Grundy Reporter

Village of Diamond Village Board met Sept. 22.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

Proceedings, transactions and resolutions made and order of said record of said Board in the Village of Diamond, IL.

The scheduled meeting of the Diamond Village Board was held at 6:00 p.m. with Mayor Teresa “Terry” Kernc presiding. Mayor Kernc and Village Clerk Lori Holmes were present at the Village Hall. Commissioners Adair, Brown, Kasher and Warner, Village Attorney, Village Engineer, Public Works Director were in attendance remotely via teleconference. Upon roll call Commissioners present remotely were Mark Adair, Denise Brown, Jeff Kasher and Dave Warner. The Village Hall was open for citizens to enter and attend meeting. Face masks along with social distancing was required.

Under the new amendment to the Open Meeting Act, Mayor Kernc read the following: “I, as Mayor have determined that pursuant to Public Act 101-640 that it is not practicable or prudent to require all members of the Village Board of Commissioners and Village staff members to attend this meeting physically because of public health concerns.”

Approval of 9-08-2020 Minutes

MOTION was made by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Warner to approve the 09/08/2020 regular meeting minutes and place on file. All Ayes; Motion Carried.

Approval of September 22, 2020 Bill List

MOTION was made by Commissioner Brown, SECOND by Commissioner Adair to approve the September 22, 2020 bill list and place on file. All Ayes; Motion Carried.

Public Comment

None

New Business

Brock Teichmiller-RCAP Water Rate Analysis Presentation

Brock Teichmiller and Zach Green from RCAP were in attendance via teleconference.

presented and discussed the village’s water rate analysis for the 2019 and 2020 year. Teichmiller discussed the operating income, expenses and presented his findings and recommendation for a water rate structure option for the Village based on his data. Teichmiller presented the loss revenue which the village is experiencing and options that the village could implement based on this data. After discussion, Mayor Kernc thanked Teichmiller for the information and time to present this data.

Approve Proclamation-Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll Drive for September 18,19, 20

Mayor Kernc stated this item had a consensus at the September 8, 2020 meeting however, now this item needs formal approval. MOTION was made by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Warner to approve the Proclamation for the Knights of Columbus Tootsie Toll Drive held September 18, 19 and 20, 2020. All Ayes; Motion Carried.

Discuss Halloween Trick or Treating

Mayor Kernc stated Carbon Hill Mayor Jurzak reached out to her about Halloween Trick or Treating within the villages. Kernc spoke with Carbon Hill’s Clerk Jessica along with Diamond’s Treasurer Wendy Herbert and Village Clerk Lori Holmes to brainstorm guidelines for the ability to proceed with Halloween’s trick or treat activity for the village. Kernc stated children have lost so much due to the pandemic she would not like to see Halloween taken away from them however, if the village does decide to move forward with this activity, we need to be as safe as possible. Kernc presented the guidelines. Kernc thought if the three communities had the same guidelines, it would make it easier for the parents and children going from one community to another than having each community implementing their own guidelines. Halloween falls on Saturday and she would like to keep the regular village trick or treat hours from 4pm-6pm. The guideline list is based on a collaboration of the best COVID practices like distancing, face masks, etc. Kernc added she wants to be transparent and let the board know that the CDC is not recommending communities to hold trick or treating. Commissioner Warner added to guideline, parent(s) should take children’s temperature and check for COVID-19 symptoms before allowing children to participate in trick or treat activity. Commissioner Warner stated he was all for trick or treating and Commissioner Brown added let the kids have fun. Kernc added, if the Governor specifically mandates there can be no trick or treating allowed in the State of Illinois, that would supersede the village’s activity and trick or treating will be cancelled. MOTION was made by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Brown to approve Halloween Trick or Treat on October 31, 2020 with the guidelines as discussed.

Discuss Marquee Electronic Signage

Mayor Kernc stated there was conversation that this item could potentially be reimbursable through the CURES program for messages from the municipality regarding COVID information and guidance for their residents during the pandemic. Kernc stated she tried to get verbal approval if this item was reimbursable and could not. Kernc stated the cost for an electronic sign is over $22,000.00 and it would be a gamble to purchase then submit for reimbursement, just to be denied, therefore, the Commissioners agreed not to move forward with this item.

Old Business

Grundy and Will County Sheriff’s Monthly Update

Mayor Kernc presented the Will County Sheriff’s report. Nothing out of the ordinary to report.

Legal Counsel

No Report

Engineer Updates

No Report

Public Works Department Updates

No Report

Clerk Updates

No Report

Commissioner Comments

Commissioner Kasher

Commissioner Kasher asked Public Works Director Austin Vining if the generator has been installed and if it is operational. Vining stated it was and has been tested.

Commissioner Brown

No Report

Commissioner Adair

No Report

Commissioner Warner

No Report

Mayor Kernc

Mayor Kernc stated Village Engineer Mike Perry suggested the water meters which were purchased might be able to be submitted as a reimbursable item based on the date of purchase. Kernc stated she has requested Treasurer Wendy Herbert for those invoices and if they were purchased after the March date set by the Governor, she will submit for reimbursement under the CURES Program. Kernc proceeded, she reached out to Dan at Chamlin & Associates regarding the sidewalk widening replacement which the village would like to do and he stated he has a meeting with IDOT in October to see if approval would be granted to widen the sidewalks on Route 113 to make them into a multi- use path.

Adjournment

MOTION was made to adjourn at 7:25 p.m. by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Adair. All Ayes; Motion Carried.

https://www.villageofdiamond.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/09-22-20.pdf