Crete Village Trustees, in a split vote, have approved an ordinance modifying the existing Accessory Building ordinance. The new ordinance will eliminate the need for sheds to be mounted on a concrete slab. 

Revising the previous ordinance has been on board agendas for several weeks, with lengthy discussion. It passed during the April 14 meeting, on a 4-2 vote, with Trustees Stephen Johnson and Mark Wiater voting no. 

In another matter, trustees passed Resolution 2025-745 approving an intergovernmental agreement between the village and the Crete Park District. The resolution finalizes the obligations the village has to the park district relating to the placement of the water system’s iron removal structure in Swiss Valley Park.

In other business, the results of the bid opening regarding Phase 2 of the lead service line replacement program were announced. Trustees unanimously approved awarding the bid to low bidder Stip Brothers Excavating in the amount of $3,090,850. 

A total of three prequalified contractors submitted bids. The other two bids received were higher and were from M & J Underground ($4,112,245.01) and Trine Construction Corporation ($4,700,420).

Robinson Engineering prepared the plans and specifications for the project. Robinson noted the bids were “reviewed and found to be correct and in order, and we feel the bid reflects the market as it exists today. The village should not reasonably expect to get lower bids through re-bidding.”

In addition, Village Administrator Michael Smith told the board he has received the employee health insurance renewal information for the upcoming fiscal year. While the exact amount of the increase still is being calculated, we should expect to see double digit increases. 

In his report, Crete Police Chief Scott Pieritz said Officer Kahlin Niemeyer will be completing Step 3 of field training this month. 

He also noted the Crete Police Department Recruitment Team will be attending Kankakee Community College’s Career Fair on April 17 and Olivet Nazarene University’s Career Fair on April 24, and also will be attending a luncheon at Olivet Nazarene University prior to the fair that recognizes police departments that partnership with the college. 

The department’s fundraising efforts for Special Olympics Illinois continues, with Crete’s Police Bingo event raising more than $4,000. The next Special Olympics event is Cop on a Roof-Top-Dunkin Donuts (Beecher) on May 16, from 5 a.m. to noon. Chief Pieritz thanked the Crete Lions Club for their generous donation of $1,000 to the police department. Sgt. Christopher Young attended a recent banquet on behalf of the police department and accepted the gift. 

Also during his report, Chief Pieritz said April is Autism Awareness month and officers will be wearing Velcro “rockers” on the back of their vests in support of awareness. 

And finally, Chief Pieritz announced the annual Spring Community Clean-up Day is Saturday April 26, at 9 a.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1393 Elizabeth Street in Crete. The public is encouraged to come out and help keep our village looking good. 

Under board reports, Trustee Stephen Johnson said the lead service line replacement is going well, and the contractor is doing a good job. Trustee Mark Wiater informed the board he is formulating a recommendation on yearly employee wage adjustments and should have the data ready at the April 28 meeting.

During the Citizens Speak segment of the meeting, several residents had comments:

  • Paul Vanderaa addressed the board on his opposition to changing the accessory structure ordinance. He felt sheds should be built on a concrete base. 
  • Tammy Burnham asked the board about paving a portion of Sangamon Street in the 2025 road paving project. She was told the portion of Sangamon Street in question was on the project list and was scheduled to be paved this summer. She also informed the board she contacted the county and was successful getting a misspelled street sign replaced with a correct sign. 
  • Ernest Jones asked the board about lane striping and crosswalk striping in Williamsburg subdivision. The contractor already has been contacted and should be out in the coming weeks. 

 During the Communications section of the meeting, the board heard that the Crete Park District has numerous special events coming up, including Park-a-Palooza on June 7, at Heritage Park (noon-4 p.m.), Unplug Crete Play Day on July 12, (noon-3 p.m.) at Lincolnshire Park, and Acorn Fest on September 19 (5-9 p.m.) and September 20 (11 a.m.-10 p.m.) at Crete Park.

In addition, Crete Methodist Church announced their annual Woman’s Club Spring Flower Sale on May 10, from 7 a.m.-1 p.m. 

Trinity Lutheran Church will hold their Touch-a-Truck Event on May 31, from 10:30 a.m.-noon, at the church. Trinity asked for permission to close Elizabeth Street between Cass and Division from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. for the event. Trustees approved the request. 

The Crete Area Chamber of Commerce will use the Crete Methodist Church parking lot on Monday evenings for their Farmer’s Market/Cruise Nights. The markets will be held from 6-8 p.m., every Monday, from June 16 through August 4. 

The village received various required reports from Direct TV and Waste Management regarding their operations. 

In addition, officials issued a reminder that the deadline to submit Requests for Proposals to the village for a Paramedic/Firefighter contract is May 2, at 5 p.m. The current contract with Metro Paramedic Services will expire at the end of May.

The board also adopted a resolution honoring Pastor Frank Italiano for his distinguished service to the Village of Crete as Chaplain for the Crete Fire Department since 2018. Pastor Italiano is leaving Crete to head up another congregation in Wisconsin.