Kankakee Times

Village of Herscher Board of Trustees met June 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: Jeremy Bauer, Mike Bruner, Gayle Landeck, Andy Cotter, Jacob Wagner, and Skip Grigas. Also present, Police Chief Kurt Quick, Village Clerk Heather Meredith, Jack Wagner, Dan Martin, and Janet Mau (came in at 8).

Budget and Appropriation Hearing (in at 7:00PM)

Last FY 22-23 The Operating Budget had projected expenses of $2,927,105.

FY 23-24 The Operating Budget has projected Expenses of $2,883,414

FY 22-23 Operating Budget Projected Income of $2,155,571

FY 23-24 Operating Budget projected income of $2,107,751

Appropriations Ordinance

FY 22-23 Appropriated $3,122,685

FY 23-24 Appropriated $3,111,560

The Estimated Revenues are the same in the Operating Budget and Appropriations.

Both will be on the agenda for Board approval at the July 3rd meeting. Then the Appropriation Ordinance will be filed with the County Clerk.

Mike Bruner moved to close the hearing; Skip Grigas seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Andy Cotter moved to approve the Regular minutes of June 5, 2023; Jeremy Bauer seconded. All in favor. Motion carried. 5-0-1 Jacob Wagner abstained as he was absent from the last meeting.

STREETS:

Jacob Wagner said that spray patching is finished, and we did not budget enough to do it all so he will budget more for next year. He is waiting on a call back about the striping. The ADA sidewalk bid packages are available and will be opened June 23rd at 2:30. Jacob hopes to have the Welcome to Herscher sign South of town completed by Labor Day.

Discussion on trees blocking the alley between 3rd and 4th Street off Vernon. Gayle will speak with the resident about trimming the trees with certain specifications or having us remove them.

Jacob has done some research on a new Public Works building. He spoke with Keith and it was decided the best place to build would be at the sewer plant. He is getting quotes from FBI and Morton. He is thinking start to finish it will be $250,000-$300,000 to complete.

FINANCE:

Mike Bruner presented the Accounts Payable Report totaling $57,841.15 to the Board for payment. Mike Bruner moved to accept the accounts payable as presented. Skip Grigas seconded. Roll call taken: Jacob Wagner-aye, Mike Bruner-aye, Andy Cotter-aye, Jeremy Bauer-aye, Skip Grigas-aye, and Gayle Landeck-aye. All in favor; Motion Carried.

Payroll presented totaled $17,311.38. Mike Bruner moved to accept payroll as presented, Skip Grigas seconded. Roll call taken: Jacob Wagner-aye, Mike Bruner-aye, Andy Cotter-aye, Gayle Landeck-aye, Skip Grigas-aye, and Jeremy Bauer-aye. All in favor; motion carried.

Mike Bruner moved to approve an MFT Disbursement to Andrews Engineering in the amount of $1,250.00 for The Engineering Base Fee for 2023 MFT Work. Jeremy Bauer seconded. Roll call taken Jacob Wagner-aye, Mike Bruner aye, Andy Cotter-aye, Gayle Landeck-aye, Jeremy Bauer-aye, and Skip Grigas-aye. All in favor; motion carried.

Mike Bruner added:

- The Regular Sales Tax from March is in at $38,888.99

- The 1% Non-Home Rule Sales Tax is in from March at $11,444.95

- The Telecom Tax is in from March in the amount of $1,083.74

- The Local Share of Income Tax collected in May is in at $17,156.39

- The Local Share of the State Use Tax is in from March in the amount of $5,562.10

- The Local Share of Cannabis Use Tax collected in May is in at $187.34

- The Local Share of Video Gaming Tax collected in May is in at $1,968.49

- We are still working on the May Treasurer Report. It will be emailed once completed

PARKS:

Andy Cotter said that we received 2 bids for the second phase of the walking path at Lions Park. The 2 bids were from Tobey’s Construction in the amount of $39,278.25 and R&R Inc in the amount of $69,616.40.

Andy Cotter moved to accept the lowest bid from Tobey’s Construction in the amount of $39,278.25. Mike Bruner seconded. Roll call taken: Jacob Wagner-aye, Mike Bruner-aye, Andy Cotter-aye, Jeremy Bauer-aye, Skip Grigas aye, and Gayle Landeck-aye. All in favor; Motion Carried.

WATER AND SEWER:

Jeremy Bauer said that we had a water main break this morning on Third Street between Main and Oak. After some discussion it was decided that we could push back the Maple Street water main replacement to after Labor Day. Jeremy explained the handout from Pittsburgh Tank and Tower. He said we can wait a couple years before we do any maintenance. They had a few recommendations that they recommend but after Jeremy spoke with Keith the things that are requested are not an urgent matter.

ORDINANCE:

Gayle Landeck says that 17 permits were issued in May and 5 permits in June. She is working on a complaint about trailers on private property. Per ordinance we allow 2 they have 4. Gayle will check with Attorney Bohlen to see if they can get a Variance from the Village Board with out going in front of the Planning and Zoning Board. The camera guy will be here Monday to speak with Chief Quick and Chad about cameras.

POLICE:

Chief Kurt Quick says that he has 2 officers potentially interested in becoming full time. He also has a few interested people in going through a part time academy to become part time officers. We only have 5 part time officers, and we really need some more. Interviews will be set up.

OLD BUSINESS:

Village President Sweeney says that Hair Effects (Dawn Deany) will be doing a full restoration of her façade. The total cost came in at $39,000.

Mike Bruner moved to update the contract for Hair Effects to include the update of scope of work. Jeremy Bauer seconded. Roll call taken: Jacob Wagner-aye, Mike Bruner-aye, Andy Cotter-aye, Jeremy Bauer-aye, Skip Grigas aye, and Gayle Landeck-aye. All in favor; Motion Carried.

Dan Martin handed out drawings for the sidewalk updates to the old Chevy Garage that he owns. He explained that because of the grade of the sidewalk, the sidewalk needs to be extended to each side of his property. He is requesting assistance in paying for the sidewalks. It was explained that the reimbursement per ordinance is 50% of the total cost.

The board consensus was that the Village would more than likely pay the total for the parts in front of each business. Dan would like to make note that the Village paid 100% of Karyn’s Floral sidewalks and that really is not fair. The Board will vote on this matter at the next meeting.

NEW BUSINESS:

Andy Cotter motioned to donate to Herscher Lions for Corn Bowl in the amount of $500. Jeremy Bauer seconded. Roll call taken Jacob Wagner-aye, Mike Bruner-abstain, Andy Cotter-aye, Skip Grigas-abstain, Jeremy Bauer-aye and Gayle Landeck-aye. All in favor; motion carried.

Jeremy Bauer informed the Board that there were some issues getting well 8 out. That should hopefully be all taken care of soon. We were offline for awhile while they were working on it.

OPEN TO THE FLOOR:

Janet Mau learned at the School Board Meeting that Zeek Houberg is trying to earn his Eagle Scout badge by working on a walking path and with our projects with the walking path we should maybe reach out to him. Andy Cotter said he would find out more information.

https://herscher.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Bd-Minutes-June-20-2023.pdf