Will County Gazette

Village of Crete President and Board of Trustees met Sept. 23.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Clerk Bachert opened the meeting with the Roll Call at 7 p.m.

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

Also in attendance: Administrator Michael Smith, Police Chief Scott Pieritz, Fire Chief Neal Haemker, Code Enforcement Supervisor Ryan Allison and Planning and Zoning Chairperson Karen Tellef.

A motion was made to appoint Mark Wiater as President Pro Tem for the board meeting.

Motion: Trustee Holly Milburn

Second: Trustee Katrina Seifert

Ayes (5) Trustees Bruns, Milburn, Phelan, Seifert, Wiater Nays (0) none Absent (2) President Einhorn and Trustee Johnson

Motion declared carried.

Abstain (0) none

President Pro Tem Mark Wiater asked for a moment of silence to remember two persons who passed this week. Steve Braun, a Crete Park District Employee and the Steger Village President Ken Peterson. We are saddened by these losses and extend condolences to their families.

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, September 23, 2024, at 7:02 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.

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.

• Betsy Janicki, Crete Chamber President, and Jamie Healy, Crete Chamber Vice President, presented a check to EMA in appreciation of all their help during the Market and Cruise Nights this season.

• Janel Geary and Jamie Healy representatives of the Crete Park District were present to express their appreciation of community support during the challenging times of the weekend. It was noted the assistance from the Crete Fire Department and their Chaplain Pastor Italiano and Village Trustees was truly amazing.

• Ryan Allison presented a Power Point about EMA. He explained the uses of their equipment and that their work force consists of 10-20 dedicated volunteers. The presentation took approximately 20 minutes. Police Chief Pieritz and Fire Chief Haemker offered praise to the EMA group, thanking him for his dedication to his position in the Village.

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 - September 9, 2024

• Approval of Bills September 9, 2024 thru September 20, 2024

• Ratification of Payroll - Bi-weekly payroll ending September 18, 2024

A motion was made to move to the Consent Agenda New Business Item #1: Ordinance 2024-18: An Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Surplus Personal Property, to wit: 2013 Ford Taurus, VIN #1FAHP2M84DG132157, Mileage 143,808; Item # 2: Ordinance No. 2024-19: An Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Surplus Personal Property, to wit: 2013 Ford Taurus, VIN #1FAHP2M82DG132156, Mileage 131,232 and Item # 3: Ordinance No. 2024-20: An Ordinance Authorizing the Donation of Surplus Personal Property, to wit: 2011 Ford F-150 Truck, VIN# 1FTFW1EF9BFC46315. Mileage 179,356.

Motion: Trustee Holly Milburn

Second: Trustee Katrina Seifert

Ayes (5) Trustees Bruns, Milburn, Phelan, Seifert, Wiater

Nays (0) none

Abstain (0) none

Motion declared carried.

Absent (2) President Einhorn and Trustee Johnson

Trustee Milburn approved the bills of Trustee Johnson, Water Department.

In accordance with an opinion from the Illinois Attorney General's Office, President Pro Tem Mark Wiater 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 with additions as listed above.

Motion: Trustee Holly Milburn

ON ROLL CALL:

Second: Trustee Katrina Seifert

Ayes (5) Trustees Bruns, Milburn, Phelan, Seifert, Wiater

Nays (0) none

Abstain (0) none

Absent (2) President Einhorn and Trustee Johnson

Motion declared carried.

REPORTS: PRESIDENT AND TRUSTEES:

Public Health - Trustee Katrina Seifert

• Pet Inoculation Day went well. It was held at the EMA Building on Exchange Street. 47 pets received shots and 14 received tags.

• Thanked the Crete Park District for Acorn Fest events. Her family thoroughly enjoyed the event.

Water Department - Trustee Stephen Johnson - absent; no report

Road and Bridge - Trustee Steve Bruns - no report

Building and Grounds - Trustee John Phelan

• Reported his wife has cleaned up the summer flowers and has planted some fall items. John has seeds from the flowers removed by Fitness Premier. Contact him if you want seeds.

Finance, License and Ordinance - Trustee Mark Wiater

• An IGA (Intergovernmental Agreement) is being drawn up for Crete Country Christmas.

• A fundraiser will be held at Smokey Joes in Crete on October 15th to benefit Crete Country Christmas events.

Public Safety - Trustee Holly Milburn

• Warned people not to fall for scams. She has received a letter by mail asking for donations to the police department. Our department was not participating in this. Always call the Village office to confirm before sending a donation. Never donate unless you know it is valid.

President Michael Einhorn - absent; no report

COMMITTEE AND DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

Village Administrator - Michael Smith

• Two new businesses are scheduled to open in October 2024. (Integrated Demolition Services on Richton Road and LA Cabana Bar & Grill on Steger Road, formerly known as Northwoods)

Police Department - Chief Scott Pieritz - Report Submitted - see below

• Recruitment Event: Sgt. Konvalinka and Officer Krenner attended a recruitment event at Kankakee Community College on 9/19/24. Several years ago, we started a proactive recruitment/retention program which included attending/participating in these events, engaging with potential employees, investing in our own officers (favorable contract, training, equipment, wellness programs, etc..), and starting an internship program. This program has been very success and thankfully we are currently fully staffed. We will continue to be proactive in our recruitment efforts for future positions.

• Crete Pantry Food Drive: I recently saw a Facebook post from the Crete Food Pantry asking for assistance in restocking their shelves. As in years past, we fully support the pantry and have placed a collection box in our lobby. We will collect items throughout the month of September.

Chief Scott Pieritz report continued:

• Showing Respect: Sgt. Konvalinka, Officer Stokes, and Lilly attended Deputy Brandon W. Schreiber's (Newton County, Indiana Sheriff's Department) funeral on Friday September 19, 2024 on behalf of our department. Deputy Schreiber was shot and killed in the line of duty on September 11, 2024. Rest in Peace, we have the watch.

• Police Blotter for August: The blotter is posted on "CPD Pieritz" Facebook page

• Press Release: Post-media release on our recent "Labor Day Campaign" through the STEP (Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program) grant. The police department issued (35) citations.

Upcoming Community Policing Events:

October 3- Senior Day at Crete Library-10:00 am to 3:00 pm: The police department is partnering with Crete Library, BNEW4LIFE, Citizens Utility Board, and Will County Sheriff's Office for a presentation to seniors and general public.

October 5- Fall Community Clean-Up Day- 8:30 am to 11:30 am- FREE LUNCH AFTER - Crete Trinity Lutheran Church/ village wide: The police department is back with our fall cleanup day, partnering with Trinity Lutheran Church, Park District and other organizations to help clean-up our community.

Standby for more events this fall: Including Coffee with a Cop at multiple locations and BINGO fundraiser event.

Please go to "CPD Pieritz" or "Crete Police Department" or "Crete Library" Facebook pages for more information including registration for these FREE events.

Police Incident Information/Facebook Post:

On Friday September 13th, Crete Police Officers were monitoring ISPERN (State Police Radio) communication of a stolen vehicle being tracked by a Chicago police helicopter headed in our direction. Other police agencies began to pursue the vehicle into our town. Our department assisted as the vehicle fled southbound IL Rt 394. At Richton Road, the vehicle turned westbound, turning off its lights, and driving erratically. The vehicle then turned southbound onto Eaglenest Drive (near Bible League), increased speeds, and crashed into the cornfield at the dead end road (traveling approximately 1600 feet into the field). A perimeter was set up and a search was conducted. The offender was not located at this time. The vehicle was towed for Chicago Police Department. Nothing further at this time.

Fire Department - Administrator Neal Haemker

• The Fire Station on Benton Street is back in service after renovations.

• Has been working extensively with Will County 911 system

Superintendent of Public Works - Justin Pancrazio - absent; Report submitted

• Mike Smith reported for Supt Pancrazio:

- Valve work on the water tower is complete; Chlorinating scheduled for next week.

- The Beckwith Well Association wells are now turned off; The wells must be capped by the association.

- Flushing will begin after the water tower is fully online.

Building Department - Building Inspector Mike Smith - Report submitted

Code Enforcement - Code Enforcement Supervisor Ryan Allison - report submitted

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

EMA - Ryan Allison - report submitted

Animal Control/Code Enforcement Officer - Katelyn Tieri

Planning Commission - Karen Tellef - absent; no report

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

Media Consultant - Nick Borrell - absent; no report

COMMUNICATIONS:

1. Reminder: The Consolidated Election is April 1, 2025. Five positions on the Village Board are to be voted upon. They are Village President, Village Clerk and three Village Trustee positions. Petition circulation begins August 20th, 2024 and the Petition Packets are available at the Village Hall.

2. Received notification the Girl Scout Troop 65803 will be attending the October 14, 2024 Village Board Meeting.

3. Notification of a public hearing scheduled for October 1st at 6:30 p.m. was received for vacant property located at S. Rincker Road, Crete Township. The owner is James M Powell. He is requesting a Map Amendment from C-6 to A-1; variance for lot frontage from 300 feet to 0 feet; and a variance for minimum street setback from the centerline of the road from 100 feet to 60 feet. If there are questions, contact Ashlyn Kirby, Will County Land Use, at (815) 774-7905.

4. Letter of notification received from Salvation Army requesting Red Kettle Campaign: Monday through Saturday, November 1st - December 24th, 2024. Board action may be taken.

5. Crete-Monee High School is seeking partnerships with community-minded employers and organizations to provide our students with meaningful opportunities for growth and development.

OLD BUSINESS:

1. Discussion on possible modification to Accessory Buildings (Sheds) Ordinance. Board action may be taken.

Per suggestion of Trustee Phelan, the item above will be considered at the next board meeting, allowing time for Trustee Milburn to review documentation.

2. Discussion on possible creation of an Honorary Street Naming Program. Board action may be taken.

Per Trustee Phelan, the consideration of honorary street signs was heard. Trustee Phelan will check with the attorney's office for clarification on what type of resolution or ordinance will be needed to enforce these signs.

On an additional matter, it was mentioned the use of light pole banners in other villages to be pleasing.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Ordinance 2024-18: An Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Surplus Personal Property, to wit: 2013 Ford Taurus, VIN #1FAHP2M84DG132157, Mileage 143,808. Board action may be taken.

2. Ordinance No. 2024-19: An Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Surplus Personal Property, to wit: 2013 Ford Taurus, VIN #1 FAHP2M82DG132156, Mileage 131,232. Board action may be taken.

3. Ordinance No. 2024-20: An Ordinance Authorizing the Donation of Surplus Personal Property, to wit: 2011 Ford F-150 Truck, VIN# 1FTFW1EF9BFC46315. Mileage 179,356. Board action may be taken. Note: This truck is needing approximately $4000.00 worth of repairs.

New Business Items #1, 2 & 3 were moved to the Consent Agenda.

4. Recommendation from the Plan Commission on the proposed text amendment regarding outdoor storage in I-1 Industrial Districts. Board action may be taken.

Administrator Smith suggested the change of the word variance in the proposed ordinance to be written as Special Use Permit.

5. Draft of an Ordinance 2024-21: An Ordinance amending Section 28-259 of the Village of Crete Zoning Ordinance to permit Outdoor storage within required yards in the I-1 (Limited Industrial) District. Board action may be taken.

A motion was made to adopt Ordinance 2024-21: An Ordinance amending Section 28-259 of the Village of Crete Zoning Ordinance to permit Outdoor storage within required yards in the I-1 (Limited Industrial) District with the use of the term Special Use rather than Variance.

Motion: Trustee Katrina Seifert

Second: Trustee Steve Bruns

ON ROLL CALL:

Ayes (5) Trustees Bruns, Milburn, Phelan, Seifert, Wiater

Nays (0) none

Abstain (0) none

Motion declared carried.

Absent (2) President Einhorn and Trustee Johnson

EXECUTIVE SESSION: No session was held.

ADJOURNMENT:

As there was no further business to come before the board, a motion was made to declare the meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Motion: Trustee Holly Milburn

Second: Trustee Steve Bruns

Ayes (5) Trustees Bruns, Milburn, Phelan, Seifert, Wiater

Nays (0) none

Absent (2) President Einhorn and Trustee Johnson

Abstain (0) none

Motion declared carried.

https://villageofcrete.org/agendas-and-minutes-library/