Rockford Sun

Village of Pecatonica Village Board met Feb. 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

1. Call to Order - President Tom Heister called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at Village Hall.

2. Silent moment observed.

3. The Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag was recited

4. Roll call -

Trustees Bill Determan, Cheryl Bean Tom Gipe, Collin Hardy, Kim Gipe and Gerald Howard were present.

Also present: President Tom Heister, Clerk Gwenn Shirley, Police Chief Matt Summers, Jason Stoll (arrived at 6:04 p.m.) and Treasurer Sherry Bessert.

5. A quorum was present.

6. Approve January 4, 2024 Regular Board Meeting Minutes –

A motion was made by Trustee Howard and seconded by Trustee Determan to approve the January 4, 2024 Regular Board Meeting Minutes. A roll call vote was taken. Trustees Determan, Bean, Tom Gipe, Hardy, Kim Gipe and Howard voted yes. Motion approved 6-0-0.

Approve February 1, 2024 Regular Board Meeting Minutes –

A motion was made by Trustee Determan and seconded by Trustee Bean to approve the February 1, 2024 Regular Board Meeting Minutes. A roll call vote was taken. Trustees Bean, Tom Gipe, Hardy, Kim Gipe, Howard and Determan voted yes. Motion approved 6-0-0.

7. Additions/Corrections to the Agenda – None.

8. Approval of Agenda –

A motion was made by Trustee Determan and seconded by Trustee Howard to approve the agenda as presented. A roll call vote was taken. Trustees Tom Gipe, Hardy, Kim Gipe, Howard, Determan and Bean voted yes. Motion approved 6-0-0.

9. Call to the Public- Marilyn Wilke shared information in regards to the Rotary Club fund raiser of selling meat boxes prepared by Eichman’s for $40.00 and delivery will be in April. This event raises funds for the scholarship fund which is awarded to senior students at the Pecatonica High School.

Agenda Items

A. Village President

1. Contractors Currently Performing Work for the Village of Pecatonica-

President Heister stated there are no contractors performing work at this time.

2. Update on 3123 N. Pecatonica Road Lot 4 - President Heister reported that the Board passed the sale of one acre of lot 4, but at the closing the legal documents read “Lot 4” not one acre of lot 4. Half of lot 4 is the retention pond and DPI moved their building to the other half. I spoke to DPI and they were under the impression that they only purchased one acre. The Attorney along with the Engineer have been involved as we will have a survey completed, pins put in the ground and DPI is ok with this. Once this is completed the Attorney will work on the legal description. At this time we are not sure how the survey will come out as we cannot ask DPI to move the building and I did speak to them about having the fencing around the building. The Board will be updated when there is a change.

B. Unfinished Business – None.

C. New Business –

1. Approve the Stevens Company Contract for Upgrading the Website – President Heister stated that this was on the last agenda and Attorney Kurlinkus thought that there should be a contract. I spoke to the Attorney today, he reviewed the proposal again and he did not feel that a contract was needed. All we would have to do is not pay the renewal fees and the contract is broken.

2. 2024-02 An Ordinance Establishing an Annual Matching Grant Program for Businesses and Organizations Located in the Village of Pecatonica, Illinois – 1st Reading

President Heister stated that this will serve as the first reading and if anyone would like to see changes made they can be presented at the next meeting.

3. 2024-03 An Ordinance Amending Section 72.03 Time Limit for Parking of Chapter 72 of the Code of Ordinances of the Village of Pecatonica, Illinois Regarding Parking Regulations – 1st Reading

President Heister stated that this will serve as the first reading and if anyone would like to see changes made they can be presented at the next meeting.

4. 2024-R-1 Motor Fuel Tax Resolution –

A motion was made by Trustee Determan and seconded by Trustee Howard to approve 2024-R-1 Motor Fuel Tax Resolution. A roll call vote was taken. Trustees Hardy, Kim Gipe, Howard, Determan, Bean and Tom Gipe voted yes. Motion approved 6-0-0.

D. Legal (Attorney Kurlinkus) – No report.

E. Finance (Chairman Determan)

1. Next meeting: Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.

2. Chairman’s Report –

Trustee Determan stated various employee benefits were discussed at the last meeting. The committee had information presented in regards to the health insurance, we have the cost for health insurance for next year, but we have not received the information for the life, dental and vision yet. There will be more information presented at the April finance committee meeting. The committee discussed employee raises and approved a 5% increase for salaried and hourly employees.

3. Approve Finance Committee Recommendation for Village Employees Cost of Living Adjustment –

A motion was made by Trustee Determan and seconded by Trustee Bean to approve a 5% cost of living adjustment for all employees. A roll call vote was taken. Trustees Kim Gipe, Howard, Determan, Bean, Tom Gipe and Howard voted yes. Motion approved 6-0-0.

F. Planning Commission/Zoning Board

1. Next meeting: Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.

G. Public Works (Chairman Gipe)

1. Next meeting: Tuesday, March 4, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.

2. Chairman’s Report –No report.

3. Public Work’s Report- Trustee Tom Gipe reported that the remainder of the salt was received, Nick will be attending some cyber security training being offered by Illinois Rural Water, working with Fehr Graham to finalize the GPS water mapping and so far nine easement letters were received for the lead line replacement project. .

4. Engineer’s Report – Jason reviewed his report with Board members.

H. Public Safety (Chairman Howard)

1. Next meeting: Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.

2. Chairman’s Report – No report.

3. Police Department Report- Matt will wrap up budget discussions with Sherry.

I. Economic Development Committee – (Chairman Hardy)

1. Next Meeting: Monday, March 11, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.

2. Chairman’s Report – Collin reported presentations were made by the Pecatonica Women’s Club requesting a donation of $1,000.00 to be used toward the Easter event on March 30, 2024 and a request to close some streets to host the event. The committee approved the street closure request and a donation of $500.00. Pecatonica High School Key Club requested a donation of $1,000.00 for the Mr. Pecatonica High School Pageant in support of the St. Jude Children Research Hospital and the committee approved a $1,000.00 donation. There will be a special meeting on February 26, 2024 6:00 p.m. at Village Hall to begin planning for the Labor Day event,

J. Treasurer (Sherry Bessert) -

A motion was made by Trustee Howard and seconded by Trustee Kim Gipe to approve warrant list #988 in the amount of $1,266.84. There was no discussion. A roll call vote was taken. Trustees Howard, Determan, Bean, Tom Gipe, Hardy and Kim Gipe voted yes. Motion approved 6-0-0.

A motion was made by Trustee Determan and seconded by Trustee Howard to approve warrant list #988-A in the amount of $1,954.07. There was no discussion. A roll call vote was taken. Trustees Determan, Bean, Tom Gipe, Hardy, Kim Gipe and Howard voted yes. Motion approved 6-0-0.

A motion was made by Trustee Hardy and seconded by Trustee Kim Gipe to approve warrant list #989 in the amount of $49,291.24. There was no discussion. A roll call vote was taken. Trustees Bean, Tom Gipe, Hardy, Kim Gipe, Howard and Determan voted yes. Motion approved 6-0-0.

A motion was made by Trustee Howard and seconded by Trustee Determan to approve the payroll total of $34,230.42 for the period ending January 28, 2024. There was no discussion. A roll call vote was taken. Trustees Tom Gipe, Hardy, Kim Gipe, Howard, Determan and Bean voted yes. Motion approved 6-0-0.

A motion was made by Trustee Hardy and seconded by Trustee Kim Gipe to approve the payroll total of $32,962.33 for the period ending February 11, 2024. There was no discussion. A roll call vote was taken. Trustees Hardy, Kim Gipe, Howard, Determan, Bean and Tom Gipe. voted yes. Motion approved 6-0-0.

K. Clerk’s Items (Gwenn Shirley) – Gwenn reported that 25 letters were received back so far for the lead line replacement and seeking quotes to have the interior of Village Hall painted.

L. Executive Session – None.

1. Action on Items Arising out of Executive Session- None

M. Adjournment –A motion was made by Trustee Howard and seconded by Trustee Tom Gipe to adjourn. All Trustees voted aye. Motion approved 6-0-0/ Meeting adjourned at 7:01 p.m.

https://villageofpecatonica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/2024-02-20-Regular-Board.pdf