Chicago City Wire

Village of Brighton Village Board met Feb. 5

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

A. Call To Order/Pledge of Allegiance: 7PM

B. Attendance: Present-Trustees Bradley Arnold, John Bramley, Don Little, Aaron Mead, Marcella Wilfong and Jim Winslade; Mayor Matt Kasten, Village Attorney Jennifer Watson, Clerk Tamara Jenkins, Treasurer Ashley Lievers.

Absent- Pub. Works Supervisor Kaleb Kahl

C. Motion to suspend the Agenda order: Don Little, 2nd Aaron Mead. Motion carried 6-0.

D. Approval of Reviewed Minutes 1-07-24: Aaron Mead, 2nd John Bramley. Motion carried 6-0.

E. Approval of Reviewed Treasurers Report: Jim Winslade, 2nd Aaron Mead. Motin carried 6-0.

F. Approval of Reviewed Bills: Aaron Mead, 2nd Jim Winslade. Motion carried 6-0.

G. Mayor Report: Schneider concession stand window has been shipped. Daddy Daughter Dance went well. May sell more tickets in 2025.

H. Public Comment: Mrs. Weaver asked if the Village was getting a BBQ restaurant. Mayor responded that we have not heard anything official.

Committee Reports

A. Clerk Committee: 1/10/24 Meeting Cancelled

B. Economic Development Committee: 1/2/24 No Meeting Held

C. Park Committee: 1/11/24 Meeting Minutes: Aaron Mead, 2nd John Bramley. Motion carried 6-0.

1. Aaron Mead made a motion to spend $500 for Easter Egg Hunt baskets, candy, prizes etc. at Scheider Park, 2nd Don Little. Ms. Wilfong asked if that would be enough money for the event. Mr. Bramley responded yes.

Motion carried 6-Yeahs 0-Nays.

D. Planning Committee: 1/4/24 Meeting Minutes: Aaron Mead, 2nd John Bramley. Motion carried 6-0. Mr. Little stated they may proceed with grant resources and information for Village buildings to go solar.

E. Public Safety: 1/15/24 No Quorum

F. Public Works: 1/22/24 Meeting Cancelled

G. Zoning Committee: 1/16/24 Meeting Cancelled

Old Business:

A. Water Infrastructure Project & Heneghan invoice update. N/A

B. Update: Concession stand window. It has been shipped.

C. Update on Police Officers hired: The new full-time officer started today (2-5-24) training with Sgt. Ford. He will shift to straight nights following training. There is a potential part time officer that lives in Brighton that may need to be contacted.

New Business:

A. Discussion/Possible Action: Reimburse Mr. Bonnell $500 for tree removal. The downed tree was located at 503

Crestwood Dr: Mayor Kasten explained that Mr. Bonnell cut down 2 trees suspected of being in the Village right-ofway in June of 2023. He submitted a request in January 2024 for reimbursement of expenses for having them downed, cut up and removed. In February, he submitted a letter for reimbursement of $2450 in addition to stump removal and re-seeding of yard. Mr. Bonnell never submitted the quotes prior to cutting down the trees as the Public Works Supervisor instructed and didn’t seek Board approval to cut down a tree that was the Village’s responsibility. He didn’t seek reimbursement until six months after the work was completed. Mayor Kasten explained that the proper procedure wasn’t followed, and payment would set a precedence for others. Our Code addresses tree cutting in the Village right-of-way, and it was not followed. Village Attorney advised that GIS maps cannot be used to determine boundary lines. She is searching for easement records to determine boundaries and has not located them yet. What happened to the tree after it was cut down? The wood has value, so someone benefited from taking the wood. Mr. Bonnell is willing to split the cost with the Village to have the land surveyed to determine the trees ownership. Proper procedure was not followed regardless of ownership of trees. Don Little makes a motion to decline payment on this matter due to nothing being in writing prior to action taken, 2nd Aaron Mead. 5-Yeahs 1-Nay (Marcella Wilfong) Motion carried.

B. Discussion/Possible Action: Loy Miller Talley 2024 audit proposal: Aaron Mead made a motion to contract with Loy Miller Talley for the Village of Brighton’s 2024 audit, 2nd Don Little. 6-Yeahs 0-Nays. Motion carried.

C. Motion to go into Executive Session for semi-annual review of Closed Meeting Minutes (5 ILCS 120/2-c-21). (ROLL CALL): John Bramley made a motion to enter Executive Session, 2nd Marcella Wilfong. Motion carried 6-Yeas 0-Nays.

Motion to return to Open Session made by Aaron Mead, 2nd John Bramley. Motion carried 6-Yeas 0-Nays.

Motion to open all closed minutes made by Aaron Mead, 2nd John Bramley. Motion carried 6-Yeas 0-Nays.

Problems: N/A

Adjournment: Aaron Mead made a motion to adjourn, 2nd Don Little. Motion carried 6-0.

Time: 7:48PM

https://www.brightonil.com/vimages/shared/vnews/stories/65e8795ac0fd9/Board%20Minutes%2002-05-24.pdf