Votes at a glance: Beecher board approves appointments, finances, ordinance and a three-year safety contract

The Village of Beecher board completed several formal actions at its Jan. 13 meeting, voting unanimously on appointments, financial approvals, an ordinance and a safety contract.

The board approved minutes from its Dec. 9 meeting and accepted the village clerk’s and treasurer’s reports. The clerk reported total tax income for December of $207,177.40 and provided the certification of ballot for the April 1 election. Treasurer Don reported December month-end balances and non-AP payments and described a $78,320 bond payment to Chase and three payroll runs that increased the month’s totals.

The board approved a motion appointing Gus Venizopoulos to the Fourth of July commission and later approved the treasurer’s report and the list of bills and payroll in the amount of $638,206.20. The board also adopted Ordinance No. 1415, amending village code section 4-1-2(c) related to building permit fees, and set a public hearing for Jan. 23 to consider a proposed zoning ordinance to replace Ordinance No. 1046 and amend the zoning district map. The board approved a three-year renewal with Fox Safety at an amount not to exceed $32,500 per year.

Votes at a glance - Approval of Dec. 9 minutes — outcome: approved; roll call recorded "Stacy; Terry; Ellis; Gardner; Kate Chenkow; Boycebud" (all "Yes"). - Appointment: Gus Venizopoulos to Fourth of July commission — outcome: approved; roll call recorded "Voice button; Diachenko; Gardner; Krauss; Terry; Stacy" (all "Yes"). - Treasurer’s report (December month end balances) — outcome: approved; roll call recorded "Stacy; Terry; Kraus; Gardner; Yachenko; Vice Fund" (all "Yes"). - Approval of bills and payroll, $638,206.20 — outcome: approved; roll call recorded "Weisbaum; A. Chenko; Gardner; Krause; Terry; Stacy" (all "Yes"). - Ordinance No. 1415 (amend building permit fees) — outcome: adopted; roll call recorded "Stacy; Terry; Ralph; Gardner; Yachenko; Weispot" (all "Yes"). - Fox Safety contract renewal (three years, not to exceed $32,500 per year) — outcome: approved; roll call recorded "Weisbund; Tychinko; Parker; Krause; Terry; Stacy" (all "Yes"). - Motion to adjourn into executive session to discuss personnel (mover: Dave; seconder: Brian) — outcome: approved; roll call recorded "Stacy; Terry; Strauss; Gardner" (all "Yes").

Nut graf: The votes covered routine village governance — minutes, financial approvals and committee appointments — plus two items with operational impact: adoption of an ordinance adjusting building permit fees and approval of a three-year safety contract intended to continue video/security services for the village.

Background and clarifying details - Clerk reported December tax income of $207,177.40 and that a certified ballot list for the April 1 election was included in the packet. - Treasurer reported December month-end village accounts of $6,679,501.77 and commission accounts of $249,697.24; combined reported balance approximately $6,999,199.10 and a general fund month-end of $1,634,656.54. Non-AP payments totaled $430,003.87, including a $78,320 bond payment to Chase. There were three payrolls in December. - The Fox Safety renewal was described as a three-year agreement with a not-to-exceed amount of $32,500 per year; board members noted credits may be applied to future invoices and that the specific invoice for a recent billing was expected Jan. 30. - The Planning and Zoning Commission scheduled a public hearing for Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. to consider replacing Ordinance No. 1046 and amending the zoning map.

The board moved into executive session to discuss personnel after the public portion of the meeting.