Kankakee Times

Village of Herscher Board of Trustees met Aug. 7.

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, Gayle Landeck, Mike Bruner Jacob Wagner, and Skip Grigas. Andy Cotter was absent. Also present, Village Clerk Heather Meredith, Chief of Police Kurt Quick, Attorney Chris Bohlen, Janet Mau from The Herscher Pilot, Herscher Chamber Erik Tobey and Dan Martin, Residents Andrew Buckley, and Lisa Buckley (7:20pm).

Jacob Wagner moved to approve the Regular minutes of July 17, 2023; Skip Grigas seconded. All in favor; Motion carried.

STREETS:

Jacob says that ADA sidewalks are being installed on N Oak and Second and Main. He says Keith will notify Tobey’s Construction about patching the water main break areas.

FINANCE:

Mike Bruner presented the Accounts Payable Report totaling $133,885.99 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-absent, Jeremy Bauer-aye, Skip Grigas-aye, and Gayle Landeck-aye. All in favor; Motion Carried.

Payroll presented totaled $20,618.91. Mike Bruner moved to accept payroll as presented, Skip Grigas seconded. Roll call taken Jacob Wagner-aye, Mike Bruner-aye, Andy Cotter-absent, Gayle Landeck aye, and Jeremy Bauer-aye. All in favor; motion carried.

Mike Bruner added:

-The Treasurer’s Report for June 2023 shows a total in all accounts of $2,327,662.14 -Received first distribution of 2022 real estate taxes in the amount of $52,633.53. Also passed out history of the 1% NHMR sales tax received since we started collecting it.

-The Illinois Funds Daily Rate today is 5.424%

PARKS:

A question was brought up about a travel softball using the softball fields to practice on. Attorney Bohlen suggest we get an insurance certificate from them.

WATER AND SEWER:

Jeremy Bauer said that the inspection was completed on the old water tower. Leary Construction says that we could get it back operational if we wanted. They will send us quotes for both restoring it and taking it down. He added that Well #8 is almost completed.

ORDINANCE:

Gayle Landeck said that 8 permits issued in July. Gayle will have an Ordinance for park parking hours at the next meeting. Tickets will be issued to the resident on S Elm for vehicles. Gayle is working with Steve and Chief Quick on getting houses cleaned up before Labor Day.

Jacob Wagner says that the Welcome to Herscher sign on S Park Road will be installed before Labor Day.

POLICE:

Chief Quick said that he has 3 applicants for part time officers and all his current part timers all agree to stay on the roster. Village President Sweeny says he spoke with Mayor Schneider from Buckingham about providing police patrol in Buckingham. President Sweeney said he figured $190 per resident at 224 population would be $48,000 is what is he thinking for an officer to patrol.

OLD BUSINESS:

We received a variance request from Mike and Kelli Bonomo for the number of trailers on their property. According to code we allow 2. They have 3 plus. They only have this many trailers from April 1 through October 31. The Buckley’s are concerned that they are not following rules and the bus stop is by the Bonomo residence and that the trailers block the sidewalk.

Gayle Landeck moved to Grant the Variance Request through October 31, 2023. They will then need to find alternative places for trailer storage. Jeremy Bauer seconded. Roll call taken: Gayle Landeck aye, Jeremy Bauer-aye, Mike Bruner-aye, Skip Grigas-aye, Jacob Wagner-aye and Andy Cotter absent. All in favor; Motion carried.

President Sweeney asked if the Board agreed to give the Athletic Club their Grant check considering they have not completed the awning do to supply issues. The Board agreed we issue the remaining balance of the Grant. President Sweeney also asked about the Herscher Area Historical Society Grant. He said they followed the proposal on work to be done. However, he says the East wall not being painted looks out of place and another nearby business owner doesn’t like it. He thinks maybe we should pay to have it painted. The Board said we need to not worry about it as we have had no other complaints.

NEW BUSINESS:

Mike Bruner moved to donate $8,000 to the Herscher Legion Community Center. Jeremy Bauer seconded. Roll call taken: Gayle Landeck-aye, Jeremy Bauer-aye, Mike Bruner-aye, Skip Grigas present, Jacob Wagner-aye. Andy Cotter-absent. All in favor; Motion carried.

Mike Bruner moved to donate $500 to the Herscher Unit 2 PTA Walk-a-thon from The Village of Herscher and the Herscher Police Department. Jeremy Bauer seconded. Roll call taken: Gayle Landeck-aye, Jeremy Bauer-aye, Mike Bruner-aye, Skip Grigas-aye, Jacob Wagner-aye and Andy Cotter-absent. All in favor; Motion carried.

Mike Bruner moved to donate $15,000 to the Herscher Chamber of Commerce for Labor Day. Skip Grigas seconded. Roll call taken: Gayle Landeck-aye, Jeremy Bauer-aye, Mike Bruner-aye, Skip Grigas-aye, Jacob Wagner-aye. Andy Cotter-absent. All in favor; Motion carried.

President Sweeney mentioned the oil leak on N Main is to be cleaned up properly according to the EPA. Surf internet will oversee the cleanup. We will probably need to put a deadline on the cleanup.

OPEN TO THE FLOOR:

Erik Tobey asked the Board to consider allowing beer outside the beer tent Labor Day weekend. Chief Quick says that he sees no issue with it. Chief said that if we have an issue, we shut down the allowance of beer outside the beer tent.

Motion to adjourn by Jacob Wagner. Seconded by Gayle Landeck. All in favor. Motion carried

https://herscher.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Bd-Minutes-August-7-2023.pdf