Grundy Reporter

Coal City Village Board of Trustees met Sept. 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

At 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, Mayor Dave Spesia called to order the meeting of the Coal City Village Board in the boardroom of Village Hall. Roll call- Trustees Dave Togliatti, Dan Greggain, Pam Noffsinger, Tim Bradley, Sarah Beach and Bill Mincey. Also in attendance were Mark Heinle, village attorney, Ryan Hansen from Chamlin Engineering, Police Chief Chris Harseim and Matt Fritz, village administrator. Absent; none.

All present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

The minutes of August 22, 2023, meeting was presented. Togliatti moved to approve the minutes as written, second by Greggain. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Noffsinger and Bradley. Nays; none. Abstain; Greggain, Beach and Mincey. Absent; none. Motion carried.

The warrant list was presented. Togliatti moved to approve the warrant list as presented, second by Greggain. Roll call-Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Beach and Mincey. Nays; none. Abstain; none. Absent; none. Motion carried.

During public comment, the following residents spoke regarding the vandalism occurring at Hope Helps Park:

Brittany Kaluzny of 803 Trotter Dr. expressed her disappointment at how certain members of the community have damaged the park. Mrs. Kaluzny commended the Village for assisting with Phase 3 of production and the Public Works department was fantastic and extremely hard working. Mrs. Kaluzny announced there were over 500 people that came to the Grand Opening event. Mrs. Kaluzny expressed her frustrations with the Village and believed there were promises made to install 360 degree cameras before final completion. Mrs. Kaluzny stated our parks are not secure and asked for an action plan to prevent future activity. In response, Mayor Spesia stated the police department scheduled more patrol cars to the area and explained that 2-3 additional temporary cameras have been installed totaling the amount of 9 cameras. In regard to the miscommunication of 360 degree cameras to be installed, he does not recall the Village making any commitments at any prior meetings. Mayor Spesia promised he will work with the Village to make sure we get extra security measures installed.

Kim Wynn of Gooselake, expressed the crude behavior that occurred at the park last week. Mr. Wynn asked if there was a live feed that is monitored frequently. Chief Harseim confirmed there is a live feed, however it is not monitored 24/7. Lucas Konechne of 430 South Mazon, after having discussion with his neighbors they are requesting more of a police presence to patrol the area. Mr. Konechne has witnessed bad behavior at the park andhas spoken to the kids. Chief Harseim explained that if any residents see unacceptable behavior to call the non-emergency number 815- 634-2341 and will continue to send patrol cars to monitor the area.

Ordinance 23-22, granting a variance to allow the placement of a shed within the corner side yard at 500 E. Batista. The petitioners, Erika and Robert Thomas are new homeowners and did not know the existing fence at their home was allowed due to a variance request by the previous owners, with that the petitioners thought it would be feasible for the shed to be in the current position. The majority of the Zoning Board of Appeals members recommended granting the variance request. Greggain moved to adopt Ordinance 23-22, granting a variance request to allow the placement of a shed within the corner side yard at 500 E. Batista second, Beach. Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Beach and Mincey. Nays; none. Abstain: none. Motion carried.

Ordinance 23-23, granting a variance to allow the placement of a matching fence within the corner side yard at 290 N. Irving. Petitioner, Chade White was present at the meeting. Mr. White would like to construct a fence parallel to Third Street. Mr. Fritz explained this would not disturb any future to construct needed sidewalks. The Zoning Board of Appeals members recommended granting the variance. Beach moved to adopt Ordinance 23-23, granting a variance to allow the placement of a matching fence within the corner side yard at 290 N. Irving second, Greggain. Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Beach and Mincey. Nays; none. Absent; none. Abstain; none. Motion carried.

Mr. Fritz explained to the Board after filing over the past three phases of consideration, the Village was approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for its backup generator to be utilized at the to-be-expanded Water Treatment Plant. This grant maxes out at $245,101 and the Village would be responsible for anything over this amount, which is currently estimated at $198,669 for a total cost amount of $443,750. Bradley moved to authorize Mayor Spesia to enter into the grant agreement concerning the FEMA BRIC grant to complete the water treatment plant backup generator acquisition and construction second, Greggain. Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Beach and Mincey. Nays; none. Absent; none. Abstain: none. Motion carried.

Mr. Fritz presented to the Board the special event application for the Homecoming Parade at 2:30 p.m. on October 6, 2023. Mr. Fritz explained that there were changes made to the parade route and there is an early dismissal scheduled for that day. All the proper paperwork was completed by Allison Peterson, Student Council Sponsor/ CCHS Faculty. The Board did not have any objections to this event.

The Board members took an anonymous vote regarding the Community Service Award and Clerk Stone tallied the votes during the meeting and submitted them to Mayor Spesia. The winner was not announced at the meeting.

Mayor Spesia gave his condolences to Leo Middleton's family. Mr. Middleton was a Trustee, Mayor, and Village Administrator for the Village of Coal City. Mayor Spesia reminded everyone it is Fall Fest this upcoming weekend, he commended Trustee Beach, the Park Board, and the Village staff for all their hard work. Mayor Spesia attended Operation Firm Handshake plcnic last Saturday; he showed his appreciation for the event. Mayor Spesia said the Grand Opening of Phase 3 of the Hope Helps Park was a fantastic event and commended the staff of Hope Helps for all the great work they continuously do. Mayor Spesia also wanted to remind the residents of "Bicycle to School Day" held on September 20, 2023, September 27, 2023, and October 6, 2023, and to be cautious of the extra traffic on the street. Chief Harseim mentioned there would be extra crossing guards and patrol cars on the street during these days.

Trustee Beach reported that Fall Fest starts on Friday night and continued to list the events held on Saturday. Mrs. Beach Commended the residents for showing their support to the Hope Helps Park and asked residents to please help protect it.

Trustee Mincey commended Mrs. Beach on the preparations she made for Fall Fest. Mr. Mincey showed his appreciation for Hope Helps for creating a fantastic area for the children of Coal City. Mr. Mincey expressed his concerns with the previous vandalism at the park, he and urges the residents to speak up if they see or hear any inappropriate behavior.

Trustee Bradley expressed his condolences to the Middleton family. Mr. Bradley also reminded the Board of the Midland State Bank Grand Opening in Diamond from 3-5 p.m.

Trustee Noffsinger also showed her concerns for the vandalism at the Hope Helps Park. Ms. Noffsinger explained she has concerns about the future of putting in a new park in Meadow Estates. Ms. Noffsinger expressed that the parents of Coal City need to speak to their children regarding on proper behavior to be shown at public parks. Trustee Noffsinger expressed her condolences to the Middleton family. Ms. Noffsinger shared Leo Middleton was a kind and helpful person who will be greatly missed.

Trustee Greggain expressed his condolences to the Middleton family and said Leo Middleton will be missed.

Trustee Togliatti expressed his concerns for the vandalism at the park. Mr. Togliatti apologized for any miscommunication that was had between the Village and Hope Helps regarding the possibility of obtaining 360 cameras. Mr. Togliatti showed his appreciation of the park.

Mark Heinle, village attorney extended an invitation to the Board to anyone attending the IML Conference to dinner on Thursday with details to be determined.

Ryan Hansen from Chamlin Engineering extended an invitation to their open house event during Corn Fest with details to follow. Mr. Hansen explained that work on Second Ave has begun and is going well.

Chief Harseim expressed his condolences to the Middleton family. Chief Harseim spoke on behalf of the department to try and prevent any further vandalism at the Hope Helps Park. Chief Harseim explained as of September 18, 2023, the Safety Act will be in effect which means there will be no cash bonds. Chief Harseim is connecting with local departments to figure out future actions the department can take to prepare for this change. Chief Harseim went over the following reports:

2023 Total CAD Events

2023 Calls Requiring a Report

2023 Citation Totals

2023 Verbal Warnings

2023 Traffic Crashes

2023 Criminal Charges

2023 D.U.I Reports

2023 P-Tickets

Grundy County Proactive Unit- Significant Activity Report

Matt Fritz expressed his condolences to the Middleton family. Mr. Fritz said Leo and his wife are wonderful people. Mr. Fritz reported there is a letter that will be sent out to the Second Ave residents to explain the activities that will be occurring and give expectations of what to see in the future, Mr. Fritz congratulated Daryl Olson, Maintenance Director, on reaching 30 years of service. Mr. Fritz commended Trustee Togliatti for his hard work in assisting Mr. Fritz in searching for residents who might be able to participate in the Illinois Housing Authority Program administrated by the Northern Central Illinois Council of Governments ("NCICG"). Mr. Fritz explained the Village has received several applications and expected to receive more. Mr. Fritz urged for input in the Survey for the Grundy County Transportation Plan that the Village has participated in.

Bradley moved to adjourn the meeting, second, Beach. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Beach and Mincey. Nays; none. Abstain; none. Absent; none. Motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 8:01p.m.

https://coalcity-il.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/VB-Meeting-Minutes-Web-09-13-2023.pdf