SE Illinois News

Village of Smithton Board of Trustees met Sept. 16.

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, Tim Hopkins, and Todd Reyling answered roll call. Also present were Clerk Annette Parker, Police Chief Jason Neff, Supervisor Dean Klein, Village/Zoning Administrator George Liyeos, and Attorney Terry Bruckert. Reporter Hans Carpenter, Ed Gain Jr., and Ben Fuchs were in attendance among 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 September 2, 2025. Roll call was taken: Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.

Trustee Jim Mourey entered the meeting.

TREASURER’S REPORT – The Board received a copy.

GOOD OF THE VILLAGE –

OUTSIDE MUSIC PERMIT REQUEST – A motion was made by Trustee Hopkins which was seconded by Trustee Elbe to approve the outside music request from The Roost. Roll call was taken: Trustee Hopkins, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.

RESOLUTION NO. 2025-13 IMRF EARNINGS – A motion was made by Trustee Becherer which was seconded by Trustee Rogers to allow the Mayor to sign the Resolution No. 2025-13 IMRF Earnings. Roll call was taken: Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; Mourey, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.

Ed Gain Jr. was in attendance to address the Board regarding the electric aggregation program.

POLICE CHIEF’S REPORT – The Board received a copy of the Chief’s report. Mr. Gain asked Chief Neff about rules and regulations for golf carts and side by sides as well as his concern for people driving and riding in them in town. Chief Neff and Mayor Smallwood replied that Mr. Gain’s comments are duly noted, and they will take his comments into consideration as well.

VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT –

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

159 TURN LANE – Administrator Liyeos reminded everyone that Tony Schenk will be here on September 23.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN – Meetings scheduled for October 14 with the Mayor and Board and October 28 for the public at the Senior Center from 4:30-9:00 pm.

SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL – Liyeos reported that there was a follow up meeting on September 9, and the grant application is due October 15.

OSLAD – The Grant application was submitted on August 28. No comments have been provided thus far.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – Liyeos will share information at the next meeting from the IML Conference.

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

ZONING BOARD REPORT –

HYDAC PROPERTY – No report.

SUPERVISOR’S REPORT – Supervisor Klein reported that oiling and chipping the roads went well last week. He also said they will be picking up some excess rock in the intersection that may have been left from the oiling and chipping. Preparations are being done to get ready to dig and take care of the ditch/drainage issue behind 408 N. Main. The new yellow plastic topping for the ballfield fences was picked up today. Installation has started but it was noted that the fence needs painted. This will be discussed further at the next Committee meeting. Klein said they were also working on repairing a water leak in Fieldview.

ATTORNEY’S REPORT – The report will be given in 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 – No meeting was held.

FINANCE & INSURANCE COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE BECHERER – No report.

STREET & UTILITY COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE ROGERS

4059 CHESTNUT OAK MANHOLE – Trustee Rogers reported that the repair process has started.

SMITHTON ENTRANCE SIGNS – No update.

POLICE COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE ELBE

TORNADO ALARM SYSTEM – No update.

PARK & CEMETERY COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE MOUREY

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

BALLFIELD SAFETY NETTING – Mourey reported that the netting is in, and this will be worked on along with the fencing repair.

BALLFIELD LIGHTS – The lights were turned on last week and on Sunday a few teams played under the lights. There will be an official ribbon cutting at a later date.

SMITHTON ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION – We will continue to work with the SAA on everything that needs to be done at the park.

ORDINANCE COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE HOPKINS –

ORDINANCE NO. 1056-OTTENS MINOR SUBDIVISION - Trustee Hopkins made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Elbe to have Clerk Parker read the title and adopt Ordinance No. 1056-Ottens Minor Subdivision. Roll call was taken: Trustee Hopkins, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.

ANNEXATION & BUILDING COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE REYLING

BRIA BUILDING & PROPERTY FUTURE PLAN – One Time Showing Agreement – Trustee Reyling made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Mourey for the Mayor to sign a one-time showing agreement with Barber Murphy. Roll call was taken: Trustee Reyling, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Rogers, no; Trustee Elbe, yes; and Trustee Hopkins, no. The motion was carried.

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 August 16, 2025 through August 29, 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.

COMMUNICATIONS – None.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – None.

NEW BUSINESS – Liyeos stated that he is trying to assemble as much information as possible for the MEPRD reimbursement. He also mentioned potential topics for upcoming committee meetings.

EXECUTIVE SESSION – Trustee Mourey made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Rogers to suspend the regular order of business. Roll call was taken: Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes; and Trustee Reyling, yes. The motion was carried.

Trustee Mourey made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Rogers to enter into Executive Session. Roll call was taken: Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Elbe, 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. The motion was carried.

No action was taken that relates to Executive Session.

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 7:38 pm.

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