Grundy Reporter

Village of Diamond Village Board met March 8.

Here are 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. Upon roll call Commissioners present were Mark Adair, Jeff Kasher, Dean Johnson and Dave Warner. Face masks along with social distancing was required.

Approval of 02-22-2022 Minutes

MOTION was made by Commissioner Adair, SECOND by Commissioner Johnson to approve the 02/22/2022 regular meeting minutes and place on file. Ayes: Adair, Johnson, Kasher. Abstain: Warner, Motion Carried.

Approval of March 8, 2022, Bill List and Additional Bill List

MOTION was made by Commissioner Johnson, SECOND by Commissioner Kasher to approve the March 8, 2022, bill list and additional bill list and place on file. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Approval of the February 2022 Treasurer’s Report

MOTION was made by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Adair to approve the February 2022 Treasurer’s Report and place it on file. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Public Comment

None

New Business

Discuss Approve OSLAD Grant Application for Regional Detention/Land Acquisition Mayor Kernc discussed several options for detention on the north side of the village. Kernc stated she would like to see the option of utilizing laterals and drain directly into the Claypool ditch which would be at a much lower cost. Because this is a OSLAD grant, the village would obtain a minimum amount of land and build a small park with sidewalk, (which would address safe routes to school), stormwater, and an open public space/ recreational park would be constructed). The actual detention would be contingent on receiving future grant. Village Engineer Mike Perry stated a draft will be completed to address these items. Perry added, Chamlin has two internal staff members who are experienced in the grant writing. After further discussion, MOTION was made by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Kasher to approve Phase 1 for the OSLAD Grant Application for Regional Detention/Land Acquisition by Chamlin and Associates. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

60 S. Calkey St.

Village Clerk Lori Holmes stated the water pipe located in the crawl burst therefore, the water which leaked was ground water and did not enter the village’s sewer system. Proposed credit in the amount of $113.98 to their sewer bill based on average usage was requested. MOTION was made by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Kasher to approve a sewer credit in the amount of $113.98. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

330 S. Will Road

Village Clerk Lori Holmes stated the neighbor noticed the outside water hose had burst and water was running for 2 days. Water which leaked was ground water which did not enter the village’s sewer system. Proposed credit in the amount of $82.82 to the sewer bill based on average usage requested. MOTION was made by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Adair to approve sewer credit in the amount of $82.82. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Gas N Wash Liquor License Application

Mayor Kernc presented the license application. Village Attorney John Gallo stated obtaining the license was part of the original development agreement. The license request is for a Class B-Retail License. Since the village does not have any open liquor licenses, Village Attorney John Gallo will draw up the ordinance which will be presented at the next board meeting for formal approval. MOTION was made by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Warner to Authorize Gallo to draw up the ordinance to increase the number Class B-Retail Licenses. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Approve Ordinance #2022-02, Authorizing the Disposition of Surplus Property Mayor Kernc stated the village would like to sell 2 unused handhelds and a John Deere M665 mower. MOTION was made by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Johnson to approve Ordinance #2022-02, Authorizing the Disposition of Surplus Property. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Approve Engineering Agreement, STP3 Will Road Phase 2 Engineering Village Engineer Mike Perry stated Phase 2 is the design phase which includes surveying, plats, right of way dedications, easements etc. The total grant application was $340,000.00 which will cover $225,000.00 of Phase 2 engineering. There will be 3 sets of plans, one for the entire project, 2 alternate plans, one from IL 113 to Girot Lane and one from Girot Lane to Spring Road. The monies which the village already paid to Chamlin & Associates, cannot be included in the grant, therefore, the grant will also be utilized for GEO Tech Engineering needed at a cost of $45,000.00, Environmental tests at a cost of $50,208.00 and reviews of appraisals at an estimated cost of $27,600.00. Kernc stated this agreement needs IDOT approval first before the village can move forward, therefore the agreement needs board approval. MOTION was made by Commissioner Johnson, SECOND by Commissioner Adair to Approve Engineering Agreement, STP3 Will Road Phase 2 Engineering. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Old Business

Grundy and Will County Sheriff’s Monthly Update

Mayor Kernc stated nothing out of the ordinary to report for Grundy and Will County Sheriff’s offices.

Legal Counsel

Village Attorney John Gallo stated at the previous meeting, there was a discussion regarding penalizing those residents who do not comply when the village needs to access to their water meters. Our current ordinance doe does not have a provision to allow the village access to the property and the water meter. Gallo investigated other municipalities and found they do have an ordinance allowing access to the water meters and for those who do not comply, water service gets interrupted, and a penalty is charged. Commissioner Warner stated he did agree on shutting water off to those who do not comply but was resistant on the penalty fee. Village Clerk Holmes inquired how many times the residents should be notified before shutting off services. Commissioner Kasher would like to see 3 notifications. After further discussion, it was agreed that 3 notifications will be given and compliance within 30 days will be required. If the resident is not compliant, water services will be interrupted and a $50.00 reinstatement fee along with a $250.00 meter installation fee will be charged. Gallo will draw up the ordinance and it will be presented for board approval at the next board meeting. Engineer Updates

Mayor Kernc presented the information. Kernc stated approximately 1 year ago, we paid a $30,000 grant to complete Phase 1 engineering. We have been presented with a bill for $62,000.00. Throughout the process for the grant writing, she would reach out to Chamlin for engineering assistance and did not realize the amount she exceeded from the original plan. She stated she did contact Chamlin and Associates and from this point on, a detailed proposal will be presented to the board for approval before any work is completed. A request has been submitted for an itemized list of all the work which was completed which incurred the amount due. Kernc said the bill for $62,000.00 will be placed on the March 22, 2022, bill list for payment.

Public Works Department Updates

Public Works Supervisor Jim Dunning met with Village Engineer Mike Perry researching the plans presented by SurfAir for the fiberoptic line installation. They revised the plans. They submitted to SurfAir that they must move their lines in the original plans, so they are away from the village’s water lines. We want the installation to be on opposite sides of all water lines. Synagro will be at the village hall on Thursday to get all the necessary paperwork signed. A check in the amount of $2,500.00 will be required by the IEPA for the permit application. Overall, the public works department have been going throughout the village checking signs and cutting down the b-boxes. The softener valve work has been postponed until next week. Dunning will order 2 loads of road salt which will complete the contracted salt order for the year. Dunning has requested a list of scheduled maintenance items for the water/sewer plants by Test, Inc. which will be implemented.

Clerk Updates

Mayor Kernc stated Holmes has been researching other municipalities websites. Kernc stated she has budgeted for an upgrade to the village’s current website.

Commissioner Comments

Commissioner Adair

No Report

Commissioner Johnson

No Report

Commissioner Kasher

No Report

Commissioner Warner

Commissioner Warner stated he has wanted to look for ways to create income from our treatment plant. He was presented with an opportunity from a place in Wilmington inquiring for a place to dispose of their landfill gas condensate. An analysis was presented to the board. The revenue potential could generate over $100,000.00 annually. Village Engineer Mike Perry presented additional information regarding this disposal and will contact Don Bixby to look further into this possible venture.

Mayor Kernc

No Report

Adjournment

MOTION was made to adjourn at 7:04 p.m. by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Adair. All Ayes: Motion Carried.