SE Illinois News

Village of Smithton Board of Trustees met Dec. 17.

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, Village/Zoning Administrator George Liyeos and Attorney Terry Bruckert. Officer Joe Agles along with many of his family members and fellow officers were in attendance in the audience as well as resident Marian Bell.

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 December 3, 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 –

SWEARING IN OF SERGEANT JOE AGLES – Officer Joe Agles was promoted and sworn in as Sergeant.

OUTSIDE MUSIC PERMIT REQUEST – No request.

Resident Marian Bell was here with questions about the Hydac property. Mayor Smallwood and Attorney Bruckert addressed her questions.

POLICE CHIEF’S REPORT – No report. Chief Neff wished everyone Merry Christmas.

VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT –

ISSUED BUILDING PERMITS – There has been one building permit issued since the last board meeting.

VACANT PROPERTY – 206 S. St. Johns – Nothing new to report.

159 TURN LANE – Nothing new to report.

DOUGLAS SEWER EXTENSION – No report.

KNAB ROAD CULVERT REPLACEMENT – Frontier Communication work has been completed. Hanks was given notice to proceed with starting work. We are waiting for the proposed work schedule that will be developed once the pre-cast culvert is received.

SAFETY COMMITTEE – There will be a Safety Committee Meeting on January 2, 2025, at 10:00 am if needed.

ZONING BOARD REPORT –

HYDAC PROPERTY – The next court appearance is set for January 16, 2025.

SUPERVISOR’S REPORT – Supervisor Klein reported that the snowplows are ready. The Public Works crew installed speed bumps on the alley behind the Smithton school. Klein is working with Hank’s on the details of the pre-cast culvert for the Knab Road project. He stated that the work for the project will most likely be done around Easter instead of during the Christmas break. Water meters and meter pit replacements are being done where needed. A meeting to discuss flow testing for hydrants is scheduled for Thursday.

ATTORNEY’S REPORT – Attorney Bruckert reported that he has a court appearance for Hydac.

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 December 10, 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 December 10, 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

CDs – Trustee Becherer made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Mourey to rollover a Cemetery CD for $25,000 with Midland States Bank for 24 months at the best rate when the CD matures. Roll call was taken: Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.

Trustee Becherer made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Mourey to rollover 2 CDs. One Road and Bridge CD for $300,000 and one Village Hall Maintenance CD for $85,000 with First National Bank of Waterloo for 24 months at the best rate when the CDs mature. Roll call was taken: Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.

BUDGET – No update.

STREET & UTILITY COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE ROGERS – Supervisor Klein mentioned that the Public Works crew will be going to Mt. Vernon for safety training in January.

POLICE COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE ELBE

POLICE PERSONNEL – No report.

TORNADO ALARM SYSTEM – The new tornado siren off of Schiermeier Road has not been installed yet.

AMBULANCE SERVICE – No update.

ST. JOHNS UCC REQUEST – Trustee Elbe made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Rogers to allow the Mayor to sign the agreement with St. John’s UCC not to exceed $2900, for half the cost of a new stair chair lift and for the use of their education building as the storm shelter for the next 5 years. 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.

PARK & CEMETERY COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE MOUREY

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

BALLFIELD SAFETY NETTING – No report.

BALLFIELD LIGHTS – No report.

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

SMITHTON ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION – No update.

ORDINANCE COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE HOPKINS –

ORDINANCE NO. 1049 – TAX LEVY - Clerk Parker read Ordinance No. 1049 by title only. Trustee Hopkins made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Becherer to adopt Ordinance No. 1049. Roll call was taken: Trustee Hopkins, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Reyling, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; and Trustee Mourey, yes. The motion was carried.

ORDINANCE NO. 1050 – CH. 27 – OFFENSES – CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY - Clerk Parker read Ordinance No. 1050 by title only. Trustee Hopkins made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Reyling to adopt Ordinance No. 1050. 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 will be discussed further at the next Committee meeting.

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 payroll from November 9 through November 22. 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 – Nothing to report.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – Nothing to report.

NEW BUSINESS – Mayor Smallwood wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

EXECUTIVE SESSION – Trustee Elbe made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Reyling to enter into Executive Session 2(c)11 at 7:31pm. Roll call was taken: Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Reyling, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; and Trustee Hopkins, yes. The motion was carried.

Trustee Elbe made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Reyling to adjourn Executive Session at 7:33pm. All Trustees were in favor. The motion was granted.

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 7:34 pm.

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