Town of Brookston public meetings in 2024
24 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Town Council
The Brookston Town Council approved the 2025 salary ordinance and paid bills totaling $274,594.73. They also made several appointments, including CM Dawn Girard to the Kankakee Iroquois Regional Planning Commission and Rhonda Morgan to the library board. The council authorized submitting documents to the state for a water main project cost revision. Council officer elections were postponed to January.
- Approved minutes of previous meeting (unanimous)
- Approved bills totaling $274,594.73 (unanimous)
- Approved Salary Ordinance #5-2024 for 2025 (unanimous)
- Appointed CM Dawn Girard to Kankakee Iroquois Regional Planning Commission (unanimous)
- Appointed Rhonda Morgan to Brookston Prairie Township Public Library Board (unanimous)
- Appointed CM Ralph Hasser to Area Plan Commission Board (unanimous)
- Authorized Eng. Ken to submit documents to State for water main cost revision (unanimous)
- Postponed council officer elections to January meeting (unanimous)
Town Council
The Town Council approved Ordinance #4-2024, an amendment to the White County zoning ordinance adding more restrictive standards for commercial solar energy systems. It also approved paying $164,816.83 in bills, accepted two consultant agreements for the water improvement project, and agreed to pay INDOT $30,000 toward the highway project. The council voted to move its meeting start time from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. beginning December 23.
- Approved Ordinance #4-2024, amending the White County zoning ordinance for commercial solar energy systems (unanimous)
- Approved paying bills totaling $164,816.83 (unanimous)
- Approved KIRPC agreement as consultant for the water improvement project (unanimous)
- Approved Municipal Civil Corporation as consultant for the water project (unanimous)
- Approved paying INDOT $30,000 for the highway project, with any amount over that on INDOT (approved)
- Changed council meeting time from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. starting December 23 (unanimous)
- Approved minutes of the previous meeting (motion carried)
Town Council
The Brookston Town Council unanimously approved an interlocal agreement with the City of Monticello and Prairie Township for equipping and staffing EMS services. The council also approved paying bills totaling $128,927.08 and accepted an insurance quote from Harmon McClintic. A resident raised concerns about a proposed battery storage facility, and the council agreed to send a letter to the White County Commissioners.
- Approved minutes of previous meeting (unanimous)
- Approved bills totaling $128,927.08 (unanimous)
- Approved interlocal agreement for EMS services with Monticello and Prairie Township (unanimous)
- Approved insurance quote from Harmon McClintic (unanimous)
- Agreed to proceed with wastewater project grant application next year
- Agreed to send letter to White County Commissioners regarding battery storage facility
Town Council
The Brookston Town Council approved the Interlocal Agreement with Monticello and Prairie Township for EMS services, with amendments to add liability coverage and adjust service areas. The council also voted to absorb an IMPA overcollection to keep utility rates unchanged. Other actions included approving bills and discussing leaf pickup procedures.
- Approved minutes of previous meeting as read (unanimous)
- Approved bills totaling $106,998.87 (unanimous)
- Approved Interlocal Agreement for EMS services with amendments (unanimous)
- Approved absorbing IMPA overcollection to keep rates unchanged (unanimous)
- Agreed to proceed with wastewater grant scope development (no formal vote)
- Approved police vehicle detail shop cleaning if budget allows (no formal vote)
- Agreed to hold Christmas dinner on December 4 at Jackson Street Pub (no formal vote)
Town Council
The council approved a zoning ordinance amendment for renewable energy systems and authorized hiring consultants to investigate a water system issue. Members also approved $370,941.80 in bills and authorized scoping for a combined water and wastewater project.
- Approved bills totaling $370,941.80 (Unanimous)
- Approved Ordinance #3-2024 regarding Renewable Energy Systems (Unanimous)
- Approved hiring Eng. Ken and Terry LaOrange to investigate water issue (Unanimous)
- Approved scoping for combined water and wastewater projects
Town Council
The Brookston Town Council approved bills totaling $272,659.58, closed the Water and Wastewater Sinking Funds, and transferred their balances to the General Bank Account for distribution to utility funds. They also approved a new copier/fax machine, four benches for the fire station, and a street closure for trunk-or-treat.
- Approved bills totaling $272,659.58 (unanimous)
- Closed Water Sinking Fund, transferred $146,236.88 to General Bank Account
- Closed Wastewater Sinking Fund, transferred $426.05 to General Bank Account
- Approved new copier/fax machine
- Approved purchase of 4 benches for fire station from fire department budget (unanimous)
- Approved street closure for trunk-or-treat on October 20, 2:30-6:00 PM
- Approved fire engine visit to Little Falcons daycare for presentation
- Approved purchase of acoustic barrier for pickleball court ($5,720.00)
Town Council
The Brookston Town Council unanimously adopted the 2025 budget (Ordinance #2-2024), approved bills totaling $918,153.09, and approved the purchase of a Neptune Meter Reader from the Town of Chalmers for $7,500.00. The council also decided not to extend the summer sewer rate to the October bill and to delay purchasing new stop signs until January to apply for a grant.
- Adopted Budget 2025, Ordinance #2-2024 (unanimous)
- Approved bills totaling $918,153.09 (unanimous)
- Approved purchase of Neptune Meter Reader for $7,500.00 (unanimous)
- Decided not to extend summer sewer rate to October bill
- Held off on purchasing new stop signs until January to apply for grant
Town Council
The Brookston Town Council approved bills totaling $104,318.93 and unanimously voted to pay off the SRF sewer loan on September 20, 2024, for $210,412.61. The council also approved paving invoices from Milestone, Reith Riley, and Municipal Civil, and authorized the purchase of a grill for the baseball park. No public attended the budget hearing for 2025; adoption is scheduled for the next meeting.
- Approved accounts payable totaling $104,318.93 (unanimous)
- Approved payoff of SRF sewer loan on Sept 20, 2024 for $210,412.61 (unanimous)
- Approved paving invoices from Milestone, Reith Riley, and Municipal Civil (unanimous)
- Authorized Supt. Emmett to order a grill for the baseball park
- Approved minutes of previous meeting as read (unanimous)
Town Council
The Town Council approved the payment of bills totaling $165,078.06 and authorized a banner to be hung at the tennis courts. The council took a proposed amendment regarding commercial solar energy systems under advisement.
- Approved bills totaling $165,078.06 (Unanimous)
- Took Amendment A79 regarding Commercial Solar Energy Systems under advisement (Unanimous)
- Approved hanging a banner at the tennis courts facing 4th St
- Confirmed only golf carts are allowed in Town
Town Council
The Brookston Town Council approved the payment of bills totaling $72,824.02 and voted to proceed with purchasing an AC unit this year from All Temp Heating and Cooling. They also approved hanging a patriot banner, set a 10:00 p.m. pickleball curfew, and approved a new lighted stop sign for the crossing guard. Several items, including moving the EMA vehicle and ambulance remodel permits, were deferred for further discussion.
- Approved accounts payable totaling $72,824.02 (unanimous)
- Approved purchase of AC unit from All Temp Heating and Cooling (unanimous)
- Approved hanging 6 ft x 12 ft patriot banner
- Set pickleball court curfew at 10:00 p.m. (unanimous)
- Approved purchase of new lighted hand-held stop sign for crossing guard
- Volunteered CM Hasser to serve on Comprehensive Plan Board
Town Council
The Brookston Town Council approved Ordinance 1-2024 (Amendment A80) for National Flood Insurance Program requirements. They also voted to have the engineer review four bids for the fire station remodel and authorized the President to award the contract based on that recommendation. Bills totaling $205,495.78 were approved, and the council agreed to pay apprenticeship costs upfront for a water department employee.
- Approved minutes of previous meeting (unanimous)
- Approved bills totaling $205,495.78 (unanimous)
- Took fire station remodel bids under advisement for engineer review; President authorized to award contract (unanimous)
- Adopted Ordinance 1-2024, Amendment A80 for flood insurance requirements (unanimous)
- Approved Clerk-Treasurer to pay water apprenticeship costs upfront (unanimous)
Town Council
The Brookston Town Council approved paying bills totaling $183,870.93 and voted unanimously to keep the ordinance allowing only golf carts, not ATVs. They also approved a motion to allow President Butz to sign paving contracts, and discussed but did not finalize a proposed shelter at Wood St. Park, pending review of plans. No other substantive decisions were made.
- Approved bills totaling $183,870.93 (unanimous)
- Kept ordinance for golf carts only, no ATVs (unanimous)
- Approved President Butz to sign paving contracts for #1-2024
- Approved paying off water loan early
- Approved digging out and filling in broken sidewalk on Denise Lopp's property
Town Council
The Brookston Town Council approved Resolution 3-2024 authorizing submission of a CDBG grant application for water plant improvements, with a local match approved. The council also tabled discussion on allowing ATVs on town streets until the next meeting. Several other items were discussed, including tree trimming, road paving, and a new trail camera for the park.
- Approved minutes of previous meeting (unanimous)
- Approved bills totaling $143,559.51 (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution 3-2024 for CDBG grant application (unanimous)
- Tabled ATV ordinance discussion to July 10, 2024
- Agreed to purchase one solar-powered trail camera for Wood St. Park ($200 plus $25/month)
- Agreed to allow Marshal to talk to Officer Neal about returning part-time, pending insurance coverage
Town Council
The Brookston Town Council approved the low bid of $270,457.16 from Reith Riley for the 2024-CCBG grant project, with a September deadline. The council also approved paying bills totaling $221,525.73 and agreed to several operational items, including a child playing sign on Moore St., quotes for a permanent camera system at Wood St Park, and hiring a part-time deputy.
- Approved $221,525.73 in bills (unanimous)
- Approved low bid of $270,457.16 from Reith Riley for 2024-CCBG grant (unanimous)
- Approved placing a child playing sign on Moore St.
- Approved getting quotes for a permanent camera system at Wood St Park
- Approved starting the process to hire a part-time deputy
- Agreed to send a certified letter to contractor about fire station concrete (pending attorney review)
Town Council
The Brookston Town Council approved the accounts payable totaling $44,150.89, a new town website (around $2,000), and the purchase of golf cart batteries ($1,050). They also voted 3-2 against placing a historic stone in the pickleball court. No other major decisions were made; several items were discussed for future action.
- Approved bills totaling $44,150.89 (unanimous)
- Approved new town website (cost ~$2,000)
- Approved purchase of golf cart batteries ($1,050)
- Voted 3-2 against placing antique store stone in pickleball court
- Approved paying Jack Tatman for generator fence
- Agreed to stagger barricades during SR 43 construction
- Denied water softener addition (cost $1.6 million)
Town Council
The Brookston Town Council approved the minutes, paid bills totaling $114,887.54, and voided stale checks worth $589.43. They also discussed feral cat management, heard updates on the ambulance service and paving projects, and addressed various maintenance requests.
- Approved minutes as read (unanimous)
- Approved bills totaling $114,887.54 (unanimous)
- Approved voiding stale outstanding checks totaling $589.43 (unanimous)
- Agreed to move parking cement blocks away from Cathy French's backyard (unanimous)
Town Council
The Brookston Town Council approved accounts payable totaling $240,127.62 and accepted a proposal for engineering services related to INDOT paving grants. A public hearing was held for a $600,000 water filtration grant application. The council also approved purchasing two grills and paying an invoice for fencing materials.
- Approved accounts payable totaling $240,127.62 (unanimous)
- Accepted Municipal Civil Corporation for professional services for INDOT CCMG paving grants (unanimous)
- Approved purchase of 2 grills for ball park and Wood St Park (unanimous)
- Approved payment of $2,373.00 invoice for fencing materials (unanimous)
Town Council
The Brookston Town Council approved paying $70,246.07 in bills and approved a walk-through open house for the new fire station on May 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The council also said yes to the fire department turning in next year's budget by the first week of June and to distributing open house flyers with the time change. The town was approved for the 2024-1 paving grant, with bids to be published twice and paving expected to start in early June and finish by July 4. President Butz announced he has stage 4 melanoma cancer and may miss meetings for treatment.
- Approved previous meeting minutes as read (motion carried)
- Approved paying bills totaling $70,246.07 (unanimous)
- Approved fire station open house as a walk-through on May 18, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
- Said yes to fire department budget being turned in by first week of June
- Said yes to handing out fire station open house flyers with the 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. time
- Town approved for 2024-1 paving grant; bids to be published twice, 7 days apart
- SRF public meeting set for April 24 Council meeting at 7:00 p.m.
- Clerk-Treasurer to call Redevelopment Commission members to set a meeting on a TIF-related Resolution
Town Council
The Brookston Town Council approved several items, including a $10,500 bid from Tatman for pavilion work (replacing an earlier $8,000 bid) and a $4,800 bid from Epic Tree Trimming and Removal for removing 10 walnut trees at the ball park. They also approved resolutions for a drinking water SRF loan program and model PER acceptance, and unanimously approved bills totaling $442,416.19.
- Approved bills totaling $442,416.19 (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution #1-2024 SRF Loan Program authorizing VP North as signatory (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution #2-2024 Model PER Acceptance (unanimous)
- Accepted Tatman's new bid of $10,500 for pavilion work, suspending first bid of $8,000 (unanimous)
- Accepted Epic Tree Trimming and Removal bid of $4,800 for walnut tree removal (unanimous)
Town Council
The Town Council approved two sets of accounts payable vouchers. A decision on a pavilion quote was tabled pending a more detailed estimate.
- Approved February 28, 2024 bills totaling $43,064.79 (Unanimous)
- Approved March 15, 2024 bills totaling $293,811.20 (Unanimous)
- Approved February 28, 2024 meeting minutes
- Approved March 15, 2024 meeting minutes
- Tabled pavilion quote pending more detailed information
Town Council
The Brookston Town Council approved applying for a $5,000 employer training grant to support employee Tim Reifel's water license apprenticeship, and unanimously authorized moving forward with an SRF loan and grant for water utility improvements. Minutes and bills were tabled for approval at the next meeting. The council also accepted a $5,000 quote from Tatman for ball park pavilion repairs.
- Approved motion to apply for $5,000 employer training grant (unanimous)
- Approved motion to move forward with SRF loan and grant (unanimous)
- Accepted Tatman quote of $5,000 for pavilion repairs (unanimous)
- Tabled approval of previous meeting minutes
- Tabled approval of bills totaling $43,064.79
Town Council
The Council approved hiring Ken Smith as a planning study consultant and authorized a grant application for water projects. Other actions included approving $99,148.08 in bills and funding for park bleacher repairs and replacements.
- Approved bills totaling $99,148.08 (unanimous)
- Approved Ken Smith as planning study consultant (unanimous)
- Accepted KIRPC standard agreement for grant administrative (unanimous)
- Approved trial season for sponsorship signs on outfield fences (unanimous)
- Approved purchase of wood for bleacher repairs and 8 new aluminum bleachers (unanimous)
- Approved payment for 1 Source application #5 and final retainage (unanimous)
- Approved wastewater apprenticeship (approved)
- Approved grant application for water projects (unanimous)
Town Council
The Brookston Town Council approved paying off its SRF debt service loan using the $182,000 in the debt service fund, which the town engineer said would end the loan by August and save a $12,000 monthly wastewater utility payment. The council also approved a $191,899.23 accounts payable voucher, a $2,500 donation to White County Economic Development, and an updated attorney agreement cutting Rebecca Trent's hours to 24 per year. It unanimously accepted two fire station documents: a change order effective January 24, 2024, and a Certificate of Substantial Completion for on or before February 26, 2024. Other items were informational, including a water plant rehab project estimated at $1.2 million to $1.9 million with a $500,000 town match, and a state housing funding update.
- Approved paying off SRF debt service loan using $182,000 debt service fund (unanimous)
- Approved accounts payable voucher totaling $191,899.23 (unanimous)
- Approved $2,500 donation to White County Economic Development (unanimous)
- Approved updated Attorney Rebecca Trent agreement at 24 hours per year (unanimous)
- Approved fire station change order effective January 24, 2024 (unanimous)
- Approved fire station Certificate of Substantial Completion for on or before February 26, 2024 (unanimous)
- Approved minutes of previous meeting (motion carried)
Town Council
The Brookston Town Council approved previous meeting minutes, two accounts payable registers totaling $571,194.27, and a town portion payment of $4,871.78 for fire radios. Terry North was nominated and approved as Vice President. The council also discussed upcoming street paving lists, wastewater plant options, and utility project updates.
- Approved previous meeting minutes
- Approved accounts payable registers #1 2023 and #2-2024 totaling $571,194.27 (unanimous)
- Nominated Terry North as Vice President (unanimous)
- Approved paying a $4,871.78 portion for fire radios from the town's fire equipment budget (unanimous)