Kankakee Times

Village of Ashkum Board of Trustees met April 22.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Ashkum Village Board met Tuesday, April 22, 2025 @ the village hall. Present were Paul Heideman, Donna Schmitz, Mike Cotter, Shannon Meier, Angie Wycoff, Shelley Ponton, Ellen Mikeworth, and April Lyons. Maintenance Supervisor Derek Miller, Randy Demierre, John Gray, James Gray, Todd Lemenager, Jon & Diane Meents, and Kaitlyn Miller, a member of the Zoning Committee, were also in attendance.

President Heideman called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Clerk Donna Schmitz emailed the minutes of the April 7, 2025 meeting. Angie Wycoff moved to approve the minutes as sent, seconded by Mike Cotter, and the motion passed.

NEW BUSINESS/VISITORS

President Heideman recognized Randy Demierre, who was present to discuss his property on Second Street. Mr. Demierre was contacted by the village attorney to attend this meeting and plead his case regarding what he needs to do to have his property meet our zoning ordinance standards. Mr. Demierre sold his house in January and now has the funds to work on the house on Second Street. He’s purchased materials and his intentions are to gut the inside and the outside will be like a new house. He has a helper so when the materials are delivered, work can start immediately. He wants to finish the project as soon as possible and is willing to attend a board meeting every month to update the board of the progress he’s made. After discussion, Mike Cotter called for a vote whether or not to allow Randy to proceed with remodeling his house on Second Street. April, yes; Ellen, yes; Shelley, yes; Angie, yes; Shannon, yes; Mike, yes. The conditions are to keep the lawn mowed and report either to Derek or the board on the status of the work completed.

President Heideman recognized John Gray, who was also contacted by the village attorney to discuss his two buildings on Main Street scheduled for demolition. John reported he purchased the two buildings in 2001, and has been using them as storage. He’d like to restore them and turn them into businesses, but the problem is the expense of restoration. The septic system is a problem because you can’t fix it – it has to be new. The building on the east is leaning, the siding is kinked, the foundation has holes, and windows are broken and should be covered. Some of the work has been done, but the board wants the building structurally sound. James Gray, John’s brother and an architecture reported he walked through the building and he didn’t find anything initially that was alarming with the integrity of the building. For preservation, maintenance is the important key. Zoning Administrator Derek Miller reported he wants to make sure the buildings are maintained until the village gets a sewer system (it could be years). Derek asked if they could use stabilizers/braces to make sure it doesn’t lean anymore. John reported that whatever work is done will take a lot of money. He would like to rent them, but with the expense of repairs, the rent would be too high. His next steps are to make the buildings safe, watertight, paint the siding, or remove the metal siding, and cover the windows with plywood. He’s already closed the holes in the foundation. Until he can restore them, he’ll keep the buildings locked, but John asked the village to give him guidance. John was advised the village needs to see improvement and the east building is the biggest concern for safety reasons. After a lengthy discussion about what the village expects from John, April Lyons moved to have John present a plan of what his intentions are, a timeline for completion, and what the costs will be, seconded by Shelly Ponton, and the motion passed. John was advised James Clarage has expertise in structural engineering and he might want to contact him along with his brother to come up with a plan to restore the buildings.

President Heideman recognized Todd Lemenager, who was contacted by the village attorney to attend this meeting to discuss the building on Main Street. Todd reported his intentions with the building was to have offices in front and apartments upstairs. When he purchased the building, he put a foam roof on it and has since replaced windows, worked on the siding in the front and the back corner of the brick. The outside of the building is cosmetically okay, and structurally sound. Zoning Administrator Derek Miller reported Todd has addressed the list he was given and progress has been made. One of the things Derek concerned about was the windows not being covered. Todd reported everything has been moved from in front of the windows and brown paper has been put on the windows. Todd also reported fixing the floor will take all summer. He was advised to give the board a proposal of what his plans are and a time line to get things done. The board needs to see progress. After discussion, Mike Cotter moved to allow Todd to continue working on the building and to report to Derek Miller of his progress, seconded by April Lyons and the motion passed.

President Heideman recognized Jon & Diane Meents, who had no report but Diane did compliment the board for doing something to improve the village and Main Street.

President Heideman recognized Maintenance Supervisor Derek Miller, who reported on the following:

Dan Campbell did itemize the bill for doing the sidewalk work for Shawn McGinnis. The total cost for the project from the ball diamond north to Charles Street is $5,600 and our share will be $2,800 under the village sidewalk program. Ellen voiced a concern about the new water line coming in and possibly having to tear up the new sidewalk. We can’t do anything about it but we could reach out to Piggush and then advise Shawn of the possibility that the sidewalk could be torn up in two years. It would then be Shawn’s choice whether he wants to proceed with having a new sidewalk installed.

Derek reported the speed limit signs that light up are $899 each and are similar to the one Clifton has. The problem is you can’t see the light blinking during the day. Could we put a regular speed limit sign up and see if that would work? The price is $35, which the board was in favor of. Diane Meents talked about all the cars speeding in her neighborhood and asked if they could have the police patrol more often. The board will have the police patrolling their area at times when speeding is at the highest rate.

Derek reported there’s a project for a patio and fireplace going in right over a shut off valve. The owner will have to move the buffalo box at their expense.

Ellen asked if Derek could move the implements sitting outside could be moved inside because she’s not sure our insurance would cover it if anything happened or they were stolen. Derek will move them to the bus shed.

Derek reported he’d be terminating water services to several residences in the next couple of days. Derek reviewed the delinquent accounts but several accounts had extenuating circumstances and service won’t be terminated.

The home of Larry Parks (deceased) had a major water leak. His wife is very ill and the granddaughter was checking on the house when she noticed water everywhere. She called Derek and he shut the water off. This last water bill was $3,950, (706,000 gallons) so the water was running. The leak has been fixed and the next time the granddaughter is in town she would like Derek to turn the water on. April suggested we contact them and have them talk to the board about working with them to lower the bill.

Upon questioning about the status of the culverts discussed at the last meeting, Derek said he’s waiting on Brett to talk to Billy to get pricing. He reached out to Billy but hasn’t heard anything yet. He’s ok if we get someone else instead of waiting.

President Heideman recognized Kaitlyn Miller, a member of the Zoning Committee who reported Katie Wages resigned and their committee would like Tyler Villarreal appointed as her replacement. Ellen Mikeworth moved to approve adding Tyler Villarreal to the Zoning Committee, seconded by Mike Cotter and the motion passed. Derek reported they are waiting on the big map to have every lot’s dimension on it and he’s talked to Charles Wright about it.

President Heideman brought the following before the board for discussion and/or action:

Action must be taken on the following liquor applications Liquor licenses

The Right Stop Too, Inc. DBA Ne Ne’s. President Heideman reported all paperwork is in order. Class A liquor license $750 and ten machines @ $10 each $100 for a total of $850.

Ashkum C Store LLC DBA Brake Time. President Heideman reported all paperwork is in order. Class C package liquor license only $1,000 and Cigarette License @15 for a total of $1,015.

Ellen Mikeworth moved to approve the liquor license applications as presented, seconded by Angie Wycoff and the motion passed.

President Heideman recognized Matt Johnson, who was present to update his liquor application. Matt didn’t have the insurance tonight but would have it tomorrow. Monkeyworks, Inc. DBA Mugshots liquor application. President Heideman reported all paperwork is in order except proof of insurance. Class A liquor license $750 and nine machines @ 10 each $90 for a total of $840. Mike Cotter moved to approve the liquor license pending proof of insurance, seconded by Shelley Ponton and the motion passed.

President Heideman reported Homewood Disposal contacted him and asked if we wanted our streets swept. They were going to be in Danforth and would give us a good price. After discussion, April Lyons moved to have the streets swept with a cap of $1,500, seconded by Shannon Meier and the motion passed.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Trustee April Lyons reported a couple of years ago we tried to get electronic recycling in town, but the business they contacted, the price quoted was cost prohibitive. April reported Corey Kline in Gilman has a computer recycling business and would come to the village on a scheduled date and pick up the recyclables and bill the customers, not the village. Ellen asked if he would have to have liability insurance. The village garage sales are June 20th and 21st and she thought that would be a good time to have him come. April will check with him

Trustee Ellen Mikeworth reported she didn’t have time to call Ameren about our invoicing. Ellen also reported the grant writer she had in Watseka wasn’t available due to a family illness. She had several questions about billing but since Treasurer Krystal Alberts wasn’t present she’d have to wait.

Trustee Shelley Ponton asked whether Capital One Credit card was cancelled or not? We have a charge this month and she questioned why. Krystal and Derek are/or have cancelled the card. Shelley reported she talked to a board member from another town about grant writers and was told James Clarage does get the money, but you need to keep him focused.

Trustee Angie Wycoff had no report.

Trustee Shannon Meier reported Jim Clarage would like a letter from the village detailing exactly what we want and he would be able to give us a price quote for that project. They talked about splash pads and James said there’s money out there. Shannon also reported she had been contacted by a teacher at the grade school that people are going on the school playground and breaking their handicap equipment. The teacher felt it was the village’s problem, but it’s the school’s responsibility. Shannon advised her the school has cameras and they could find out who is guilty.

Trustee Mike Cotter reported he talked to Deputy Joe LaCost, who expressed an interest in a power washer for the police car. During the discussion that followed, it was determined there’s a power washer in the garage and we really don’t need two.

Clerk Donna Schmitz had no report.

President Heideman recognized Finance Chairman Mike Cotter who gave the treasurer’s report for February 2025. Mike Cotter moved to approve the report as read, seconded by Shannon Meier and the motion passed. Mike Cotter moved to present the February 2025 bills to the Finance Committee, seconded by Shannon Meier and the motion passed. Finance Chairman Mike Cotter reported expenditures of $10,280.21 in the General Fund; and expenditures of $11,468.68 in the Water Works Fund. Total expenditures for both funds were $21,748.89. Finance Chairman Mike Cotter moved to pay all February 2025 bills in the usual manner, seconded by Angie Wycoff and the motion passed.

As there was no further business to come before the board, April Lyons moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:53 p.m., seconded by Shelley Ponton and the motion passed.

The next scheduled meeting will be Monday, May 5, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at the village hall.

https://ashkum.net/meeting-minutes