Village of Smithton Board of Trustees met Nov. 4.
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, and Tim Hopkins answered roll call. Trustee Reyling was absent. Also present were Clerk Lynn Biehl, Police Chief Jason Neff, Supervisor Dean Klein, Village/Zoning Administrator George Liyeos, and Attorney Terry Bruckert. Reporter Hans Carpenter and Chris Davis 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 October 21, 2025. Roll call was taken: Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; and Trustee Hopkins, yes. The motion was carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT – No report.
GOOD OF THE VILLAGE –
BLESSING BOX-Administrator Liyeos is requesting more information from Smithton Public School. This will be discussed at the next Committee as a Whole meeting.
OUTSIDE MUSIC PERMIT REQUEST – No request.
FSH WATER TOWER- Trustee Elbe stated FSH will be taking down the water tower south of town. The Village uses the electricity there for our village sign. We will need to have the electric account transferred to the Village.
POLICE CHIEF’S REPORT – The Board received a copy of the Chief’s report.
VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT –
159 TURN LANE – No report.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN – Not a good turnout for the public meeting on October 28th. SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL – Awaiting award notification.
OSLAD – Received notice for first round approval. Final award announcement should happen before the holidays.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – Nothing to report.
SAFETY COMMITTEE – There will be a Safety Committee Meeting on December 4, 2025, at 10:00 am if needed.
ZONING BOARD REPORT –
RICHLAND CREEK-Awaiting draft easement agreement to be reviewed by Village Attorney & On Call Village Engineer. Key points on stormwater during construction & potholing to locate utility lines. This is for a solar farm.
HYDAC PROPERTY – No report.
PROPOSAL OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR SURVEY FOR ANNEXATION-Trustee Elbe made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Rogers to accept the Weis Design Group proposal in the amount of $2,000 to be reimbursed. Roll call was taken; Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; and Trustee Hopkins, yes. The motion carried.
SUPERVISOR’S REPORT – Supervisor Klein reported that his department has been cleaning and organizing the shed. A safety meeting and walk through with IMLRMA is scheduled for tomorrow. They are getting ready to set the blocks for the salt shed. They plan to put up the Christmas decorations by the end of next week.
ATTORNEY’S REPORT – Someone reached out to the Village interested in putting a solar farm within the Village limits. Our coding right now doesn’t have the process to support that. Attorney Bruckert will begin working on developing that process.
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; and Trustee Hopkins, yes. The motion was carried.
COMMITTEE AS A WHOLE – Trustee Becherer made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Mourey to approve the minutes from the Committee as a Whole meeting on October 28, 2025. Roll call was taken: Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Rogers, abstain; Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Hopkins, yes. The motion was carried.
Mayor Smallwood reported on the Committee as a Whole meeting from October 28, 2025. The items will be discussed further under Committee Reports.
FINANCE & INSURANCE COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE BECHERER
Christmas Bonuses-Trustee Becherer made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Mourey to approve the 2025 Christmas Bonuses as presented. Roll call was taken: Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; and Trustee Hopkins, yes. The motion was carried.
IMLRMA Annual Contribution & Membership Dues-Trustee Becherer made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Mourey to pay the IMLRMA Annual Contribution and Membership dues with the Early Pay Option #1 of $109,935.35. Roll call was taken: Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; and Trustee Hopkins, yes. The motion was carried.
STREET & UTILITY COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE ROGERS
4059 Chestnut Oak Manhole-This is complete.
Smithton Entrance Signs-Chris Davis stated the signs are done and ready to be installed. Installation will begin on Tuesday, November 11th.
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 –New netting won’t be installed until Spring.
BALLFIELD LIGHTS PROCEDURE – Waiting to hear back from Eric from Bel-Clair Electric.
ORDINANCE COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE HOPKINS –
ORDINANCE NO. 1059 Prohibiting Sale, Distribution or Delivery of Products Containing Kratom- Trustee Hopkins made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Elbe to have Clerk Biehl read the title and adopt Ordinance No. 1059-PROHIBITING THE SALE, DISTRIBUTION OR DELIVERY OF PRODUCTS CONTAINING KRATOM. Roll call was taken: Trustee Hopkins, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; and Trustee Mourey, yes. The motion was carried.
ANNEXATION & BUILDING COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE REYLING
BRIA BUILDING & PROPERTY FUTURE PLAN – No report.
MULTI USE TRAIL & MAIN STREET COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE ROGERS
PROPOSED TRAIL ROUTES – No report.
MAIN STREET IMPROVEMENTS – No report.
BILLS AND PAYROLL – Trustee Becherer made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Rogers to authorize Clerk Biehl to pay the payroll ending October 24, 2025, and bills. Roll call was taken: Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes and Trustee Hopkins, yes. The motion was carried.
COMMUNICATIONS – Trustee Rogers thanked the Village for the card and stone plaque for his mother’s passing.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS – None.
NEW BUSINESS – Trustee Mourey made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Rogers to allow Mayor Smallwood to sign Resolution No. 2025-16 Lighted Parade. Roll call was taken, Trustee Mourey, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Elbe, yes; and Trustee Hopkins, yes. The motion passed.
Trustee Elbe stated he received a phone call from Cory Schafer regarding customers of Frickes Advanced Strength Training parking in front of his driveway. Further discussion is needed at the next Committee as a Whole meeting. Administrator Liyeos will invite Fricke to attend.
Asset Management Software will be discussed at the next Committee as a Whole meeting. Meeting with the Auditor on December 9th to review year-end financial statements.
Administrator Liyeos submitted information for the St. Clair County grant for $40,000. It officially closed today.
EXECUTIVE SESSION – Trustee Elbe made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Rogers to suspend the regular order of business and enter Executive Session – Section 2(c)(11). Roll call was taken: Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; and Trustee Hopkins, yes. The motion was carried.
Trustee Elbe made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Rogers to go back into regular session. Roll call was taken: Trustee Elbe, yes; Trustee Rogers, yes; Trustee Becherer, yes; Trustee Mourey, yes; and Trustee Hopkins, yes. The motion was carried.
No action was taken that relates to Executive Session.
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 7:45 pm.
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