Macon Reporter

Village of Warrensburg Village Board met April 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER:  Acting Village President Hackl called the meeting to order at the Warrensburg Village Hall on Monday, April 21, 2025 at 5:30 p.m., reminding everyone the meeting was being recorded.  

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited. 

ROLL CALL:  Present: Acting Village President Hackl, Trustees Fisher, Eskew, Hood and Netherton.  Also present were Chief Wheeler, Attorney Jankowicz, DPW Allen and VAC Booth.

Trustee Freeman arrived after Roll Call. 

MAYOR’S COMMENTS: AVP Hackl read a letter indicating his intention to resign from his Trustee seat due to recently being elected Mayor.  He introduced Scott Bons, a 3-year Warrensburg resident, whom he recommended to fill his Trustee seat. Scott told the Board about himself and his family and expressed his wish to further contribute to his community. 

The Board having no questions or concerns, a motion was made by Trustee Fisher, seconded by Trustee Netherton, to give the Board advice and consent to proceed with the selection of Scott Bons to fill the vacant seat. Motion carried.

AVP Hackl then swore in Mr. Bons and he took his new seat on the Board.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: Steve Jones, son of Lyle Jones, spoke about Lyle’s wish to give back to Warrensburg by paying for the remainder of the stage construction. He said that Lyle is upset by the delay (caused by the Board following procedure regarding 3 quotes to finish the work). Lyle would like the stage to be complete (now). Steve asked the Board to apologize to his dad for the delay and said that he would be willing to sign paperwork regarding the donation of the money. 

AVP Hackl explained that he was concerned that it looked like “bid rigging” as Steve’s company will be completing the work. 

Attorney Jankowicz explained that there was never any intent by the Village to appear unappreciative of his donation, but worried about potential warranty issues down the road.  He also stated that something needed to be in writing that would cover all legal issues and then work could proceed.

AVP Hackl suggested that a note be written to Lyle explaining the misunderstanding and the Board approved.  Steve will contact an Accountant to draft the appropriate paperwork for Lyle to sign.

NEW BUSINESS: None 

ENGINEER: Stephanie Brown, Chastain Engineering, mentioned that there may need to be a Streets committee meeting to discuss the upcoming work by the railroad tracks on Main Street.  There will be arms placed at the crossing area and the area will be widened. The Village pays for it initially and then is reimbursed through a grant.

REVIEW/APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  A motion was made by Trustee Netherton, seconded by Trustee Eskew to approve the minutes of the April 7, 2025 regular meeting. 

Motion carried.

VILLAGE ADMINISTRATIVE CLERK:  Trustee Eskew moved and Trustee Netherton seconded to approve the balance sheet, pay the bills and make the appropriate transfers for April 21, 2025.

VAC Booth noted that for this period, the invoices utilizing Covid funds (highlighted on the transfer sheet), the first premium to be paid to Blue Cross, one Cornfest invoice and also 4 boxes of self-addressed stamped envelopes are among the bills to be paid.

Roll Call Vote:  Yes – Trustees Netherton, Fisher, Bons, Eskew, Hood and Freeman.

No – none.  Motion carried.

AVP Hackl mentioned that credit card transactions cost the Village approximately $200 a month.  He said that it needs to be determined if a fee should be assessed for each transaction.  It will be discussed at the next meeting.

FINANCE: Trustee Eskew made a motion to discuss and approve the FY2026 Budget, and to discuss the rate of pay for future employees (as determined by the Finance committee), seconded by Trustee Netherton.  

AVP Hackl stated that possible grants should be included in the budget and inquired if Trustee Freeman had included any grants in the water budget.  Trustee Freeman did not include it and Attorney Jankowicz suggested that the Board approve this budget and the budget can be amended if grants are received in the future.

Trustee Eskew explained that the committee has determined the part-time Office Assistant will be $18/hour before training and will work approximately 20 hours a week. The Village will consider a pay raise if he/she obtains certifications, such as notary services.  For the full-time General Maintenance employee, the base pay will be $18/hour with no experience and $23.50/hour with experience and/or licenses.

Roll Call Vote: Yes- Trustees Freeman, Hood, Fisher, Bons, Eskew and Netherton.

No – None.  Motion carried.

BUILDING: Trustee Netherton made a motion to accept the Flooring America bid for a total cost of $14,400 to replace the flooring in Village Hall, seconded by Trustee Hood.  He explained the 3 estimates for replacing the carpet in the offices and placing vinyl flooring in the main hall and bathrooms.  Flooring America is the only company that will move all furniture, including the toilets.  He said that the $14,400 included prevailing wage and it will be paid with the remaining Covid funds.  

Roll Call Vote: Yes – Trustees Eskew, Hood, Freeman, Netherton, Fisher and Bons.

No-none. Motion carried.

Trustee Netherton updated the Board regarding the on-going process of obtaining the signature from the Shaw’s for the sign easement agreement.  He has attempted to contact him several times and will continue but has also discussed the possibility of sign placement with Timmons Trucking.  He will keep the Board apprised of the results.

POLICE: Trustee Fisher made a motion to approve Ordinance 810, an Ordinance authorizing and approving the intergovernmental agreement between the Village of Warrensburg, Illinois and the Warrensburg-Latham Community Unit School District #11 for School Resource Officer services and reciprocal reporting system agreement, seconded by Trustee Netherton.

Chief Wheeler explained the proposed budget for the new SRO; the total cost would be $77,608, with benefits.  The Village’s share of the cost is $23,748 and will be for the summer patrol on the streets of Warrensburg.  Chief Wheeler stated that it will be an asset for both the School District and the Police Department to have this additional officer.  The Agreement devised by Attorney Jankowicz is extensive and covers all aspects of hiring for this position, detailing the split between the school and the police department.

Roll Call Vote: Yes – Trustees Netherton, Fisher, Bons, Eskew, Hood and Freeman.

No-none. Motion carried.

SEWER:  AVP Hackl stated that he will explain the sewer department to Trustee Bons so that he is up-to-date with the operations of that committee.

STREETS:  Stephanie Brown, from Chastain Engineering, explained that the 2024 MFT program was never submitted, therefore it can be submitted now without making the transfers from the general account. She stated that it can just be closed out.  She then explained the 2025 MFT program will consist of repaving the streets that were paved in 2021-2022 and will also include the parking area outside of Village Hall and $10,000 for sidewalks and $7,500 for snow removal.

Trustee Hood made a motion to resend the motion made on April 7, 2025, allocating general funds to MFT, seconded by Trustee Netherton.

Roll Call Vote: Yes – Trustees Bons, Eskew, Fisher, Netherton, Freeman and Hood.

No-none.  Motion carried.

Trustee Hood made a motion to accept the 2025 MFT program for the Village of Warrensburg, seconded by Trustee Netherton.

Stephanie explained that the total cost for the 2025 MFT program will $160,076; the amount is over what is in the MFT now, so approximately $15,000 will come from the Road and Bridge fund. 

Trustee Hood reminded the Board that the Village purchased rock from the Illini Township that should last for this coming year as well.

Roll Call Vote: Yes – Trustees Fisher, Eskew, Bons, Hood, Freeman and Netherton.

No-none.  Motion carried.

WATER: Nothing

PUBLIC WORKS:  Nothing

VILLAGE ATTORNEY:  Attorney Jankowicz thanked Trustees Hood and Freeman for their time on the Board as this will be their final meeting.

OTHER AND/OR OLD BUSINESS:  Chief Wheeler asked if the medical insurance needed to be approved and no, it has been approved and the paperwork is complete.

A motion to adjourn was made by Trustee Netherton, seconded by Trustee Hood.

The meeting adjourned at 6:38 PM.

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