VILLAGE OF SCALES MOUND
Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees
Stone House
August 31, 2026
6:30 P.M.
The Regular Meeting of the President and Board of Trustees was called to order at 6:30 pm on Monday, August 31, 2026. The members present were Nicole Winter, Ruth Foley, Deven Morgensen, Josh Altfillisch, Janet Werner, Kristy Hesselbacher, Tami Koons, Village Clerk, and Marissa Marquith, Village Treasurer. Also present was Chet VanRaalte, Zach Winter, Dave Fosler, Jerry and Fran Edwards, Bill Tonne, Marvin Schultz, Brian and Sandra Conley, Jacquie Meli, Tom Heidenreich, Carmelo and Emily Munguia, and Carrie Stier.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Regular Meeting July 27, 2026, and Development Committee Meeting Minutes August 18, 2026 – Werner moved; Hesselbacher seconded to approve the minutes from the Regular Meeting July 27, 2026, and Development Committee Meeting Minutes August 18, 2026, to be approved as read. All voted aye.
TREASURERS REPORT
The Treasurer’s Report was reviewed. Foley moved; Altfillisch seconded to approve the Treasurer’s Report as presented. On roll call, all voted aye.
APPROVAL OF BILLS
The monthly bills were reviewed. Hesselbacher moved; Altfillisch seconded that the July 2026 bills to be approved as presented. On roll call, all voted aye.
Bill Tonne – 40 Acre Rule Presentation
40-Acre Rule Discussion:
Bill Tonne presented information regarding the 40-Acre Rule and the potential impacts of reducing the minimum acreage requirement on agricultural land and residential development in Jo Daviess County. Tonne requested consideration of a resolution supporting the continuation of the 40-Acre Rule and requiring a supermajority vote for any amendment to the rule by the County. Marvin Schultz provided historical background on the establishment of the 40-Acre Rule. Tom Heidenreich discussed the potential impacts of the 40-Acre Rule on municipalities throughout Jo Daviess County. Questions were raised regarding development on parcels of less than 40 acres and whether such development would require a Special Use Permit and review by the Zoning Board. Carrie Stier asked whether other villages or municipalities had adopted resolutions supporting the 40-Acre Rule. Tonne stated that, to his knowledge, none had done so, noting that some municipalities were reluctant to take a position due to ongoing projects with Jo Daviess County. Sandy Conley raised concerns regarding potential residential density if the requirement were reduced, including the possibility of increased housing development on larger parcels. Stier also asked whether a change to the acreage requirement could affect the responsibilities of farmers with property adjacent to residential development. Schultz indicated that it could.
CITIZENS COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS
A) Citizens Comments – Carmelo and Emily Munguia inquired about financial assistance with gravel in the ditch leading up to the new driveway and the tube to be put in for their daughter. The Board deferred to the Zoning Administrator to discuss the permit process and village obligations. Zach Winter will coordinate with Carmelo and Emily Munguia.
B) SM Chamber – None.
C) Contact Us Submissions – 1) Steve and Margaret Townsend inquired if the area where the sewer line that Jo Carroll dug up could be put back the way it was before it was dug up. The Village took care of this area and restored it back to its original state. 2) Michelle Schueller – brought to the village’s attention that there is a car parked in front of Wills’ garage that she could not see around. The village will look into this and notify owners.
D) FOIA Requests – All FOIA requests were addressed within the required timeframe: 6 from The Data Branch and 2 from The Prairie State Wire.
E) Other – None.
ORDINANCE VIOLATIONS/ADMINISTRATIVE LAW REPORT – Two (2) Ordinance violations were discussed and follow up letters will be sent out.
PUBLIC WORKS
A) Monthly Report – Chet reported that the sink hole in front of the funeral home is fixed and awaiting concrete. The remaining part of the tube under the ground is starting to collapse underneath the Chatterbox. Bids will need to be obtained. Chet reported that mowing has increased due to the weather. PTI was here to spray the ponds and will be back in 30 days to do it again. Lift station motor went out, and the new motor has been ordered.
ZONING REPORT
A) Monthly Report – Zayo Group inquired with zoning on constructing a single story, precast concrete utility structure for installing an In-Line Amplifier station that would connect to and serve a proposed fiber optic line near Stagecoach Trail. The pre-cast building is proposed to be constructed on agriculture land adjacent to the current High Point Storage facilities. Zoning notified the company that the proposed property is zoned agriculture and does not work for this proposed project. An alternative location that is zoned Industrial was proposed to the company.
OLD BUSINESS
A. INI Cross Connection – The survey’s collected by Werner and Foley will be provide to Tami, Village Clerk to record.
B. Environmental Survey – Fehr Grahm indicated they could complete the Environmental Survey and then they will submit and once submitted it takes 6 months for approval. Foley moved; Morgensen seconded to move into an agreement with Fehr Graham to conduct the Environmental Survey. On roll call, all voted aye.
C. IML Conference –Nicole Winter offered a last call for any other board members to attend the IML Conference. Nicole Winter and Deven Morgensen will be attending the IML Conference on September 17-19, 2026.
OTHER COMMITTEE REPORTS
A) Street/Maintenance – None.
B) Sewer/Water – None.
C) Finance – None.
D) Park & Special Projects – None.
E) Public Events & Safety – None.
F) Trees & Sidewalks – Sidewalk rebate update for Ken and Sandy Frank – Josh Altfillisch measured 600 feet, and this will be $1,900.00 for the Village portion of the reimbursement rebate.
G) Ordinance/Policy – None.
H) Development – The Development Committee met on 8/18/2026, and with Fehr Graham in attendance, Fehr Graham provided details about their environmental survey process and confirmed their capability to undertake the project, expressing willingness to utilize University of Platteville engineering students designs. UWP has agreed to contribute to the design work as part of their senior project and will help reduce engineering costs.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Review Closed Session Minutes from the Past 6 Months/Recordings of 18 Months – There were no closed sessions in the past 6 months to review. Recordings will remain closed.
B. Flag Poles – Margaret Townsend reported that we need 53 flags and they are $7.00 per flag. Hesselbacher moved; Foley seconded to purchase 53 flags at $7.00 per flag for a total of $371.00. On roll call, all voted aye.
C. Mum’s Purchase from Daycare – Hesselbacher moved; Altfillisch seconded to purchase Mum’s from the Scales Mound Daycare fundraiser. On roll call, all voted aye.
D. Grocery Store – Street Closure for Costumer appreciation party 9/5/2026 from 4 pm – 11 pm – Morgensen moved; Hesselbacher seconded to approve the street closure for the Grocery Store Appreciation Party 9/5/2026 from 4 pm – 11 pm. All voted aye.
E. Other – 1) Halloween – Galena is having their annual Halloween parade on Saturday 10/31/2026. With this in mind, the village may consider changing Trick or Treat Hours as Scales Mound has a lot of residents and businesses who either participate in the parade and/or attend the event.
i. The board agreed to put a poll out on Facebook for resident/community input.
2) Special Meeting Hesselbacher moved; Werner seconded to have the special meeting for the 40-acre Rule – Resolution on 9/3/2026 at 7 pm. On roll call, all voted aye except Altfillisch voted nay.
BRAINSTORMING – Reminder that there are 3 trustee seats and 1 President seat upcoming and papers are ready, please contact Tami Koons, Village Clerk at scalesmoundclerk@gmail.com. Papers must be returned to the Clerk between November 16 – November 23, 2026.
CLOSED SESSION – Werner moved; Altfillisch seconded to go into Closed Session at 7:41 pm to discuss personnel. All voted aye.
ACTION FROM CLOSED SESSION – None.
ADJOURNMENT – Altfillisch moved; Werner seconded that the meeting be adjourned at 8:14 pm. All voted aye.
These Minutes were prepared by Village Clerk, Tami Koons.