Kankakee Times

Village of Herscher Board of Trustees met Feb. 5.

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: Mike Bruner, Andy Cotter, Gayle Landeck, Jacob Wagner. Jeremy Bauer and Skip Grigas. Also present, Village Clerk Heather Meredith, Chief of Police Kurt Quick, Attorney Chris Bohlen, Public Works Superintendent Keith Witheft, Janet Mau from The Herscher Pilot. Residents of Herscher Jack Wagner, Paul Brown, Angie Brown, Kacie Brown, and Jasmin Elumbaugh.

Jermey Bauer moved to approve the Regular minutes of January 16, 2024; Jacob seconded. All in favor. Motion carried. 4-0-2 Skip Grigas and Gayle Landeck abstained as they were absent from the last meeting.

STREETS:

Jacob Wagner said that he is getting a bid for striping. He would like to have the curbs painted this year as well. He believes we can have our parks and or public works employees do this. He also plans to budget for a leak vacuum. He believes it will be a great benefit for our community. Jacob proposes a plan of paving Maple Street from Walnut to 115, and possibly include some side streets like Fourth Street and Chicago Ave. He also plans to budget more for spray patching around town.

FINANCE:

Mike Bruner presented the Accounts Payable Report totaling $68,781.67 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 $23,638.48. Mike Bruner moved to accept payroll 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.

Mike Bruner added:

- The Treasurer’s Report for December shows a total in all accounts of $1,967,594.78. -Worked on Police Budget on Saturday who wants to schedule nex

-Explained the balance sheets and how we will move money before the end of fiscal year to make a positive balance in the water fund.

-Parks Budget Meeting scheduled February 12th at 8am

-Streets Budget Meeting scheduled February 12th at 4pm

-Administration Budget Meeting scheduled February 17th at 8am

PARKS:

Andy is still working the walking path plans. He was told the Medwin will come do a burn down of the creek bank for us. He is also looking into a grant from the IDNR for recreational trails that is due the end of March.

Kacie Brown and Jasmin Elumbaugh explained a community service project they each need complete to receive their Gold Award for Girl Scouts. The had some ideas of a Monarch Butterfly Habitat, park benches, and covered benches. They said that they are open to ideas to fulfill community needs. Andy Cotter said that he will meet with and come up with some ideas. The Board liked the idea of the butterfly garden along the new walking trail at Lions Park.

WATER AND SEWER:

Jermey Bauer says that everything has been “onboarded” with Txt Squad. We just need to decide how we will get the contacts uploaded. We also have a slow leak somewhere in town that we have failed to find yet. It is about a 20,000 gallon per day increase for the total usage.

ORDINANCE:

Gayle Landeck said that the Village had 1 permit in the month of January for a total of $240.00. She asked if we wanted to replace the door on the East side of the building. The consensus was not at this time as it works well, seals tight, and is safe.

POLICE:

Chief Quick told the board that we have one new AED. The ones we had were expired. He plans to purchase 2 more for the other squads. He says the midnight shift is going well, he also has an unpaid internship he wanted to verify would be okay to do. The Board said they see no problem with it.

OLD BUSINESS:

Village President Sweeney sys that he had a meeting with Patrick Joyce, Jackie Haas, and a CVS Representative concerning the closure of CVS. He unfortunately said nothing positive came out of the meeting. He had asked if they could postpone or delay the closing and was not given an answer.

NEW BUSINESS:

Mike Bruner moved to donate $150 to the Herscher Music Boosters for Sing and Swing. Skip Grigas seconded. Roll call taken: Gayle Landeck-aye, Jeremy Bauer-aye, Mike Bruner-aye, Skip Grigas-aye, Jacob Wagner-aye and Andy Cotter-aye. All in favor; Motion carried.

Mike Bruner moved to donate $150 to the Herscher FFA Annual Auction. Jacob Wagner seconded. Roll call taken: Gayle Landeck-aye, Jeremy Bauer-aye, Mike Bruner-aye, Skip Grigas-aye, Jacob Wagner-aye and Andy Cotter-aye. All in favor; Motion carried.

Village President Sweeney explained that Pac Pro Gaming is having a Grand Opening on February 16th and they are requesting permission to have a food truck parked outside in front of the building. The Board did not see any issue with it and neither did Chief Quick.

President Sweeney received some good news about the Joyce Grant that is going through the county. We will receive an additional $38,000.

OPEN TO THE FLOOR:

Nothing to report

Motion to adjourn by Jeremy Bauer. Seconded by Jacob Wagner. All in favor. Motion carried.

https://herscher.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Bd-Minutes-February-5-2024.pdf