South Central Reporter

Village of New Baden Board of Trustees met March 17.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Regular Meeting of the New Baden Village Board was held on Monday, March 17, 2025. The meeting was held at New Baden Village Hall, 1 E Hanover St, with a physical quorum of the New Baden Village Board present. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Zurliene at 7:00 pm.

Present and answering to roll call: Mayor Taylor Zurliene; Trustees Bob Oster, Chris Locke, Cindi Meredith-Wheelan, Rebecca Schomaker, Christine Jackson, and Larry Thoeming. Board Members Absent: None. Staff Members Present: Village Clerk Teri Crane; Village Administrator/ Chief Building & Zoning Official Ricky Johnson; Attorney Luke Behme of Bruckert, Behme & Long, P.C.; Chief of Police Chuck Mackin; Public Works Commissioner Tim Deien; Treasurer Casey Weekley; and Ambulance Director Allen Gilbert. Staff Members Absent: None.

Proclamation

Mayor Zurliene issued a Proclamation Honoring the Life and Legacy of John Hund. John and his wife Mary founded New Baden IGA in 1967, a successful family business and a cornerstone of the community. John passed away on March 7, 2025; Mary passed in September 2015.

Treasurer’s Report

Board members reviewed the February 2025 Treasurer’s Report prepared by Treasurer Weekley.

Public Works Committee Meeting

The Personnel Committee minutes from the March13 meeting were presented to the Board for review. Trustee Jackson, committee chair, stated that there will be additional discussion later in this meeting.

Citizens’ Opportunity to Address the Board

Many residents were in attendance to address concerns with the New Baden Village Board about construction of the new municipal building. The building is designed to house Village Hall, the Police Department and the Emergency Services/ Ambulance District. The building will be located on East Cedar Street at State Route 160. Mayor Zurliene thanked everyone who attended the Open House at the current EMS Building (100 E Hanover St) on Sunday, March 16. Mr. Zurliene gave an overview of how the Village has grown over the last 30-years. He stated that the bid awards listed on the agenda will not be considered at this meeting. Attorney Behme presented a timeline of discussions regarding the need for a new building dating back to 2017. Mayor Zurliene allowed residents Scott Meinhardt and Jerry Green to speak; they contacted the Village Clerk to address the Board prior to the meeting. Mr. Zurliene then opened the floor to comments from the residents in attendance.

Consent Agenda

A motion was made by Trustee Jackson and seconded by Trustee Locke to approve the Consent Agenda, which includes payment of current invoices and minutes from the Regular Meeting on March 3, 2025. The Consent Agenda also included the approval of the following: 1) New Baden Lions Club request to use Village Park grounds for Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 12, 2025, from 9am to 12 Noon (Rain date 4/19/2025); and 2) Lions Club request for closure of Circle Drive at Village Park for 2025 Easter Egg Hunt.

Ayes: Trustees Oster, Locke, Meredith-Wheelan, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming.

Nays: None.

Absent: None.

A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried.

Public Works Dept.: Seasonal Ground Maintenance Worker

A Personnel Committee meeting was held on March 13 to discuss the hire of a season ground maintenance worker for the Public Works Department. This person will be hired in lieu of mowing contracts for the various Village properties. They will be limited to 1,000 hours for the year, no benefits, and paid an hourly wage of $18.00.

A motion was made by Trustee Jackson and seconded by Trustee Locke to authorize the hire of a seasonal ground maintenance worker for the Public Works Department.

Ayes: Trustees Oster, Locke, Meredith-Wheelan, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming.

Nays: None.

Absent: None.

A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried.

New Municipal Building

Greg Goette and Nathan Munie, representatives from Holland Construction Services Inc, were present to review details of the bid letting for the new Municipal Building, (Village Hall, Police Department and Emergency Services/ Ambulance District). The bid letting was held on March 4; there were 15 bid packages and 60 bids received. Holland, as Construction Manager for the project, has made recommendations for approval to present to the Board. Holland addressed concerns over two (2) items that needed to be considered by the Board at this meeting: 1) Bid Package No. 8 Aluminum Storefronts/ Glazing; and 2) Bid Package No 9.6 Flooring/ Resilient/ Ceramic. Information to follow.

Municipal Building: Bid Package No 8 Aluminum Storefronts/ Glazing

Holland Construction informed the Board of concerns about low bidder for Bid Package No 8 Aluminum Storefronts/ Glazing, Universal Glass ($199,999.00). Holland has worked with them in the past, but do not feel that they are a responsible bidder. Holland has no concerns with the next low bidder, St Jacob Glass ($250,852.00), but there is a significant difference in price. Upon discussion, the Village Board agreed to reject the bid submitted by Universal Glass.

A motion was made by Trustee Schomaker and seconded by Trustee Thoeming to reject Universal Glass as a responsible bidder as it relates to Bid Package No 8 Aluminum Storefronts/ Glazing.

Ayes: Trustees Oster, Locke, Meredith-Wheelan, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming.

Nays: None.

Absent: None.

A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried.

Municipal Building: Bid Package No 9.6 Flooring/ Resilient/ Ceramic

During the bid process, Holland Construction noted that Henges Interiors, the low bidder for Bid Package No 9.6 Flooring/ Resilient/ Ceramic, excluded Moisture Mitigation and Resinous Flooring in their Base Bid ($86,361.63). Henges Interiors has provided a letter requesting a withdrawal of their bid. With that withdrawal, the low bidder is now Berra Specialty ($94,622.00).

A motion was made by Trustee Thoeming and seconded by Trustee Schomaker to accept the request to withdraw the bid by Henges Interiors as it relates to Bid Package No 8 Flooring/ Resilient/ Ceramic.

Ayes: Trustees Oster, Locke, Meredith-Wheelan, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming.

Nays: None.

Absent: None.

A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried.

Municipal Building Bid Packages

Holland Construction Services Inc went over the Bid Packages submitted for the new Municipal Building. Holland explained the breakdown of the Bid Tabulations; two (2) options were presented, based upon the rejection/ acceptance of the previous items. Detailed explanations were given in regards to the “Construction Contingency”, which is a percentage of the construction cost to cover overages; “Owner Costs”, which are items the Village will provide; and “Alternates”, these are optional items the Village can accept, or seek separately.

Bid Packets Construction Subtotal $6,653,681.00

Construction Contingency $199,610.00

Subtotal w/ Contingency $6,853,291.00

Construction Cost of Work $379,576.00

Subtotal with Construction Cost of Work $7,232,867.00

Owner Costs (estimated cost) $328,384.00

Subtotal with Owner Costs $7,561,251.00

Construction Cost of Work with Alternatives $181,017.00

Total Construction Cost with all Factors $7,742,268.00

A motion was made by Trustee Oster and seconded by Trustee Locke to table Agenda Items 10-16 and refer to the Finance Committee for further discussion. A date and time will be determined and held prior to the next Regular Board Meeting on April 7.

Ayes: Trustees Oster, Locke, Meredith-Wheelan, Schomaker, Thoeming.

Nays: Jackson.

Absent: None.

A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried.

Meeting Recess

Mayor Zurliene called for a 10-minute recess; meeting resumed at 9pm.

Draft Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Discussion

Discussion on the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget. Finance Committee Chair Schomaker stated that several Finance Committee meetings were held to review the various departments. Trustee Schomaker extended her thanks to Treasurer Casey Weekley and former Board Trustee Doug Henderson for their assistance in working on the Budget.

Fiscal Year 2026 Tentative Budget Available

Announcement of Fiscal Year 2026 Tentative Budget availability for Public Inspection at Village Hall on March 24, 2025 at 10 am.

Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Public Hearing

The Public Hearing for the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget will be on Monday, April 7, 2025, at 6:30 pm, before the Regular Board of Trustees Meeting at 7:00 pm. The next step is to approve the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget by Ordinance on April 21, 2025.

HaasHold Storage LLC Redevelopment Agreement

Discussion on the Redevelopment Agreement with HaasHold Storage LLC (Dennis Haas) for the property located at 11401 State Route 161. Mayor Zurliene informed the Board that the agreement is based on figures provided by Mr. Haas; reimbursements will be from the Tax Increment Finance (TIF) Fund and the Business District (BD) Fund. The TIF District will expire in 2032. Mayor Zurliene gave an overview of the agreement that has been in the works over the last year. Mr. Haas has been working with past Village Administrator Galen Mahle, current Village Administrator Ricky Johnson, and Attorney Terry Bruckert of Bruckert, Behme & Long PC. Mr. Haas addressed the Board, stating everyone has been great to work with, but he has concerns about the agreement that need to be addressed. The Redevelopment Agreement will be presented at a future Board Meeting for consideration.

Park Boosters Request: Purchase Single Arch Swing and Inground Bench for the Village Playground

A motion was made by Trustee Jackson and seconded by Trustee Locke to authorize the purchase of the Single Arch Swing and Inground Bench (2 units) as part of The Village Playground for $14,167.46. This is the inclusive playground that will be installed as part of an OSLAD Grant with the State of Illinois, between the Village of New Baden and the New Baden Park Boosters. The playground will be installed at no cost to the Village; the playground is paid for by the fundraising efforts of the Playground Committee under the New Baden Park Boosters. Since the Village applied for the OSLAD grant in conjunction with the Boosters, all expenditures must be authorized by the Village.

Ayes: Trustees Oster, Locke, Meredith-Wheelan, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming.

Nays: None.

Absent: None.

A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried.

Installation of The Village Playground: Waive Bid Requirements

A motion was made by Trustee Jackson and seconded by Trustee Thoeming to waive the bidding requirements for the installation of The Village Playground at the Community Park. The Village will hire a specialized contractor for the installation.

Ayes: Trustees Oster, Locke, Meredith-Wheelan, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming.

Nays: None.

Absent: None.

A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried.

Installation of The Village Playground: Lake Contracting, Inc

A motion was made by Trustee Jackson and seconded by Trustee Oster to authorize the installation of The Village Playground by Lake Contracting Inc for $139,596.00. The installation includes replacing the fence around the older playground equipment, so the fencing will match.

Ayes: Trustees Oster, Locke, Meredith-Wheelan, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming.

Nays: None.

Absent: None.

A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried.

There being no further business to be brought before the Village Board, a motion was made by Trustee Jackson and seconded by Trustee Oster to adjourn the meeting.

Ayes: Trustees Oster, Locke, Meredith-Wheelan, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming.

Nays: None.

Absent: None.

A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried; the meeting adjourned at 9:35 pm.

https://newbadenil.com/agendas-minutes/