Grundy Reporter

Village Coal City Village Board met May 27.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

At 7 p.m., Mayor Terry Halliday called to order the Public Hearing of the Coal City Village Board in the boardroom of the Village Hall. Roll call-Trustees in attendance remotely were Dave Togliatti, Ross Bradley, Dan Greggain, Dave Spesia, Tim Bradley and Sarah Beach. Also in attendance remotely were Matt Fritz, village administrator, Police Chief Tom Best, attorney Mark Heinle, Ryan Hansen from Chamlin Engineering and Fidaji Dzelil from La Piazza Inc.

Mr. Fritz explained the purpose of this Public Hearing is for the hearing requirements of the Downstate Small Business Program in which the Village of Coal City is partnering with a local business in obtaining the grant in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This grant is offered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) repackages the federal Community Development Block Grant funding (CDBG) to allow this local business to partnership with the Village of Coal City in obtaining the grant; La Piazza Ristorante located at 435 W. Division Street, Coal City, Illinois. This is the third business to participate in this DCEO grant opportunity. The funding is awarded on a first come-first serve basis. Mr. Fritz stated that another business may be applying for the grant next month and that in addition to La Piazza, two other businesses were included in the Public Hearing Notice, however, they failed to complete the proper documentation and will not be included in tonight's consideration.

PUBLIC COMMENT LA PIAZZA RISTORANTE

1. Fidaji Dzelil-Owner

Mr. Dzelil stated he has been in the community for over ten years and saw the decline in business starting in January and February 2020 and eventually closed the restaurant for two months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Being closed is a large financial burden and is requesting the maximum $25,000 for working capital. He thanked the Village Board for helping him submit the application for the DECO grant and expressed his plans for a future opening.

2. Christina Van Yperen, Grundy County Chamber President & CEO

Mrs. Van Yperen submitted a letter of support which was read aloud in the Public Hearing, for La Piazza receiving the grant to assist them financially. La Piazza has been a long-standing member of the Chamber and is an asset to the community,

The Board agrees to partner with La Piazza Ristorante in their application for the Illinois Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program and a resolution conveying the partnership between the village of Coal City and the La Piazza Ristorante will be presented tonight in the regular session of the Coal City Village Board. Another Village Board meeting will be held on Friday, May 29, 2020 at 11 a.m. for the approval of tonight's Public Hearing minutes which will be included in the application to be submitted on behalf of la Piazza Ristorante.

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 7:15 p.m.

https://coalcity-il.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Village-Board-Public-Hearing-Minutes-05-27-2020.pdf