SE Illinois News

Village of Smithton Board of Trustees met Feb. 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Trustee Jason Becherer called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Everyone recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Trustees Jason Becherer, Charlie Rogers, Jim Elbe, Jim Mourey, Tim Hopkins, and Todd Reyling answered roll call. Also present were Clerk Annette Parker, Chief Jason Neff, Supervisor Dean Klein, and Attorney Luke Behme. Reporter Hans Carpenter as well as Matt Patterson were in attendance in the audience. Mayor Mike Smallwood and Administrator Kari Speir were absent. A motion was made by Trustee Mourey and seconded by Trustee Rogers for Trustee Becherer to be Mayor Pro Tem for the meeting in Mayor Smallwood’s absence. Roll call was taken: Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.

CLERK’S REPORT – A motion was made by Trustee Rogers which was seconded by Trustee Mourey to approve the minutes from the Board Meeting held on February 6, 2024. Roll call was taken: Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.

TREASURER’S REPORT – The Board received a copy.

GOOD OF THE VILLAGE – Clerk Parker swore Matt Patterson in as a new Zoning Board member.

POLICE CHIEF’S REPORT – Chief Neff reported that the final in car camera will be installed in one of our police vehicles.

VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – No update on some of the following agenda items, Administrator Speir absent.

BUILDING PERMITS CONTRACTED – No update.

ISSUED BUILDING PERMITS – There have been 2 building permits issued since the last meeting. 1 N. MAIN – No update.

VACANT PROPERTIES – No update.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN RESIDENT COMMITTEE – No update.

WATER/SEWER FEES – No update.

159 TURN LANE – No Update.

SAFETY COMMITTEE – There will be a Safety Committee Meeting on March 7, 2024, at 10:00am if needed.

ZONING BOARD REPORT – No update, Administrator Speir absent.

HYDAC PROPERTY – 7/26/24 (Fence) – No update.

SUPERVISOR’S REPORT – Supervisor Klein stated that we are finishing up with the block installation at the yard waste area.

No update on the drainage repair and new fencing along the trail from the Park to Sand Rock Rd.

Supervisor Klein reported on meter installation and their findings at 306 N. Main. Snow removal last Friday went well.

Supervisor Klein has been working with Administrator Speir on his budget.

The deadline for the part time seasonal laborer applications is February 23. We have received a good number of applications thus far.

ATTORNEY’S REPORT – Attorney Behme reported that Attorney Bruckert has been in touch with the attorney for the Bria property. They applied for approval from the lender to approve the payoff of the mortgage, but the mortgage is insured by HUD which means the approval has to go through HUD. As soon as they have the approval to do the payoff, they intend to get it done as soon as possible.

Trustee Rogers made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Mourey to accept the Officer’s reports. Roll call was taken: Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.

COMMITTEE AS A WHOLE –

Mayor Pro Tem Becherer reported on the Committee As a Whole meeting from February 13, 2024. The items will be discussed further under Committee Reports. Trustee Rogers made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Mourey to approve the minutes from the Committee As a Whole meeting on February 13. Roll call was taken: Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.

FINANCE & INSURANCE COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE BECHERER

BUDGET – No update.

EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION PACKAGE – No update.

STREET & UTILITY COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE ROGERS

SIDEWALKS (MEMORIAL DR.) – No update.

POLICE COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE ELBE

FOP CONTRACT -- Trustee Elbe reported that there is a meeting scheduled for Thursday with the FOP for more discussion.

SRO TRAINING -- Trustee Elbe made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Hopkins to approve DARE Training for the SRO Officer for a cost not to exceed $1,100. Roll call was taken: Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.

POLICE PERSONNEL – No report.

TORNADO ALARM SYSTEM – No update.

PARK & CEMETERY COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE MOUREY

YARD WASTE DUMP – We are working on the area and hoping to get it back open in a few weeks.

TRAIL PHASE 1 – PARK TRAIL UPGRADES – No report.

TRAIL PHASE 2 – No report.

BALLFIELD LIGHTS – No report.

FENCING ALONG TRAIL FROM PARK TO SAND ROCK RD. – Fixing the drainage and new fence installation will begin soon.

ORDINANCE COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE HOPKINS

ORDINANCE NO. 1032 – Ch. 23 Mobile Homes -- More discussion is needed for this ordinance.

ANNEXATION & BUILDING COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE REYLING

BRIA BUILDING & PROPERTY – Waiting for approval from the lender and HUD.

ILLINOIS TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (ITEP) FUNDING AND PLANNING – This will be changed to be Main Street Funding and Planning and more discussion will be had at the next Committee as a Whole meeting.

VILLAGE HALL WALL REPAIR – Trustee Reyling stated that the repair has been completed but once we get the new roof there will be more brick work needed.

MULTI USE TRAIL & MAIN STREET COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE ROGERS

PROPOSED TRAIL ROUTES – No update.

MAIN STREET IMPROVEMENTS – No update.

BILLS AND PAYROLL - Trustee Elbe made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Rogers to authorize Clerk Parker to pay the bills and payroll from January 20 through February 2. Roll call was taken: Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.

COMMUNICATIONS – We received a request from St. John’s UCC. This will be discussed at the next Committee as a Whole meeting.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – Nothing to report.

NEW BUSINESS –Nothing to report.

EXECUTIVE SESSION – Nothing to report.

Trustee Rogers made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Elbe to adjourn the meeting. All Trustees were in favor. The motion was granted to adjourn at 7:30 pm.

https://smithton-village.com/wp-content/uploads/Minutes-2-20-24.pdf