Kankakee Times

Village of Herscher Board of Trustees met March 20.

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, Andy Cotter, and Skip Grigas. The following Trustee were absent Jacob Wagner and Mike Bruner. Also, Deputy Village Clerk Vannessa Weaver, Police Chief Chad Scanlon, Public Works Employee Keith Witheft, Janet Mau from The Herscher Pilot, and Attorney Chris Bohlen.

Bob Voss moved to approve the Regular minutes of March 6, 2023; John Branz seconded. Skip Grigas abstained as he was absent from the meeting. 3-0-1 Motion carried.

Bob Voss moved to approve the Executive minutes of March 10, 2023; John Branz seconded. Skip Grigas abstained as he was absent from the meeting. 3-0-1 Motion carried.

John Branz moved to approve the Special Meeting minutes of March 10, 2023; Bob Voss seconded. Skip Grigas abstained as he was absent from the meeting. 3-0-1 Motion carried.

STREETS:

Bob let the board know that he talked to the homeowners’ at Second and Main about replacing the sidewalks.

Bob said he is working on getting everything ready to turn over to whomever will be replacing him on the board.

FINANCE:

John Branz presented the Accounts Payable Report totaling $105,809.05 to the Board for payment. John Branz moved to accept the accounts payable as presented. Skip Grigas seconded. Roll call taken Mike Bruner-absent, Andy Cotter-aye, Skip Grigas-aye, John Branz-aye, Jacob Wagner-absent, and Bob Voss-aye. All in favor; Motion Carried.

Payroll presented totaled $14,957.08. John Branz moved to accept payroll as presented, Skip Grigas seconded. Roll call taken Jacob Wagner-absent, Mike Bruner-absent, Andy Cotter-aye, Bob Voss-aye, Skip Grigas-aye, and John Branz-aye. All in favor; motion carried.

John Branz added:

- The Regular Sales Tax is in from the month of December in the amount of $36,803.31.

- The 1% Non-Home Rule Sales Tax is in from December 2022 in the amount of $12,338.70.

- The Telecom Tax is in from December 2022 in the amount of $864.09.

- The Local Share of Income Tax collected in February is in at $13,256.37.

- The Local Share of State Income Tax from December 2022 is in at $6,970.83.

- The Local Share of the Cannabis Use Tax collect in February is in at $188.26.

- The Local Share of the Video Gaming Tax collected in February is in at $3,060.62.

- The Illinois Funds Rate today is 4.675%

- Passed out Budget Performance 5/1/22 through 2/28/23.

- Continuing to work Budgets.

John Branz added that he had realized the Village had not received their payment from Verizon for March of 2023 and he had reach out to the company and they are working on getting us the payment.

PARKS:

Andy Cotter told the board that he is looking into different bleachers then the originals ones he had spoke about. These bleachers would come from BSN, 4 rows, 30 inches tall and would be around $14,000. Andy said he would like to talk to a few people before ordering the bleachers. John Branz motioned to allow Andy Cotter to purchase bleachers up to $15,000. Skip Grigas second. All in favor. Motion carried.

Andy Cotter presented to hire 2 new seasonal employees for the parks. Dick Cotter will stay on as the 3rd park employee. Andy Cotter motioned to hire Duane Wright and John Wakey. Roll call taken Mike Bruner-absent, Andy Cotter-aye, Skip Grigas-aye, John Branz-aye, Jacob Wagner-absent, and Bob Voss-aye. All in favor; Motion Carried.

WATER AND SEWER:

Nothing to report.

ORDINANCE:

John Branz presented to the board to hire a new Plumbing Inspector Andrew Kelson. John Branz motioned to hire Andrew Kelson. Bob Voss second. All in favor. Motion carried.

John Branz moved to adopt Ordinance #23-03 Annexation of railroad right of way with finalization on April 17, 2023. Skip Grigas second. All in favor. Motion carried.

POLICE:

Police Chief Chad Scanlon spoke about the fireworks what went off early Sunday morning and he is investigating the incident.

OLD BUSINESS:

President Shannon Sweeney informed the board that LIFT Fitness is wanting to add to their current project and are asking for additional $5,500. Board discussed and decided that since check had already been made out for them that this would not be approved.

President Shannon Sweeney spoke to the board about Dan Martin wanting to know if we will let a revision happen if he gets a buyers for the hardware store. Board discussed and decided they would be open to this happening.

NEW BUSINESS:

John Branz moved to declare surplus on an old printer, chairs and 1974 tractor which is open for bids. Andy Cotter second. All in favor. Motion carried.

President Shannon Sweeney told the board that a solar company contacted him about installing solar panels. He also said that the National State Bank of St Anne reached out to him about any grants or any help we could give them beautify their building front. John Branz said they would contact Dana Masching head of the Herscher Chamber’s beautification committee.

OPEN TO THE FLOOR:

Nothing to report.

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

https://herscher.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bd-Minutes-March-20-2023.pdf