McLean County Times

Village of Heyworth Board of Trustees met Jan. 17.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Village of Heyworth is an equal opportunity provider and employer

Location of Meeting: Village Hall-108 S. Buchanan St., Heyworth, IL 61745

Meeting Called To Order by Mayor Zalucha at 6:30pm.

Roll Call: A Quorum of the Village Board was present during the following roll call of Trustees taken by the Village Clerk:

Trustees

Trustee Flubacker P 

Trustee Lauterberg P 

Trustee Strunk P

Trustee Mowery P 

Trustee Girdler P 

Trustee Sheppard P

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE GIVEN BY: Bobbi Batchelder

REPORT FROM THE MAYOR:

Mayor Zalucha reported to the board he is officially accepting Mike Geriets resignation for retirement. His last day will be the end of May. Discussion on advertising for the position. Reported there is an action item on the agenda tonight for the salary range for this position. Discussed the timeline for hiring the Chief of Police.

REPORT FROM CLERK - STACY SHOEMAKER:

No report.

REPORT FROM OFFICE MANAGER-STACY SHOEMAKER:

Stacy Shoemaker proposed a couple of amendments to the personnel policy, both dealing with the vacation benefits. The first one is for the training period for new employees, would like to see if we could change the policy that says you can accrue vacation for your first 6 months of employment but cannot utilize it until after the 6 months. Would like the employees to be able to utilize it as they accrue. The second one is after 15 years there areno additional days given until you reach 25 years, would like to see if this can be changed that after your 15th year you accrue an additional day for each year of service. The board was receptive to the changes. This will be on the next village board agenda.

REPORT FROM CHIEF GERIETS:

Chief Geriets was absent but left reports for October and November. Deputy Chief Jones reported that Darrien Vance will be on his own in February. And reported to the board that the body cams are active.

REPORT FROM CODE COMPLIANCE-DAVE SHAFER:

David Shafer reported 32 permits were issued in 2023 with an approximate value of $1.209 Million.

Reported Chris Ervin has been very busy with inspections at Prairie View.

Reported Prairie View has all foundations and floor slabs completed. All structures are framed or partially framed.

Inspections are ongoing.

Reported there will be a zoning hearing on February 6th

REPORT FROM PUBLIC WORKS -DAVID SHAFER:

Water:

David Shafer reported in 2023 the village pumped 77.984 million gallons of water. Roughly the same as 2022.

Reported Well #1 tested clean on two consecutive bacteria tests and was placed back online. A third test a week later confirmed no contamination.

Reported CUSI is working on the upgrade from our current billing software to the new billing software. They are converting historical data and working on bill/letter forms. We expect full implantation in early February.

Sewer:

Reported treating 116.192 million gallons of sewage in 2023, roughly the same as 2022.

Reported working on the permit renewal for the sewer plant.

Reported the Compliance Commitment Agreement has been executed by the Village and the EPA, Staff completed the tank covering requirement of the agreement, the tarps will probably not last the winter and other solutions will need to be investigated.

Parks:

Reported repairs were made to one of the light fixtures in the gazebo in Volunteer Park.

Reported getting a schedule together for Centennial Park work.

MFT & Streets:

Reported there is an action item related to MFT funds appropriation, in our previous fiscal year there was discrepancy between the budget and the appropriation, which was missed, and we spent based on the budget. This paperwork is to close out the previous years MFT program with IDOT.

Equipment & Staffing:

Reported interviewing for the open public works position, we filled one position and are looking to fill another.

Reported we will have a proposal for replacement of the F-150 at the next meeting.

Reported working on a list of outstanding project items that need to be finished prior to starting 2024 projects.

REPORT FROM ENGINEER-DAVID SHAFER:

David Shafer reported plats and certificates have been received for review on the Fox Run Extension in Prairie Meadows Commercial Subdivision.

Reported the construction on Prairie View Subdivision continues. The binder asphalt was placed prior to subgrade freeing, any failed areas will need to be repaired in the spring prior to placing the surface course.

Reported a plat for Heyworth Commercial Park has been received and the review has been started. There have been several conversations with IDOT regarding access for the parcels on the North side of RT136.

Reported being in contact with the engineer for Tabling Development to discuss the necessary rezoning for the property South of Centennial Park and West of Waveland Ave. A zoning request is expected soon on this parcel.

Reported working on project closeout document which will move us into the repayment part of the loan for the 2020 water main replacement project. The final project came in at about 1.03% over the original bid due to few changes and utility mismarks.

Reported working on the EPA grant for the Sewer Infiltration, currently we have a request for qualifications for surveying services open.

Report on the 2022 Karr Street Project.

Reported on the ITEP Grant for the Centennial Park Share Use Path.

Reported on the upcoming projects milestones.

Discussion on the easements we need to obtain.

REPORT FROM TREASURER & BUDGET OFFICER-BOBBI BATCHELDER:

Bobbi Batchelder reported on the CD’s.

Reported on the Grants.

Reported on the budget revenue and expenses.

Discussed the inflation of projects.

REPORT FROM ADMINISTRATOR-GEOFF DODDS:

Geoff Dodds reported receiving one application for the primary application period for the BDD Reimbursement Program.

Reported currently trying to finalize distributions of TIF per redevelopment agreements with other taxing bodies.

Discussed the grants.

Discussed Prairie Meadows Subdivision.

Reported having conversations with Groots about next steps with their subdivision.

Reported needing an ED&P Meeting to discuss annexations.

Reported the McLean County Building and Zoning Department contacted the village last week to report a special use zoning hearing for a parcel to allow for a residential house. The board does not want to file an objection.

Reported trying to schedule the annual Centennial Parks meeting with the School and Summer League but we have not heard back from all parties.

Reported still in the interview process for a public works open position.

Reported staff completed the required cybersecurity training before the end of last year. We anticipate having the all-employee annual training by the end of February.

Discussed taking the police officer probationary off the books.

Discussed the 5-year proposal from Eric Shangraw from GFL. The board is good with not going out to bid and staying with them.

Discussed with the board a citizen that broke their foot in a hole.

Reviewed the action items on the agenda for tonight.

Reported on the items that will be on the next regularly scheduled board meeting agenda.

REPORT FROM ATTORNEY-GEOFF DODDS:

No report.

Break: 7:44pm

Reconvene: 7:49pm

PUBLIC COMMENT:

None.

STREETS & PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE-TRUSTEE LAUTERBERG:

No report.

PARKS & INFRASTUCTURE-TRUSTEE FLUBACKER:

Reported having a meeting on January 3rd. Recommendation from the committee was approval of concrete base installation behind home place on Field 2 at Centennial Park to support donation of bleachers by Steven McCarthy.

Also, approval of the Parks and Recreation Survey for distribution to the community. The board had a lengthy discussion on the survey. Trustee Sheppard left at 8:30pm. The board would like question #3 to be changed, all agreed changes will be made, and these will be sent out with water bill in February.

ED&P-TRUSTEE SHEPPARD:

Absent.

OLD BUSINESS: None.

ACTION ITEMS:

ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & MOTIONS: 7.1-7.5

Motion (Girdler, Strunk) to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes for December 21, 2023. All aye. [Motion Carried]

2024-01 (Girdler, Lauterberg) Ordinance creating the job description for the Zoning Administrator position of the

Village of Heyworth. 5-yes. 0-no. [Motion Carried]

2024-02 (Mowery, Girdler) Ordinance approving a salary range for the position of Chief of Police of the Village of Heyworth. 5-yes. 0-no. [Motion Carried]

2024-01 (Girdler, Mowery) Resolution approving the installation of a concrete slab for bleachers at Field #2 at the Village of Heyworth Centennial Park. 5-yes. 0-no. [Motion Carried]

2024-02 (Girdler, Lauterberg) Resolution approving the Resolution for Maintenance under the Illinois Highway

Code for use of Village of Heyworth Motor Fuel Tax Funds. 5-yes. 0-no. [Motion Carried]

Trustee Sheppard entered back into session at 8:41pm

2024-03 (Girdler, Strunk) Ordinance appointing David Shafer and Chris Ervin as Zoning Administrators of the Village of Heyworth. 6-yes. 0-no. [Motion Carried]

New Business:

Schedule of Meetings:

Village Board Meeting-February 1st at 6:30pm.

Streets January 30th at 5:30pm

ED&P January 30th at 6:15pm

Parks January 24th at 5:00pm

Informational Topics:

Trustee Girdler reported the mayor will be in the parade for Paul Petrey.

ADJOURNMENT: Motion: (Sheppard, Lauterberg) All aye. [Motion Carried] 8:49pm

https://cms8.revize.com/revize/heyworthil/Minutes/2024%20Minutes/Regular%20Meeting%20Minutes%201.18.24.pdf