Board of Trustees

Village of Peoria Heights Board of Trustees February 17, 2026 The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. Everyone stood for a moment of silence and the Pledge to the Flag. Upon calling roll, the following Trustees were present: Nate Steinwedel, Elizabeth Khazzam, Teresa Symmonds, Sarah DeVore, Brandon Wisenburg, and Jen Reichert. Others present included Mayor Matt Wigginton, Administrator Dustin Sutton, Village Clerk Stephanie Turner, Chief of Police Chris Ahart, Interim Fire Chief Austin Szentes, and Village Counsel Kate Carter. Trustee Symmonds made a motion to approve the Board minutes from February 3, 2026. Trustee Khazzam seconded the motion. The motion passed 6-0. Mayor Wigginton opened the meeting to public comment. Hearing no public comment, Mayor Wigginton closed the meeting to public comment. The Board moved on to old business. Trustee Wisenburg made a motion to ratify Ordinance 2026-1785: An Ordinance Amending Title 6 Chapter 7 Of the Code of The Village of Peoria Heights Regarding Cannabis and Drug Paraphernalia to Prohibit Sale and Use of Kratom in the Village. Trustee Symmonds seconded the motion. The Board noted the ordinance had been discussed previously. The Board approved the ordinance 6-0. Hearing no additional old business, Mayor Wigginton moved on to the new business. Trustee Wisenburg made a motion to approve the street closure for the St. Patrick’s Day event on March 17, 2026. Trustee Steinwedel seconded the motion. The event is an annual event. The organizers were instructed to contact the other businesses to warn them of the road closure. The Board approved the closure 6-0. Trustee Reichert made a motion to approve the use of Tower Park on Thursdays June 25, July 23, and August 27, 2026 for Peoria Heights Community Band. Trustee DeVore seconded the motion. The event is an annual event. The Board approved the event. Trustee Wiseburg made a motion to approve vehicle equipment for the Police Department in the amount of $5,683.48. Trustee DeVore seconded the motion. Chief Ahart explained the purchase is for printers in the squad cars so the officers can issue e-tickets and crash reports on scene increasing the efficiency of the department. The Board approved the purchase 6-0. Trustee DeVore made a motion to approve a donation in the amount of $1,000 for Peoria Heights Community Band. Trustee Wisenburg seconded the motion. Trustee DeVore noted it was the band’s 40th anniversary, and the Board has historically donated $1,000. The Board approved the donation 6–0. Trustee Symmonds made a motion to approve change orders for the water filtration plant. Trustee Khazzam seconded the motion. The change orders will be for an additional $50,000 topographical investigation. Mr. Mark Lee, engineering consultant for the Village, explained the location of the plant on the bluff requires additional investigation. However, some of the work is site clearing which would be happening regardless. The work will allow engineers to best design to protect from landslides, and, while the site is not ideal, the location near the other water infrastructure means the Village’s cost savings in connecting pipes offset locating the plant on flat ground. The Board approved the change 6-0. Trustee Symmonds made a motion to approve counsel engagement for PFAS class-action litigation. Trustee Wisenburg seconded the motion. Attorney Carter explained the step is an initial common step for communities based on PFAS contamination. The practice being retained works on a contingency fee so joining the class-action litigation bares no cost to the Village. The Board approved the motion 6-0. Trustee DeVore introduced the first review of the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget. Administrator Sutton noted the Board should contact him with questions and changes. Clerk Turner provided an overview of the Village’s finances. Clerk Turner gave an overview of the budget providing details on each of the departments of the General Fund as well as each of the funds. She noted that while there were some planned deficits they were in restricted funds with cash reserves to handle the increased spending and the result of planned infrastructure improvements. Clerk Turner explained the details of department’s planned projects as the Board asked questions regarding specifics before concluding the discussion. Mayor Wigginton thanked staff and Trustee DeVore for a good, balanced budget. Hearing no additional new business, Mayor Wigginton opened the meeting to public comment. Mr. Jon Boda and Mr. Logan Wheaton came forward representing Mt Moon Festival. They spoke to the Board about their upcoming road closure and event request. Hearing no additional public comments, the Board moved on to miscellaneous business. Trustee Khazzam noted the Board had been informed its chosen date for the 250 th anniversary event has been another approved event in Tower Park. The Board noted it wishes to use Tower Park for the event. Trustee Reichert will put together a couple of possible dates for Board discussion. Trustee DeVore requested actionable steps on getting opinions from the residents outside the referendum. After discussing options, noting advantages and flaws of each, the Board reached a consensus to fund a direct mailing to residents educating them on the referendum. There will also be information added to the Village’s website. Administrator Sutton will work with staff to take action. Trustee Steinwedel noted he’s spoken to Administrator Sutton, and he has concerns about the number of homes which are zoned R-2. He noted homes are being turned into multi-family properties with portion of the house being rented. Administrator Sutton noted the Police Department has addressed the issue as they’re able but it’s difficult to address as it can be hard to prove. He shared that a local home owner has offered a property that will be demoed soon for the fire department to do training. The Peoria Heights Fire Department has been able to work alongside City of Peoria in that training. Hearing no additional miscellaneous business, the Board moved on to payment of the bills. Trustee Wisenburg made a motion to approve the bills. Trustee DeVore seconded the motion. There were no questions on the bills. The Board voted 6-0 to approve payment of the bills. Clerk Turner read the Treasurer’s Report. At the end of January, there was $11,913,720.67 in the Village controlled accounts, and $2,307,943.89 in the Water controlled accounts. Trustee Symmonds made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report. Trustee Khazzam seconded the motion. The Board voted 6-0 to approve the report. Mayor Wigginton explained the Board will adjourn the meeting to executive session. No action will be taken in executive session. Trustee Wisenburg made a motion to adjourn to executive session under 5 ILCS 120/2(6) lease of property. Trustee Steinwedel seconded the motion. The Board of Trustees voted 6-0 to adjourn at 7:12 p.m. ____________________________________ ______________________________________ Matthew Wigginton, Mayor Stephanie Turner, Village Clerk