Hainesville trustees approve boundary transfer ordinance, grant application, painting contract, electricity supplier and staff promotion

Hainesville— trustees voted on multiple routine and project items at their Feb. 25 meeting, approving an ordinance to exclude a portion of unoccupied territory along the boundary with Grayslake, authorizing a grant application for the Meadows Path project, awarding an exterior-staining contract for Village Hall, approving a 12-month electricity supplier agreement, and adopting a personnel promotion for a public-works employee.

The most consequential vote removed a parcel that lies along the boundary between the villages of Hainesville and Grayslake from Hainesville—corporate limits. The ordinance—was presented and moved for passage during the meeting; the roll call recorded Trustees Richmond, George Duberstein, Preiss, Georgeann Duberstein and Williams voting "aye," and the motion carried.

Why it matters: Trustees and a representative of the affected church told the board the parcel is church property split by the municipal boundary, with the sanctuary on the Hainesville side and school/gymnasium space on the Grayslake side. Because the property is tax-exempt church land, trustees noted there is no immediate village property-tax revenue at stake; the mayor said the county will handle any registration needed after the transfer.

Other formal actions approved by unanimous vote:

- Resolution to apply for a Combat Green Region grant for the Meadows Path project. Trustees heard a description of existing wood-chip paths, planted trees, and plans to add benches and formal gardens along the path. The trustees approved filing the grant application; the packet indicated a $10,000 grant request and an anticipated local match requirement discussed variously in the meeting as either a $5,000 contribution or a 50% match, and trustees instructed staff to proceed with the application.

- Contract award to McMahon Services for exterior staining/painting of Village Hall and the small garage behind it in the amount of $14,000.28. Trustees discussed past maintenance and the need to address rotting wood; the board approved the contract by roll call.

- Approval of a 12-month electric supplier contract with a supplier rate not to exceed 0.074 (rate units not specified in the record). Staff explained the village uses a third-party supplier for the village—well houses and lift stations; ComEd will continue to deliver power and bill the village.

- Personnel action: promotion and pay increase for Tony Torres to Public Works assistant supervisor with a new hourly rate as recommended in the personnel packet (the motion as read referenced $21 to $23 per hour and an effective date in April 2025). Trustees noted the assistant supervisor position is on call 24/7 and that the position qualifies for IMRF and other benefits as a full-time employee.

All recorded roll-call votes on these items were unanimous in favor, with the trustees present recorded as voting "aye." The meeting minutes show a standard "so moved/second" procedure for motions without naming the mover or seconder on the record.

The board adjourned at 7:08 p.m.

ACTIONS (summary): - Ordinance: Exclude specified unoccupied territory along Hainesville/Grayslake boundary — outcome: approved (roll call: Richmond, George Duberstein, Preiss, Georgeann Duberstein, Williams — all aye). Notes: property is church-owned; county registration expected. - Resolution: Authorize application to Combat Green Region (Meadows Path Project) — outcome: approved. Notes: grant request $10,000; local match discussed (transcript shows both $5,000 and "50% of total"). - Contract award: McMahon Services for exterior staining/painting — $14,000.28 — outcome: approved. - Contract/Procurement: 12-month electricity supplier agreement not to exceed a supplier rate of 0.074 — outcome: approved. Notes: ComEd will continue delivery and billing. - Personnel/Promotion: Tony Torres promoted to Public Works assistant supervisor; hourly rate adjustment referenced in motion — outcome: approved.