Grundy Reporter

Coal City Village Board of Trustees met Dec. 12.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

Immediately following the Public Hearing, Mayor Terry Halliday called to order the regular meeting of the Coal City Village Board in the boardroom of the Village Hall. Roll call-Trustees Neal Nelson, Ross Bradley, Dan Greggain, David Spesia, Tim Bradley and Sarah Beach. Also in attendance were Matt Fritz, village administrator, attorney Mark Heinle, Police Chief Tom Best and Matt Halloran from Chamlin Engineering. 

All present recited the Pledge of Allegiance, Mayor Halliday asked for a moment of silence regarding the passing of resident and former Board member, Jerry Heavens. 

The minutes of the November 28, 2018 Public Hearing were presented to the Board. Spesia moved to approve the minutes as presented, second by Greggain. Roll call Ayes; Nelson, Bradley, Greggain, Spesia, Bradley and Beach. Nays; none. Motion carried. 

The minutes of the November 28, 2018 regular meeting were presented to the Board. With one correction noted, R. Bradley moved to approve the minutes with the correction, second by Greggain. Roll call-Ayes; Nelson, Bradley, Greggain, Spesia, Bradley and Beach. Nays; none. Motion carried. 

The warrant list was presented. Following discussion, Nelson moved to approve the warrant list as presented, second by T. Bradley. Roll call-Ayes; Nelson, Bradley, Greggain, Spesia, Bradley and Beach. Nays; none. Motion carried. 

PUBLIC COMMENT 

Luke Cairns, Eagle Scout candidate approached the Board regarding his required community project. He would like to create a "mini library" in the Village, preferably in the parks. Trustee Beach commented on the project and stated she would speak with maintenance supervisor Darrell Olson for his thoughts and recommendation of where to place the unit. Mike Lareau, chairman of the Coal City Fire & Police Board of Commissioners introduced Kady Sassenger, the new officer of the Coal City Police Department. The Board acknowledged the recommendation and thanked the Fire & Police Board for their hard work and diligence in the selection process. 

Clerk Pamela Noffsinger then swore-in new police officer candidate Kady Sassenger. Chief Best presented her with her badge. The Board acknowledged Officer Sassenger. 

Ordinance 18-31 the 2018 Tax Levy and Assessment was presented to the Board for approval. Mr. Fritz explained the levy and the deficit increase due to the tornado bonds and the EAV increase. Nelson moved to adopt Ordinance 18-31 setting the 2018 property tax levy for the Village of Coal City, second by Greggain. Roll call-Ayes; Nelson, Bradley, Greggain, Spesia, Bradley and Beach. Nays; none. Motion carried. 

Ordinance 18-32 the 2018 Property Tax Levy for the SSA #2 was presented to the Board. This was the topic of the Public Hearing held previously to this meeting. T. Bradley moved to adopt Ordinance 18-32 setting the property tax levy for SSA #2 in Coal City to be collected in 2019, second by R. Bradley. Roll call-Ayes; Nelson, Bradley, Greggain, Spesia, Bradley and Beach. Nays; none. Motion carried. 

Ordinance 18-33 abating the property taxes collected for the $1.9 million industrial revenue bonds (SSA #2) was reviewed by the Board. Mr. Fritz explained the contents of the ordinance and that this abatement process is necessary for the next five years. R. Bradley moved to adopt Ordinance 18-33 abating the collection of property taxes from the Coal City municipal tax payers due to the repayment of the $1.9 million industrial revenue bonds, second by Spesia. Roll call-Ayes; Nelson, Bradley, Greggain, Spesia, Bradley and Beach. Nays; none. Motion carried. 

Ordinance 18-34 abating the property taxes levied for the Coal City Area Club was presented. Mr. Fritz explained that this ordinance was prepared per the Annexation Agreement. Greggain moved to adopt Ordinance 18-34 abating the 2018 property taxes levied upon the Coal City Area Club, second by Spesia. Roll call-Ayes; Nelson, Bradley, Greggain, Spesia, Bradley and Beach. Nays; none. Motion carried. 

Ordinance 18-35 abating the property taxes levied for the "Cullick" farm was presented. The Cullick farm was annexed into the Village and this ordinance complies with the Annexation Agreement. T. Bradley moved to adopt Ordinance 18-35 abating the 2018 property taxes levied upon the Cullick Farm, second by Greggain. Roll call-Ayes; Nelson, Bradley, Greggain, Spesia, Bradley and Beach. Nays; none. Motion carried. 

Ordinance 18-36 an amendment to the agreement to purchase the Fioritto property located at 445 72 S. Broadway was presented to the Board. Attorney Heinle explained that due to the demolition of the house existing on the property and calculations of the real estate property taxes, this ordinance addresses the overpayment of the real estate taxes. The closing on the property is scheduled for Tuesday, December 18th Greggain moved to adopt Ordinance 18-36 authorizing the execution of an amendment for the purchase of the property located at 445 / South Broadway, second by Spesia. Roll call-Ayes; Nelson, Bradley, Greggain, Spesia, Bradley and Beach. Nays; none. Motion carried. 

Resolution 18-34, establishing the annual meeting calendar for 2019 was reviewed and presented to the Board for approval. T. Bradley moved to adopt Resolution 18-34 establishing the annual calendar of regular meetings for 2019, second by Beach. Roll call Ayes; Nelson, Bradley, Greggain, Spesia, Bradley and Beach. Nays; none. Motion carried. 

Mr. Fritz explained Resolution 18-35 through Resolution 18-38 regarding certain aspects of the South Broadway Reconstruction project. The issues of the resolutions concern railroad right-of-ways, certificates of insurance and liability for the BNSF railroad, and boring beneath the railroad to construct lighting. The amount of $14,000 for licenses is due at the time of the execution of the agreements. 

T. Bradley moved to adopt Resolution 18-35 providing for a license agreement to enable roadway resurfacing within the BNSF right-of-way, second by Spesia. Roll call-Ayes; Nelson, Bradley, Greggain, Spesia, Bradley and Beach. Nays; none. Motion carried. 

T. Bradley moved to adopt Resolution 18-36 providing for a license agreement to construct lighting supply facilities beneath the BNSF railroad on the east side of South Broadway, second by R. Bradley. Roll call-Ayes; Nelson, Bradley, Greggain, Spesia, Bradley and Beach. Nays; none. Motion carried. 

T. Bradley moved to adopt Resolution 18-37 providing for a license agreement to construct lighting supply facilities beneath the BNSF railroad on the west side of South Broadway, second by Greggain. Roll call-Ayes; Nelson, Bradley, Greggain, Spesia, Bradley and Beach. Nays; none. Motion carried. 

T. Bradley moved to adopt Resolution 18-38 providing for a license agreement to construct lighting support FiberOptics beneath the BNSF railroad on the west side of South Broadway, second by R. Bradley. Roll call-Ayes; Nelson, Bradley, Greggain, Spesia, Bradley and Beach. Nays; none. Motion carried. 

The approval for Chamlin Engineering to design the Fifth Avenue improvements was tabled until the next Board meeting. 

A payment request for the 5th Avenue storm and water improvements in the amount of $114,051.57 to Brandt Excavating was presented to the Board by Chamlin Engineering. Matt Halloran explained that 5%, $6,002.71, will be retained until the landscaping can be completed in the spring of 2019. T. Bradley moved to approve a payment of $114,051.57 to Brandt Excavating for the 5th Avenue Improvement project, second by Spesia. Roll call-Ayes; Nelson, Bradley, Greggain, Spesia, Bradley and Beach. Nays; none. Motion carried. 

Mayor Halliday expressed his condolences to the Jerry Heavens family. He thanked the police department for moving ahead and the hiring of a new officer. Halliday thanked the Board and employees for everything they have done in the past year especially with the Hoffman Transportation Development and the four new businesses that have come into Coal City. He then wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. 

Trustee Beach wishes everyone a nice Christmas and Happy New Year. 

T. Bradley gave his condolences to the Jerry Heavens family, stating that Mr. Heavens was a long time member of the Coal City Planning and Zoning Board and was part of the Coal City High School football chain gang for many years. 

Spesia reported on the recent meeting with IDOT regarding ox carting. He announced that in January there will be a Street & Alley Committee meeting to address truck routing. He also wished everyone Merry Christmas. 

Greggain reported on the recent Public Health & Safety Committee meeting which addressed Fire Department Code Enforcement and leaf burning. Another meeting will be scheduled in the near future. 

R. Bradley wished everyone a Merry Christmas. 

Nelson asked for clarification regarding the 5th Avenue design description. Mr. Fritz presented the information. He also stated that last week there was a lengthy train  blocked road and suggested reporting these issues to the BNSF railroad and that their phone number and crossing number is posted at the crossings. 

Clerk Noffsinger announced that the nomination petitions deadline is December 17th and wished everyone Happy Holidays. 

Attorney Heinle Announced that the closing on the Fioritto property at 445 22 $. Broadway is scheduled for Tuesday and that tax exempt status would be filed in a timely manner. 

Matt Halloran wished everyone Happy Holidays. 

Chief Best said: 

Kady Sassenger would be attending police academy in January or April. January 21, 2019 is the day the new officer would begin on the streets. He thanked the Village Board for the addition to the department. 

Chief Best elaborated on the incident regarding the suspicious vehicle incident that resulted in a police chase that ended at McCormick Place in Chicago. He thanked Officer Casey Roth for his quick response and good work. In addition, he thanked  the other departments for their help in the matter. 

He presented an update regarding heroin overdoses in the Village. Recently there  have been two deaths and eight overdoses. 

The police department have received three leaf burning calls with one ticket being  issued Merry Christmas and a Safe Holiday was wished by Chief Best 

Matt Fritz presented: 

The updated budget status report as of October 

Well #5 is back in service while testing continues 

Some Village employees will take part in a team building exercise in Morris on December 7th 

The Help for Hope park grant funding update 

Community night at the Slammers Baseball game is scheduled for June 15th 

Report of a real estate meeting he attended and panel discussion including the high foreclosure rate in Chicago  

The NIU Economic Forecast is scheduled for January and encourages attendance. RSVP to the office as soon as possible.

At 8:12 p.m., T. Bradley moved to adjourn into executive session to discuss the sale of public property per ILCS 5 120/2(c)(6), second by Greggain. Roll call-Ayes; Nelson, Bradley, Greggain, Spesia, Bradley and Beach. Nays; none. Motion carried. 

Following executive session, T. Bradley moved to adjourn the meeting, second by Beach. Roll call-Ayes; Nelson, Bradley, Greggain, Spesia, Bradley and Beach. Nays; none. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m. 

https://coalcity-il.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Approved-Meeting-Minutes-12-12-18.pdf