 23.

- Worker’s Comp report will need to be done by February 1

- EPA report has been done

- Working with Heather Meredith on doing the recertifications of the Village boundaries for the census that are due on February 3

PARKS:

Andy Cotter said the Dog Park’s fence was going out for bid the next day. He stated that he went out and made the area for the dog park smaller then it originally was. April 28, 2023 is end date for the dog park and walking path.

WATER AND SEWER:

Mike Bruner said generator is in and done, the one for the water plant is in but not installed. Mike Bruner said that he is having a meeting on February 6 at 6 pm with Darin Clarke from McGuire Iron about the maintenance and would like whoever wants to come to be here for it.

ORDINANCE:

John Branz moved to place Ordinance #23-02 Liquor License Class A on first reading which changes the number of license allowed.

John Branz moved to grant a 90 extension for permit for Tim Lowe, 343 S Park. Mike Bruner seconded. All in favor motion carried.

POLICE:

- Mike Bruner moved to hire Joe LaCoste with a start date of January 18, 2023. Andy Cotter seconded. Roll call taken: John Branz-aye, Mike Bruner-aye, Andy Cotter-aye, Jacob Wagner aye, Bob Voss-aye, and Skip Grigas-absent. All in favor; motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS:

-Mike Bruner moved to accept the recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Board for 11486 W State Rte 115, the Larry Hendrix property for living quarters on a commercial property. Planning and Zoning Board recommended property to be a single family, no more than 2500 sq ft, septic system has to meet building code for both commercial and resident, and all codes meet to be met. Bob Voss seconded. Roll call taken: Bob Voss-aye, John Branz-aye, Mike Bruner-aye, Skip Grigas-absent, Jacob Wagner-aye. Andy Cotter-aye. All in favor; Motion carried.

-President Shannon Sweeney gave an update on the grants for downtown, 2 businesses have applied for permits and Village will be issuing checks.

NEW BUSINESS:

Nothing to report

OPEN TO THE FLOOR:

- Frank Cassar talked about the gaming café they are wanting to open downtown, they will be serving beer, wine, and other drinks but no food.

- Emily Jensen is opposed to the gaming café and feels like it will hurt the community in any ways.

- Andy Cotter informed everyone that the Spring Fling is April 15 this year.

- Ron Lukow has put out 2022 Labor Day on YouTube.

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

https://herscher.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Bd-Minutes-January-17-2023.pdf