SE Illinois News

Village of Smithton Board of Trustees met June 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Mayor Michael Smallwood called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Everyone recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Trustees Jason Becherer, 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 Terry Bruckert. Trustee Charlie Rogers was absent. Phil Henning and Laura Ottens were in the audience.

CLERK’S REPORT – A motion was made by Trustee Becherer which was seconded by Trustee Hopkins to approve the minutes from the Board Meeting held on June 4, 2024. Roll call was taken: Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.

TREASURER’S REPORT – The Board has a copy.

GOOD OF THE VILLAGE – CJ’s PUB & GRILL OUTSIDE MUSIC PERMIT REQUEST - A motion was made by Trustee Mourey which was seconded by Trustee Elbe to approve CJ’s outside music request. Roll call was taken: Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.

St. Clair County Board member, Phil Henning was in attendance and spoke with updates from the County regarding the Racetrack/Fairgrounds and the $5 million Grant from Enjoy Illinois to tear down the old racetrack and push the racetrack away from the main building. There is also a rumor that there are migrants coming to the SAVE site and this is just a rumor.

POLICE CHIEF’S REPORT –Chief Neff reported that the golf tournament held Saturday was very successful. He thanked everyone who participated and volunteered.

VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT –

ISSUED BUILDING PERMITS – There were 2 building permits issued since the last meeting.

VACANT PROPERTIES –

206 S. St. Johns – No update, we are still waiting until September when the property is able to be sold.

310 S. Smith – We have met with the property owner and discussed the list of items that need to be done to the property. The property owner has 90 days (9/6/24) to take care of these items.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN RESIDENT COMMITTEE – It was determined to not pursue updating the Comprehensive Plan at this time.

159 TURN LANE – Field work and preliminary design work has started.

DOUGLAS SEWER EXTENSION – This will be on hold until a new Administrator is hired. MFT – Gonzalez is putting together the bid packet for oiling and chipping.

DRAINAGE – Letters have been sent to all affected property owners.

SAFETY COMMITTEE – There will be a Safety Committee Meeting on July 3, 2024, at 10:00am if needed.

ZONING BOARD REPORT –

HYDAC PROPERTY – 7/26/24 (Fence) – We are monitoring this property and waiting until the July 26 deadline for any further action.

SUPERVISOR’S REPORT – Supervisor Klein reported that they’ve been doing some hot patching of road areas and some painting of the grand stand area at the park

ATTORNEY’S REPORT – Attorney Bruckert reported that he has 8 hearings to attend for the Village.

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

COMMITTEE AS A WHOLE – Mayor Smallwood reported on the Committee As a Whole meeting from June 11, 2024. The items will be discussed further under Committee Reports. Trustee Elbe made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Hopkins to approve the minutes from the Committee As a Whole meeting on June 11. Roll call was taken: Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.

FINANCE & INSURANCE COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE BECHERER – Trustee Becherer made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Elbe to approve the renewal of 2 CDs (1-water, 1- sewer) at 1st National Bank of Waterloo at 5% for 7 months. Roll call was taken: Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.

STREET & UTILITY COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE ROGERS

CULVERT REPLACEMENT (HICKORY ST.) – Supervisor Klein informed the Board that they would be replacing the culvert. The Board was in agreement.

POLICE COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE ELBE

PERSONNEL – Trustee Elbe made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Mourey to hire Laura Ottens as a part time police officer. Roll call was taken: Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.

TORNADO ALARM SYSTEM – No update.

PUBLIC SAFETY – No report.

PARK & CEMETERY COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE MOUREY

FIELD 5 – This will be discussed further at the Committee meeting.

PARK TRAIL – PHASE 2 DISCUSSION AND PLAN – This will continue to be discussed.

BALLFIELD LIGHTS – This will be discussed further at the Committee meeting.

ORDINANCE COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE HOPKINS – Trustee Hopkins made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Reyling to pass Ordinance No. 1040 – Ch. 6 Building Regulations – Fees. Roll call was taken: Trustee Hopkins, yes; Trustee Reyling, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; and Trustee Mourey, yes. The motion was carried.

ANNEXATION & BUILDING COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE REYLING

BRIA BUILDING & PROPERTY FUTURE PLAN – The Mayor stated that we have agreed on a one time showing with a realtor and we are still working on the next steps for this property.

VILLAGE HALL ROOF – We will reach out to Taylor Roofing to see when they can begin replacing the roof.

MULTI USE TRAIL & MAIN STREET COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE ROGERS

PROPOSED TRAIL ROUTES – No update.

MAIN STREET IMPROVEMENTS – No update.

BILLS AND PAYROLL - Trustee Becherer made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Elbe to authorize Clerk Parker to pay the payroll from May 25 through June 7. Roll call was taken: Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.

COMMUNICATIONS –The Southwestern Illinois Council of Mayor’s meeting is June 27.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – Nothing to report.

NEW BUSINESS – Nothing to report.

EXECUTIVE SESSION – Nothing to report.

Trustee Elbe made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Mourey to adjourn the meeting. All Trustees were in favor. The motion was granted to adjourn at 7:38 pm.

https://smithton-village.com/wp-content/uploads/Minutes-6-18-24.pdf