DeKalb Times

Village of Kingston Board of Trustees met Nov. 6.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER

President Lynch called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

President Lynch led the Pledge of Allegiance.

3. ROLL CALL

Present: President John Lynch, and Trustees Frank Altmaier, Steve VanBuren, Dale Coughran, and Joe Hengels

Absent: Trustee Howard Lyle

Others in Attendance: Police Chief Gerald Taft and Village Attorney Kevin Buick

4. AGENDA ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS

Trustee Altmaier asked that ‘Update from Regional Planning Commission’ be added. President Lynch asked that ‘Dates for Water Rate Meeting’ and ‘Follow Up on Sewer Plant Visits’ be added.

5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

a. Approval of Minutes from October 2, 2023 Regular Board Meeting

b. Approval of Minutes from October 16, 2023 Regular Board Meeting

Trustee Coughran made a Motion to Approve the October 2, 2023 Regular Board Meeting and October 16, 2023 Regular Board Meeting. Trustee VanBuren seconded the Motion. Motion passed on the following roll call vote:

Ayes: 4 - Trustees Altmaier, Coughran, Hengels, Van Buren

Nays:

Absent: 1 – Trustee Lyle

6. CITIZENS COMMENTS

7. REPORTS OF OFFICERS

a. Police Department

Chief Taft applied for and was awarded a grant from the DeKalb County Community Foundation for the purchase of two solar powered radar signs for the school zone.

b. Village Attorney

Attorney Buick discussed the process for Valerie Norris’ annexation of 4.8 acres of land into the Village and the request to change zoning on two parcels to agricultural.

c. Public Works

d. Village Engineer

e. Village Treasurer/Village Clerk

8. OLD BUSINESS

a. Discussion on Property Maintenance (Updates and issues)

Trustee Altmaier shared that Trustee Hengels joined him at the adjudication hearing in October to see how Genoa’s hearings were conducted as Kingston did not have any cases. Trustee Altmaier discussed the new changes to the adjudication hearing process that are effective as of January 1, 2023. Attorney Buick suggested finding other municipalities with a code hearing unit to speak with to see how it benefits the community. The Board discussed the administrative adjudication process. Trustee Altmaier will continue looking into the updates to see if they benefit the Village.

b. Discussion on Windhaven Subdivision Flooding/DNR Status

President Lynch shared that Village Engineer Tim Gualandri spoke with Illinois Department of Natural Resources and IDNR does not anticipate having a report for the Village until first quarter of 2024.

9. NEW BUSINESS

a. Discussion and possible approval of Warrant List for Items Over $500.00 dated November 6, 2023

Trustee Hengels made a Motion to Approve the Warrant List for Items Over $500.00 dated November 6, 2023. Trustee Coughran seconded the Motion. Motion passed on the following roll call vote:

Ayes: 4 - Trustees Altmaier, Coughran, Hengels, Van Buren Nays:

Absent: 1 – Trustee Lyle

b. Discussion on proposed Tax Levy Ordinance for 2023 (First Reading) President Lynch reviewed the tax levy. The Board had no questions or concerns. President Lynch confirmed that the Tax Levy Ordinance will be on a future agenda for approval.

c. Discussion on Request from HR Green to Increase General Engineering Budget by $10,000 (current FY2024 budgeted funds have been exhausted)

President Lynch confirmed that the Village has exhausted the budgeted funds for FY2024. The Board did not have an issue with the increase as long as the funds can be found in the budget.

d. Discussion on lights at River Oaks Subdivision entrance (Rood Road and Glidden Road) President Lynch shared concerns with the entrance being dark and offered to obtain the cost of having the lights at the entrance turned back on. The Board discussed that the lights and poles still exist.

e. Update from Regional Planning Commission

Trustee Altmaier reviewed the discussions at the Regional Plan Commission meeting that was in Sandwich in October and included a tour of the Sandwich Opera House.

f. Dates for Water Rate Meeting

The Board discussed water rate meeting dates.

g. Follow Up on Sewer Plant Visits

The Board discussed thoughts on the sewer plant that was toured in Gardner, Illinois.

10. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION

11. ADJOURNMENT

Trustee Hengels made a Motion to Adjourn. Trustee Coughran seconded the Motion. Motion passed on the unanimous voice vote of those present at 8:11 p.m.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1AiRrDAa-J7MVB8KmV3ygyCsrBdU8CI0r