DeKalb Times

Village of Kingston Board of Trustees met June 2.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER

President Edwards called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

President Edwards led the Pledge of Allegiance.

3. ROLL CALL

Present: President Brad Edwards, and Trustees Dale Coughran, Joe Hengels, Todd Holman, and Steve VanBuren

Absent:

Others in Attendance: Village Treasurer Jennifer Dynek, Village Attorney Kevin Buick, Police Chief Gerald Taft, and Public Works Director Justin Kamp

4. AGENDA ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS

Trustee Holman asked that ‘Discussion on 100 East Street’ be added to the agenda.

5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

a. Approval of Minutes from May 19, 2025 Regular Board Meeting

Trustee VanBuren made a Motion to Approve the Minutes from May 19, 2025 Regular Board Meeting. Trustee Holman seconded the Motion. Trustee Hengels requested that paragraph 7(a) of the May 19, 2025 minutes be amended to add ‘Trustee Hengels discussed the possibility of a process which would contemplate letter writing subject to review by Village President and Trustee Hengels in his capacity as property maintenance chair.’ Trustee VanBuren and Trustee Holman accepted the proposed amendment. Motion passed on the following roll call vote:

Ayes: 4 - Coughran, Hengels, Holman, VanBuren

Nays: 0

Absent: 0

6. CITIZENS COMMENTS

7. REPORTS OF OFFICERS

a. Police Department

Chief Taft shared that the new police vehicle has been delivered and is waiting on equipment to be installed.

b. Village Attorney

c. Public Works

d. Village Engineer

e. Village Treasurer/Village Clerk

8. OLD BUSINESS

a. Appointment and swearing in of Trustee (two vacant positions)

President Edwards appointed Robert Ruehl Jr. as Trustee to fill a two-year unexpired term. Trustee Coughran made a Motion to Confirm the Appointment of Robert Ruhel, Jr. as Trustee. Trustee Hengels seconded the Motion. Motion passed on the following roll call vote:

Ayes: 4 - Coughran, Hengels, Holman, VanBuren

Nays: 0

Absent: 0

Attorney Buick swore in Robert Ruehl, Jr. to two-year unexpired term as Village Trustee.

b. Discussion on Property Maintenance (Updates and issues)

Chief Taft discussed a property maintenance complaint on Spring Street regarding large rocks being placed in the easement. Attorney Buick reviewed the right-of-way/easement areas of the roadway and that the issue is not necessarily a property maintenance issue. Public Works Director Kamp recommended that the rocks be moved to ensure they are out of the way of the plow. After Board discussion, President Edwards requested a letter be sent to the property owner asking them to move the rocks.

Trustee Coughran shared that the camper that was also a previous property maintenance issue has been moved.

President Edwards discussed that moving forward the Village will continue with sending letters for property maintenance issue and will have both the Village President and Trustee Hengels, as the Trustee handling property maintenance issues, approve the letters prior to being sent out. President Edwards asked that if anyone sees any issues to bring them to either him or Trustee Hengels. The Board discussed the compliance deadline of 14 days and agreed that it was an acceptable time frame. Trustee Hengels and Attorney Buick discussed that the letters should list the section of the code the Village is claiming is out of compliance.

c. Discussion on Windhaven Subdivision Flooding/DNR Status

President Edwards has been looped into the emails with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and while the report has been reviewed, it is not finalized at this time.

d. Discussion on water main expansion to River Oaks Subdivision

President Edwards spoke with HR Green and has scheduled a meeting with HR Green, Public Works Director Kamp, and Treasurer Dynek on June 16, 2025 to discuss all future projects (including the main expansion.) President Edwards shared that the Village should hear back on the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency loan in July.

e. Discussion on employee handbook/policy

President Edwards handed out copies of the proposed employee handbook/policy and asked the Board to review prior to the next meeting.

f. Appointment and swearing in of Village Clerk

8. NEW BUSINESS

a. Discussion and possible approval of Ordinance No. 2025-03 – An Ordinance Authorizing the Disposition of Personal Property (2012 Chevrolet Impala Police Sedan and Accessories)

Trustee VanBuren made a Motion to Approve Ordinance No. 2025-03 – An Ordinance Authorizing the Disposition of Personal Property (2012 Chevrolet Impala Police Sedan and Accessories). Trustee Coughran seconded the Motion. Motion passed on the following roll call vote: Ayes:

4 - Coughran, Hengels, Holman, VanBuren

Nays: 1 - Ruehl

Absent: 0

Discussion on 100 East Street

Trustee Holman asked for an update on any plans for the property at 100 East Street. Treasurer Dynek shared that the owner has been contacted by several interested parties in purchasing it with no response from the owner.

9. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION

10. ADJOURNMENT

Trustee Coughran made a Motion to Adjourn. Trustee Hengels seconded the Motion. Motion passed on the unanimous voice vote of those present at 6:28 p.m.

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