Macon Reporter

Village of Warrensburg Village Board met July 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Hackl called the meeting to order at the Warrensburg Village Hall on Monday, July 7, 2025 at 5:30 p.m., reminding everyone the meeting was being recorded.

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited.

ROLL CALL: Present: Mayor Hackl, Trustees Fisher, Bons, Davis and Netherton. Also present were Attorney Jankowicz, Chief Wheeler, DPW Allen and VAC Booth. Absent: Trustee Eskew

MAYOR’S COMMENTS: Mayor Hackl mentioned that for the upcoming Corn Festival, Village Hall will be utilized as a cooling area for parade characters, participants and volunteers.

Mayor Hackl stated that the Attorney General’s office has requested a meeting regarding the storage of waste. He will keep the Board updated on the proceedings.

Mayor Hackl explained that the Personnel committee will be meeting on Wednesday, July 9 at 6 pm to go through the applications for the Administrative Assistant and determine the top ten to interview. He would like the interviews to take place this Saturday or as soon as possible. He also stated that the employee evaluations need to be completed and to ask him if any Trustee needed assistance.

And finally, the Air burner has arrived! It was a bit of a hassle to coordinate the delivery but the Village is now in possession of it. Kenny and Terry will receive online training regarding operating procedures the week of July 21.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: Resident, Harold Hawkins, had several questions for the Board; when will the railroad gates be installed? Stephanie Brown answered that it will be next year before that work is completed. The Village will pay an unspecified amount upfront, but will be reimbursed for everything.

He also inquired about the recent relocation of the handicap sign in front of Village Hall. It was done according to USDA guidelines and coincided with the addition of the blue stripes after re-asphalting the parking lot.

Finally, Harold wondered if the Village had donated to this year’s fireworks display at the Sportsman’s Club. No, there was no donation request received this year and no, it had nothing to do with the Warrensburg sign placement issue.

NEW BUSINESS: None

ENGINEER: None

REVIEW/APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A motion was made by Trustee Netherton, seconded by Trustee Bons to approve the minutes of the June 16, 2025 regular meeting. Motion carried. The approval of the June 23 minutes was not on the agenda and therefore, will be approved at the next meeting.

VILLAGE ADMINISTRATIVE CLERK: Trustee Bons moved and Trustee Netherton seconded to approve the balance sheet, pay the bills and make the appropriate transfers for July 7, 2025.

VAC Booth mentioned that the bills included all of the final Cornfest invoices. Those invoices include everything from the payments for the Bands to petty cash to pay for all of the contest prizes, etc. There are a few checks that will be last minute (for the alcohol and beer trailer deposit). Those will created when the alcohol is delivered.

VAC Booth explained that she is working with the auditors now and has utilized the accountant from LOCiS to assist with some of their questions.

Roll Call Vote: Yes – Trustees Netherton, Fisher, Bons and Davis.

No – none. Motion carried.

VAC Booth explained that she will be going back to Pawnee for the second part of the LOCiS Accounting seminar, instead of traveling to Sesser. As a result, the office will be closed on July 17, the first day of the Cornfest. She requested that a member of the Cornfest committee be present to direct vendors and other traffic.

FINANCE: Trustee Netherton stated that it would be a good idea to add Trustee Davis to the authorized signature card before the Cornfest. VAC Booth will advise Buena Vista Bank to prepare the paperwork to add Trustee Davis as an authorized signature for the checks and ensure that it is completed before July 17.

BUILDING: Trustee Netherton discussed the estimates obtained for professional cleaning services for Village Hall. The current contract has expired with BClean Housekeeping and they have raised their rates to $175 per month. Trustee Netherton contacted 6 companies and only one responded. It is a new business in Warrensburg, called Hickory Point Cleaning. Their rate is $90/cleaning and they supply all of the cleaning supplies. They can also perform semi-annual cleaning of the windows and carpets for a separate charge but all carpet touch ups are included. Trustee Netherton made a motion to accept the bid for $180 per month (for 2 cleanings) from Hickory Point Cleaning, seconded by Trustee Davis.

Trustee Fisher inquired if the duties and estimate are comparable to BClean. Trustee Netherton stated that Hickory Point will perform additional tasks, such as cleaning the popcorn machine and scrubbing the hard water stains from the toilets, included in their estimate.

Attorney Jankowicz stated that the wording is unclear as to if the cleaning being performed is semi-monthly or twice a month. He suggested that the contract state more specifically that the cleaning should be done before the first and third Monday of each month.

Trustee Bons wished to make it clear if the estimates were “apples to apples” with BClean Housekeeping. Trustee Netherton again expressed that Hickory Point Cleaning will be performing a few extra duties as well as provide all of the cleaning supplies.

Trustee Bons suggested that the contract should include a more detailed expectation of duties.

Roll Call Vote: Yes – Trustees Netherton, Davis and Bons. Abstain: Trustee Fisher

No – none. Motion carried.

Trustee Netherton presented the estimates for improvements to the Village Hall; work to be performed on both the inside and the outside. He was hoping to have the work completed before the Corn Festival but that will not be possible. The 3 estimates were discussed and Trustee Netherton explained that the committee recommends the bid from Mike Costello because they will be performing a lot more work than the other 2 companies, for less money plus Costello also provides a 10-year warranty to all of his work.

Trustee Netherton made a motion to accept the bid for $21,600 from Mike Costello Construction for reconditioning Village Hall, seconded by Trustee Davis.

Trustee Fisher asked where the money would come from to pay for the work. Trustee Netherton suggested that the cost be split 3 ways; $7000 from Water, $7000 from Sewer and $7600 from General – more specifically, the Windmill fund.

Trustee Bons inquired about the designated use of the Windmill fund as he is new to the Board. Mayor Hackl explained that it is used for the betterment of the community.

Trustee Netherton stated that this would be the last large project that he brings before the Board but it is necessary in order to maintain all of the Village buildings.

Roll Call Vote: Yes – Trustees Netherton, Bons and Davis. Abstain: Trustee Fisher

No – none. Motion carried.

Trustee Netherton also updated the Board on the Warrensburg signs. 3 businesses have already contracted and paid for the advertising blocks and Trustee Netherton anticipates that several more businesses will agree to advertise on the signs. Trustee Netherton suggested that the Village create a “Sign Maintenance” account (or at least a line item on the bills and transfers sheet) that all funds for repairs and improvements will come out of. All payments for advertising will also be filtered into this account.

Trustee Netherton will follow up with VAC Booth regarding the Ordinance violations and the letters that will need to written.

POLICE: Chief Wheeler presented his monthly report for June.

Mayor Hackl asked for an update on the placement of the digital sign. It was in front of the police department but has now been moved to Warren Street. It will be flipped to monitor traffic in the opposite direction and supplies data daily to the police department. There are approximately 100 cars that travel that Street per day at an average of 30 miles per hour.

The number of issued citations has increased due to concentrating patrol duties on certain roads in town

Chief Wheeler reported no issues or complaints over the 4th of July holiday weekend this year.

Chief Wheeler also explained that the onboarding and training of SRO Butts has begun.

SEWER: Nothing.

STREETS: Nothing

WATER: Nothing

PUBLIC WORKS: Nothing

VILLAGE ATTORNEY: Attorney Jankowicz mentioned that his monthly fee was higher this month due to the extra time and preparation of documents for the new business that will soon occupy the former Crown, Cork and Seal property.

Attorney Jankowicz also discussed the Appropriation Ordinance. He has distributed copies of last year’s Ordinance to every Trustee and requested that each Trustee contact Christal if they would like to make any changes to their department. He stated that the Appropriation Ordinance will be adopted at the next meeting.

OTHER AND/OR OLD BUSINESS: There was a brief discussion regarding closed session minutes and determining which ones can be opened. The minutes will be reviewed soon for this to be accomplished.

Mayor Hackl also suggested that the Board needs to determine a 5- and 10-year plan for each department and therefore, the Village will be prepared when grants become available.

Mayor Hackl asked Attorney Jankowicz if he could declare a “no burn” statement if it continues to be very dry. Discussion followed to determine the best way to notify residents of the “no burn” restrictions. Attorney Jankowicz suggested that it would be a good idea to adopt an Ordinance at the next meeting.

Harold inquired about the asbestos case against the Village and Attorney Jankowicz stated that it is still on-going. He also asked if anyone has expressed an interest in the open Streets seat – not at this time.

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

The meeting adjourned at 6:54 PM.

The next regular meeting will be on Monday, July 21, 2025 @ 5:30 PM.

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