Mayor Kevin Timmermann Mayor Kevin Timmermann announced during the Breese City Council meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 7, that the city was notified by Henry, Meisenheimer and Gende Engineering Services that the city received a $1.1 million grant from the state to repair Mine Street.
The grant goes back to the engineers and the engineers send the grant to the Illinois Department of Transportation. They hope to take care of the project before next spring.
"We were lucky enough that we got this grant," Timmermann said.
In this past year, the city has received a grant for the water tower and now for Mine Street. He said the grant for Mine Street is very good for Breese and it takes care of Gateway FS and the people living on Mine Street.
"This repair has been something that has been needed for a long time," Timmermann said.
Also during his mayor's report, Timmermann said in the last year owners at Logo's and More, PJ's Diner, and Town and Country Florist have sold out their businesses to other people. Timmermann recognized the owners for all of the years of business they have had in Breese.
"Each one of them did a very good job," Timmermann said.
The council thanked the previous owners and wished good luck to the new owners.
During the health portion of the meeting, Alderman Luke Essenpreis said fall clean-up day will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, at the street department.
The leaf dump will be open from Oct. 25 to Dec. 21 on Wednesdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
During the public safety portion of the meeting, Alderman Steve Hellige said trick or treat will be 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31.
Breese Police Chief Mark Berndsen said there has been a few vehicles stolen in the county within the last week. None of those incidents happened in Breese. Berndsen reminded residents to keep stuff hidden or out of the vehicle and their keys in the house with their vehicles locked.
An update was given on the Walnut Street project during the public works portion of the meeting. Curbing and sidewalks are being torn out. They hope to be pouring concrete this week.
During the recreation portion of the meeting, Alderman Jason Davinroy thanked everyone with the city for their help with Fall Fest on Saturday, Sept. 27. He said there was a great turnout and a lot of folks had a good time.
"We brought a heck of a crowd to Breese and we had no issues," Davinroy said.
Alderman Gary Usselmann said during the public buildings portion of the meeting that the Breese Public Library construction with Litteken Construction is going according to schedule.
The council approved an ordinance amending the budget and appropriation ordinance for Fiscal Year 2026 during the finance portion of the meeting.
The council approved an ordinance correcting a typographical error in Section 40-1-2 of the City of Breese Zoning Code.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, Tracy Session said they will be doing another ALS fundraiser at the four-way stop on U.S. 50 and St. Rose Road. This will be their fourth year doing the fundraiser.
The fundraiser will be on Oct. 17 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. All of the funds go to the Dr. Tim Miller Lab at Washington University in St. Louis for research.
The council unanimously approved the fundraiser.
The council approved appointing Bill Fischer to the park board.
