Grundy Reporter

Village of Diamond Village Board met Aug. 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The scheduled meeting of the Diamond Village Board was held at 6:00 p.m. with Mayor Teresa “Terry” Kernc presiding. Upon roll call Commissioner’s present were Mark Adair, Dean Johnson, and Dave Warner. Commissioner Kasher arrived at 6:01pm. Face masks along with social distancing was required.

Approval of 07-27-2021 Minutes

MOTION was made by Commissioner Johnson, SECOND by Commissioner Warner to approve the 07/27/2021 minutes and place on file. Ayes: Johnson, Kasher, Warner. Abstain: Adair; Motion Carried.

Approval of August 10, 2021, Bill List

MOTION was made by Commissioner Johnson, SECOND by Commissioner Warner to approve the August 10, 2021, bill list and place on file. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Approval of July 2021 Treasurer’s Report

MOTION was made by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Johnson to approve the July 2021 Treasurer’s Report. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Public Comment

Mayor Kernc welcomed Jan Berta. Berta informed the board the streetlight at Clark St. was out. Kernc stated that is a ComEd pole and we would contact them regarding it. Berta is concerned about the condition of the sidewalks throughout town which have grass growing over the edges. The board discussed the hiring of students next year to edge the sidewalks. A power edger would need to be purchased. Berta asked if the village could send out message on the utility bills to notify residents not to blow the grass onto sidewalks. The clippings make the sidewalks unsafe for walking. Berta also stated 3 motor bikes and an ATV are speeding throughout the neighborhood and not obeying stop signs. She is concerned that someone will get hurt. Kernc advised Berta to call the non-emergency Grundy County Sheriff’s office regarding this and ask for a frequent patrol in the area.

Resident Greg Wix was also in attendance. Wix addressed the board about the conditions of the baseball field. It holds water and there are ruts on the field. Wix provided pictures for viewing. Kernc stated the work for the field is slated for the fall. Wix also addressed the scheduling for the use of the baseball field. He said he would like to see if there could be a rule for out-of-town ball teams not to utilize the field and only those local Coal City Association ball teams have first rights to the field. The travel team which utilized the field is a for profit organization located out of Morris. Kernc responded local kids are on that team as well. Wix stated he would like to hear what the board had to say. Kernc stated for the record, Wix emailed her on May 8, 2021, wanting to use the village baseball field. Kernc informed him it was reserved however, he needed to contact Village Clerk Lori Holmes to get on the list for availability. Kernc also offered Wix the use of the Will Road soccer field for his practices. Kernc added, sadly you did not contact Holmes because the field became available, and some other Coal City Baseball Association team utilized the field. Wix stated they found another place for his team. Wix stated, there are a lot of other Diamond residents who were upset that the out-of town for-profit baseball team utilized our local field. Kernc stated, those teams do have Diamond and Coal City children on their teams, so there are local kids utilizing the field. Kernc stated the field is a first come first serve and asked the board if the field should only be available for Coal City Baseball teams. Village Clerk Lori Holmes addressed the board stating, the travel baseball team utilized the field 2 nights per week, therefore the other nights were available. The RBI team contacted her in March and utilized the field through June. In between that time, there were 3 other Coal City Baseball Association teams utilizing the field on the other nights. One team continued to utilize the field for practices through the end of July. Commissioner Johnson stated he is against restricting the field for travel/out of town teams and it is a first come first serve basis. Johnson continued stating, the field still serves the community for those local children on those teams. After further discussion, decision was made a policy will be written for the field use and will be voted upon at a board meeting. A calendar along with policy and necessary forms to reserve field will be placed on the village website at the beginning of the calendar year.

New Business

Approve Ordinance 32021-15, Pertaining to the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund/American Rescue Plan Act

Mayor Kernc stated in ordered to sign up for the fund, there are two necessary forms to be completed to proceed. The village needed to comply for those individuals which do not speak English to be able to read the village’s website. The village website now has a translation function and will translate the website for those non-English speaking individuals. Kernc stated if any non-English speaking individuals come into the village hall, the staff will be utilizing Google translate to communicate with them. The village will comply the Civil Right Act of 1964. MOTION was made by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Adair to Approve Ordinance #2021-15, Pertaining to the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund/American Rescue Plan Act. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Discuss Kankakee River Valley Planning Alliance Grant Opportunity

Mayor Kernc stated the village is not eligible to apply for this grant.

Approve Shopwerks Proposal for Paint of 32 Streetlight Pole Bases in the amount of $5.600.00 Mayor Kernc stated this was Acting Public Works Supervisor Jim Dunnings idea to bring the pole bases to Shopwerks. Dunning discussed the process of the painting, type of paint etc. After discussion, MOTION was made by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Warner to approve Shopwerks Proposal for the Painting of 32 Streetlight Pole Bases in the amount of $5,600.00. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Compliance Review #58; Receipt and Disbursement of MFT Funds Ending April 20, 2020 Mayor Kernc stated this report is for the year ending April 20, 2020. This is informational only and no action is needed.

Old Business

Grundy and Will County Sheriff’s Monthly Update

Mayor Kernc presented the Will County Sheriff’s Report. Overall, pretty good report and not a lot of activity. Grundy County Sheriff’s Department has been busy. Neither has anything out of the ordinary to report.

Legal Counsel

No Report

Engineer Updates

Absent

Public Works Department Updates

Acting Public Works Supervisor Jim Dunning stated everything is going well. The plan for next month will be focusing on draining issues. Fixing and installing culverts/catch basins in specific areas of the village and the one at the village park and outfield.

Clerk Updates

No Report

Commissioner Comments

Commissioner Adair

No Report

Commissioner Johnson

No Report

Commissioner Kasher

No Report

Commissioner Warner

No Report

Mayor Kernc

No Report

Adjournment

MOTION was made to adjourn at 6:37 p.m. by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Adair. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

https://www.villageofdiamond.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/08-10-21-1.pdf