Kankakee Times

Village of Herscher Board of Trustees met July 15.

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: Skip Grigas, Andy Cotter, Jacob Wagner, and Mike Bruner, Gayle Landeck, and Jermey Bauer. Also, Deputy Village Clerk Vannessa Weaver, Police Chief Kurt Quick, Janet Mau from The Herscher Pilot, and Attorney Chris Bohlen. Herscher residents Patrick Daly, Patrick Daly Jr, Dan and Jodi Martin Lori Teders and Don Wagner. Herscher School Board Members: Dr Decman, Sally Sullivan, and Dustin Wright.

Jeremy Bauer moved to suspense regular Board Meeting to discuss concerns about moving HIS with School Board. Jacob Wagner seconded. Motion carried.

OPEN TO THE FLOOR:

Village President Shannon Sweeney spoke to the Herscher School Board about his concerns about HIS leaving Herscher and being rebuilt in Limestone. He feels that it will affect businesses in Herscher if it does relocate to Limestone. Mike Bruner added that sales taxes last year were around $550,000 and he worries that the school being relocated could affect the sales taxes in Herscher. He added that the SRO would have to change her schedule and that would affect Herscher High School. He spoke about all the recent upgrades that the Village made on water and sewer for the schools and the cost that went with it.

Herscher School Board Member Dustin Wright told the Village Board that this has been a hard decision for the School Board. Sally Sullivan added that they are listening to all concerns, and they understand this is a hard decision for everyone.

Herscher residents Patrick Daly and Patrick Daly Jr spoke about opening a brewery in Herscher and just wanted to see if they needed to do anything before, they move forward. Patrick Daly said they plan on just serving beer on tap as of right now and don’t plan on selling packaged alcohol when they first open but might later down the road. The Board let them know we will work on getting an Ordinance made for them to do this.

Mike Bruner moved to return to regular meeting. Jacob Wagner seconded. Motion carried.

Jacob Wagner moved to approve the Regular minutes of July 1, 2024; Andy Cotter seconded. 4-0-1. Jeremy Bauer abstained since he was absent from the last meeting. Motion carried.

STREETS:

Jacob Wagner let the Board know that all curb painting is done, and the next step is the hydrants. He added the bid is out for MFT paving on North Maple.

FINANCE:

Mike Bruner presented the Accounts Payable Report totaling $185,373.44 to the Board for payment. Mike Bruner moved to accept the accounts payable as presented. Jacob Wagner seconded. Roll call taken Mike Bruner-aye, Andy Cotter-aye, Skip Grigas-absent, Gayle Landeck-aye, Jacob Wagner-aye, and Jeremy Bauer-aye. All in favor; Motion Carried.

Payroll presented totaled $20,913.39. Mike Bruner moved to accept payroll as presented, Jeremy Bauer seconded. Roll call taken Jacob Wagner-aye, Mike Bruner-aye, Andy Cotter-aye, Gayle Landeck-aye, Skip Grigas-absent, and Jeremy Bauer-aye. All in favor; motion carried.

PARKS:

Andy Cotter said youth football will be starting soon at Sim’s Park and most projects he had going on were done.

WATER AND SEWER:

Jeremy Bauer let the Board know that the alarm is done at the Water Plant and the floor will be started soon.

ORDINANCE:

Nothing to report.

POLICE:

Chief Quick spoke about the school moving and how it would affect the SRO, he would like to discuss upping the price we are paid for football games and special events the school has and needs the police there. He stated the contract for the SRO and football games is up at the end of this year.

He added that the First Responders Golf Outing is coming up soon and he would like to use the money from the golf outing to buy a new (used) vehicle from Kankakee County Sheriff's Department when they get new ones.

He added that the car show went very well, and we had about 31 cars show up. He said he would like to hire another full-time officer is possible.

OLD BUSINESS:

Mike Bruner moved to not giving the $500 donation to Herscher Lions for Corn Bowl as we paid Chad Scanlon to go and pick up the smoker for it. Gayle Landeck seconded. Roll call taken Jacob Wagner-aye, Mike Bruner-aye, Andy Cotter-aye, Gayle Landeck-aye, Skip Grigas-absent, and Jeremy Bauer-aye. motion carried.

Gayle Landeck moved to table 195 N Elm Building permit extension until next meeting so we could verify how many extensions have been giving and when the permit expires. Gayle Landeck seconded. All in favor; motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS:

Dan Martin talked about the Chamber donation, which totaled $17,633, for Labor Day. Mike Bruner moved to approve a donation of $15,000, which is the same as last year, Gayle Landeck seconded. Roll call taken Jacob Wagner-nay, Mike Bruner-aye, Andy Cotter-aye, Gayle Landeck-aye, Skip Grigas-absent, and Jeremy Bauer-aye. 4-1-0 motion carried.

Motion to adjourn by Andy Cotter. Seconded by Jacob Wagner. All in favor. Motion carried.

https://herscher.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Bd-Minutes-July-15-2024.pdf