The first order of business on Tuesday, March 12 was to appoint an acting mayor to fill the remainder of her term through April 2025. Trustee Tyler J. Scott was nominated by trustee Tim Hunter, with the board giving unanimous approval.
Village Attorney Matt Cole said the position of acting mayor is a permanent appointment, and since Scott is already an officer, he didn’t need to be sworn in. Scott will “wear two hats” as acting mayor and trustee, which allows him to perform normal day-to-day tasks of the office, lead the meetings, and cast a vote – unless he resigns his trustee seat to be the mayor.
Piester, 64, was a trustee for over 16 years before taking the reins as mayor following the resignation of Doug Dunlap in 2019. She was then elected as mayor in April 2021. She served in the US Marine Corps as a Military Police Officer for 12 years and helped start the Lyndon Veterans Memorial, among other notable accomplishments.
Tyler Scott, second from left, was appointed acting mayor of Lyndon following the death of Becky Piester last month.
Two representatives from Pepin Community Funding and Planning Services next discussed potential grants and criteria from various agencies. The company has already helped the village secure grants for water lines, mains, and lead service line inventory.
Since the board is working on a Comprehensive Plan, to be approved this summer, it will help them secure more grants in the future. The Pepin reps discussed matching amounts, application deadlines, funding cycles, and the cost for grant-writing services, which is based on what and how much they’re applying for, with no cost for upfront work.
Potential grants the village can apply for are the DNR’s Park and Recreational Facility Construction Grant (PARC), DNR’s Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD), DNR’s Boat Access Area Development (BAAD), IDOT’s Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP), and USDA’s Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG).
Since the village is part of the Rock River Trail System, and BAAD grant applications are open March 18 – May 7, the board gave approval to apply for that grant next. The maximum grant for a non-motorized location (canoe, kayak, small craft) is $80,000, which can be used for boat access, security, lighting, ADA paths and ramps, and parking. The old boat ramp by 1st St. W. would make an ideal location, the board determined. Pepin’s will have a proposal ready at the next meeting.
The former boat ramp along the south end loop of 1st St. West is being considered for potential boat access development.
Board Action Items:
- Approved an easement for a septic system at 601 N. St., across the street from Richmond Park. Trustee Gary Sutton said the options are to condemn the house or allow the easement. The contractor will provide blueprints and the permit to the village once approved by the Health Department.
- Approved the appointment of Alicia Wetzell as Deputy Clerk.
- Agreed to honor the current agreement with Bear’s Bar for delivery of sand for an indoor beach party last month, charging them $75 for time and resources and $57 for the load of sand. The board decided to no longer offer the service as it has in the past, since it puts them in competition with local businesses.
- Discussed purchasing up to 12 dumpster bottoms, plus shipping costs, to replace worn ones in the inventory. The board previously discussed picking them up but learned that they ship from Arkansas, not Illinois. Public Works’ Mike Fisk said they need the more expensive custom bottoms, but Lyndon Fire Department has a plasma cutter they can use to cut the regular ones down to size, and public works crews can weld them on.
- Approved a sidewalk permit for Sharon Kelly at 605 1st St. East.
- Approved site clean-up at 707 3rd St. West at a house that caught fire last year. Sutton offered a $100 donation for the dumpster.
- Approved purchasing VOIP phones through PC Tech 2U of Rock Falls, which will be installed this week. The village phone numbers will all remain the same.
- Fisk also reported that the garbage truck needs new sliders, as the garbage is squeezing out the sides when crushed, and trailer park has a bad water meter, but they can purchase and install a new one.
- The board tabled action on running ads for the Police Chief position, and Whiteside County Zoning Ordinance changes since those aren’t completed yet. The village already has a building code, so they’re covered for now, said Cole.
The next council meeting will be on Tuesday, April 9 at 6 p.m. at Village Hall.
