Grundy Reporter

Coal City Village Board met April 22.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

At 7:10 p.m. President Terry Halliday called to order the Public Hearing of the Coal City Village Board in the boardroom of the Village Hall. Pursuant to the temporary suspension of the in-person attendance and remote participation requirements of the Open Meetings Act under the Governor's Executive Order 2020-07, some of the trustees will be attending and participating in the meeting via remote video conference. Roll call-Trustees Dave Togliatti, Ross Bradley, Dan Greggain, Dave Spesia, Tim Bradley and Sarah Beach. Also in attendance remotely were Matt Fritz, village administrator, Attorney Mark Heinle, Police Chief Tom Best and Ryan Hansen from Chamlin Engineering.

Mr. Fritz explained the hearing requirements of the Downstate Small Business Program in which the village of Coal City is partnering with two of the local businesses in obtaining the grant in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) grant re packages federal Community Development Block Grant funding (CDBG) to allow local businesses to submit the application for funding. Coal City contacted 108 local businesses of which two are in partnership with the Village in obtaining the grant; X-Calibur Gymnastics and Broadway Dance Center. There are only $8 million available in Illinois so grants are awarded on a first come-first serve basis. Funding is based on two qualifications, $25,000 or 60 days of capital.

PUBLIC COMMENT 

X-Calibur Gymnastics

1. Sari Engle-Owner

Ms. Engle stated that she has operated X-Calibur Gymnastics since December 2001 in Coal City, Illinois, and closed her doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic on March 16, 2020. Financial burden that caused includes:

• Lack of student tuition :

• Overhead costs, including rent, utilities, insurance

• Payroll for 9-10 employees

• Loss of revenue from a large sponsored gymnastics meet

• Enrollment when gym re-opens

2. Jennifer Elliott-Jones

Mrs. Jones is in support of X-Calibur Gymnastics receiving the grant. Her daughter has been a student there since she was eighteen months old and she is now a senior in high school. Her points of approval include:

• Closing her doors has caused a financial strain

• X-Calibur has been a member of the community for 19 years

• Among other things, the gym has taught her daughter life skills, friendship, trust, healthy habits, patience, competitive skills, how to deal with disappointment and fear, confidence, respect and has been a positive influence in her daughter's life.

• Ms. Engle has been a positive impact through friendship and teaching

• These gymnasts give back to their communities and often return to assist in the gym and working in health care careers

• It would be devastating if those doors could not be reopened

• Teachers dedicate their personal time on the gymnasts

3. Barbara Summerfield

Ms. Summerfield is in support of the grant application and award for the X Calibur Gymnastics. Her daughter was a student at X-Calibur and finished 6 years ago. Her points of support include:

• She has been employed at X-Calibur since 2003

• Great opportunity for the kids in the community. Besides skills, teaches life lessons

• Employment at X-Calibur Gymnastics provides for her family

• Kids are devastated to not be with their teachers and friends. It's a good place and needs to be in our community

4. Michael Brenczewski

Mr. Brenczewski is the financial advisor and certified financial planner for X Calibur Gymnastics. His daughter also attends the gym. He supports X-Calibur in receiving the grant. He sees the hardship this has caused Ms. Engle and does not want the gym closing its doors forever. His points of support included:

• Great value to the community

• Life lessons, friendship, commitment

• Great teachers

• Needs this grant to continue

• Great reputation in the gymnastics community and draw in children from several counties and other communities. Good financial benefit to the community through restaurants, gas

Sari Engle is requesting the $25,000 grant for the X-Calibur Gymnastics

Broadway Dance Center

1. Kim Scerine-Owner

Mrs. Scerine said she has been in business for 33 years, having opened her studio in 1987. This is the first time she is asking for any kind of assistance. Her dance studio offers students more than just learning how to dance. She opens her students to many opportunities including traveling overseas to perform on six occasions, performing at colleges, professional sporting events, and has raised money for others at their annual Christmas Show. In addition she stated:

• Studio is recreational based working with children ranging from pre school through college.

• Concerned about the effect on her enrollment; will parents be able to pay the tuition for the child's attendance

• Studio's income is based strictly on tuition with no income since March 16, 2020

• Hopes to reopen and stay open for many, many years

2. Jaime Frazier

Mrs. Frazier stated that she is a former student, now a teacher at the Broadway Dance Center. This is her 25th year of involvement with the dance studio. She supports Mrs. Scerine in her request for this grant. She added:

• Students are taught skills and life skills

• Being part of a team has a positive effect on the students

• The students are impacted for the rest of their lives in what they have learned through the Broadway Dance Center.

• Students are happier-academically and socially

3. Amy Murphey

Ms. Murphey said she has two daughters that have danced at the Broadway Dance Center. One of her daughters presently is a student at the Broadway Dance Center, and a college student. She also supports the dance center in acquiring the grant and included:

• Teaches the students to give back to the community and to be productive members of society.

• Mrs. Scerine is not only a great teacher but a good friend to her students.

• Teaches the students to be accountable, responsible and leaders

• Commended the Village for offering this opportunity to the businesses

4. Natalie Smolik

Mrs. Smolik is the mother of two daughters of which one is still a dancer at the studio. They have been involved with the dance studio since 2001. She is in favor of Mrs. Scerine obtaining the grant and in addition stated:

• Studio gives back to the community including a fundraiser held annual through their Christmas Show, raising thousands of dollars

• The studio teaches the dancers to be productive members of society

• Mrs. Scerine is not only their teacher but their friend and role model.

5. Nicole Blustein

Mrs. Blustein is a former dancer who now is the mother of two daughters who attend the Broadway Dance Center. She is in favor of Mrs. Scerine applying for the grant and believes that the dance studio is in a financial turmoil due to the closing. Mrs. Blustein also added:

• Commended the Village for assisting and supporting the business that are applying for this grant.

• Broadway Dance Center has been the fabric of our community for many years

• Was there for her in her formative years.

Kim Scerine on behalf of the Broadway Dance Center is seeking the financial grant in the amount of $21,590 for the 60 day capital. This includes rent, insurance and advertising.

Comments from the Village Board: Trustee Beach-We need to make it happen for them Trustee Greggain-We need to pursue this for our businesses Trustee T. Bradley-is there any other local community applying for this opportunity? Mr. Fritz responded that the only other community to his knowledge is Washington, Illinois. Bradley supports the Village's involvement in this project.

Mr. Fritz stated the two businesses seeking the grants totaling $46,590 grant for the Downstate Stabilization Grant Request shall be filed with DCEO.

T. Bradley moved to adjourn the Public Hearing, Second by Greggain. Roll call-Ayes; Togliatti, Bradley, Greggain, Spesia, Bradley and Beach. Nays; none. Motion carried. The Public Hearing was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/133HnQRxUJWJzIg6bEmlQ-EH0KAIU81hXqPnzRzQ-sY0/edit