Macon Reporter

Village of Warrensburg Village Board met Aug. 4.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER: Village President Hackl called the meeting to order at the Warrensburg Village Hall on Monday, August 4, 2025 at 5:30 p.m., reminding everyone that the meeting was being recorded.

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited.

ROLL CALL Present: Village President Hackl; Trustees B. Netherton, S.Bons, C. Eskew, C. Davis, and D.Fisher. Also present were Chief Wheeler, DPW Allen, and Attorney Jankowicz. Village Administrative Clerk Booth was absent.

MAYOR’S COMMENTS: President Hackl reminded the board that approximately three years ago, the Village had created a contribution fund as a result of the Thanksgiving shooting. He thought it would be a good idea to open such of an account for the benefit of the Dalluges. Trustee Bons asked if the purpose of the account would be for community contributions. President Hackl responded ‘yes’. Trustee D. Fisher moved to open an account for community contributions on behalf of the Dalluge family. D. Netherton seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the Trustees voted as follows: ‘Yes’ – Trustees Bons, Eskew, Davis, Fisher, and Netherton; ‘No’ – None. Motion carried unanimously.

President Hackl stated that the Police Department had received compliments for its performance during the CornFest and at Sunday’s car show and wanted the Police Department and the Board to be aware of the compliments received.

President Hackl advised the Board that he had met with the Attorney General’s Office last Wednesday to discuss the letter. He thought that the letter which was initially received by the Village was not clear. DPW Allen stated that usually about 75% of Villages at this time of year, get the same type of letter from the Attorney General’s Office concerning suspended solids being over the limits on its sewer plants. He thought it helped communities get funding to receive such a letter. The Village was going to create a five-year plan. In addition, the Village was advised that it had 30 days to respond in writing. DPW Allen stated that he had responded in writing the next day. Attorney Jankowicsz suggested that communications between the Village and the Attorney General’s Office be distributed to all trustees.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: Randy Phipps, with the Decatur Public Transit System, indicated that in approximately one week a new program, “Decatur Moves”, would begin to provide an affordable, shared ride micro transit service connecting individuals to work, school, shopping and more on the rider’s schedule. In about a month, the same program would start up in the County. If the Decatur Moves app was used by the rider, there is a promo code for a limited time, which would make five free rides available. After that, prices would start at $2.00 for urban rides and $5.00 for rural rides. This is a federally funded program with vehicles being wheelchair accessible. Riders would need to give at least a one-hour notice for the share ride service. The potential exists after initial commencement of hours of 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. to be extended later. He distributed pamphlets outlining the program.

NEW BUSINESS: Nothing.

ENGINEERS: Nothing.

REVIEW/APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A motion was made by B.Netherton and seconded by C. Eskew to approve the minutes of the July 21, 2025 regular meeting. On voice vote, motion carried unanimously.

VILLAGE ADMINISTRATIVE CLERK: S. Bons moved and B. Netherton seconded the motion to approve the balance sheet, pay the bills, and make the appropriate transfers for August 4, 2025. In the absence of Christ Booth, C. Eskew advised the Board that there was nothing out of the ordinary in the report. D. Fisher asked about “reimbursement to the Village for CornFest expenditures”. It was explained that all the funds are held in the Village of Warrensburg accounts and so expenses are paid out of the Village account and deposits are made into the Village account. S. Bons inquired about the SKS bill and it was explained that it was the survey work for the location of Village right of ways. President Hackl explained that Ameren had a new Forestry Director. There seemed to be some lack of clarity on the crew’s part about knowing which trees to cut and President Hackl said he would communicate with the Director to make sure that he appropriate trees were removed. There being no discussion, on roll call vote, the trustees voted as follows: ‘Yes” – B. Netherton, D. Fisher, S. Bons, C. Eskew, and C. Davis; ‘No’ – None; Motion carried unanimously.

FINANCE: C. Eskew moved for the Board to go into closed session at the end of open session to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of an employee, pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1). S. Bons Seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the Trustees voted as follows: ‘Yes” – C. Davis, D. Fisher, S. Bons, C. Eskew, and B. Netherton; ‘No’ – None. Motion carried unanimously.

BUILDING: Nothing.

POLICE: D. Fisher moved to go into closed session at the end of the open session to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of an employee, pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1). C. Eskew seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the Trustees voted as follows: ‘Yes’ – S. Bons, C. Eskew, D. Fisher, B. Netherton and C. Davis; ‘No’ – None. Motion carried unanimously.

Police Chief Wheeler presented his monthly report and answered questions about it. In addition, he reported that the 2016 Ford Squad car had experienced an air conditioning outage during the intense heat. The vehicle was taken to Mangold Ford in Clinton. The repairs were essential and amounted to $1993.57. Lastly, Memorial services were scheduled for the Dalluges on August 9, 2025. Chief Wheeler also reported that Officer Butts would begin his work as the SRO at school next week with teacher in service days and evening open houses. Thereafter, he would begin school hours work when school opened on Thursday.

SEWER: S. Bons moved and C. Davis seconded the motion to adopt Ordinance No. 818, addressing grease traps and interceptors. S. Bons reported the committee had reviewed the proposed ordinance and had a number of suggestions. After discussion, the board agreed on the suggested changes and directed Attorney Jankowicz to have a finalized ordinance prepared at the next meeting. Accordingly, D. Fisher moved to table approval of Ordinance No. 818 to the August 18, 2025 meeting and B. Netherton seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the Trustees voted as follows: ‘Yes’ – B. Netherton, C. Davis, D. Fisher, S. Bons, C. Eskew: ‘No’ – None. Motion carried unanimously.

STREETS: DPW reported that barring rain, oil and chipping of the streets would begin on Monday, August 11, 2025. Notices had been provided to the community.

WATER: It was brought to the board’s attention that the Fire Department was currently being charged $25.00 per month for water and many board members believed that the Fire Department should not be billed for water usage. D. Fisher suggested that requirements of the USDA loan mandated that the Village could not provide free water. Attorney Jankowicz thought that D. Fisher might be correct about the loan and indicated he would attempt to review the loan documents and report back at the next board meeting.

PUBLIC WORKS: Nothing.

VILLAGE ATTORNEY: Attorney J. Jankowicz reported to the board that he would have a no -burn ordinance ready for the board to review and consider adoption of the ordinance at the next board meeting.

OTHER AND/OR OLD BUSINESS: Village resident Harold Hawkins told the board that they should be aware that it was difficult and at times impossible for members of the public to hear what the trustees were saying. He felt that the board should take care to direct the comments not only to each other, but to the public so the public could be informed.

At 6:42 p.m., the board returned into closed session number 1 and number 2.

At 7:36 p.m., the board moved from closed sessions. Trustee D. Fisher moved and Trustee C. Eskew seconded the motion to hire Megan Keppler as the Village Administrative Clerk, on the terms and conditions of employment as described and discussed in closed session. On roll count vote, the Trustees voted as follows: ‘Yes’ – C. Eskew, B. Netherton, C. Davis, D. Fisher, S. Bons, ‘No’ – None. Motion carried unanimously.

Following the vote, President Hackl administered the oath of office to Megan Keppler and the board welcomed her as the new Village Administrative Clerk.

President Hackl reported there was no further business to come before the Board. Trustee C. Eskew moved to adjourn. B. Netherton seconded the motion to leave. Upon voice vote, all Trustees voted ‘Yes’. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.

The next regular meeting will be Monday, August 18, 2025 at 5:30 p.m.

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