SE Illinois News

Village of Smithton Board of Trustees met Oct. 15.

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, 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. Reporter Hans Carpenter and Tony Schenk with Gonzalez Companies were in attendance in the audience.

CLERK’S REPORT – A motion was made by Trustee Becherer which was seconded by Trustee Rogers to approve the minutes from the Board Meeting held on October 1, 2024. Roll call was taken: Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Elbe, 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 –

OUTSIDE MUSIC PERMIT REQUEST – No request needed.

POLICE CHIEF’S REPORT – No report.

VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT –

ISSUED BUILDING PERMITS – There have been 4 building permits issued since the last board meeting.

VACANT PROPERTIES –

310 S. Smith – Nothing to report.

206 S. St. Johns – Nothing to report.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN – This has been tabled.

159 TURN LANE – Administrator Liyeos reported that a public comment meeting is needed.

DOUGLAS SEWER EXTENSION – Nothing to report.

MFT – OILING AND CHIPPING – Beelman informed us of alternatives for slag.

KNAB ROAD CULVERT REPLACEMENT – Tony Schenk reported that we received bids for the project. The low bidder was Hank’s Excavating for $82,165. Discussion was had about $18,850 of items (metal culverts, seeding, fertilizer and mulch, and hot mix asphalt surfacing) that could be removed from the contract. It was estimated that at least $12,000 would be saved by the Village doing these items.

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

ZONING BOARD REPORT –

HYDAC PROPERTY – 7/26/24 – The hearing will be this week.

BRIA PROPERTY – This will be discussed further at the next Committee meeting.

SUPERVISOR’S REPORT – Supervisor Klein reported on repairing a water leak and they helped the Smithton Commercial Club prepare the park for the Haunted Trail. The concession stand, grandstand, and pavilion at the park are in need of a new roof. Supervisor Klein will be getting bids. Klein is also getting costs for widening the bridges at the park. Once he receives this information, it will be used by Administrator Liyeos to apply for a grant to assist with funding for this project. The ash from the yard waste area at the park was hauled away today.

ATTORNEY’S REPORT – Attorney Bruckert reported that he has 6 hearings this week and they are all first appearances.

Trustee Becherer made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Rogers to accept the Officer’s reports as given. Roll call was taken: Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Rogers, 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 October 8, 2024. The items will be discussed further under Committee Reports. Trustee Becherer made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Rogers to approve the minutes from the Committee As a Whole meeting on October 8, 2024. Roll call was taken: Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.

FINANCE & INSURANCE COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE BECHERER

IMLRMA ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION & MEMBERSHIP DUES - Trustee Becherer made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Rogers to pay the IMLRMA Risk Management Insurance Annual Contribution and Membership Dues of $107,175.23. Roll call was taken: Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.

CDs – Trustee Becherer made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Rogers to rollover 2 CDs (1-water and 1-sewer) at the best rate when the CDs mature. Roll call was taken: Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.

STREET & UTILITY COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE ROGERS –

MAIN STREET CROSSWALKS – Trustee Rogers made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Mourey to purchase 12 crosswalk flags not to exceed $200. Roll call was taken: Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.

POLICE COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE ELBE

TORNADO ALARM SYSTEM – No update.

AMBULANCE SERVICE – This will be discussed further.

ST. JOHNS UCC REQUEST – Trustee Becherer made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Elbe for the Village to pay ½ the cost for a new lift chair for the stairs at the St. John’s UCC Building which is also the Village storm shelter not to exceed $3000. An Agreement was also recommended for use of the building in the future as the storm shelter. Roll call was taken: Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.

PARK & CEMETERY COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE MOUREY

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

BALLFIELD SAFETY NETTING – Trustee Mourey will meet with Chris Davis.

BALLFIELD LIGHTS – This will be discussed further at the next Committee as a Whole meeting. We are also waiting for the soil test.

ORDINANCE COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE HOPKINS – No report.

ANNEXATION & BUILDING COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE REYLING

BRIA BUILDING & PROPERTY FUTURE PLAN – This will be discussed further at the next Committee as a Whole meeting.

VILLAGE HALL ROOF – Mayor Smallwood asked Administrator Liyeos to verify that this project is completed.

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 Rogers to authorize Clerk Parker to pay the bills and payroll from September 14 through September 27. Roll call was taken: Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.

COMMUNICATIONS – Reminder that the Southwestern Illinois Council of Mayors meeting will be held on Thursday, October 24.

Trustee Elbe stated that the Smithton Commercial Club thanks the Police Department and Public Works for all their assistance with the Haunted Trail at the Park.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – Nothing to report.

NEW BUSINESS – Nothing to report.

EXECUTIVE SESSION – None.

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 8:05 pm.

https://smithton-village.com/wp-content/uploads/Minutes-10-15-24.pdf