Grundy Reporter

Village of Diamond Village Board met Dec. 11.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

Proceedings, transactions and resolution made and order of said record of said Board in the Village of Diamond, IL on the 11th Day of December 2018.

The scheduled meeting of the Diamond Village Board was held on Tuesday, December 11, 2018 at6:00 p.m. with Mayor Teresa Kernc presiding. Upon roll call Commissioners present were Mark Adair and Denise Brown. Absent- Jeff Kasher and Dave Warner.

Approval of Minutes

MOTION was made by Commissioner Brown, SECOND by Commissioner Adair to approve the 11/27/2018 regular meeting minutes and place on file. All Ayes; Motion Carried.

Approval of Bill List and Additional Bill List

MOTION was made by Commissioner Adair, SECOND by Commissioner Brown to approve the December 11, 2018 bill list and additional bill list and place on file. All Ayes; Motion Carried.

Approval of the November 2018 Treasurer Report

MOTION was made by Commissioner Brown, SECOND by Commissioner Adair to approve theNovember 2018 Treasurer’s Report and place it on file. All Ayes; Motion Carried.

Public Comment

None

New Business

Jay Ipema-Environmental Recycling and Disposal Services

Mayor Kernc welcomed Jay Ipema. Ipema addressed the board regarding yard waste disposal options. Ipema stated the compost site closes from November 31st through April 1st. Ipema discussed options of which the village could implement if the board decides to amend the current ordinance to prohibit open burning. Ipema stated options are at a cost to the village and their residents. Ipema stated Environmental Recycle and Disposal Services will work with whatever option the board decides on. Mayor Kernc thanked Ipema for attending and discussing possible options to the board and the residents who were in attendance.

Discussion of Leaf Burning Ordinance

Mayor Kernc addressed those residents in attendance to see a show of hands in favor and not in favor of leaf burning. Yes, to allow: 14; Not to allow: 7. Resident Patsy Durando stated she doesn’t mind the burning of leaves if they are dry when they are burned. It is an issue when the leaves are wet. The smoke emitted from the leaves and grass makes it hard to breathe. Durando stated there are numerous individuals in her neighborhood who are battling cancer, as well as herself. She is concerned for those who burn wet leaves and especially the burning of grass. People treat their lawns with chemicals and then when they burn the grass cuttings, she feels those toxins from the treated grass are released into the air. Resident Jan Berta stated she has lived in Diamond for 44 years, she loves the smell of burning leaves. They rake them and burn them and within 5-10 minutes, they are gone since the leaves are dry when they burn them. She is aware of individuals who let them smolder all day long which is very annoying. Berta asked if there is a way to monitor it. Kernc stated the Village does not have a police department, a code enforcer officer, so we could possibly get 95% in compliance if there was a ban on burning however, the cost of an attorney to take someone to court would not be cost effective, therefore, the Village would have to wait until enough violations would be applicable to place a lien on the property owner for ordinance violations. This would be in effect until the home is sold. Mayor Kernc would like to see if there is a middle ground of which to amend the ordinance and tighten up this issue. John Gilchrist stated he has been a resident for 44 years and stated instead of burning, raking or bagging, Gilchrist recommends mulching since it is good compost for your grass. Josh Eddy stated compost and mulching is a good idea. Eddy stated that even a 5% of non- compliance or even 1 person burning is enough to blanket the town in smoke, especially when the leaves are wet. Resident Gary Skubic stated he picked up 56 sweeper loads of leaves out of his yard.A lot of residents don’t care about their leaves. They wait until the wind blows them out of their yards and into his yard. He would rather not burn but he has no other option. He would be bagging up to 60 bags of leaves. He recommended charging people to bring their leaves/grass to a compost site within the Village. He stated start fining people who don’t take care of their yards. Mayor Kernc stated, most of the homes that have this issue are located on the north side of Route 113, since more mature trees are located there. Resident Margaret Redfearn stated she does not have any trees in her yard however, leaves from neighboring trees blow into her yard and she must rake and bag or burn them. She does this because after bagging 25 bags of leaves, she gets tired and burns them. Mayor Kernc stated she did reach out to Fire Chief Sheldon and he stated the department will extinguish fires which are in noncompliance to the hours of burning. Kernc stated the Smart Message was sent out so that our residents would know this topic was under discussion and get the opinions of the residents on this issue. Having those in attendance and voicing your opinions, is very helpful. Kernc stated she understands the health issues. When the farmers are harvesting crops from their fields, she must close her windows because the crop dust causes sinus infections and breathing issues. Fires in California and volcano eruptions in Hawaii causes people to close windows and stay inside their homes because of breathing issues. This topic is going to take a lot of consideration from the Board. Mayor Kernc is not ready to make a final decision on this issue. She would also like the input from theCommissioners who could not attend tonight’s meeting. This issue will be continued and discussed at the next board meeting.

Approve Ordinance #2018-14; Providing for the Abatement of Certain Taxes Heretofore Levied by the Village of Diamond in Connection with the Issue of $1,800,000.00 Taxable General Obligation Bonds Series 2010

Village Attorney John Gallo stated you must file a bond ordinance which automatically levies monies every year unless you abate it. So, if you don’t abate it, the monies automatically are billed and paid by the taxpayers of Diamond. MOTION was made by Commissioner Adair, SECOND by Commissioner Brown to approve Ordinance #2018-14; Providing for the Abatement of Certain Taxes Heretofore Levied by the Village of Diamond in Connection with the Issue of $1,800,000.00 Taxable General Obligation Bonds Series 2010. All Ayes; Motion Carried.

Approve Ordinance #2018-15; An Ordinance for the Levying and Assessing of Taxes for the Village of Diamond in the Counties of Grundy and Will and the State of Illinois for the Fiscal Year Ending April 30, 2019

Village Attorney John Gallo stated this is to levy the $269, 000.00 which was discussed at the last board meeting. MOTION was made by Commissioner Brown, SECOND by Commissioner Adair to approve Ordinance #2018-15; An Ordinance for the Levying and Assessing of Taxes for the Village of Diamond in the Counties of Grundy and Will and the State of Illinois for the Fiscal Year Ending April 30, 2019. All Ayes; Motion Carried.

Discuss and Approve Agreement for Engineering Services for Water Main; Perona Court/School Street and Skinner Street

Mayor Kernc stated unfortunately, Commissioner Warner is absent and since this cost comes out of his budget, this item should be passed until the next board meeting when Commissioner Warner is in attendance. This item was passed.

Discussion of Scrap/Dispose of old Snow Plow

Mayor Kernc stated this snow plow is from the old dump truck. The truck went out to bid and Commissioner Kasher was the only bidder. The snow plow was kept by the maintenance department in case they needed parts off it. Public Works Director Austin Vining stated he does not believe they will ever need the parts from this plow. All current trucks have their own plows. Village Attorney John Gallo stated if the village would like to dispose of it and a Commissioner is interested in the purchase of the item, it needs to go out to bid. Mayor Kernc stated this item will be passed until next board meeting since Commissioner Kasher is not in attendance at tonight’s meeting.

Discuss and Approve the Change of Utility Billing Online Bill Pay Company from JetPay/EPay to Payment Service Network (PSN)

Village Clerk Lori Holmes presented information regarding the services of both companies. The compatibility with PSN and the utility billing software Locis, is more functional and user friendly. Holmes stated she has been having issues since the State of Illinois switched their EPAY vendor to Jetpay. When having file issues for exporting/importing, JetPay cannot be of assistance and Locis tries to assist, but they can’t always help. PSN is recommended by Locis. Holmes and TreasurerSheryl McDaniel had a conference call with PSN. PSN has presented a proposal and the cost/fees have been matched. After discussion, decision was made to proceed with the switch providing all obligations with EPay have been met and there will not be a cost to terminate their services.MOTION was made by Commissioner Adair, SECOND by Commissioner Brown to change utility billing online bill pay company from Jetpay/Epay to PSN if obligations have been met with Epay and there will be no penalty charges. All Ayes; Motion Carried.

Old Business

Grundy and Will County Sheriff’s Monthly Update

Mayor Kernc stated the Will County report was good. Nothing out of the ordinary. No report for Grundy County to present.

Discuss and Approve Marseilles Sheet Metal, Inc. Proposal for the Purchase of a VFD, for the Makeup Air Unit in the amount of $5,760.00

Public Works Director Austin Vining stated he spoke to Chris Perra from TEST, Inc. and he has a similar system however it is set up differently, since he experienced difficulties with the VFD. We might be able to set it up with only utilizing a thermostat. Village Engineer Mike Perry, Vining and Perra will discuss the best options to meet the requirements needed at the water plant.

Presentation from Caleb Counterman-CC Soccer Association regarding Will Road Soccer Field Installation of Lighting

Item Passed

Legal Counsel

No Report

Engineer Updates

No Report

Maintenance Updates

Public Works Director Austin Vining stated they have been working on numerous water leaks. A new service line has been installed on the corner of McGinty St. and IL Route 113, which required boring under the road. Vining addressed an issue that the current map showed an incorrect line size. Mayor Kernc stated projects must be mapped to ensure up-to-date information. Perry stated when these things are discovered, Vining needs to mark up the map so that Chamlin Associates can make all necessary changes for accurate information. Perry inquired about the output of water at the plant. He inquired about a history of water usage from Burt Estates. This information could assist to determine additional leaks within the village. Holmes was asked to run a history on the water usage at Burt Estates. Vining stated the drain in the maintenance shop needs to be trenched since drain is not functioning properly. Vining will receive a cost to bore under the shop to install a new drain line.

Clerk Updates

No Report

Commissioner Comments Commissioner KasherAbsent

Commissioner Brown

Commissioner Brown stated Village Treasurer Sheryl McDaniel has resigned and her last day with the Village is January 4, 2019.

Commissioner Warner

Absent

Commissioner Adair

Commissioner Adair stated a resident told him how appreciative they were of the maintenance department’s quick response working on the water line leak near their home.

Mayor Kernc

No Report

Adjournment to Closed Session (Review Closed Sessions)

MOTION was made by Commissioner Adair, SECOND by Commissioner Brown to enter closed session at 7:06 p.m. All Ayes; Motion Carried.

MOTION was made by Commissioner Brown, SECOND by Commissioner Adair to enter open session with no action taken at 7:11 p.m. All Ayes; Motion Carried.

MOTION was made by Commissioner Brown, SECOND by Commissioner Adair to release the following closed session minutes: 11-10-2015. All Ayes; Motion Carried.

MOTION was made to adjourn the meeting at 7:12 P.M. by Commissioner Adair, SECOND by Commissioner Brown. All Ayes; Motion Carried.

https://www.villageofdiamond.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/12-11-2018.pdf