Hoskins trustees appoint new member, name village engineer and approve routine permits

The Village of Hoskins Board of Trustees met Nov. 3, 2025, at the Hoskins Community Center and unanimously appointed Devin Pekny to fill a vacant trustee seat, approved JEO Consulting Group as the village engineer for 2026, and approved a series of routine permits and fiscal items, according to board minutes.

Trustee Kris Thies moved to appoint Devin Pekny to the board; Trustee Tyler Classen seconded the motion, and a roll-call vote of Trustees James Miller, Kris Thies, Sarah Kimmel and Tyler Classen was recorded as all yea. James Miller presided over the meeting. The board noted three applicants had expressed interest in the vacancy before selecting Pekny.

On personnel and contracting matters, the trustees approved Resolution 2025-08 to authorize signing the year-end certification for City Street Superintendent Terry Mead (Class A License #S-1138) after a motion by Trustee Tyler Classen, seconded by Trustee Kris Thies; the motion passed on a unanimous roll-call vote. The board also voted to appoint JEO Consulting Group, Inc. as the village engineer for calendar year 2026 and to recognize Isaac Kreikemeier (Class A License #S-1749, with JEO) for the same purpose. Trustee Sarah Kimmel made the motion to appoint JEO; Trustee Kris Thies seconded and the vote was unanimous. The appointment was described as necessary to process the village's 2026 highway incentive payment from NDOT.

The trustees approved a building permit for a backyard shed at 312 S. Willis listed as Trinity Church / Rodney Rixe residence after a motion by Trustee Sarah Kimmel and a second by Trustee Kris Thies; the vote was unanimous. The board also approved the village's Rural Board Fire Fund expense report on a motion by Kimmel, seconded by Thies.

Recreation and operational items included approval for Buddy Baseball to use the village ball field 12 times in 2026 for games (motion by Kimmel, seconded by Classen; unanimous vote). Staff provided a series of operational updates: employee progress reports, a Santa Claus event scheduled for Dec. 11, an annual notice sent to residents with galvanized or unknown service lines per EPA guidance for the Lead Survey, completion of the Rural Board fiscal year expense report, a monthly coliform test that was OK, replacement of a lagoon grinder, purchase of a tractor blade for snow removal, concrete poured for a park shelter, and plans to review heaters at the water tower and south well. The fire hall meeting room flooring was replaced and paid for by the village.

The board reviewed submitted bills and then approved payment on a motion by Trustee Sarah Kimmel, seconded by Trustee Kris Thies; the roll-call vote was all yea. Earlier in the meeting, Trustees approved the Oct. 6, 2025 minutes and voted to postpone further action on possibly purchasing the lot south of the park until the owner could be asked about selling the entire parcel.

The meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. The minutes were signed and submitted by Village Clerk Diane Doffin.