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Smithton board approves Park Master Plan contract, street-maintenance bids and Bria building demolition
Summary
At its June 16 meeting the Village of Smithton Board unanimously approved Resolution 2026-11 (Park Master Plan contract with Farnsworth Group), accepted two MFT oil-and-chip bids under budget, adopted Ordinance No. 1069 to sell a surplus police vehicle, and authorized demolition of the Bria building under Resolution 2026-10.
The Village of Smithton Board on June 16 unanimously approved a series of contracts and bids intended to advance the village’s park planning, street maintenance and a planned demolition.
Trustees authorized Mayor Michael Smallwood to sign Resolution 2026-11, a contract with the Farnsworth Group to continue work on the Park Master Plan. Trustee Jim Elbe moved the resolution and Trustee Charlie Rogers seconded; the vote was unanimous. Township staff and trustees discussed the plan’s useful life; Village/Zoning Administrator George Liyeos said the plan typically remains relevant for 10 to 20 years and noted a prior MEPRD grant of $35,000 toward the work.
In street maintenance business, the Board accepted bids from the June 11 MFT (motor fuel tax) letting: Froese submitted $48,344.04 and DMS submitted $53,715.60, both under the $67,144 budget. Administrator George Liyeos recommended acceptance and Trustee Charlie Rogers moved to approve the bids; Trustees voted unanimously to accept them.
The Board adopted Ordinance No. 1069 to authorize sale of a surplus police vehicle. Trustee Tim Hopkins made the motion and Trustee Jim Elbe seconded; the ordinance passed on a unanimous roll call. Chief Jason Neff said the vehicle was still with Datatronics and that if no other municipality purchases it he will likely offer it to Chicago Motors.
Trustees also approved Resolution 2026-10, authorizing a contract with SOIL Excavating for demolition of the Bria building. Trustee Todd Reyling moved the resolution and Trustee Jim Mourey seconded. The contract period was extended to 60 calendar days to allow for asbestos abatement and concrete work; the Board voted unanimously to approve.
On non-contract items, the Board approved a request from the Fieldstone subdivision to hold a neighborhood block party July 3 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Resident Steven Winzeler told the trustees, “They had the event last year with the Village’s approval, and no issues were reported.” Trustee Jim Mourey moved approval and Trustee Tim Hopkins seconded; the motion carried unanimously.
Village/Zoning Administrator George Liyeos also reported several other items: the Safe Routes to School grant application was not awarded; final administrative details for the IPBC insurance transition (COBRA, ACA, co-pays) are being completed ahead of a July 1 transition; and easement work at 159 Turn Lane will resume. On a pending zoning matter, Liyeos described a requested expansion of storage units at 3011 South Illinois as contingent on IDOT approval to widen the driveway and on resolution of stormwater issues; a vote on that special use permit will be taken after IDOT sign-off.
Public Works Supervisor Dean Klein said crews completed radio-read meter updates on Knab Road and will begin Main Street, are widening the shooting-range berm, performed locates for Socket Fiber, and will attend an OSHA safety meeting on June 24. He reported staff are researching treatments for lake bacteria.
The Board authorized payment of bills and accepted committee and officer reports. Trustees suspended the regular order of business to enter executive session under the litigation exception at 7:32 p.m.; they returned to open session at 7:49 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
What’s next: The Board will take a vote on the 3011 South Illinois special use permit after IDOT approval and continued work on the Park Master Plan under the Farnsworth contract.
