Pingree Grove board approves consent agenda, streetlight and infrastructure expenses and vehicle purchase

The Pingree Grove Village Board on Feb. 24 approved its consent agenda and took final action on multiple separate items that advance several municipal projects.

On the consent agenda the board approved minutes from Jan. 21, 2025; two warrant lists (Feb. 3 for $198,605.76 and Feb. 18 for $5,760,185.16); and pay application No. 16 for the wastewater treatment plant improvements project for $1,884,376.07. A trustee moved to approve the consent agenda and the board carried the motion on roll call.

Separately, the board approved: a) an expense to add a streetlight assembly on Reinking Road near the South Tyler Creek bridge and to perform directional boring to assist an additional repair (amount not to exceed $14,643); b) an ordinance amending Village Code Title 4 (Business and License Regulations) to raise the special-event liquor license fee (from $75 to $150) to align with comparable vendor fees; c) authorization to order a 2025 Dodge Durango patrol vehicle, with equipment and detailing, from Sunnyside Dodge in an amount not to exceed $63,393.87; d) a waiver of competitive bidding and authorization to contract with Municipal Well and Pump for removal and inspection of equipment at Well No. 1 (not to exceed $25,580); and e) approval of a ComEd service upgrade charge related to the wastewater treatment plant project (not to exceed $36,533.86).

Trustee Hirschbein was recorded as voting “no” on the Reinking Road streetlight/directional-boring expense; the motion carried on the remaining votes after roll call. For the ordinance raising the special-event liquor license fee, the board recorded unanimous yes votes in the roll call recorded at the meeting. For the ComEd service upgrade charge, trustees approved the expense by roll call; staff said the work is necessary to keep the wastewater treatment plant project on schedule because ComEd scheduling can delay construction if the electrical service is not upgraded.

Village staff and department heads who presented or answered questions included Pat (Public Works), Andy (village staff/manager), Laura (staff for licensing/events), Seth (project engineer), and the police chief. Discussion on the ComEd charge noted that the utility is treating the work as a new service and that the village’s attempts to reduce the fee were unsuccessful; staff recommended paying the charge now to avoid schedule delays on the treatment-plant work.

Why this matters: The votes permit continued construction on the wastewater treatment plant project and fund small but targeted capital and operating needs (lighting, vehicle replacement, well inspection) that affect public safety and utility operations.

Votes at a glance: - Consent agenda (minutes, two warrant lists, pay application No. 16): approved by roll call (motion carried). - Streetlight installation and directional boring (Reinking Road): motion to authorize expense not to exceed $14,643. Outcome: approved; Trustee Hirschbein recorded a “no.” - Ordinance to increase special-event liquor license fee (Title 4): adopted (vote recorded as yes by roll call). - Authorization to order 2025 Dodge Durango and equipment (Sunnyside Dodge): approved (roll call yes). - Waive bidding / Municipal Well & Pump — Well No. 1 removal and inspection (up to $25,580): approved (roll call yes). - ComEd service upgrade charge for wastewater plant (up to $36,533.86): approved (roll call yes).

Next steps: Staff will execute the approved contracts and orders, continue coordination with ComEd for the service upgrade, and continue project work on the wastewater treatment plant.