Kankakee Times

Village of Herscher Board of Trustees met April 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Village of Herscher Special Board Meeting

Village President Shannon Sweeney called the meeting to order with the following Trustees present: Jeremy Bauer, Gayle Landeck, Mike Bruner, and Andy Cotter. Jacob Wagner and Skip Grigas were absent. Also, present Police Chief Kurt Quick, Deputy Village Clerk Vannessa Weaver, Public Works employees Keith Witheft and Chad Scanlon.

Trustee Jeremy Bauer started the meeting by discussing the Watermain Project on Park Road. He stated that if the Village does just Park Road the project will be done before Labor Day and would cost around $330,000 less than if we included the alley between Second and Third along with Second and Third Street. Trustee Mike Bruner recommended that the Village does just Park Road for now, everyone agreed.

President Shannon Sweeney said that we have grants from County and State that we should be getting back soon to reimburse the Village from the Oak Street and Maple Street projects. He stated he will be working with the Village Clerk and Village Deputy on getting another $50,000 grant.

Trustee Jeremy Bauer spoke about hiring another Public Works employee.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Jeremy Bauer made a motion to enter Executive Session (7:38 pm) to discuss appointments, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the Village of Herscher and potential Litigations. Gayle Landeck seconded. Roll call taken Jacob Wagner-absent, 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 7:58 p.m. Jeremy Bauer seconded. All in favor motion carried.

Jeremy Bauer motioned to run an ad for a new employee for Public Works, the ad needs to state the Village will require a Class B or higher Water Operator and Class 2 or higher Waste Operator Certification. Starting salary will be around $70,000-$80,000 depending on all the certifications the candidate holds. Gayle Landeck seconded. Roll call taken Jacob Wagner-absent, Mike Bruner-aye, Andy Cotter-aye, Jeremy Bauer-aye, Gayle Landeck-aye, and Skip Grigas-absent. All in favor; motion carried.

President Shannon Sweeney appointed Officer Paul Berge as Code Officer as Sergeant Sara Meister resigned from the position. Gayle Landeck motioned. Jeremy Bauer seconded. Roll call taken Jacob Wagner-absent, Mike Bruner-aye, Andy Cotter-aye, Jeremy Bauer-aye, Gayle Landeck-aye, and Skip Grigas-absent. All in favor; motion carried.

Other Necessary Business:

Deputy Village Clerk Vannessa Weaver passed out potential meeting schedules for the Board to review for the Regular Meeting on April 21, 2025 as it will need to be voted on.

Chief Quick said he will reach out to Attorney Chris Bohlen about adjudication court as we haven’t heard any more about the Village joining Kankakee City adjudication court.

Mike Bruner motion to adjourn at 8:07pm. Seconded by Jeremy Bauer. All in favor. Motion carried.

https://herscher.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Special-Bd-Meeting-April-9-2025.pdf