Kankakee Times

Village of Herscher Board of Trustees met April 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 present were: Bob Voss, John Branz, Mike Bruner, Andy Cotter, and Skip Grigas. Trustee Jacob Wagner absent. Also, Village Deputy Clerk Vannessa Weaver, Police Chief Chad Scanlon, and Public Works Employee Keith Witheft. Residents Ray Schneider and Jeremy Bauer

Bob Voss moved to approve the Regular minutes of April 3, 2023; John Branz seconded. Skip Grigas abstained. 4-0-1 Motion carried.

John Branz moved to approve the Executive minutes of April 3, 2023; Bob Voss seconded. Skip Grigas abstained. 4-0-1 Motion carried.

STREETS:

Nothing to report.

FINANCE:

John Branz presented the Accounts Payable Report totaling $44,767.95 to the Board for payment. John Branz moved to accept the accounts payable as presented. Skip Grigas seconded. Roll call taken Mike Bruner-aye, Andy Cotter-aye, Skip Grigas-aye, John Branz-aye, Jacob Wagner-absent, and Bob Voss aye. All in favor; Motion Carried.

Payroll presented totaled $22,616.17. 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:

- The Treasurer’s Report for March shows a total in all accounts of $2,274,811.91. - The Personal Property Replacement Tax collected in March is in at $18,237.05. - The Regular Sale Tax is in from January 2023 in the amount of $32,437.41.

- The 1% Non-Home Rule Sales Tax is in from January 2023 in the amount of $11,905.60. - The Telecom Tax is in from January 2023 in the amount of $1,256.36.

- The Local Share of Income Tax collected in March is at $21,335.57.

- The Local Share of State Use Tax is in from March 2023 in the amount of $4,880.23. - The Local Share of Cannabis Use Tax collected in March is $217.26.

- The Local Share of Video Gaming Tax collected in March is in at $2,214.26. - Passed out Budget Performance May 1, 2022 through March 31, 2023.

- The tentative IMRF Employer rate for Calendar Year 2024 is 2.58%. That is a great rate. - Today’s Illinois Funds rate is 4.873%.

- Village President Shannon Sweeney and Finance Chairman John Branz filed the report due by April 30, 2023 on the ARPA Funds.

- Approval of GASB levels for FY 23-24. Andy Cotter motioned to approve upping Administration, Police, Streets, and Parks to $5,000. Mike Bruner seconded. Roll call taken Mike Bruner- aye, Bob Voss- aye, John Branz- aye, Skip Grigas- aye and Andy Cotter- aye. All in favor; motion carried.

- John Branz moved to approve State Bank of Herscher, Midland States Bank, Illinois Funds, and National State Bank of Herscher as designated depositories. Mike Bruner seconded. All in favor; motion carried.

PARKS:

Andy Cotter let the board know that phase 1 of the walking path was done and he will be meeting with Al Deany to go over phase 2, which is Lion’s Park of the walking path sometime next week. The holes had been dug for the dog park’s post and they will be installing in post that week.

Andy Cotter informed the board about the new dirt that was installed at the Village Park and will be working on the other parks soon.

Andy Cotter let the board know that the new bleachers will be delivered on Wednesday and they will figure out when to start installing them.

WATER AND SEWER:

Mike Bruner talked about the removal of the old water tower, he said they are waiting to get a few quotes back before deciding what to do.

Mike Bruner made a motion to approve Tobey Construction’s bid of $284,056.00 for the Maple Street Water Main Replacement Project. Skip Grigas seconded. Roll call taken Mike Bruner-aye, Andy Cotter-aye, Skip Grigas-aye, John Branz-aye, Jacob Wagner-absent, and Bob Voss-aye. All in favor; Motion Carried.

Mike Bruner informed the board of the increase of rates for water/sewer and garbage as of May 1st.

ORDINANCE:

John Branz moved to waive the second reading and to pass Ordinance #23-04 Annexation of Real Estate owned by the Village of Herscher. Skip Grigas seconded. Roll call taken Mike Bruner-aye, Andy Cotter-aye, Skip Grigas-aye, John Branz-aye, Jacob Wagner-absent, and Bob Voss-aye. All in favor; Motion Carried.

POLICE:

Skip Grigas let the board know that Kurt Quick has accepted the job as a full-time officer and will start May 1st. Mike Bruner stated the board should take a vote about hiring Kurt Quick full time at the next board meeting.

OLD BUSINESS:

Bob Voss motioned to accept the winning bid from Alan Block of $1,051 for the old tractor. John Branz seconded. All in favor: Motion Carried.

NEW BUSINESS:

Mike Bruner moved to approve FY 23-24 Meeting Schedule. Skip Grigas seconded. All in favor; Motion Carried.

Skip Grigas motion to approve Village Clerk Heather Meredith as IMRF Agent. Mike Bruner seconded. Roll call taken Mike Bruner-aye, Andy Cotter-aye, Skip Grigas-aye, John Branz-aye, Jacob Wagner-absent, and Bob Voss-aye. All in favor; Motion Carried.

John Branz moved to change Cafeteria Plan Administrative Contact to Heather Meredith. Mike Bruner seconded. All in favor; Motion Carried.

Mike Bruner motioned for the appointment of Keith Witheft as Superintendent of Public Works. Bob Voss seconded. All in favor; Motion Carried.

OPEN TO THE FLOOR:

Ray Schneider congratulated Jeremy Bauer on winning the votes for the Board and Bob and John on their retirement from the Board. He also said he approves of all the Board is doing.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

John Branz made a motion to enter Executive Session (7:48pm) to discuss appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the Village of Herscher and potential Litigations. Also, to review the last 6 months Executive Minutes. Skip Grigas seconded. Roll call taken Jacob Wagner-absent, Mike Bruner-aye, Andy Cotter-aye, John Branz-aye, Bob Voss aye, and Skip Grigas-aye. All in favor; motion carried.

Mike Bruner motioned to exit executive session at 8:27p.m. Andy Cotter seconded. All in favor motion carried.

Mike Bruner moved to approve 5% raises for all employees, $4,000 stipend for 32.5 hours a week employees, $5,000 stipend for 40 or more hours a week employees.

- New Police Chief starting at $70,000 a year.

- Officer Sarah Meister $55,989.27 a year

- Chad Scanlon $63,261.41 a year

- Part time Officers $21/ hour

- Full time Officers base $49,000 year with additional for experience

- Seasonal workers $15.75/ hour

- Vannessa Weaver $20.22/ hour

- Heather Meredith $23.98/ hour

Andy Cotter seconded. Roll call taken Mike Bruner-aye, Andy Cotter-aye, Skip Grigas-aye, John Branz-aye, Jacob Wagner-absent, and Bob Voss-aye. All in favor; Motion Carried.

John Branz passed out Salary Schedule for FY 22-23.

Motion to adjourn by Skip Grigas. Seconded by Mike Bruner. All in favor. Motion carried.