DeKalb Times

Village of Kingston Board of Trustees met July. 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER

President Edwards called the meeting to order at 6:00 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, Bob Ruehl, and Steve VanBuren

Absent:

Others in Attendance: Village Clerk Sandie Maahs and Police Chief Gerald Taft

4. AGENDA ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS

Trustee VanBuren asked that ‘304 East Street Sidewalk’ be added to the agenda. Trustee Hengels asked that ‘DeKalb County Regional Planning Commission’ be added to the agenda. President Edwards asked that ‘Inspire.Renew.Enjoy.’ be added to the agenda.

5. OMNIBUS VOTE AGENDA

a. Treasurer’s Report

b. Warrants/Bills Payable

Trustee Hengels made a Motion to Approve the Omnibus Vote Agenda. Trustee Lyle seconded the Motion. Motion passed on the following roll call vote:

Ayes: 6 - Coughran, Hengels, Holman, Lyle, Ruehl, VanBuren

Nays: 0

Absent: 0

6. CITIZENS COMMENTS

Jeff Johnson shared that the stop sign going north on Railroad Street toward Route 72 is blocked by the vehicles in the parking spots on Railroad Street, that the road on Jefferson Drive and Johnson Court needs to be crack sealed, and inquired if he could obtain the old street signs for Jefferson Drive and Johnson Court if the Village is going to dispose of them.

7. OLD BUSINESS

a. Discussion on Windhaven Subdivision Flooding/DNR Status

President Edwards shared that there are no updates from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Trustee Hengels reviewed the history of the water drainage issues in the subdivision and confirmed that the Village purchased a parcel of land to eventually assist with the water drainage issues. President Edwards confirmed that the Village’s engineer needs the study from the Illinois Department of Resources before they can assess how to best use the property purchased for drainage.

b. Discussion on water main expansion to River Oaks Subdivision

President Edwards shared that there are no updates from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

c. Discussion on employee handbook

President Edwards discussed with the Board the draft vacation, sick time, and spousal/dependent insurance policies for the employee handbook. President Edwards will obtain additional information on insurance costs and bring back to the board for discussion. The Board confirmed that an anti-nepotism ordinance was previously adopted by the Village.

8. NEW BUSINESS

a. Discussion and possible approval of Warrant List for Items Over $500.00 dated July 21, 2025 Trustee Holman made a Motion to Approve Warrant List for Items Over $500.00 dated July 21, 2025. Trustee Coughran seconded the Motion. Motion passed on the following roll call vote:

Ayes: 6 - Coughran, Hengels, Holman, Lyle, Ruehl, VanBuren

Nays: 0

Absent: 0

304 East Street Sidewalk

Trustee VanBuren shared that the property owner is going to replace two sections of sidewalk at the driveway, and there are sidewalk sections to the north of the driveway that are un-even. President Edwards has asked Public Works Director Kamp to look at the sidewalk area and determine which areas in the Village need to be addressed with the funds budgeted for sidewalk repairs this fiscal year.

Regional Planning Commission

Trustee Hengels shared that while there was no quorum at the last DeKalb County Regional Planning Commission meeting, DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Melissa Amedeo gave a presentation on the funds available this year for distribution to local municipalities on an as needed basis.

Inspire.Renew.Enjoy.

President Edwards went to a seminar presentation on Inspire.Renew.Enjoy hosted by Resource Bank. President Edwards encouraged the Board to look at the resources available at inspirerenewenjoy.com.

9. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION

10. ADJOURNMENT

Trustee Hengels made a Motion to Adjourn. Trustee Lyle seconded the Motion. Motion passed on the unanimous voice vote of those present at 6:34 p.m.

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