DeKalb Times

Village of Hinckley Board of Trustees met July. 28.

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, Steve Gayhart, Russ Kula, Jamie Whitlock, Alyssa Prickett and Eddie Cullins. Quorum established.

Absent: Trustee Siwicki

Also Present: Attorney Tait Lundgren, Village Deputy Clerk Jennifer Klambauer, Chief Ken Gettemy, Treasurer Dave Maroo, Ceneca Wagner, Brandon Kramer (EEI) and Members of the Public.

PUBLIC COMMENT on Agenda Items Scheduled for Action Only

Tim Hannan addressed the board regarding the extension of the 1% grocery tax. He reported that Hinckley Fresh Market contributed $18,000 to the State under this tax. Mr. Hannen expressed concern that the tax affects lower-income residents and stated his opposition to its continuation. Larry Menz then spoke, noting that while he does not favor paying additional taxes, he supports the continuation of the 1% grocery tax for the benefit of the village. He also requested that multiple quotes, specifications, and pricing be obtained for the proposed new truck purchase and inquired about the plans for the existing truck.

GENERAL BUSINESS

• Agenda item for discussion/approval: June 23, 2025, Regular Board Meeting Minutes Trustee Prickett noted one typographical error, which was amended. Trustee Kula moved to approve the minutes from the regular board meeting of June 23, 2025, seconded by Trustee Prickett. Roll call vote: Cullins-Aye, Prickett-Aye, Kula-Aye, Gayhart-Aye, and Whitlock-Aye. Motion carried.

• Agenda item for discussion/approval: June 23, 2025, Appropriations Ordinance Meeting Minutes Trustee Kula moved to approve the minutes for the Appropriations Ordinance Public Hearing Meeting minutes, seconded by Trustee Whitlock. Roll call vote: Prickett-Aye, Kula-Aye, Gayhart-Aye, Whitlock Aye and Cullins-Aye. Motion carried.

• Agenda item for discussion/approval: June 23, 2025, Annexation Agreement Meeting Minutes Trustee Kula moved to approve the minutes for the Annexation Agreement Public Hearing Meeting minutes, and Trustee Cullins seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Kula-Aye, Gayhart-Aye, Whitlock Aye, Cullins-Aye, and Prickett-Aye. Motion carried.

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

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

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

For Discussion/Approval: Midwest Sports Street Closure Permit Application

A Road Closure permit was submitted to the Village by Midwest Sportsplex asking for Woodlawn Street to be closed from Sycamore St to the west on October 3, 2025, from 4-10:30pm for a food truck event. Trustee Whitlock made a motion to approve the closure, seconded by Trustee Gayhart. Roll call vote: Whitlock-Aye, Cullins-Aye, Prickett-Aye, Kula-Aye, and Gayhart-Aye.

For Discussion/Approval: Public Works Vehicle Purchase

President Quirk asked Public Works Supervisor Ceneca Wagner to address the Board with the proposal for the new truck. He stated that he had a quote from Currie Motors for $92,600. He stated that he has the specs for that truck, and that it would be very similar to the other public works truck we own. He stated that the 2016 Ford truck is not good in the winter and we would sell that truck to help offset the purchase of the new truck. Attorney Lundgren stated that per State statute, a second bid must be obtained prior to making this purchase. Ceneca will work on getting that bid for the next meeting.

ATTORNEY’S REPORT

Attorney Lundgren stated that he researched the EPA requirements regarding the lead water lines and informed the board that although it’s not a law to provide residents with lead lines with a water filter, it’s in the best practice to supply those. The Village delivered 12 pitchers to the residents living in homes that have known lead water lines and will continue to do so until six months after those lines have been replaced.

CLERK’S REPORT

No report.

ENGINEER’S REPORT

Brandon Kramer, EEI, updated the Board on the 2025 Road Program. A pre-construction meeting was held last week, and the work will begin August 4, 2025. The contractor is aware of the start of school on 8/20 and is confident the work will be completed by that time.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Treasurer Maroo stated that he is experiencing difficulty balancing the books due to the fact the office staff has eliminated printing checks for automatic payments. He will ask the staff to issue the checks so that they are recorded in the software program so that he can balance quicker.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Public Safety

For Discussion:

Chief Gettemy reminded the Board the Hinckley Police Department will host “National Night Out” on August 5 from 5-8pm at Pioneer Park. There will be food and many activities for all. He also stated that the Police Department delivered the demand letter to 110 E Miller as requested by the Board at the last meeting.

Finance and Economic Development

For Discussion/Approval – 1% Grocery Tax Ordinance

Trustee Kula stated that he would like to see the grocery tax continued. Treasurer Maroo reminded the Board that if we discontinue the tax, the only way to reinstate it would be by referendum, which is costly and most likely not pass. Trustee Kula made a motion to continue the 1% Grocery Tax, which was seconded by Trustee Gayhart. Roll call vote: Cullins-Aye, Prickett-Aye, Kula-Aye, Gayhart-Aye, and Whitlock-Nay. Motion carried.

Streets & Alleys

Trustee Kula restated the information on the Road Program and also informed the board that he is meeting with Safe Step on 8/5/25 to review those sidewalks that need repair or replacement.

Buildings, Grounds & Parks

No report.

Water & Sewer

For Discussion/Approval: Radio Reads for Water Meters Purchase

Trustee Gayhart stated that our meter inventory is low, and we need to have a few on hand as well as have the inventory for the new builds in Royal Estates. He suggested the purchase of 50 meters. He also informed the board that he would like to see the village purchase 50 radio readers to be placed on those meters that are hard to get to, due to locked businesses, fences, pets, etc.). Trustee Gayhart made a motion to purchase 50 new meters and 50 radio readers NTE $20,000. The motion was seconded by Trustee Kula. Roll call vote: Prickett-Aye, Kula-Aye, Gayhart-Aye, Whitlock-Aye and Cullins-Aye. Motion carried.

Personnel

Trustee Prickett made a motion to go into close session, stating:

CLOSED SESSION (to the extent permitted by 5 ILCS 120/2a (from Ch 102, par. 42a) 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).

Motion seconded by Trustee Cullins. Roll call vote: Kula-Aye, Gayhart-Aye, Whitlock-Aye, Cullins-Aye, and Prickett-Aye. Motion carried.

RECONVENE OPEN SESSION

Motion to reconvene at 8:07pm made by Trustee Prickett, seconded by Trustee Cullins. Roll call: Quirk, Cullins, Kula, Prickett, Gayhart Whitlock-Aye present.

ACTION AFTER CLOSED SESSION, if needed: Employee Compensation

Motion made by Trustee Prickett to a compensation increase for Jennifer Klambauer to $28.09/hr., seconded by Trustee Kula. Roll Call Vote Cullins-Aye, Prickett-Aye, Kula-Aye, Gayhart-Aye, and Whitlock-Aye. Motion carried.

Motion made by Trustee Prickett to a compensation increase for Kathy Michaels to $28.67/hr. as well as a $1000 stipend for the months of November and December when she was acting Village Clerk, seconded by Trustee Kula. Roll Call Vote Prickett-Aye, Kula-Aye, Gayhart-Aye, Whitlock-Aye and Cullins-Aye. Motion carried.

Motion made by Trustee Prickett to a compensation increase for Carson Benson to $30.80/hr., seconded by Trustee Whitlock. Roll Call Vote Kula-Aye, Gayhart-Aye, Whitlock-Aye, Cullins-Aye, Prickett-Aye. Motion carried.

Motion made by Trustee Prickett to a compensation increase for Ceneca Wagner to $31.77/hr., seconded by Trustee Kula. Roll Call Vote Gayhart-Aye, Whitlock-Aye, Cullins-Aye, Prickett-Aye, Kula Aye, Motion carried.

Motion made by Trustee Prickett to a compensation increase for Ed Drafke to $24.65/hr., seconded by Trustee Kula. Roll Call Vote Whitlock-Aye, Cullins-Aye, Prickett-Aye, Kula-Aye, Gayhart-Aye. Motion carried.

Motion made by Trustee Prickett to a compensation increase for Joan Bennett to $36.27/hr., seconded by Trustee Kula. Roll Call Vote Cullins-Aye, Prickett-Aye, Kula-Aye, Gayhart-Aye, and Whitlock-Aye. Motion carried.

Motion made by Trustee Prickett to a compensation increase for Stephanie Long to $17.25/hr., seconded by Trustee Gayhart. Roll Call Vote Prickett-Aye, Kula-Aye, Gayhart-Aye, Whitlock-Aye, Cullins-Aye. Motion carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT

OPEN DISCUSSION

Chief Gettemy informed the board that Carlos Thornton had been in the audience and spoke to him during the closed session regarding the letter that the village had delivered to his father at 110 E Miller. He inquired about the zoning ordinance reference. Attorney Lundgren stated that he would forward that information to Chief Gettemy to pass along.

ADJOURMENT

Trustee Gayhart moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:13 pm. and Trustee Prickett seconded the motion. Voice vote: All in favor. Motion carried. The next Regular Board Meeting will be held on August 11, 2025.

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