Grundy Reporter

Village of Diamond Village Board met Oct. 27.

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 and Megan Horstead, reporter from WCSJ Radio were in attendance remotely via teleconference. Upon roll call Commissioners present remotely were Mark Adair, Denise Brown (6:05pm arrival on phone), 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 9-22-2020 Minutes

MOTION was made by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Adair to approve the 09/22/2020 regular meeting minutes and place on file. All Ayes; Motion Carried.

Approval of October 13 and 27, 2020 Bill Lists

MOTION was made by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Warner to approve the October 13 and October 27, 2020 bill lists, draw warrants up in their amounts and place on file. All Ayes; Motion Carried.

Approval of September 2020 Treasurer’s Report

MOTION was made by Commissioner Brown, SECOND by Commissioner Warner to accept and approve the September 2020 Treasurer’s Report and place on file. All Ayes; Motion Carried.

Public Comment

None

New Business

Discuss Yearly Water/Sewer Rate Increase

Mayor Kernc stated the yearly 5% annual increase should be implemented in the upcoming November 2020 utility bill however, she feels during this pandemic and difficult times, her personal choice would be not to activate the 5% annual increase for the water and sewer rates. Commissioner Brown agreed stating it is a wrong time to raise the rates. Commissioner Kasher and Warner agree however, Warner stated the village’s sewer plant is working in a deficit. Commissioner Adair doesn’t agree not implementing the annual 5% increase. Village Attorney John Gallo stated an ordinance must be completed for this action and will be presented at the next meeting. MOTION was made by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Brown not to implement the 5% annual increase for the water and sewer rates to the utility bills. All Ayes; Motion Carried.

Braceville Wastewater Treatment

Mayor Kernc stated the Village of Braceville is in the process to conduct a study on the feasibility and cost effectiveness to either build their own wastewater treat plant or to pipe into another village’s plant and pay them for the treatment/disposal/process for their village’s wastewater. Chris Perra from Test Inc. had recommended to Braceville the ability our village has to process their wastewater. Braceville needs the permission from the board to move forward with the study process. MOTION was made by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Brown to support the study and discussion for Braceville utilizing the village’s WWTP for their wastewater processing. All Ayes; Motion Carried.

Azavar Quarterly Report

Mayor Kernc presented the updated findings.

Approve 2021 Board Meeting Schedule

Mayor Kernc presented the 2021 calendar and the proposed board meeting dates. MOTION was made by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Adair to approve the 2021 Board Meeting Schedule. All Ayes; Motion Carried.

Approve Ordinance 2020-24; Adopting Amendment to the Village of Diamond Employee Handbook-Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy

Mayor Kernc stated a model policy was presented by the IML and Village Clerk Lori Holmes consulted with Village Attorney John Gallo for any necessary revisions. MOTION was made by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Brown to approve Ordinance 2020-24; Adopting Amendment to the Village of Diamond Employee Handbook; the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy. All Ayes; Motion Carried.

STP3 Update

Mayor Kernc stated she has submitted the application for the STP3 to the WCGL as previously approved by the board. During her discussion with WCGL, the best action would be to apply through the WCGL for the $340,000 for phase 2 engineering, then apply in January to be on the STP3 shared funds through CMAP which allows the village to apply for the larger amount. The village was successful with the application through WCGL, and the village is on the 2024 schedule however, it is anticipated the village could be placed on the schedule for 2021.

CURE Reimbursement Update

Mayor Kernc stated the village received approximately $71,000.00 in reimbursement with the change of the rules for reimbursement through the CURE program. The rules were opened for reimbursement for police, fire wages and fringe benefits. Through the program, the village was able to receive reimbursement for approx. $69,000 toward the contract to the Grundy County Sheriff and received $783.00 for Will County Sheriff. She will resubmit the difference of approx. $5,000 to the state for reimbursement. In total, approx. $71,000 has been received from the near $100,000 which was allotted to the village through the program.

Election Day

Mayor Kernc stated election day is a holiday in many public sectors, however they are not mandating it in municipalities. Kernc is recommending the village does not observe it as a holiday. Kernc stated she will be at the village hall with the staff however, if at any time there is civil unrest at the village hall due to the hall being a voting place, she will send the staff home and she will stay at the village hall.

Commissioners all agreed that election day will not be considered a holiday for the village staff and they will be working as a regular scheduled workday.

2515 E. Stellon Street Leak

Village Clerk Lori Holmes stated this resident had a hose connected to the outside faucet and believes neighborhood children turned it on and it was left running until it was brought to his attention by a family friend. The water was released as ground water and not into the sewer. Based on average sewer usage at this resident, it is recommended to credit the sewer charge in the amount of $96.00. MOTION was made by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Kasher to credit the sewer charge in the amount of $96.00. All Ayes; Motion Carried.

ITEP Application

Mayor Kernc has been working on this application and will be submitting online tomorrow and driving to Springfield on Friday to submit the required “original/hard copy”. Chamlin completed phase 1 engineering for this project. If successful, we will be able to obtain an 8-foot concrete sidewalk with concrete sidewalk ADA compliant ramps. This would total 1.1 miles for this project. $21,300.00 was approved previously for the phase 1 engineering for this project. The projected grant is for $722,500.00. We currently have 47 points and as the process continues, more points could be added. They recommend a 20% match for the project however, once all applications have been submitted, they will rank each applicant. There is a possibility based on ranking; the local match could be 10%. So, all in all, the village could pay $72,000.00 or $144,00.00 for this project.

Approve Resolution 2020-06; Committing Funds for the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) Grant and Local Assurance

Mayor Kernc stated approval for this resolution must be submitted as part of the ITEP application process. MOTION was made by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Kasher to approve Resolution 2020-06; Committing Funds for the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) Grant and Local Assurance. All Ayes; Motion Carried.

Approve Grundy County Animal Control IGA 2020-21 Contract

Mayor Kernc presented the contract. There is a 10% increase over the current contract. Kernc stated it is wonderful to be able to contract with the Grundy County Animal Control. Along with the contract, there is an Intergovernmental Agreement Ordinance 2020-25 needed for approval. MOTION was made by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Adair to approve Grundy County Animal Control 2020-21 IGA Contract; Ordinance 2020-25. All Ayes; Motion Carried.

Old Business

Grundy and Will County Sheriff’s Monthly Update

Mayor Kernc presented the Will County Sheriff’s report. Kernc stated there was a recent scam attempted on a business however, it did not come to fruition. Both sheriffs’ departments keep her well informed.

Legal Counsel

No Report

Engineer Updates

No Report

Public Works Department Updates

No Report

Clerk Updates

Village Clerk Lori Holmes stated there are several residents and a property owner who have not shown good faith in contacting her regarding their outstanding utility bills. Holmes conferred with Village Attorney John Gallo and has moved forward and placed liens on those said properties. Holmes received an email regarding Service Sanitation Jingle Johns and thought of them to possibly rent as part of the Holiday Lighting Ceremony. Since this would take place outside, we would be in compliance with social distancing requirements. Holmes is awaiting further information on cost etc.

Commissioner Comments

Commissioner Kasher

Commissioner Kasher stated the receipts have been submitted to the insurance for possible reimbursement for the generator repair. The inside of the brine tanks have been re-concreted and have been coated. Kasher addressed Public Works Director Austin Vining regarding the bucket truck which sits outside in the elements to repaint the areas where the rust is forming. Kasher added the curb and gutters and the catch basins along Route 113 are loaded with debris which he would like them cleaned up from J& R Service heading east to I-55. Village Engineer Mike Perry recommended Vining to reach out to IDOT since they have jurisdiction of 113. Vining will reach out to them and voice the debris concerns.

Commissioner Brown

No Report

Commissioner Adair

No Report

Commissioner Warner

No Report

Mayor Kernc

Mayor Kernc stated some of the streetlights where the clamshells meet the poles are rusting. Kernc has spoken with Vining to have them sanded down, primed and painted with rust-oleum then caulk around the top of the clam shells to protect them. Kernc added, the concrete blocks still need to be sealed at the maintenance buildings at the WWTP and WTP.

Adjournment

MOTION was made to adjourn at 6:42 p.m. by Commissioner Brown, SECOND by Commissioner Adair. All Ayes; Motion Carried.

https://www.villageofdiamond.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/10-27-20.pdf