Grundy Reporter

Coal City Village Board Met Feb. 24.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

At 7 p.m., Mayor Terry Halliday called to order the meeting of the Coal City Village Board in the boardroom of the Village Hall. Roll call Trustees Dave Togliatti, Ross Bradley, Dave Spesia and Sarah Beach. Absent were Dan Greggain and Tim Bradley. Also in attendance were Matt Fritz, Village administrator, Police Chief Tom Best, Attorney Mark Heinle and Ryan Hansen from Chamlin Engineering.

All present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

The minutes of the February 10, 2021 meeting were presented. R. Bradley moved to approve the minutes as written, second by Spesia. Roll call-Ayes; Togliatti, Bradley, Spesia and Beach. Nays; none. Absent; Greggain and T. Bradley. Motion carried.

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

There was no Public Comment at this meeting.

Ordinance 21-04 regarding amending the residency requirements for the Village essential employees was presented to the Board. Mr. Fritz stated that this will change the current residency requirement to within 20 miles of the Coal City Village Hall, which mirrors the provision for the Police Officers. Attorney Heinle stated that there are still the regulations that all department heads and supervisors must live within the Coal City school district and there are no living restrictions for all other employees. Contract employees, elected officials and appointed officials are required to live within the corporate limits of Coal City. Presently, the revision will not affect any of the employees. Attorney Heinle stated that he will make the revisions to the draft amended presented at tonight's meeting. Togliatti moved to table the approval of Ordinance 21-04, second by Beach. Roll call-Ayes; Togliatti, R. Bradley, Spesia and Beach. Nays; none. Absent; Greggain and T. Bradley. Motion carried.

Ordinance 21-05 declaring a 2006 Chevy Impala police vehicle as surplus property for disposal was submitted to the Board. Chief Best recommended that the vehicle could be donated for use of the Pro-Act Unit, Grundy County. Togliatti moved to adopt Ordinance 21-05 authorizing the Village Administrator to declare as surplus and dispose of the 2006 Chevy Impala, second by R. Bradley, Roll call-Ayes; Togliatti, Bradley, Spesia and Beach. Nays; none. Absent; Greggain and T. Bradley. Motion carried.

Resolution 21-03 regarding the sick time pay for retirees was presented to the Board. Mr. Fritz stated that the current pay out of any accumulated sick time at separation is 20%, however that at the last police collective bargaining agreement, the amount of sick time buy out was set at 40%. This benefit is for any employee exceeding 15 years of service with a total cap of compensation of 1,040 hours. Those employees with less than 15 years employment at separation would not be subject to the benefit. R. Bradley moved to adopt Resolution 21-03 amending the total sick time compensation at time of separation for employees who have exceeded 15 years of service, second by Togliatti. Roll call-Ayes; Togliatti, Bradley, Spesia and Beach. Nays; none. Absent; Greggain and T. Bradley. Motion carried.

Ryan Hansen from Chamlin Engineering reported that the Village is looking to resurface Carbon Hill Road south of Reed Road and Valerio Road east of Fifth Avenue. Mr. Hansen stated that Grundy County will be going out for bid on their road projects in March and suggested that Coal City shoot for their target bid date to the market simultaneously for better pricing. In addition, Mr. Hansen recommends that the two roads in question utilize the tar and fog seal method and explained the difference in that process and tar and chi with micro surface. This will be a non-MFT project with funding coming from fund 38. Spesia moved to approve Chamlin Engineering to design and carry out bids for the sections of Valerio Road and Carbon Hill Roads, second by Togliatti. Roll call-Ayes; Togliatti, Bradley, Spesia and Beach. Nays; none. Absent; Greggain and T. Bradley.

Mayor Halliday expressed his dissatisfaction of the new "Crime Bill" recently signed by Governor Pritzker. Chief Best said that Friday, February 26th there will be a meeting

ence in Morris to address the new bill and he stated that this new law makes it less safe for the residents and the police officers. Attorney Heinle stated that along with this bill comes financial burdens. The over 800 page document includes:

• Body cameras on every officer by 2025

• Training requirements with certifications within three years

• New use of force standards in 2022

• No monetary bonding

• Certain arrests that will become citations

• No resisting arrest charges

• Whistle blowing protection with yearly reminder to employees

• Annual reporting process

Chief Best stated:

• OK with the body camera requirements

• Choke holds are not allowed in Illinois already

• Qualifying immunity is not resolved yet

• New bill makes P.D. more restricted

Mayor Halliday and Chief Best recommended contacting your State legislatures and express your opinion of the new bill,

Attorney Heinle announced that IDOT will partner with the Village of Coal City to decommission three Union Pacific Railroad crossings through the Illinois Commerce Commission. The three tracks are: Spring Road, 5th Avenue and Rt. 113. These crossings have been dormant for many years and the Village has pursued their closing before. The process may take six months with the possibility that the railroad would remove the tracks all together and the Village would be responsible for regrading where the tracks once existed. The Board approved the venture.

Spesia stated that the public works department have been patching pot holes.

Mayor Halliday reported that the Census Bureau has recognized the Village's successful formation of the Complete Count Committee and he acknowledged Clerk Noffsinger for her work with the Complete Count Committee with the Census Bureau for the 2020 Census.

Chief Best reminded the Board that the Grundy County Press Conference is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Friday, February 26th in Grundy County. He will update the Board on the issue of the new bill.

Mr. Fritz announced:

• Work is progressing on the annual Budget

• FEMA filing for COIVD-19 assistance for Village expenses such as the barricades, Chamber gift certificates, and salaries

• Bob Rick from R-CAP, is assisting with the completion of the two studies for the Village's water expansion; Risk Assessment and Source Water Protection Plan 

• Comcast will be presenting their franchise agreement renewal in the near future.

At 7:50 p.m., Spesia moved to adjourn the meeting, second by Beach. Roll call Ayes; Togliatti, Bradley, Spesia and Beach. Nays; none. Absent; Greggain and T. Bradley. Motion carried and the meeting was adjourned.

https://coalcity-il.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Minutes-02-24-2021.pdf