Rockford Sun

Village of Pecatonica Village Board met March 18.

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, March 18, 2025, at Village Hall.

2. A moment of Silence observed.

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

4. Roll Call - A Roll Call was taken. Trustees Bill Determan, Gerald Howard, Kim Gipe, Cheryl Bean, Tom Gipe and Collin Hardy were present.

Also present: Village President Tom Heister, Treasurer Jordan Hartman, Chief Matt Summers, Public Works Director Nick Berry, Village Engineer Jason Stoll, Village Clerk Darla Stram, and Village Attorney Dave Kurlinkus

5. A quorum was established.

6. Approve February 18, 2025, Regular Board Meeting Minutes

A motion was made by Trustee Kim Gipe and seconded by Trustee Howard to approve February 18, 2025, Regular Board Meeting Minutes. No discussion. A roll call vote was taken. Motion approved 6-0-0.

7. Additions/Corrections to the Agenda – An addition under New Business #5 needs to be added regarding the mail stuffer that is used in the office.

8. Approval of Agenda –

A motion was made by Trustee Howard and seconded by Trustee Kim Gipe to approve the agenda as amended. No discussion. All Trustees present voted yes. Motion approved 6-0-0.

9. Call to the Public – Tonya Wurtzel and Heather Squires from the Pecatonica Women’s Club spoke to the Easter Egg Hunt on April 19, 2025, from 2-5 p.m. The festivities will be held at the high school this year. They are asking for a donation of candy for the event. Volunteers are also needed.

Agenda Items

A. Village President - None

B. Unfinished Business – None

C. New Business –

1. 2025-02 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 153 Of the Code of Ordinances of The Village of Pecatonica, Illinois by Creating §153.012 Regarding Regulation of The Location of Community Solar Energy Systems Within the Village – 1st Reading.

Attorney Kurlinkus explained that this ordinance is for commercial solar installations only. This will be voted on at the next meeting.

2. 2025-03 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 153 Of the Code of Ordinances of The Village of Pecatonica, Illinois Regarding Special Use Permits – 1st Reading.

Attorney Kurlinkus explained that this ordinance would be adding a couple of different zoning districts to the special use permits charts for the solar energy systems. This will be voted on at the next meeting.

3. 2025-R-01 A Resolution Appointing the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund Authorized Agent for the Village of Pecatonica, Illinois

A motion was made by Trustee Determan and seconded by Trustee Hardy to approve Resolution 2025-R-01 Appointing Jordan Hartman as the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund Authorized Agent for the Village of Pecatonica, Illinois. No discussion. A roll call vote was taken. All Trustees voted yes. Motion approved 6-0-0.

4. 2025-R-02 A Resolution of The Village of Pecatonica, Illinois Authorizing the Village President to Execute a Contract for Sale and Purchase of Real Estate and Any Other Documents Required for Closing.

A motion was made by Trustee Howard and seconded by Trustee Determan to approve Resolution 2025-R-02 of the Village of Pecatonica, Illinois Authorizing the Village President to Execute a Contract for Sale and Purchase of Real Estate and Any Other Documents Required for Closing. Discussion was held regarding when this could be used. It is only for one instance pertaining to the DPI property. A roll call vote was taken. All Trustees voted yes. Motion approved 6-0-0.

5. Discussion Regarding the Mail Stuffer Machine in the Office

President Heister spoke to the need for a new mail stuffer machine as the current one is broken and not worth fixing. He explained that this is an emergency purchase. It will be brought back to the board at the next purchase for approval of the payment, but the machine can be purchased now since it is an emergency purchase.

D. Legal (Attorney Kurlinkus)-

1. Attorney Kurlinkus explained that the initial purchase of land by DPI included too much land. The lot has had a re-plat done and a new legal description. Once we receive the deed we can apply for a real estate tax exemption. Closing is set for March 27, 2025. The total cost for closing is $2,144.00. Attorney Kurlinkus recommends to pay $2,144.00 to complete the deal. A check will be cut for the closing.

He spoke to the possible need to change the Pecatonica School Mascot by 2028 if approved by the General Assembly.

E. Finance – Bill Determan, Chairman

1. Next Meeting: Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.

2. Chairman’s Report –

Special Meeting: Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. to review the employee health insurance. 3. Discussion and Possible approval of Employee Wage Adjustment

A motion was made by Trustee Hardy and seconded by Trustee Bean to approve a wage adjustment immediately for the Village Clerk and the Police Department and a 5% cost of living adjustment for all employees effective with the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2025 and to remove the 50 cent shift differential for the p.m. staff of the police department followed by a change in the Ordinance. No discussion. A roll call vote was taken. All Trustees voted yes. Motion approved 6-0-0.

They will be reviewing the budgets at the next meeting.

F. Planning Commission / Zoning Board

1. Next Meeting: Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.

G. Public Works – Tom Gipe, Chairman

1. Next Meeting – Monday, April 7, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.

2. Chairman’s Report –

Chairman Tom Gipe reported that at the last meeting they looked at their part of the budget. They also discussed some village projects needed.

3. Public Works Report - None

4. Discuss and approve Well #1 Motor Repair –

Nick reported that after the motor on Well #1 was replaced, Water Well Solutions took the old pump back for inspection. The cost to repair the old pump is $6,000.00 compared to the cost to purchase a new pump at $14,000.00. Repairing the old pump would allow them to have a spare. A motion was made by Trustee Howard and seconded by Trustee Kim Gipe to proceed with the repair of the old pump not to exceed $6,000.00. Discussion was held regarding the fact that this motor works for Well #1 only. A roll call vote was taken. All Trustees voted yes. Motion approved 6-0-0.

5. Engineer’s Report –

Jason reported that he had distributed the monthly report. The outstanding issue is still the defective check valve for the Well #3 Project. The well is in operation. They are currently holding approximately $56,000.00 pending completion of the final punch list items and delivery of all required materials. They are working to complete a final punch list of all properties for the Lead Service Line Replacement Project. They are working on preparing costs estimates for the Streets Project for 2025.

H. Public Safety – Gerald Howard, Chairman

1. Next Meeting – Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.

2. Chairman’s Report –

Chairman Howard reported that at the last meeting they had discussed the license plate readers.

3. Police Department Report –

Chief Summers reported that the new squad car will be delivered in the middle of April. The license plate readers are still in the works. They are working on getting two part-time employees.

I. Economic Development Committee – Collin Hardy, Chairman

1. Next Meeting: Monday, April 14, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.

2. Chairman’s Report –

Chairman Hardy discussed the street closure request for the Memorial Day Parade and the request for the donation to cover the cost of the insurance for the event.

3. Approval of Street Closure and Donation in the amount of $1,500.00 to the Pecatonica Memorial Day Parade –

A motion was made by Trustee Bean and seconded by Trustee Howard to approve the request for street closure for the Memorial Day Parade on May 26, 2025, and to approve a donation in the amount of $1,500.00 for the Pecatonica Memorial Day Parade. No discussion. A roll call vote was taken. All Trustees voted yes. Motion approved 6-0-0.

4. Discussion and possible approval of Donation to the Pecatonica Sports Association for New Baseball Pitching Machine

Emily Behnke explained the benefits from the Softball Pitching Machine that was donated. She explained that having this helps keep kids in town and away from travel teams. The new machine will come with an extended warranty. A motion was made by Trustee Determan and seconded by Trustee Bean to approve a donation not to exceed $5,000.00 to the Pecatonica Sports Association for a new Baseball Pitching Machine. No discussion. A roll call vote was taken. All Trustees voted yes. Motion approved 6-0-0.

J. Treasurer (Jordan Hartman) –

Jordan reported that they are working on finalizing the budgets, she met with a representative regarding the insurance and has Locis coming to provide her some training.

1. A motion was made by Trustee Hardy and seconded by Trustee Bean to approve Warrant List #34 Regular Board February 18, 2025, in the amount of $857,062.96. No discussion. A roll call vote was taken. All Trustees present voted yes. Motion approved 6-0-0.

2. A motion was made by Trustee Howard and seconded by Trustee Hardy to approve Warrant List #35 GASB Credit Card 1/24/25-2/20/25 in the amount of $733.21. No discussion. A roll call vote was taken. All Trustees present voted yes. Motion approved 6-0-0.

3. A motion was made by Trustee Kim Gipe and seconded by Trustee Tom Gipe to approve Payroll in the amount of $26,854.08 for Period Ending February 23, 2025. No discussion. A roll call vote was taken. All Trustees present voted yes. Motion approved 6-0-0.

A motion was made by Trustee Determan and seconded by Trustee Tom Gipe to approve Payroll in the amount of $27,685.83 for Period Ending March 9, 2025. No discussion. A roll call vote was taken. All Trustees present voted yes. Motion approved 6-0-0.

K. Clerk’s Items – (Darla Stram) – None

Darla reported that they issued a couple of liens on properties.

L. Executive Session- None

M. Action on Items Arising Out of Executive Session – None

N. Adjournment

A motion was made by Trustee Tom Gipe and seconded by Trustee Howard to adjourn the meeting. No discussion. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 6:59 p.m.

https://www.villageofpecatonica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-03-18-Regular-Board.pdf