Peoria Standard

Village of Bellevue Board of Trustees met March 11.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

I. CALL TO ORDER

The Mayor Pro-Tem called the Village of Bellevue meeting to order at the Village Hall @ 6:00 p.m.

II. ROLL CALL

Present: Trustee Sandra Cooper; Trustee Paul Eichhorn; Trustee Aaron Lannert (arrived @ 6:08 p.m.); Trustee Judith Wight; Trustee Leroy Wiseman; Attorney Lane Alster; Susan Pesch, Village Clerk; Cassandra Schlatter, Village Treasurer

Absent: Mayor Pesch

III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

IV. CONSENT AGENDA

A. Approval of Regular Session Minutes – February 25, 2025.

B. Approval of Bills

Trustee Wight moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Trustee Eichhorn seconded the motion. Approved with the following roll call vote:

Yes: 5

No: 0

Abstain: 0

V. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Terry Elston inquired about bringing back voting booths at the Village Hall. Mr. Wilson commented that it is not our decision. Mrs. Pesch responded that she would check into it.

VI. ACTION ITEMS

A. Trustee Wight made a motion to approve the salt purchase of 150 ton for 2025-2026. Attorney Alster stated that funds for the salt have been appropriated. Trustee Eichhorn seconded the motion. Mr. Wilson stated that the final pricing would be in October. Approved with the following roll call vote:

Yes: 5

No: 0

Abstain: 0

VII. INFORMATION/DISCUSSION

A. Sheriff’s Report – Deputy Evans reviewed his traffic stop data with the Board members. He reminded everyone to keep things locked up including their vehicles.

B. Streets Superintendent and Maintenance Report –

Mr. Wilson commented that he guesses our police department will not hand out our tickets anymore. It is getting to be anymore hearing what the police can’t do for us than can do for us. It is getting old. My feeling is that are they really worth paying $150,000. Also, William is getting a ticket for his garage door falling down and house that needs to be painted. William wants to know if the lot that Bellevue owns next door can be filled in. This will allow him to taper off his yard. Attorney Alster stated that the Board will need to discuss it. It would need to be an agenda item for everyone to vote on.

Mr. Wilson stated that he was approached by the Vice President of Bartonville Bank. The Vice President would like to talk with a few Board members before moving money. Mrs. Pesch responded that she thinks the Mayor had plans to talk with him but could not elaborate. Trustee Lannert inquired about the Village general account. Board members discussed that all funds were being moved to IL Funds except the general checking account. Mrs. Pesch stated that the Mayor informed Board members at the last meeting that he was checking into two financial institutions for the checking account. CEFCU is one of the financial institutions. Attorney Alster commented that it could be added on the agenda for the next meeting.

Mr. Wilson stated that residents cannot have carports. There is an application from a resident to build a pavilion. Board members discussed the language in the ordinance regarding prohibiting outbuildings. Carports are not allowed in the Village. Attorney Alster stated that they could review the application after the homeowner completes the information.

C. Zoning and Code Enforcement Report – Attorney Alster informed the Board that Steve could sign the ordinance tickets and Matt can serve the tickets. The ticket does not reference the Sheriff or Police. Attorney Alster stated that the Sheriff does not want the Deputy serving all tickets, only a few. Mayor Pesch has talked with Sheriff Watkins and Deputy Evans and can give more information.

D. Treasurer’s Report – Ms. Schlatter informed the Board that she has started the LOCiS conversion.

E. Mayor’s Report

F. Trustee’s Report

1. Trustee Cooper

a. CEFCU - Trustee Cooper asked if CEFCU was in the Village of Bellevue. She commented that she would like the checking account funds to be with CEFCU because they are in Village of Bellevue.

b. Abandoned Cars – Trustee Cooper inquired about abandoned cars being parked in the Village for 2-3 years. Mr. Wilson responded that the homeowner would receive a ticket.

2. Trustee Eichhorn

3. Trustee Lannert

a. Facebook – Trustee Lannert mentioned that he contacted Attorney Alster for clarification on Facebook. Attorney Alster informed the Board members that he talked with Trustee Lannert and Mayor Pesch. To clarify, the Village of Bellevue does not run or control the Bellevue Facebook page. Anything put on the Facebook page, is not connected with the Village of Bellevue. There was also discussion about endorsements. Attorney Alster informed the Board members that the Mayor wanted to make it clear that he has not made any public endorsement of anyone. Attorney Alster said that if someone makes a social media post, it is considered free speech in a public forum. Be careful with regulating free speech before the election.

4. Trustee Wight

a. Culverts – Trustee Wight inquired about damaged culverts on her street. Trustee Lannert stated that if the homeowner runs over their culvert, they are responsible for fixing it. It would be too expensive for the Village to replace all damaged culverts that have been run over. Mr. Wilson commented that the Board can change the rules whenever they want because the criteria has been from the previous Board.

5. Trustee Wiseman commented that we have young people and older people on the Board. The Board is doing a great job.

G. Attorney’s Report – Attorney Alster informed the Board that Mike Seghetti has been talking with Nate Hamilton. He is asking for $110,000 upfront and $84,000 over time. His project would generate incremental taxes of about $22,000 per year. It will not generate sales tax. The Village did not give the Villas of Hollybrook money upfront. Nate is asking for more money. The Villas are reimbursed 50% of the incremental taxes. Mike will be at the next meeting and discuss it. We do not have anything formal yet. Nate cannot purchase the property without the money upfront from the Village. Mr. Wilson commented that Nate is in violation of things in Bellevue already.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT

Trustee Wight moved to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Lannert seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned by voice vote @ 6:36 p.m.

https://villageofbellevueil.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Minutes-03-11-2025.pdf