South Central Reporter

Village of New Baden Board of Trustees met Aug. 4.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Regular Meeting of the New Baden Village Board was held on Monday, August 4, 2025. The meeting was held at New Baden Village Hall, 1 E Hanover St, with a physical quorum of the Village Board present. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Oster at 7:00 pm. 

Present and answering to roll call: Mayor Bob Oster; Trustees Chris Locke, Rebecca Schomaker, Christine Jackson, Larry Thoeming, and Deborah Kalmer. Board Members Absent: Trustee Nicole Pederson. Staff Members Present: Village Clerk Teri Crane; Attorney Luke Behme of Bruckert, Behme & Long, P.C.; Treasurer Casey Weekley; Public Works Commissioner Tim Deien; and Chief of Police Chuck Mackin. Staff Members Absent: Village Administrator/ Chief Building & Zoning Official Christy Picard, and Ambulance Director Allen Gilbert.

Guests 

A representative from Republic Services was to be in attendance; they had to cancel and will reschedule for a later date.

Citizens to Address the Board 

Scott Meinhardt, former New Baden Police Officer, stated his concerns and spoke against allowing Video Gaming Cafes within the Village of New Baden. Taylor Zurliene, former Mayor, stated his concerns and spoke against allowing Video Gaming Cafes; he had no issues with allowing the existing Liquor Store to have gaming, since they have an additional revenue source. Video Gaming Cafes are an agenda item to be considered at this meeting

Consent Agenda 

A motion was made by Trustee Jackson and seconded by Trustee Schomaker to approve the Consent Agenda, which includes payment of current invoices, and minutes from the July 21, 2025, regular meeting, and the July 30, 2025, special meeting. The Consent Agenda also included approval of the following: Farmers Market request for closure of Circle Drive at the Village Park for the Holiday Market on Sunday, November 16, 2025.

Ayes: Locke, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming, Kalmer.

Nays: None.

Absent: Pederson.

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

Ordinance 2025-08-04-A: Allowing Non-Permanent Feather Banner for Commercial Properties 

A motion was made by Trustee Jackson and seconded by Trustee Thoeming to approve Ordinance 2025-08-04-A: Allowing Non-Permanent Feather Banner for Commercial Properties. This ordinance provides the definition of “Feather Banner” and provides additional specifics as applied to Feather Banners. This ordinance is the result of discussion at Community and Economic Development Committee meetings held in June and July, 2025.

Ayes: Jackson, Thoeming, Kalmer.

Nays: Locke, Schomaker.

Absent: Pederson.

A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried

Ordinance 2025-08-04-B: Creating a Liquor License Classification for Liquor Store that Serves Alcohol for Consumption on the Premises

A motion was made by Trustee Jackson and seconded by Trustee Kalmer to approve Ordinance 2025-08-04-B: Creating a Liquor License Classification for Liquor Store that Serves Alcohol for Consumption on the Premises. The ordinance allows for on-premise alcohol consumption at a liquor store to meet State of Illinois requirements for Video Gaming and specifics on the consumption area. The new “Class “C-1” Liquor Store with On-Premises Consumption” is established with zero (0) licenses available. The ordinance is the result of discussion at Community and Economic Development Committee meetings held in June and July, 2025.

Ayes: Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming, Kalmer.

Nays: Locke.

Absent: Pederson.

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

Ordinance: Creating a Liquor License Classification for Video Gaming Café and Allowing Video Gaming Café as Special Use in Certain Non-Residential Zones

A motion was made by Trustee Jackson and seconded by Trustee Thoeming to approve an Ordinance Creating a Liquor License Classification for Video Gaming Café and Allowing Video Gaming Café as Special Use in Certain Non-Residential Zones. This ordinance is the result of discussion at Community and Economic Development Committee meetings held in June and July, 2025. The ordinance provides a definition of “Video Gaming Café”, creates a new license “Class “F” – Video Gaming Café”, and amends sections of the Zoning Code requiring a “Video Gaming Café” to apply for a Special Use Permit under the various Zone Districts.

Ayes: Thoeming, Kalmer.

Nays: Locke, Schomaker, Jackson.

Absent: Pederson.

A majority of the Board voting Nay, the motion failed.

Resolution 2025-08-04-A: Veterans Day Parade 

A motion was made by Trustee Schomaker and seconded by Trustee Jackson to approve Resolution 2025-08-04-A: Authorizing the New Baden American Legion Post 321 Clinton County Veterans Day Parade on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at 2:00 pm.

Ayes: Locke, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming, Kalmer.

Nays: None.

Absent: Pederson.

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

Resignation: Village Administrator, Christy Picard 

A motion was made by Trustee Schomaker and seconded by Trustee Jackson to accept the resignation of Village Administrator Christy Picard, effective July 28, 2025.

Ayes: Locke, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming, Kalmer.

Nays: None.

Absent: Pederson.

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

New Baden Police Department: Full-time Police Officer: Cody Collins 

A motion was made by Trustee Kalmer and seconded by Trustee Jackson to authorize the hiring of Cody Collins as a Full-time Police Officer. This is to fill the vacancy left with the resignation of Patrick Jolly in June 2025.Village Clerk Crane administered the Oath of Office to Mr. Collins.

Ayes: Locke, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming, Kalmer.

Nays: None.

Absent: Pederson.

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

New Municipal Building Update 

Mayor Oster provided the Board with updates on the new Municipal Building. Board packets included the document provided by Holland Construction at the OAC (Owner/ Architect/ Construction) meeting held on July 28; going forward, the Board will receive this document.

Heather Lynn Estates Mobile Home Park: Discussion 

Mayor Oster reported that he met with representatives from the company that owns the Heather Lynn Estates Mobile Home Park. The main issue of concern was the conditions of the property/ property maintenance. Mr. Oster reported that they have been given 90 days to have the MHP cleaned up. The representatives stated that the company that owns the park wish to no longer rent the homes to tenants, they prefer to have the tenant own the mobile home and pay lot rent; they are in the process of selling some of the existing vacant homes. 

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

Ayes: Locke, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming, Kalmer.

Nays: None.

Absent: Pederson.

A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried; the meeting adjourned at 7:29 pm.

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