Kankakee Times

Village of Herscher Board of Trustees met Dec. 2.

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, Skip Grigas, Gayle Landeck and Jacob Wagner. Also present, Police Chief Kurt Quick, Village Clerk Heather Meredith, Attorney Chris Bohlen, Public Works Keith Witheft, Janet Mau from the Herscher Pilot, resident Lauren Ruel.

Jeremy Bauer moved to approve the Regular minutes of November 18, 2024; Jacob Wagner seconded. All in favor; Motion carried.

STREETS:

Jacob Wagner was happy to say that some Christmas Lights were put up downtown and Village Hall this past weekend. He Thanked Village President Sweeney for his assistance with getting the lights up. Jacob said that the ADA Letter that we sent a few months ago to an engineering firm on our ADA Plan was not what requesting. Attorney Bohlen suggested we tell him we have no further information as none is needed since we employee fewer than 50 employees.

FINANCE:

Mike Bruner presented the Accounts Payable Report totaling $16,154.93 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 $24,631.71. Mike Bruner moved to accept payroll 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.

Mike Bruner moved to Approval of 2024 Tax Levy Ordinance #24-06. 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.

PARKS:

Nothing to report.

WATER AND SEWER:

Jeremy Bauer said that the rest of the new meters are in and will start being installed this winter. That should make the entire Village on handheld.

Jeremy explained that we had another water main break on Park Road. He spoke with engineer Al Deany about cost for getting the engineering done for Park Road water main replacement. Al said the cost estimate for engineering would be around $20,000. It was discussed if we do the engineering this fiscal year and the project next fiscal year or do it all next year. Jacob Wagner said that we can investigate grants to help fund the project. President Sweeney said that we could consider an ILEPA Loan too.

After discussion Jermey Bauer moved to approve engineering service for Park Road Water Main Replacement to be done this fiscal year. 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.

ORDINANCE:

Gayle Landeck informed the Board that there were 7 permits issued in November totaling $1,510.00.

Gayle said that she did some checking on updating the Building Code. We need to update to at least 2018. The newer we go the stricter the rules will be. It needs to be not older than 9 years. After some discussion it was decided to purchase the 2018 Code Books and update the ordinance in our Village Code book.

POLICE:

Skip Grigas moved to donate $250, to Shop with a Cop. Gayle Landeck 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.

OLD BUSINESS:

Nothing to report.

NEW BUSINESS:

Jacob Wagner moved to donate the cost of 2 bicycles to Bonfield Grade School Christmas giveaway. One from the Village and the other from Herscher PD. Gayle Landeck 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.

Jacob Wagner moved to accept the Resignation of Sarah Andreina Village Treasurer. 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.

Clerk Heather Meredith said that we need to update the Village Handbook. We need to specify holiday pay. We had an issue with a full employee wanting regular pay and holiday pay for a holiday worked instead of taking a day off. Heather said she has an updated handbook with other suggestions as well. A lengthy conversation was held. Multiple ideas were discussed. We will talk about this more at the next meeting.

Chief Kurt Quick remined every one of the Christmas Party on December 21.

Mike Bruner said that Vannessa reached out to see if the Village would help offset the cost of the Christmas party. Discussion was held and Clerk Meredith will send out a reminder and get RSVPs by this week and then we will have a better idea of the cost, so then we will discuss at the next meeting.

OPEN TO THE FLOOR:

Nothing to report

Motion to adjourn by Skip Grigas. Seconded by Jacob Wagner. All in favor. Motion carried.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/12YYT9tB8QuQq2kQnLu7vqi8ioGvjwp-ZTrYpBEm0XU8/edit?tab=t.0