SE Illinois News

Village of Smithton Board of Trustees met Aug. 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Clerk Annette Parker 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, Administrator George Liyeos and Attorney Terry Bruckert. Mayor Mike Smallwood was absent. Laura and Brandon Ottens and Officer Devin Sims were in attendance in the audience.

A motion was made by Trustee Rogers which was seconded by Trustee Elbe to appoint Trustee Becherer as the temporary meeting chairman in Mayor Smallwood’s absence. Roll call: Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.

Trustee Becherer announced that Ordinance No. 1048 is withdrawn from the meeting.

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

TREASURER’S REPORT – The Board received a copy.

GOOD OF THE VILLAGE – CJ’s PUB & GRILL OUTSIDE MUSIC PERMIT REQUEST – A motion was made by Trustee Rogers which was seconded by Trustee Mourey to approve the outside music permit request for CJ’s Pub and Grill/Smithton Station. Roll call: Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.

POLICE CHIEF’S REPORT – Chief Neff reported that we have received the new F150 police truck.

VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – ISSUED BUILDING PERMITS – Administrator Liyeos gave an update on 5626 Bannister.

VACANT PROPERTIES –

310 S. Smith – Improvements have been made to this property.

206 S. St. Johns – No update.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN RESIDENT COMMITTEE – No update.

159 TURN LANE – Administrator Liyeos has talked with Gonzalez.

DOUGLAS SEWER EXTENSION – Administrator Liyeos will be getting more information from Rural Water regarding financing.

MFT – OILING AND CHIPPING - Supervisor Klein has been preparing the streets for the upcoming oiling and chipping.

KNAB ROAD CULVERT REPLACEMENT – There are concerns of storm water runoff and erosion with the nearby property owner.

SAFETY COMMITTEE – There will be a Safety Committee Meeting on September 5, 2024, at 10:00am if needed.

ZONING BOARD REPORT –

HYDAC PROPERTY – 7/26/24 – There has been some cleanup of the property.

SUPERVISOR’S REPORT – Supervisor Klein reported that the crosswalks on the highway and at St. John the Baptist Catholic School have been painted. Smithton School will be painted once the street has been oiled and chipped. The August meter list has been done. They have been sweeping the streets as well as putting hot patch in some low areas on the street in preparation of the oiling and chipping. New curbing has been done on Cletus Ave. Repair cost estimates due to the flooding from July have been turned into St. Clair County for potential FEMA reimbursement. There was a 10-inch sewer main leak that was repaired last Friday.

ATTORNEY’S REPORT – Attorney Bruckert reported that he is working with Chief Neff on the Hy-dac property cleanup, and he also reported that there has been a ruling on the 17 N. High property. He will be receiving the Order on this property soon.

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

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

FINANCE & INSURANCE COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE BECHERER – No report.

STREET & UTILITY COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE ROGERS - No report.

POLICE COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE ELBE

POLICE PERSONNEL – Trustee Elbe made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Mourey to allow Zack Valerius to go to the part time police academy and the cost not to exceed $2000. Roll call was taken: Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.

Trustee Elbe made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Mourey to hire Laura Ottens as a full-time police officer effective August 26. Roll call was taken: Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.

TORNADO ALARM SYSTEM – No update.

PARK & CEMETERY COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE MOUREY

FIELD 5 – The renovations are complete.

PARK TRAIL – PHASE 2 DISCUSSION AND PLAN – No update.

BALLFIELD SAFETY NETTING – Trustee Mourey is coordinating with SAA and Supervisor Klein to get this installed.

BALLFIELD LIGHTS – The Bid Notice has been published.

ORDINANCE COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE HOPKINS

ORDINANCE No. 1046 – Ch. 25 Public Camping – Clerk Parker read the Ordinance title. Trustee Hopkins made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Reyling to adopt Ordinance No. 1046 – Ch. 25 Public Camping. Roll call was taken: Trustee Hopkins, yes; Trustee Reyling, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; and Trustee Mourey, yes. The motion was carried.

ORDINANCE No. 1047 – Grocery Sales Tax – Clerk Parker read the Ordinance title. Trustee Hopkins made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Reyling to adopt Ordinance No. 1047 – Grocery Sales Tax. Roll call was taken: Trustee Hopkins, yes; Trustee Reyling, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; and Trustee Mourey, yes. The motion was carried.

ANNEXATION & BUILDING COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE REYLING

BRIA BUILDING & PROPERTY FUTURE PLAN –This is on hold until the property is rezoned.

VILLAGE HALL ROOF – Roof construction is scheduled for late August.

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 payroll from July 20 through August 2. Roll call was taken: Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.

COMMUNICATIONS – We received a request from the Smithton Commercial Club for sponsorship. Trustee Mourey made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Reyling for Platinum sponsorship of $200 to the Smithton Commercial Club. Roll call was taken: Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Reyling, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; and Trustee Hopkins, yes. The motion was carried.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – Nothing to report.

NEW BUSINESS – Trustee Elbe commended Supervisor Klein on how good the park looks.

EXECUTIVE SESSION – Trustee Elbe made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Rogers to go into Executive Session to discuss 2(c)(1) personnel. Roll call was taken: Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.

Trustee Mourey made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Rogers to go back into regular session. Roll call was taken: Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes.

Trustee Rogers 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 8:07 pm.

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