Kankakee Times

Village of Herscher Board of Trustees met Feb. 3.

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, Gayle Landeck, Jeremy Bauer, Jacob Wagner and Andy Cotter. Skip Grigas was absent. Also, present Village Clerk Heather Meredith, Police Chief Kurt Quick, Public Works Employee Keith Witheft, Janet Mau from The Herscher Pilot (Zoom), Attorney Chris Bohlen, and resident Lauren Ruel.

Gayle Landeck moved to approve the Regular minutes of January 21, 2025; Mike Bruner seconded. Motion carried. 4-0-2 Jacob Wagner and Jeremy Bauer abstained as if they were absent from the last meeting.

STREETS:

Jacob Wagner talked about the paving this upcoming FY. He wants to hold off on purchasing a new plow. The county needs to be notified about the water project on Park Road. He has a couple of alleys, easement sidewalks that need to be replaced as there is rebar sticking out of them. He also has some storm drains that need to be replaced as they are broken and dangerous. Jacob says that we need to update our street signs to be up to code which requires them to be green and white reflective and a certain size.

FINANCE:

Mike Bruner presented the Accounts Payable Report totaling $18,801.64 to the Board for payment. Mike Bruner moved to accept the accounts payable as presented. Jermey Bauer seconded. Roll call taken Mike Bruner-aye, Andy Cotter-aye, Jeremy Bauer-aye, Skip Grigas-absent, Jacob Wagner-absent, and Gayle Landeck-aye. All in favor; Motion Carried.

Payroll presented totaled $24,034.28. Mike Bruner moved to accept payroll as presented, Jeremy Bauer seconded. Roll call taken Mike Bruner-aye, Andy Cotter-aye, Jeremy Bauer-aye, Skip Grigas-absent, Jacob Wagner-aye, and Gayle Landeck-aye. All in favor; Motion Carried.

Mike said that we plan on holding the second meeting of the month. Which allows time for all the bills to come in.

PARKS:

Andy Cotter his that his Budget meeting went well.

WATER AND SEWER:

Jeremy Bauer says the IL EPA Loan application is underway and will be submitted soon. He also said that we have 2 years left on the rate increases for water, sewer, and garbage. He is thinking about possibly implementing a permanent service fee or a service fee for the duration of the loan.

ORDINANCE:

Gayle Landeck asked about updating the water/sewer application to have landlords sign off on application, so they are aware they are liable for unpaid water. The Board thought that would be a good idea. Heather or Vannessa will update the application and send a letter to the landlords.

POLICE:

Chief Quick says that they have been busy dealing with fights.

OLD BUSINESS:

Nothing to report.

NEW BUSINESS:

Budget Meetings were set for Monday February 10, 2025. Administration will meet at 4pm and Police will meet at 5pm.

OPEN TO THE FLOOR:

Janet Mau had some questions about the ILEPA loan.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Mike Bruner made a motion to enter Executive Session (7:35 pm) to discuss appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the Village of Herscher and potential Litigations. Jacob Wagner seconded. Roll call taken Jacob Wagner-aye, Mike Bruner-aye, Andy Cotter-aye, Jeremy Bauer-aye, Gayle Landeck-aye, and Skip Grigas-absent. All in favor; motion carried.

Mike Bruner motioned to exit executive session at 7:49 p.m. Jeremy Bauer seconded. All in favor motion carried. Motion to adjourn by Mike Bruner. Seconded by Jacob Wagner. All in favor. Motion carried.

https://herscher.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Bd-Minutes-February-3-2025.pdf