Will County Gazette

City of Braidwood City Council met May 27.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Call to Order: The Regular Meeting of the Braidwood City Council on May 27, 2025 was called to order at 7:00 p.m., by Mayor Lyons in the Council Chambers of the Braidwood City Hall.

Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Lyons requested all rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call: Upon Roll Call by the Clerk, the following members of the corporate authorities answered "Here" or "Present";

Elected Officials:

Present: Commissioner Dixon, Commissioner Walsh, Commissioner Mikel, and Mayor Lyons

Absent: Commissioner Wietting

Appointed Officials:

Present: City Clerk Weaver and City Attorney Wellner

Absent: City Engineer Sean Kelly

Quorum: There being sufficient members of the corporate authorities in attendance to constitute a quorum, the meeting was declared in order.

Public Comment: Robin Gacke; W. 1st Street: I have lived here for over 23 years and have raised Beagles, in that time three of my dogs have died at age 10 from cancer. I have another one that turned 10 and has two tumors. I spoke with the vet that I live near the power plant and he informed me that I should investigate that. My first dog lived to be 19 but I did not live here then. I want to know how the power plant is regulated. This is scaring me.

Marylu Jensen; W. Eureka: Please enter this letter into this meeting as an official inquiry into the pursuant facts related to the Data Center to be built and utilized located at the intersection of I-55 and Kennedy Road. My main concerns, which need facts are: EMF, electromagnetic field's effects upon all life forms within and without of the city limits, because it would broadcast out further than what our city limits are. The amount of water needed for said facility and the method used to bring it to and take it from the said facility. Who pays for the new water lines? Will this water be then circulated into the city water for living consumption? How will it be made potable? From where will electricity be generated? What impact will be upon city inhabitants? As advertised, this will bring in a multitude of workers. How is this an advantage to this community? What will be the reality for those who live close or far from the facility? Example: Will light intrude upon family's night? How much of a humming noise will we be expected to accept? Respectfully. I suggest the council look at other Data Centers and the affects it is having upon its community, specifically, the oldest ones are probably in Texas.

Approval of Minutes: Commissioner Walsh made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Mikel, to approve the meeting minutes from the May 13, 2025 Regular Council Meeting. Motion carried with 4 ayes: 0 nays; 0 Abstain (Walsh, Mikel Dixon, and Lyons)

Mayor's Report: I attended the Memorial Day Ceremony across the street yesterday. The Reed-Custer High School Band performed along with the High School Madrigals and Middle School Band. Will County Executive, Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, was there and gave a nice speech, along with Karen Hart was there and gave a nice speech. It was a nice ceremony.

I would like to acknowledge our athletes, we have had a lot success with past and present students. Reed- Custer High School, Sophia Burciaga was crowned State Champion in the Pole Vault, Alyyiss Wallenzien placed 9th in the 300-meter hurdles. We also had Margaret Dockery Mady Meyer, Brock Billingsley, Alex Bielfiedt qualified for the IHSA Bass Fishing State Tournament. In the Middle School, Payton Pivonka earned 2nd place in both the 400m and 800m races, she double-medaled. Bryce Lamb took 3rd place in the Pole Vault. The 8th grade girls 4x400 relay team were crowned State Champs, Isabell Dixon, Sophia Dixon, Payton Pivonka, Aubrey Bobzin; alternate; Avery Vanek and Sarah Urban. The 8th grade girls 4x200 relay team placed 8th; Sarah Urban, Sophia Dixon, Isabella Dixon, and Aubrey Bobzin; alternate, Avery Vanek. Some alumni are Jake McPherson is representing Reed-Custer at the Joliet Junior College Baseball World Series. Bret Headrick was recently called up to the New York Yankees and pitched an inning without allowing a single hit or run. We're proud of our student athletes and wanted to recognize them at a board meeting.

Requesting a motion to approve Ordinance 25-26. Commissioner Dixon made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Mikel, to approve Ordinance 25-26 Authorizing the City of Braidwood to enter into and for the Mayor of Braidwood to execute a Consulting Services Agreement with Gulden and Associates Consulting, LLC. I went with a consultant for our City Administrator because we are only elected for a two-year term. When I was interviewing people with experience and education, they were requesting a large amount of money because of how their pension is figured. I came across Steve Gulden and was from 2003-2013 he was part of the Romeoville Parks and Recreation, then he was their City Administrator. He is a consulting firm that will help for a short-term interim basis and will help find a city administrator. Since this is a two-year term and we are already a month in we have negotiated a pay of $90 an hour but the maximum amount is 30 hours a week with no other benefits. We thought this would be a good fit and he comes highly recommended. There is fuel stipend of $100 a month. We did do a cost comparison with our past administrator, Coal City, Wilmington, and Peotone. Since there is no other benefits, it keeps the cost down. It's one of the reasons of why we have it as an interim.

Attorney Wellner: It's worth noting that if we do find a permanent city administrator, we can withdraw from the contract with a 30-day notice with no buy-out.

Administrator Report: None.

City Clerk Report: Weaver: The First Presbyterian Church is hosting the annual Garage Sale Days. There is still time left if you would like to register. Please drop off the registration form and $8 to the church if you would like to be put on the map. There are registration forms here in the hallway. The final day to register is June 8th at noon. The all town garage sales days are Friday, June 13 and Saturday, June 14.

Engineer Report: Absent

City Attorney Report: No report.

Accounts & Finance Report: Commissioner Dixon made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Walsh, to approve the Payment of Bills, in the amount of $96,366.34 as identified in the Accounts Payable

General Ledger dated March 11, 2025. Motion carried with 4 ayes: 0 nays. (Dixon, Walsh, Mikel, and Lyons)

Commissioner Dixon then made a Motion, seconded by Commissioner Walsh, to Approve Payroll Expenses, in the amount of $102,738.14 as identified in the Payroll General Ledger dated May 23, 2025. Motion carried with 4 ayes; 0 nays. (Dixon, Walsh, Mikel, and Lyons).

Requested a motion to approve Ordinance 25-27. Commissioner Mikel made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Walsh, to approve Ordinance 25-27 Authorizing the City of Braidwood to enter into and for the Commissioner of Accounts and Finance to execute an Engagement Letter Regarding Professional Accounting Services and an Engagement Letter Regarding Monthly Financial Statements to be provided by John Kasperek Co. The is a yearly agreement and will be reviewed every year. We are able to withdraw from this contract with 30 day written notice also. Motion carried with 4 ayes; 0 nays. (Mikel, Walsh, Dixon, and Lyons)

We needed to transfer $1 million from Illinois Funds to pay bills for the month of May because of the shortage. It was due to little income coming in until property taxes come in, this is a gap month. There will be two audits done this year, 2024 and 2025, this gets us caught up. Once those are done, we will be at 25-26, which is right where we need to be. I will do my best to keep it on track. I have some reports on the table that are the actual budget numbers. I have a budget comparison from the accountant for last year to this year. We were budgeted for a $400k deficit. My concern is the MFT because these were not done from the actual 2025 numbers. If you look at the actual numbers, we are over $2 million in the hole. The revenue only increased by $700k, you can't cover $2 million with $700k. The last report is from this year, starting May 1 to current. It shows revenue from the administration, zoning, and police department in the amount of $54,828. Fund 2 is the Enterprise Fund which is $63,491 and water/sewer was $322,520. Now the expenses which shows our ending balance of $231,996.59 which means we have used 4% of our budget for the general fund, we have spent 8% of garbage in the amount of $50,916.72. We have spent $130,945.10 which is 3% of the water/sewer department. With a total of the Enterprise Fund of $181,861.82 which is 4% of the budget.

Streets & Public Improvement Report: Walsh: We had a storm last Thursday, and since then our crew has been picking up branches from all over town. We have had close to 160 loads of debris. I want to remind everyone, they are doing the best to pick everything up. If there are small piles and you can fit them in your can, please do so. Please be patient, our guys are working and will get around to everyone.

Lately, we have been lucky with rainfall this Spring. We haven't had many complaints of puddling in backyards, but we were going around and looking at backyards. If there is puddling in backyards, most of the time it's not the city's responsibility. If there is puddling in the front yard with ditches, we have a program where our guys will install the pipe for the ditch and the customer pays for the material.

Public Property Report: Absent

Public Health & Safety Report: Commissioner Mikel made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Walsh, to approve Ordinance 25-28 Amending the Code of Ordinance for the City of Braidwood Regarding the Impoundment of Vehicles. Motion carried with 4 ayes; 0 nays. (Mikel, Walsh, Dixon, and Lyons).

Braidwood Police Department Press Release for April 22- May 5. Also, thanks to all the departments that were out helping with the storm cleanup.

Planning & Zoning Report: No Report.

Old Business: None.

New Business: Mayor Lyons: I took the new administrator around town and was asked what our niche is here in town. I said we have a nice community, low crime, a great school district, a fire department, and a library. I feel we don't have a niche. You want something that will bring people into our community. I have said before, I would like a town center, something we can be proud of. We have the property behind Casey's and would like him to look for grants or donations. We are looking for ideas and that bring us to our Beatification Committee, where we will have a meeting June 4 at 10am in Council Chambers.

Comm. Walsh: Mrs. Jensen, who was here, the Date Center people will be here, we can ask them all the questions she brought forward earlier.

Also, there are asphalt cuts throughout town by School St., S. English, Eureka, and here at City Hall, where we have had water leaks over the winter. We will be repairing those here soon.

Adjournment: Commissioner Walsh made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Mikel, to adjourn the May 27, 2025 regular meeting of the Braidwood City Council. Motion carried with 4 ayes: 0 nays. (Walsh, Mikel, Dixon, and Lyons)

The next regular meeting of the Council will be held Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at 7:00 pm

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