Kankakee Times

Village of Herscher Board of Trustees met Oct. 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, Mike Bruner, Andy Cotter, Gayle Landeck, Skip Grigas, and Jacob Wagner. Also present, Village Deputy Clerk Vannessa Weaver, Chief of Police Kurt Quick, Attorney Chris Bohlen, Public Works Superintendent Keith Witheft, Janet Mau from The Herscher Pilot.

Gayle Landeck moved to approve the Regular minutes of September 16, 2024; Jacob Wagner seconded. Motion carried. Jeremy Bauer abstained. 5-0-1

STREETS:

Jacob Wagner let the Board know that he spoke with Al Deany, and we had to have an ADA transition plan made up. He got the letter wrote and showed it to the board, President Shannon Sweeney will sign the letter, and it will be sent to Al. Jacob Wagner motioned to approve the letter. 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.

Jacob Wagner let the Board know that all the paving and lining is done, there is a spot that needs to be looked at by County West Therapy where the sidewalks meet the road to make sure the grade is correct. Spray patching will be done next.

FINANCE:

Mike Bruner presented the Accounts Payable Report totaling $88,083.63 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 $22,714.67. 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.

PARKS:

Andy Cotter let the Board know that Youth Football is done here in Herscher, mowing is coming to an end, and they will fertilize the grass at the end of the season. He said that the new dugouts will need to be done before the start of next season and that the old ones have been taken down already.

WATER AND SEWER:

Jeremy Bauer let the Board know that Well 7 has been delayed and they are hoping they will be working on it again next week.

Jeremy Bauer let the Board know that Keith and Chad sent all the IEPA all the lead pipe inventory that we did a few months back.

Jeremy Bauer showed the Board the 2025 North Park Road Water Main Replacement estimate so they can get an idea of what it will cost.

ORDINANCE:

Gayle Landeck moved to approve the Easement Maintenance Ordinance #24-04 second reading. 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.

Gayle Landeck let the Board know that we had a total of 23 permits, 8 in July, 7 in August and 8 in September. She also said that we have 2 Special Board Meetings coming up this month for rezoning and a fence.

President Shannon Sweeney let the Board know that we will need to update our Code Book by January 1, 2025 as per the International Building Code.

POLICE:

Chief Kurt Quick let the Board know that he had a meeting coming up with Dr Decman to discuss having a second SRO and that Herscher Police would like the opportunity to provide the officer. If they agree to this, we will need to hire another full-time officer.

Chief Kurt Quick said that Country Chevy will be giving us $6,000 for the old truck squad, he will bring it there once it has been striped.

OLD BUSINESS:

President Shannon Sweeney let the Board know that a resident has sent in multiple complaints about Alliance Grain and the corn dust that is being produced. Alliance Grain had submitted a list of all the improvements they have made so far to reduce the amount of grain dust, and it also had a list of items that they will try to do over the next few years. Alliance Grain also showed their daily cleaning checklist that they must do. Discussion was held with Attorney Chris Bohlen regarding this complaint and the Village of Herscher’s responsibilities and requirements. Attorney Bohlen spoke to the Board and he doesn’t feel like Alliance Grain is in any violation of any of the Village of Herscher ordinances Attorney Bohlen stated that he nor the Board are experts when it comes to grain elevator requirements. Andy Cotter said that Alliance is purchasing a tanker to water down what they can of the dust that gets into the streets. The Board discussed all of this and have decided there is no more they can do and the resident needs to go to the IEPA or EPA. The matter has nothing to do with the Board and needs to be handled this way.

President Shannon Sweeney said that by 2026 we will need to decide if we will still do the grocery tax or not.

NEW BUSINESS:

Gayle Landeck let the Board know that Todd Rapp the Village’s electrical inspector put in his resignation as of October 4, 2024. Jacob Wagner is working on getting a replacement.

Jeremy Bauer showed the Board the possible traffic flows the School Building Committee have been working on for the new school.

President Shannon Sweeney said the Mayor’s meeting on November 20, 2024 will be held by Herscher at the Athletic Club with Buckingham. He is working on getting a few speakers for the meeting.

Jacob Wagner said that he and Mike Bruner met with the Town Board about tarring and chipping all the alleys and would like help from the Township. He said they are discussing it and will let us know.

OPEN TO THE FLOOR:

Audrey from Surf was here to let everyone know that they will be holding a class on October 23 from 3p-7p to help teach residents learn how to do streaming.

Motion to adjourn by Andy Cotter. Seconded by Gayle Landeck. All in favor. Motion carried

https://herscher.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Bd-Minutes-October-7-2024.pdf