East Central Reporter

Village of Arthur Board of Trustees met April 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

A regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Arthur, Illinois, was held on Monday, April 21, 2025, in the Village Board Room. Village President Rod Randall called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Roll call was answered by Trustees Matt Bernius, Mike Hilgenberg, Isai Gutierrez, Jim Fleming, and Christy Bernius. Trustee Dave Tiffan was absent.

Pledge of Allegiances

President Randall asked J. Fleming to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

Public Comment

Visitors present were Kurt Hall, Lamar Miller, Amy Strong, and Stephanie Wierman.

Consent Agenda

C. Bernius made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda including the April 7, 2025 Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Minutes; the April 7, 2025 Board of Trustees Executive Session Minutes; the April 17, 2025 HR & Finance Joint Committee Meeting Minutes; the April 17, 2025 HR & Finance Joint Committee Executive Session Minutes; and the March 2025 Leak Adjustment Report. M. Bernius seconded. All Trustees voted YEA.

Approval of Expenditures

M. Hilgenberg made a motion to approve expenditures in the amount of $30,834.43. C. Bernius seconded. All Trustees voted YEA.

Village President Comments and Announcements

President Randall thanked the Board members for the work accomplished at the April 17 HR & Finance joint committees meeting.

Trustees' Reports

J. Fleming noted that this is his last full meeting as a Village Trustee. He thanked the Trustees and Village employees, especially the department heads, for making the role of Trustee an enjoyable one.

Chief of Police Report

Police Chief Elliott Tinnon provided reports from the Police Department. He thanked J. Fleming for the work he has done on the Village Board. Police Chief Tinnon also gave an update on vehicle maintenance and conditions.

Public Works Supervisor's Report

Grant Corum provided monthly reports for the Public Works department. Grant gave updates on current projects including summer mowing and the Ni-Co work on Vine Street. He noted that Caleb Corum started working in the water plant with Mike Ellsberry several hours a day. Grant has been working with J & K to begin the removal of noxious weeds.

Comptroller's Report

Village Comptroller Erica Carter was absent.

Village Attorney Report

Village Attorney Kenny Crossman noted that a Zoning Board meeting will be held on May 1. He also reported that President Randall negotiated a price of $220,000.00 from American Tower for the purchase of the tower site. Kenny will review the contract and draw up an Ordinance to be brought to the Board for discussion and action.

Unfinished Business

none

New Business

1. Stephanie Wierman presented the Board with street closure requests for Strawberry Jam (May 16-17) and the Arthur Cheese Festival (August 30-September 1). Street closure requests were the same as in previous years. J. Fleming made a motion to approve the Arthur Area Association of Commerce street closures and miscellaneous associated event requests. M. Hilgenberg seconded. All Trustees voted YEA.

2. M. Bernius made a motion to approve the CHI request for closures of Sunrise Drive and Sherwood Drive for a 5K run to be held on May 17, 2025. I. Gutierrez seconded. All Trustees voted YEA.

3. President Randall presented some revisions to the Village Leaf, Limb, and Landscape Removal Policy. The Village will pick up grass clippings curbside if they are properly bagged. No plastic bags will be permitted. Grass clippings will also be accepted at the collection site south of Spruce Street. I. Gutierrez made a motion to approve the revisions to the Village Leaf, Limb, and Landscape Removal Policy. M. Hilgenberg seconded. All Trustees voted YEA.

4. President Randall provided information regarding a 5% Water & Sewer rate increase. This increase would add $1.47 to the minimum water bill. M. Bernius made a motion to approve Ordinance 04-21A-2025: An Ordinance increasing the Village of Arthur Water & Sewer Rates by 5% effective June 1, 2025. J. Fleming seconded. All Trustees voted YEA.

5. C. Bernius made a motion to enter Executive Session (5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(1).) The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body. M. Hilgenberg seconded. All Trustees voted YEA.

C. Bernius made a motion to return to Open Session. J. Fleming seconded. All Trustees voted YEA.

6. M. Bernius made a motion to approve revisions to the Personnel Manual. I. Gutierrez seconded. All Trustees voted YEA.

7. A document outlining the Municipal Office operations was presented and discussed. I. Gutierrez made a motion to approve the Municipal Office Operations. J. Fleming seconded. All Trustees voted YEA.

8. I. Gutierrez made a motion to approve the revised pay matrices and FY 2025-2026 Employee Payroll Schedule. C. Bernius seconded. All Trustees voted YEA.

9. President Randall presented the FY 2025-2026 budget. Chief Tinnon went through the Police Department budget. Grant Corum went through the Street Budget and the Water & Sewer Budget. J. Fleming made a motion to approve the FY 2025-2026 Budget Proposal. I. Gutierrez seconded. All Trustees voted YEA.

General Discussion

Grant Corum noted a Water & Sewer committee meeting needs to be scheduled during the first week of May.

Adjourn

M. Bernius made a motion to adjourn. I. Gutierrez seconded. All Trustees voted YEA. President Randall adjourned the meeting at 7:34pm.

https://arthur-il.gov/file/1083/4-21-25%20Meeting%20Minutes.pdf