The Dwight Village Board of Trustees held their monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 24.

In attendance were trustees Joshua Jahn, Marla Kinkade, Austin Haacke, Deb Karch, and Dan Hansen. Trustee Pete Meister was absent.

Others in attendance were Mayor Paul Johnson, Village Attorney Nick Ehrgott, Village Administrator Crissy Livingston, and Village Clerk Nicole Bozarth

CONSENT AGENDA

The following Consent Agenda items were approved:

  1. Motion approving the minutes of February 24 27, 2026, Administration & Finance Meeting
  2. Motion approving the minutes of February 24, 2026, Village Board Meeting
  3. Motion approving the minutes of March 5, 2026, Administration & Finance Meeting
  4. Motion approving the minutes of March 5, 2026, Special Board Meeting
  5. Motion to approve payments in between board meetings of $168, 739.63
  6. Motion to approve payments dated 3/24/2026 of $27,522.98
  7. Motion approving February 2026 Treasurer’s Report
  8. Motion approving Capital Transfer Fund 01 to Fund 38 $571,137.66
  9. Motion approving Capital Transfer Fund 01 to Fund 14 $76,117.21
  10. Fund transfer $475 from the Referendum Fund (36) to the Referendum Bond fund (47) for paying fiscal agent fees

PUBLIC FORUM

  • Luke Atkinson of Gooseberry Acres brought to the Board’s attention that the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) recently launched the Opportunity Zone 2.0 nomination process, allowing stakeholders to nominate eligible census tracts for designation by April 24, 2026.
  • Chris Frauli addressed the Board inquiring about recent social media comments suggesting that a data center is being considered in Dwight. Mayor Paul Johnson replied that the Megasite east of the Village receives ongoing periodic requests for information from potential business investors but there currently are no active inquiries.

 

REPORT OF MAYOR/OFFICERS

Village Administrator Crissy Livingston reported that several Village events are planned over the next few months including; Red Carpet Corridor and the 100th anniversary celebration of Route 66 on May 2 and 3, Village clean-up day, a Route 66 5K race on July 11, 4th of July Fireworks, and National Night Out. An informational packet will be sent out to all residents.

Chief of Police Mike Nolan reported that planning is underway for National Night Out on Tuesday, August 4.

EMS Director Dustin Campbell reported that one of the Village ambulances was in the shop for repair and a fire occurred in the engine compartment. He is working with the appropriate parties to get the ambulance replaced or reconfigured properly.

 

ORDINANCES / RESOLUTIONS

The following ordinances or resolutions were approved:

  1. Resolution 2026-03: Approving a Website Maintenance and Marketing Agreement with Browntown Communications.
      • Browntown is being contracted for ongoing website updates, maintenance, content development, photography, video production, and marketing campaign execution for the period of April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027 at a cost of $16,000.00.
  2. Resolution 2026-04: Approving a Professional Services Agreement with Teska Associates, Inc.
      • Teska Associates, Inc. is being contracted to prepare a Strategic Land Use Plan and conduct a Zoning Ordinance Review and Zoning Audit, including review of the 2021 Dwight Zoning Ordinance, 2019 Subdivision Ordinance, Zoning Map, related ordinances, administrative and review processes, and policy considerations;  at cost of $37,000. 
  3. Resolution 2026-05: Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) and Maintenance Engineering Services.
  4. Resolution 2026-06: Authorizing Participation in the CMS Joint Purchase Contract for Rock Salt (CY2026-CY2027).
  5. Resolution 2026-07: Ratifying and approving an agreement with Dynegy for Electric Supply.
  6. Resolution 2026-08: Water/Sewer Debt Charges to properties with vacant structures.
      • This resolution will clarify how water and sewer charges will be applied with the following wording:
      • The Village of Dwight authorizes the Village Administrator and Public Works to review the property within the Village and determine what properties with structures are not currently being charged a debt service for water and sewer.
      • The Village of Dwight authorizes the Village Administrator and Public Works to charge all properties having structures located on the property with water and sewer debt service charges, whether or not water or sewer service is being used within the structure or not.
  7. Resolution 2026-09: Keeley Trust
      • This resolution confirms that monies supplied from the Keeley Trust are being used for road and street repair.
  8. Ordinance 1567 Amending the Annual Budget for Fiscal Year 2026.
  9. Ordinance 1568 Adopting the Annual Budget for Fiscal Year 2027.
  10. Ordinance 1569 Amending Chapter 170, Liquor Control, Class E.
      • This ordinance will allow for liquor carry out at non-profit establishments.

OLD BUSINESS

  1. Motion to consider the proposed business under request by Nature Inc. 200-204 S. Franklin St. to fit under the criteria as outlined under 8.01 Section 3 of the Zoning Ordinance, which allows for parking garages and other uses for parking vehicles for long-term purposes, and therefore accept the Planning Commission’s recommendation and approve the Request.
      • This motion was technically “denied” until zoning ordinances could be updated correctly. The car “museum” with the correct ordinance wording is expected to be approved at a future meeting. 
  2. Motion that the Planning Commission review the zoning code for the Downtown Business District to provide explicit language and guidance for properties to be used, or not used, for purposes of a museum, or other similar purposes.
      • This motion was approved once the word “showroom” was removed from the motion.

NEW BUSINESS

The following motions were approved:

  1. Motion to approve a sound amplification permit for National Night Out on August 4, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, in the downtown area.
  2. Motion to approve the closure of East Main Street on August 4, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for National Night Out.
  3. Motion to approve the closure of East Main Street and the north and south downtown parking lots on May 16, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for Buzz the Gut.
  4. Motion to approve a sound amplification permit for Aly Anne’s Music Fest on May 1, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.; May 2, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.; and May 3, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
  5. Motion to approve Park Street closure request (rear alley) for Aly Anne’s Music Fest on May 1, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., and on May 3, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
  6. Motion to authorize the Village Administrator to execute an easement agreement on behalf of the Village.
      • This is for a temporary Construction and Maintenance easement for work at Brewster Run.  
  7. Motion to approve engagement letter with Mahoney, Silverman & Cross, LLC for legal services related to land use matters.
      • This is in regards to annexation matters.
  8. Motion to approve the use of Lions Lake for a fishing tournament on May 3, 2026
  9. Motion to approve updates to the Personnel Policy Handbook, page 18, Sections C and D, to include additional job titles.
  10. Motion to approve change in employment status for Public Works Assistant, as recommended.
      • This position will be moved from part-time to full-time.
  11. Motion to approve the establishment of the Deputy Police Chief position and to appoint Detective Beier as Deputy Police Chief, as recommended.
      • This will become effective April 1, 2026 at a pay scale of $99,500 – Non Union.
  12. Motion to accept the resignation of Officer Henson, effective April 6, 2026.
  13. Motion to approve the purchase of a bucket truck in the amount of $45,000, as provided for in the FY2026 Capital Budget.
  14. Motion to authorize the Village to enter into a grant agreement with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) for the development of Renfrew Park Phase 2.
  15. Fast 5 Travel Plaza.
      • Updated plans were approved for the proposed Travel Plaza at 600 W Mazon Ave. (former Harverst Table Site)

The Board entered into Executive Session

Facebook