South Central Reporter

Village of New Baden Board of Trustees met May 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Regular Meeting of the New Baden Village Board was held on Monday, May 20, 2024. 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, Cindi Meredith-Wheelan, Rebecca Schomaker, and Larry Thoeming. Absent: Trustees Chris Locke and Christine Jackson. Staff Members Present: Village Clerk Teri Crane; Village Administrator/ Chief Building & Zoning Official Galen Mahle; Attorney Luke Behme Long of Bruckert, Behme & Long, P.C.; Public Works Commissioner Tim Deien; Building Inspector Mark Thaler; Sergeant Bruce Rapien; and Ambulance Director Allen Gilbert. Staff Members Absent: Treasurer Casey Weekley.

Credit Card Payments

The Village of New Baden is now accepting Credit Card payments. Payments will be accepted for Building/ Occupancy Permits, Utility Bills and Water Deposits, Farmers Market and Market Events, Pavilion and Civic Center Rentals, and Sports fees; at this time, Police Fines will not be accepted via credit card. Payments can be made at Village Hall or on the Village Website.

SLM Water Rate Increase Consent Agenda

SLM Water Rate Increase Effective May 1, 2024: Summerfield, Lebanon, Mascoutah (SLM) Water Commission will be increasing water rates $0.40 per 1,000 gallons; from $2.35 to $2.75. Per Ordinance 850, passed February 7, 2011, this increase will be passed onto end users. This new rate will be effective on water bills due July 15, 2024. The last water rate increase was $0.30 per 1,000 gallons in May 2022.

Citizen to Address the Board

Gordon Hoerchler, resident of 304 E Hanover St, addressed the Board with concerns about 310 E Hanover St. Mr. Hoerchler believes work is being completed without a permit; and has concerns about future parking. Per Village Administrator Mahle, the property owner, Terry Calvert of Metal Properties LLC, is in compliance. Mr. Mahle has had conversations with Mr. Calvert; interior demolition is taking place. This is not the rebuild phase and a permit is not yet required per Village Code. Mr. Calvert will submit the required permit applications when construction begins; at that time, parking requirements will be addressed. A Special Use Permit for Multi-Family Residence was granted by Ordinance on February 5, 2024.

Consent Agenda

A motion was made by Trustee Schomaker and seconded by Trustee Thoeming to approve the Consent Agenda, which includes the payment of current invoices, and minutes from the May 6, 2024, regular meeting.

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

Nays: None.

Absent: Locke, Jackson.

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

Ordinance: 2024-05-20-A: Amending New Baden’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024

A motion was made by Trustee Schomaker and seconded by Trustee Thoeming to approve Ordinance 2024-05-20-A: Amending the Village of New Baden’s Budget for the Fiscal Year Beginning May 1, 2023 and Ending April 30, 2024. Village Administrator Mahle, with guidance from the C. J. Schlosser & Company LLC, the Village’s Auditor, only included line items with a plus/ minus $1,000 difference in Exhibit A.

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

Nays: None.

Absent: Locke, Jackson.

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

Ordinance: 2024-05-20-B: Authorizing a Fine for Damage to Water Meter Transmitter Module

A motion was made by Trustee Schomaker and seconded by Trustee Meredith-Wheelan to approve Ordinance 2024-05-20-B: Authorizing a Fine for Damage to Water Meter Transmitter Module. Per the Ordinance, a resident’s water meter, including the meter transmitter module, can be damaged due to the fault of the resident. In order to deter residents from damaging the meter transmitter module, residents will be liable for the replacement cost in the event the transmitter module is damaged on two (2) or more occasions. The Ordinance amends Chapter 38: Utilities to allow for the Village to fine residents for damage to the meter transmitter module; the replacement cost of the damaged transmitter module is $200. Notices will be sent to residents and property owners.

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

Nays: None.

Absent: Locke, Jackson.

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

Street Sign: Aster Ave: Deaf Child Area

Chief of Police Mackin spoke with a resident on Aster Ave requesting the placement of a “Deaf Child Area” sign. Village Administrator Mahle stated the Village will place these signs at both ends of Aster Ave. These signs do not require Board action.

Police Department: Axon Vehicle Cameras

Tabled discussion on the purchase of Vehicle Cameras from Axon from the May 6 regular meeting. Axon provided three (3) options to be paid over the next five (5) years: 1) Axon Fleet 3 Basic, $72,275.41; 2) Axon Fleet 3 + ALPR (Automated License Plate Reader), $99,544.92; and 3) Axon Fleet 3 Advanced, $113,638.78. Board members had questions about the differences between options 2 and 3. Village Administrator Mahle spoke with Axon; each camera has a replacement cost of approximately $18,000. The consensus of the Board was in favor of Option3, Axon Fleet 3 Advanced.

A motion was made by Trustee Oster and seconded by Trustee Meredith-Wheelan to waive bidding requirements and authorize the contract with Axon for the purchase of Vehicle Cameras, the Axon Fleet 3 Advanced option, for the Police Department for $113,638.78. This amount is for eight (8) Two Camera Systems, including required hardware, installation and training, and is split over the next five (5) years.

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

Nays: None.

Absent: Locke, Jackson.

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

Ambulance District Update

Mayor Zurliene provided an Ambulance Bill update for the Ambulance District. The Bill has passed the Illinois House, and is currently in the Illinois Senate.

New Baden Farmers Market

Mayor Zurliene stated the first Farmers Market of the season will be on Saturday, May 25 at the Village Park.

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

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

Nays: None.

Absent: Locke, Jackson.

A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried; the meeting adjourned at 7:38 pm.

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