McLean County Times

Village of Heyworth Board of Trustees met Jan. 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Meeting Called To Order by Clerk Mills 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 Lauterberg P

Trustee Strunk P

Trustee Bertrand P

Trustee Mowery P

Trustee Girdler P

Trustee Sheppard A

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE GIVEN BY: Deputy Clerk Mills

REPORT FROM THE MAYOR:

Mayor Zalucha informed the board there will be an executive session that will cover personal staff. Mayor Zalucha also read a statement he prepared to communicate that his term as the Mayor will be ending in 2025. His statement reminded the board of his time served as a trustee from 2003-2015 before being appointed as Mayor in 2015. He was then elected as Mayor in 2017 and the start of his current term in 2021.

REPORT FROM DEPUTY CLERK – AMBER MILLS:

No report.

REPORT FROM OFFICE MANAGER-STACY SHOEMAKER:

No report.

REPORT FROM INTERIM CHIEF JONES:

Chief Jones submitted the September report.

Reported in 2024 there we 444 traffic stops, 12 accidents and 94 golf cart registrations.

REPORT FROM CODE COMPLIANCE-DAVE SHAFER:

David Shafer reported the deadline for the Prairie View park is tomorrow and he asked for an update on the parks timeline.

Reported that there were 125 permits issued in 2024.

Reported that Chris Ervin passed his Residential Inspector Certification from the International Code Council on December 12th 2024.

Discussed the recent request for a permit refund that was requested during the summer of 2024. The company requested a permit, but the work was never completed/agreed upon between the company and homeowner. It was decided that permit and code review fees are non refundable. Water meter, water/sewer tap fees and inspections fees could be refunded if the project is cancelled. If so, the permit is voided and any work there after will need a new permit request.

REPORT FROM PUBLIC WORKS -DAVID SHAFER:

David Shafer reported.

Water:

There was 15% less water pumped in 2024 compared to 2023.

Earlier in the week there was a water main break that was fixed within 24 hours. The cause of this was the 1970’s cast iron piping that is still on Kenneth St. He reminded the board that there are still improvements to be done that will require funds to be set aside for.

Sewer:

Reported that there was 13% less sewage in 2024 compared to 2023.

The insurance company approved the fence repair that was submitted due to a tree falling last month. The insurance adjuster was on site today to work up an estimate.

David is currently collecting proposals for replacement sewer cameras.

Parks:

Volunteer:

No Report

Weltman:

Reported the team will be working on draining prior to replacing the mulch in the spring.

Cobble Creek:

Reported that once the drainage issue is repaired a new swing set and border will be installed.

Hillside Park:

No Update.

Equipment:

No update.

REPORT FROM ENGINEER-DAVID SHAFER:

ED&P:

No report.

Water:

Currently working on proposals to address the issues that the IEPA inspection report pointed out

Sanitary:

Submitted the grant application and outline for the Sewer Infiltration grant.

Streets:

Reported that IDOT was able to agree on a Welcome to Heyworth sign on a retaining wall for the Shared Use Path. The construction plan is still on track to start in 2026.

REPORT FROM TREASURER & BUDGET OFFICER-AMBER MILLS:

Amber Mills reported that $1,000,000.00 has been invested in Illinois Funds. The average yield rate for December was 4.58%, earning the Village $467.30 for the less than two weeks it was there. The audit was finished and submitted to the auditors yesterday with bound copies being mailed to the Village. There were a few internal control issues the auditors wanted us to address, which will be discussed at the next meeting when the bound copies are present.

Amber Mills supplied copies of the Treasurers Report and Budget Report.

The Budget Report showed the last installment of the ILDNR grant was received in the amount of $32,250.00.

There was a snapshot of a revenue and expense graph from the new Clear Gov software program Amber and Geoff are currently learning to use.

REPORT FROM ADMINISTRATOR-GEOFF DODDS:

Geoff Dodds reported there have been only two applications from the Business Development District for grant funds.

Reported that he talked to Lincoln Avenue Capital, and they are applying again for the Prairie Meadows Senior Living Apartments. They are hoping to have an award in the Spring of 2025. Reported that the tax levy was filed on December 6th and show be finalized. Amber is still waiting to hear back from the County to verify the bond amounts have been adjusted correctly.

Dodds shared that the owners of Groots Farms have started talking to commercial relators to sell the commercial area of the Groots Farm Subdivision. They also reached out to request a change in their TIF agreement. They want any new development in the TIF increment to paid out to the owners, not Groots Farm LLC which includes the previous developer.

REPORT FROM ATTORNEY-GEOFF DODDS:

Attorney Dodds brought up the new scooter law that came into place January 1st, 2025. This law prohibits anyone under the age of 18 from riding a scooter. It was decided that we will not put an ordinance in place but will follow the law on a per case basis.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

No public present.

ED&P-TRUSTEE SHEPPARD:

No report.

STREETS & PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE-TRUSTEE LAUTERBERG:

No report.

PARKS & INFRASTUCTURE-TRUSTEE MOWERY:

No report.

OLD BUSINESS:

None.

ACTION ITEMS:

ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & MOTIONS: 7.1-7.4

Motion (Bertrand, Lauterberg) to approve the Regular Meeting Minnutes for December 5, 2024. 5-yes 0- no. [Motion Carried]

2025-01 (Lauterberg, Strunk) Ordinance declaring surplus revenue in the Heyworth TIF District VI Special Tax Allocation Fund and authorizing payment of the surplus revenue to the McLean County Treasurer for distribution to affected Taxing Districts on a pro-rate basis for Tax Year 2023 payable 2024. 5-yes 0-no. [Motion Carried]

2025-02 (Mowery) Ordinance adopting new and amending existing building and housing codes located in Title 10 of the Village Code of the Village of Heyworth. [Motion Tabled]

2025-01 (Lauterberg, Girdler) Resolution approving a proposal from KnowBE4 for training and cybersecurity resources. 5-Yes 0-no. [Motion Carried]

Motion (Girdler, Strunk) to enter executive session at 7:20 p.m. for personnel.

Entered back into regular session at 9:23pm.

New Business:

None.

Set schedule of meetings: Village Board Meeting January 23rd at 6:30pm.

Informational Topics:

ADJOURNMENT: Motion: (Lauterberg, Bertrand) All aye. [Motion Carried] 7:32pm

https://cms8.revize.com/revize/heyworthil/Minutes/Regular%20Meeting%20Minutes%201.9.25.pdf