Will County Gazette

Village of Crete President and Board of Trustees met June 24.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Clerk Bachert opened the meeting with the Roll Call.

The following were present in the municipal building: Trustees Steve Bruns, Stephen Johnson, Holly Milburn, John Phelan, Katrina Seifert, and Mark Wiater. President Michael Einhorn was absent. A quorum was present.

Also in attendance: Administrator Michael Smith, Village Attorney Mike Santschi, Planning and Zoning Chairperson Karen Tellef and Nick Borrell, Videographer.

A motion was made to elect Mark Wiater as President Pro Tem for the board meeting. Motion: Trustee Holly Milburn

Second: Trustee Stephen Johnson Ayes (6) Trustees Bruns, Johnson, Milburn, Phelan, Seifert, Wiater

Nays (0) none

Absent (1) President Einhorn

Abstain (0) none

Motion declared carried.

REGULAR BOARD MEETING:

President Pro Tem Mark Wiater called to order the regular board meeting of the President and the Board of Trustees of the Village of Crete on Monday, June 24, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. and led those assembled in the Village of Crete Municipal Building, 524 W. Exchange St, Crete, Illinois in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

President Pro Tem Mark Wiater explained President Michael Einhorn is currently in a downtown hospital receiving treatment for an illness. He visited with him on Sunday evening and he is feeling well, is in good spirits, and is looking forward to a speedy recovery.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES:

STEVEN BRUNS STEPHEN E. JOHNSON

HOLLY MILBURN JOHN PHELAN

KATRINA SEIFERT

MARK WIATER

CITIZEN'S SPEAK

Visitors are always welcome to all public meetings of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Crete. Interested parties wishing to speak should identify their intent to speak, they then may give their name and where they reside if they so choose and then make their comment. Persons may also provide their address privately to the Village Clerk if they so choose; persons are advised that addresses are considered private information under the Freedom of Information Act and thus are exempt from disclosure pursuant to any Freedom of Information Act request. However, to give proper consideration to all items on the agenda, the President has the authority to limit participants in debates and will close repetitive or abusive remarks. In addition, public comment rules are posted in the board room.

A motion was made to appoint Ken Wilkens as Assistant Fire Chief.

Motion: Trustee Holly Milburn

Second: Trustee Stephen Johnson

Ayes (6) Trustees Bruns, Johnson, Milburn, Phelan, Seifert, and President Pro Tem Wiater

Nays (0) none

Absent (1) President Einhorn

Abstain (0) none Motion declared carried.

Oath of Office for Assistant Fire Chief - Kenneth Wilkens

Clerk Bachert administered the oath of office to Ken Wilkens.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Special orders

UNANIMOUS CONSENT AGENDA

All items on the Consent Agenda are considered to be routine in nature and will be enacted in one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a board member so requests, in which event, the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and will be considered separately.

Approval of Minutes: Regular Board Meeting - June 10, 2024

Approval of Bills June 10, 2024 thru June 21, 2024

Ratification of Payroll - Bi-weekly payroll ending June 12, 2024

In accordance with an opinion from the Illinois Attorney General's Office, President Einhorn read aloud the items as listed for approval prior to action being taken on the Consent Agenda with brief explanations.

A motion was made to approve the Unanimous Consent Agenda as presented.

Motion: Trustee Stephen Johnson

ON ROLL CALL:

Second: Trustee Katrina Seifert

Ayes (6) Trustees Bruns, Johnson, Milburn, Phelan, Seifert, and President Pro Tem Wiater

Nays (0) none

Absent (1) President Einhorn

Abstain (0) none

Motion declared carried.

Page 3 - June 24, 2024 Minutes

REPORTS: PRESIDENT AND TRUSTEES:

Public Health - Trustee Katrina Seifert - no report

Water Department - Trustee Stephen Johnson - no report

Road and Bridge - Trustee Steve Bruns - no report

Building and Grounds - Trustee John Phelan - no report

Finance, License and Ordinance - Trustee Mark Wiater

Was chairperson of the liquor hearing held on Friday June 21st at 3 pm. Both applicants were approved. One was for a new business, La Cabana Sports Bar and Grill at 968 E. Steger Road and the other for Richie's Sports Bar and Grill at 1361 Benton Street.

Public Safety - Trustee Holly Milburn

Asked all trustees and staff members to check the website for changes or corrections that may be needed from time to time.

President Michael Einhorn - absent

COMMITTEE AND DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

Village Administrator - Michael Smith -

The water main on Beckwith will be chlorinated on Tuesday, June 25th. Things are progressing with the work being done and are nearing completion.

Road work throughout the Village will be started soon. Signs are in place.

McDonalds plans to re-open this Friday, June 28th. Their construction is completed after a complete rebuild.

Police Department - Chief Scott Pieritz - Report Submitted

Summary of the report:

SRO Taylor participated in the race at the Grundy County Speedway on June 15th. This annual event is in support of Special Olympics and draws a large crowd. The village donated an old squad to Special Olympics. A big thanks to DPW who builds/prepares the donated squad every year for the race. In addition, big thanks to SRO Taylor, our community, and local businesses who show great support for this event. Crete Police Department raised $6300 for this event. Overall, $185,000 was raised for Illinois Special Olympics by all participating police departments, their businesses, and supporters of the event!

On Saturday June 15th, The Crete-Monee School District partnered with other entities to have a "Freedom Walk" and the event celebrating Juneteenth.

Big thanks to Michelle Calderone for stopping by the department to drop off a donation from her Special Athletics Department towards Crete Police Departments Special Olympics fundraising efforts. Michelle and the Crete Police department have a close relationship and partnership in Special Olympics, working together throughout the year to organize, plan, and raise money for this great program and great athletes!

Officer Stokes has completed 7 of 16 weeks at The Macon County Police Academy

The CPD has their very first "Clerk Intern," Noelle. Noelle is pursuing a law degree and reached out to us about doing a part time clerk internship.

Chief Pieritz recently met with an FBI Representative from the Orland Park Office. The meeting was about building closer relationships with our departments, resources they could offer, and potential for us to join a joint task force.

Will County Gang/Drug Suppression Unit (GSU): Recently, Chief Pieritz assigned (2) officers back into this unit. They participate on a weekly rotating basis, each working (2) days a month with the unit. CPD has participated in this unit for many years. This is an amazing local (county) resource which provides both training and experience in gang and drug interdiction throughout Will County. In addition, they are part of the Will County SWAT, which Crete has been called out for several incidents. Participation depends on manpower available.

Updating the Sergeant Promotion list: 3 patrol officers participated in the written exam. Interviews will be occurring in the coming weeks.

Page 4 - June 24, 2024 Minutes

COMMITTEE AND DEPARTMENT REPORTS continued:

Fire Department - Administrator Neal Haemker - Absent; no report

Superintendent of Public Works - Justin Pancrazio - Report submitted

The contract for work on the water tower on Richton Road has been signed.

Building Department - Building Inspector Mike Smith - Report submitted

Code Enforcement - Code Enforcement Supervisor Ryan Allison - Absent; no report

Fire & Police Commission -Jim McPhee - Absent; no report

EMA - Ryan Allison - Absent; no report

Animal Control/Code Enforcement Officer - Kaitlyn Tieri - Absent; no report

Planning Commission - Karen Tellef - no report

Heritage & Architecture Commission - Phyllis Monks - Absent; no report

Media Consultant - Nick Borrell - no report

COMMUNICATIONS:

Warrants:

Letter of "thanks" from the Crete Park District to Justin Pancrazio and the Public Works Department for their continued dedication to the community.

IRMA letter of 2023 Recognition for zero accidents by the Village of Crete Fire and Public Works Departments.

A letter was received from the IEPA after their review of the water rate and revenue system, along with other supplementary financial information provided. The review of the water rate and revenue system was approved by IEPA.

Will County Land Use Department sent notification of the Base Unit Price for Will County residential waste being accepted at Prairie View Landfill near Wilmington has been set at $69.23/ton. This price includes all surcharges and fees the operator must pay. Questions may be directed to Dave Hartke at Will County Land Use Department dhartke@willcountylanduse.com or phone: 815-774- 7898.

OLD BUSINESS: No Old Business was discussed.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Ordinance No. 2024-11: An Ordinance Authorizing Tax Increment Financing Agreements between the Village of Crete, Silliker, Inc., and Crete Property Development, LLC. Board action may be taken.

Attorney Michael Santschi spoke about the need for this ordinance to clarify the existing tax increment financing agreements between the Village, Crete Property Development, and Silliker, Inc.

A motion was made to adopt Ordinance 2024-11: An Ordinance Authorizing Tax Increment Financing Agreements between the Village of Crete, Silliker, Inc., and Crete Property Development, LLC. Subject to final legal review and to add the changes in the process.

Motion: Trustee Holly Milburn

ON ROLL CALL:

Second: Trustee Katrina Seifert

Ayes (6) Trustees Bruns, Johnson, Milburn, Phelan, Seifert, and President Pro Tem Wiater

Nays (0) none

Absent (1) President Einhorn

EXECUTIVE SESSION: None held.

Abstain (0) none

Motion declared carried.

ADJOURNMENT:

As there was no further business to come before the board, a motion was made to declare the meeting adjourned at 7:49 p.m.

Motion: Trustee Steve Bruns

Ayes (6) Trustees Bruns, Johnson, Milburn, Phelan, Seifert and President Pro Tem Mark Wiater

Second: Trustee Holly Milburn

Abstain (0) none

Motion declared carried.

Nays (0) none

Absent (1) President Einhorn

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