DeKalb Times

Village of Hinckley Board of Trustees met June 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

CALL BOARD MEETING TO ORDER: Meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Village President Quirk.

Roll call was taken showing the following:

Present: Sarah Quirk, Brian Siwicki, Russell Kula, Steve Gayhart, Jamie Whitlock, and Eddie Cullins. Quorum established.

Absent: Trustee Prickett

Also Present: Attorney Lundgren, Village Clerk Joan Bennett, Treasurer Dave Maroo, Brandon Kramer (EEI), Todd Tatum (TEST, Inc.) and Members of the Public.

PUBLIC COMMENT on Agenda Items Scheduled for Action Only

Larry Menz, 270 Miller, commented on the Village paying for sanitation for the fireworks event.

GENERAL BUSINESS

• Agenda item for discussion/approval: May 19, 2025, Regular Board Meeting Minutes

Trustee Gayhart moved to approve the minutes for May 19, 2025, and Trustee Kula seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Cullins-Aye, Siwicki-Aye, Kula-Aye, Gayhart-Aye, and Whitlock-Aye. Motion carried.

• Agenda item for discussion/approval: Payment of Invoices Due

Trustee Siwicki moved to approve the Payment of Invoices Due as presented, and Trustee Cullins seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Siwicki-Aye, Kula-Aye, Gayhart-Aye. Whitlock-Aye, and Cullins Aye . Motion carried.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

For Discussion/Approval: Hinckley Festival Association Donation for Sanitation Trustee Kula spoke to LRS who will provide a complimentary dumpster and garbage cans while the Village donation will go toward toilets and hand wash stations. Maroo noted that the donations were markedly down from previous years. Trustee Siwicki motioned for the approval of the HFA donation, NTE $1500.00 for Sanitation; Trustee Whitlock seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Kula-Aye, Gayhart-Aye, Whitlock-Aye, Cullins-Nay and Siwicki-Aye. Motion carried.

*Bob Pritchard noted: “If Hinckley doesn’t have the 4th of July festivities, then the village won’t get the attraction. People are asking for these types of events!”

For Discussion/Approval: Planning Commission / Zoning Board Report from 6.2.25 Bob Pritchard states that a Planning Commission / Zoning Board Hearing was held June 2, 2025. The hearing was 84 Lumber’s request to rezone the entire property to I1. 84 Lumber offered to fulfill whatever is needed to make this happen. President Sarah Quirk noted that changing Business Zoning to Industrial would remove available business lots and create an industrial face on the east side of Hinckley.

President Quirk expressed gratitude to Trustee Kula for “holding down the fort” while she was away.

ATTORNEY’S REPORT

Attorney Lundgren stated that he would be following up with the insurance company on the check from Akino Fence.

Attorney Lundgren stated he would distribute the proposed 84 Lumber Annexation Agreement to each board member in the coming week.

Attorney also indicated there are additional restrictions on the property adjacent to Dollar General.

CLERK’S REPORT

Village Clerk Bennett requested from the board, when receiving the draft agendas, to please reply that they have received the email.

ENGINEER’S REPORT

No report.

TREASURER’S REPORT

For Discussion/Approval: Deposit

Treasurer Maroo asked that the Deposit Signature Cards be updated to include Carson Benson, David Maroo and Brian Siwicki. Trustee Whitlock moved to approve the Deposit Signature Card signators be Carson Bennett, David Maroo, and Brian Siwicki. Trustee Gayhart seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Kula-Aye, Gayhart-Aye, Whitlock-Aye, Cullins-Aye and Siwicki-Aye. Motion carried. Trustee Whitlock motioned to amend and add “on all bank deposit accounts” to the Deposit Signature Card signators of Carson Bennett, David Maroo, and Brian Siwicki. Trustee Gayhart seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Kula-Aye, Gayhart-Aye, Whitlock-Aye, Cullins-Aye and Siwicki-Aye. Motion carried.

Treasurer Maroo noted that the auditors will be returning for the full audit on June 16, 2025.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Public Safety

Trustee Cullins asked if the barricades were sufficient at Bourbon Fest. Trustee Whitlock stated they were too small and could be simply driven over. They need to be thicker & wider next time. Trustee Siwicki stated a second entrance was added during the event.

Finance and Economic Development

Trustee Siwicki stated he has been looking into events (& future events) that would stimulate economic growth. He is asking for inviting ways to bring people in. Asking for board members thoughts to “create a vibe” for attraction to the village.

Bob Pritchard mentioned creating an ordinance like DeKalb/Sycamore for downtown property façades. President Quirk noted that there are resources through Resource Bank and several informative books on Rural Community Development.

Streets & Alleys

No report

Buildings, Grounds & Parks

No report.

Water & Sewer

Trustee Gayhart asked that Water Meter Upgrades start with a quantity of 50. Also, as Ceneca Wagner was not available tonight, Gayhart requests that discussion be moved to the next CoTW meeting.

Trustee Gayhart noted that the water hydrants look great. It may be a start to getting a program in place for future upkeep.

Personnel

No report.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

OPEN DISCUSSION

Brandon Kramer (EEI) stated that they were able to get the grant done, even though it was on a very short due date. This would be focused on McKinley’s curbs and sidewalks. Streets need to be “ready to go,” per the grant requirements.

Trustee Siwicki asked if a letter was being prepared for the Thorton property. Attorney Lundgren stated the fence permit was applied for and that he will be preparing a letter for follow-up. Trustee Siwicki asked if Flock Cameras were up. Several members stated that there were a couple up, one by the Fire Department for sure.

President Quirk stated that if the Thornton property comes up again, it needs to be added as an agenda item to allow for transparency and public comment as it has been mentioned several times at the CoTW and the Regular Board Meeting.

ADJOURMENT

President Quirk moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:52 pm. Trustee Cullins motioned to adjourn, and Trustee Gayhart seconded the motion. Voice vote: All in favor. Motion carried. The next Regular Board Meeting will be held on June 23rd, 2025.

https://hinckleyil.com/vertical/sites/%7B010B6357-E152-4A43-AD03-56D178F14B55%7D/uploads/06.09.25_FINAL_RBM_Minutes(1).pdf