DeKalb Times

Village of Hinckley Committee of the Whole met Jan. 22.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

CALL BOARD MEETING TO ORDER: Meeting was called to order by Interim Village President Quirk at 7:27 PM. Roll call was taken showing the following:

Present: Trustees Sarah Quirk, Jennifer Klambauer, Russell Kula, Steve Gayhart, Alyssa Prickett, and Mike Constant. Quorum Established.

Absent: None.

Also Present: Deputy Clerk Michaels, Village Clerk Losiniecki, Police Chief Gettemy, Ceneca Wagner, Treasurer Dave Maroo, Dale Youngers, Village Attorney Tait Lundgren, Brandon Kramer (EEI) and Members of the Public.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

GENERAL BUSINESS

Approval of Committee of the Whole meeting minutes from 01/08/24

Trustee Klambauer moved to approve the minutes from January 8, 2024, and Trustee Kula seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Quirk-Aye, Klambauer-Aye, Kula-Aye, Gayhart-Aye, Prickett-Aye, and Constant-Aye. Motion carried.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

No Report.

ATTORNEY’S REPORT

No Report.

ENGINEER’S REPORT

No Report.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Personnel

No Report.

Public Safety

For Discussion: Website renewal/upgrade

Trustee Prickett stated that she had a meeting with Catalyst and received two quotes. One for maintaining and another for upgrading. The maintaining quote was $1011.00 per year and to upgrade would be $2000.00 per year. Every year for 4 years there would be an increase in price as well for either contract. Trustee Pricket showed the board what a new website would look like, and it would attract more people to use it. She advised that anyone could submit something to be approved by the board to be put on the Community Calendar. Village Clerk Losiniecki stated the residents can do that now as well as on the Library Calendar. Pricket stated that we would continue to be up and running while they are working on the new website. She stated we would also have a training period. Trustee Constant asked if we currently accept credit cards on our website as this new website does? Village Clerk Losiniecki stated we have been accepting credit cards through our website. Village Clerk Losiniecki stated if you are going to possibly make changes, she would suggest only signing up for one year if possible. Prickett also stated we could go down to cheaper company as well. Trustee Quirk stated that we will move it to the Regular Board Meeting on February 12, 2024.

Streets & Alleys

No Report.

Buildings, Grounds & Parks

For Discussion: Donation to Hinckley-Big Rock Elementary School for Soccer Nets NTE $300.00 Trustee Klambauer stated she received a phone call from Gene Nehring, Big Rock Village Board. He stated they are donating $600.00 for soccer nets since there are none at the HBR Elementary School. Dave Maroo stated the program is the Hinckley Big Rock Youth Soccer Program. It has no affiliation with the School District. It is a non-for-profit organization. It was suggested that they contact the Hinckley School Board or Hinckley PTO for donations. Trustee Constant stated the DeKalb County Community Foundation is open right now to apply for grants.

Trustee Klambauer asked what she needed to do about getting bids for the mowing contract. Village Clerk Losiniecki suggested getting with Ceneca to go over the locations and if there are any changes. Ceneca suggested signing a 3-year contract like they used to do.

For Discussion: IT Equipment Inventory

Truste Quirk stated that we need an inventory list for all liabilities, for example cell phones, laptops, all the equipment in the meeting room, etc.

Trustee Klambauer stated she has had interest from people in the buildings downtown. Questions they have been asking are if they are grandfathered in. Attorney Lundgren stated he would have to look at that to see if there are any exceptions. It will deter people if everything must be ADA compliant. Trustee Constant stated that the new Hinckley Public Library will be ADA compliant because they are receiving huge grants.

Water & Sewer

Trustee Gayhart stated a valve needs to be rebuilt at a cost of $750.00. Trustee Gayhart also stated that they need a cover to help keep the digestors covered in the winter. Currently they are chiseling ice off them. Trustee Quirk asked what type of cover they were looking for and Youngers stated they were still figuring that out. Youngers stated that Chris, the owner of Test, Inc., wants to set up a meeting. It is time for the contract renewal at the end of April and would like a meeting to set it up sooner rather than later. Village Clerk Losiniecki reminded them only two Trustees max or they would have to set up a formal meeting with an agenda.

Finance & Economic Development Report

For Discussion: Solar Project

Trustee Constant stated that we signed with GRNE a preliminary contract and now the company was acquired by someone else. Since it was acquired, we have had no progress made with our project. Trustee Constant stated he was having a conference call with Progressive Energy and the New Company to see if anything can be accomplished. If not, Trustee Constant asked if we could terminate the contract and start over. Attorney Lundgren stated he was aware of the situation and would investigate whether this was a breach of contract. Arnie Schramel made a good point stating that this is a 25-year project and you do not want to start out with problems.

CLOSED SESSION (to the extent permitted by 5 ILCS 120/2a of the Illinois Open Meetings Act) pursuant to §5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5), (6). Discussion regarding (5) The purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body, including meetings held for the purpose of discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired. (6) The setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the public body.

AND – (to the extent permitted by 5 ILCS 120/2a of the Illinois Open Meetings Act.) pursuant to §5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1). [Discussion of the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body)

Trustee Quirk moved to go into Executive Session at 8:20 PM and Trustee Constant seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Klambauer-Aye, Kula-Aye, Gayhart-Aye, Prickett-Aye, Constant-Aye, and Quirk-Aye. Motion carried.

Trustee Klambauer moved to back into the Committee of the Whole at 9:11 PM and Trustee Quirk seconded the motion. All in favor-Aye. Motion carried.

OPEN DISCUSSION

Trustee Prickett advised Trustee Klambauer if she needed any help to let her know.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

ADJOURMENT

Trustee Constant moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:12 PM and Trustee Quirk seconded the motion. Voice vote: all in favor. Motion carried. The next Committee of the Whole Meeting is scheduled for February 12, 2024, immediately following the Regular Board Meeting.

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