SE Illinois News

Village of Smithton Board of Trustees met Aug. 5.

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, Detective Sergeant Joe Agles, Supervisor Dean Klein, Village/Zoning Administrator George Liyeos, and Attorney Terry Bruckert. Reporter Hans Carpenter, Joel Boeving, and Bill Wright were in attendance among the audience. Chief Jason Neff was absent.

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 July 15, 2025. 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 – No report.

GOOD OF THE VILLAGE –

OUTSIDE MUSIC PERMIT REQUEST – A motion was made by Trustee Elbe which was seconded by Trustee Mourey to approve the outside music request from The Roost. 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.

SILVER CREEK MAFIA FALL RIDE REQUEST - A motion was made by Trustee Elbe which was seconded by Trustee Rogers to approve the Silver Creek Mafia Fall Ride to be held on September 13. 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.

POLICE CHIEF’S REPORT – The Board received a copy of the Chief’s report and monthly statistics.

VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT –

ISSUED BUILDING PERMITS – This information was included in the weekly report from Administrator Liyeos.

159 TURN LANE – The final project development report is waiting to be finalized and moving on to the plans, specifications, and estimate phase. Trustee Reyling asked Liyeos to get an update of where we are and what we’ve spent so far on this project.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN – Mayor has requested for Trustees to provide names, numbers and emails for potential candidates for the Committee.

SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL – The Grant application has officially opened and Liyeos will be meeting with the public school as well as St. John the Baptist Catholic school. We are also requesting letters of support.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – Administrator Liyeos reported that economic development is touch and go on the issue and the IML Conference is heavy on this.

RESOLUTION NO. 2025-11 JOEL BOEVING FSH BOARD APPOINTMENT - A motion was made by Trustee Becherer which was seconded by Trustee Elbe for Mayor Smallwood to appoint Joel Boeving to sit on the FSH Board and represent the Village of Smithton. 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.

RESOLUTION NO. 2025-12 OSLAD GRANT APPLICATION - A motion was made by Trustee Reyling which was seconded by Trustee Elbe to approve Resolution No. 2025-12 OSLAD Grant Application. Roll call was taken: Trustee Reyling, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; and Trustee Hopkins, yes. The motion was carried.

SAFETY COMMITTEE – There will be a Safety Committee Meeting on August 7, 2025, at 10:00 am if needed.

ZONING BOARD REPORT –

RESOLUTION NO. 2025-10 WILLIAM WRIGHT ZONING BOARD APPOINTMENT - A motion was made by Trustee Reyling which was seconded by Trustee Elbe for Mayor Smallwood to appoint William Wright to the Zoning Board on a 5-year term replacing Jesse Carlton. Roll call was taken: Trustee Reyling, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; and Trustee Hopkins, yes. The motion was carried.

HYDAC PROPERTY – Liyeos reported that there is a meeting to be held tomorrow at 10:00 am.

Liyeos stated that he is still trying to get in touch and get information from Branden Lybarger with St. Clair County in reference to building demolition.

SUPERVISOR’S REPORT – Supervisor Klein reported that they have been working on finishing the bridges at the Park. They’ve also been doing some street repairs in preparation for street oiling and chipping. Another project is setting the catch basin in the cemetery and replacing the pipe that goes north to Rich Kehrer’s property. They are starting on the dirt to set the blocks for the salt shed.

ATTORNEY’S REPORT – Attorney Bruckert asked for discussion during Executive Session.

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 July 22, 2025. 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 July 22, 2025. 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 – No report.

STREET & UTILITY COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE ROGERS

VIDEO EQUIPMENT – Trustee Rogers made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Mourey to accept the bid to install security cameras from Tech River for the Maintenance Shed not to exceed $4000 and the cost for the equipment is split between the Village and Smithton Township. 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.

SMITHTON ENTRANCE SIGNS – Trustee Rogers made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Elbe to approve the bid to install 2 new entrance signs not to exceed $20,000. 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.

WHITE OAK DR. – This will be discussed further at the next Committee as a Whole meeting.

POLICE COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE ELBE

TORNADO ALARM SYSTEM – No update.

PARK & CEMETERY COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE MOUREY

APPROVAL OF PARK & CEMETERY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES – July 30, 2025 - Trustee Reyling made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Elbe to approve the Park and Cemetery Committee meeting minutes from the July 30 meeting. Roll call was taken: Trustee Reyling, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; and Trustee Hopkins, yes. The motion was carried.

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

BALLFIELD SAFETY NETTING – Mourey reported that some of the nets are up around field 5. More netting will be installed. Reyling stated to Supervisor Klein that the netting recently installed needs some modifications.

BALLFIELD LIGHTS – Installation will begin tomorrow.

SMITHTON ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION – This will be an ongoing discussion on how all parties involved at the park will collaborate to accomplish what the SAA has done in the past.

ORDINANCE COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE HOPKINS

ANNEXATION & BUILDING COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE REYLING

BRIA BUILDING & PROPERTY FUTURE PLAN – Reyling stated that Liyeos is working with the county for demolition assistance. He also asked why the electric bill was so high. Klein stated that there were lights left on inside the building. Klein stated that they will check on the building more often. More discussion will be had at the next Committee As a Whole 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 July 5, 2025 through July 18, 2025 and the bills. 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 – We received a request from the Smithton Commercial Club. Trustee Hopkins made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Rogers to sponsor the Smithton Commercial Club at the Platinum level of $250 for the Haunted Trail. Roll call was taken: Trustee Hopkins, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – Trustee Reyling mentioned that the moveable mound was damaged. Someone from SAA has paid to replace the mound for $629. Hopkins feels that we should reimburse them because we damaged the mound by hitting it with our lawnmower. Trustee Reyling stated that he will reach out and find out who the bill needs to be paid to. This will be discussed further at the next Committee meeting and taken care of at the next regular board meeting.

NEW BUSINESS – None.

EXECUTIVE SESSION – Trustee Elbe made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Mourey to suspend the regular order of business. All Trustees were in favor.

Trustee Elbe made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Rogers to enter into Executive Session under 2C11 - pending litigation. All Trustees were in favor.

Trustee Mourey made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Rogers to return to regular session. All Trustees were in favor.

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.

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