Grundy Reporter

Village of Diamond Village Board met July 26.

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 Kernc presiding. Upon roll call Commissioners present were Dean Johnson,  Jeff Kasher, and Dave Warner. Absent: Mark Adair.  

Approval of 7-12-2022 Minutes 

MOTION was made by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Kasher to approve the 07/12/2022 regular meeting minutes and place on file. All Ayes: Motion Carried. 

Approval of July 26, 2022, Bill List 

MOTION was made by Commissioner Johnson, SECOND by Commissioner Warner to approve  the July 26, 2022, bill list and place on file. All Ayes: Motion Carried. 

Public Comment 

Resident Tina Johnson inquired how much the board knows about the Coaler Community Center.  Most people are not for it however, most people are for sidewalks. Johnson has a son starting high  school and would like a way for him to walk home from school when needed. Mayor Kernc stated  there will be a discussion later in the meeting to discuss sidewalks. Johnson continued to address the  issue of vehicles going through the stop sign at Will Road and Girot Lane. Johnson stated there were  3 cars along today that went through the stop sign. She concerned for the children’s safety. Grundy  County Sheriff Ken Briley stated he will send out an email and have a patrol monitoring the area. 

New Business 

Presentation to Grundy County Pro-Active Unit 

Mayor Kernc presented a plaque to Sheriff Briley along with members of the Grundy County Pro Active Unit for their hard work and dedication within Grundy County. Grundy County Sheriff Ken  Briley explained to the board how this unit came to be implemented and the work they have achieved  over the past year. 

Approve Resolution #2022-07; Public Right-of-Way ADA Transition Plan 2022-2043 Mayor Kernc presented the resolution and timeline for the implementation of the transition plan  within the village with regards to ADA ramps, fixing sidewalks, crosswalk striping etc. The resolution  outlines this timeline plan. MOTION was made by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by  Commissioner Kasher to approve Resolution #2022-07; Public Right-of-Way ADA Transition Plan  2022-2043. All Ayes: Motion Carried. 

Approve Test, Inc. Contractual Agreement for the WTP and WWTP 

Mayor Kernc stated the current contract expires August 31, 2022. This is a 3-year contract expiring  August 31, 2025. MOTION was made by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Johnson to Approve Test, Inc. Contractual Agreement for the WTP and WWTP. All Ayes: Motion  Carried. 

Approve Ordinance #2022-08, Amending Employee Handbook 

Mayor Kernc stated this amendment reflects changes for bereavement benefit for permanent part time employees and changes per work hours, village hall hours, etc. which were discussed and  approved at the July 12, 2022, board meeting. MOTION was made by Commissioner Johnson,  SECOND by Commissioner Warner to Approve Ordinance #2022-08, Amending Employee  Handbook. All Ayes: Motion Carried. 

Approve Grundy County Animal Control 

Mayor Kernc presented the letter stating the amount the upcoming contract for 2022-23 will be based  on the calls which were handled from December 1, 202-November 30, 2021. Contracts will be mailed  in October 2022. There will be no routine patrols within Diamond. Animal Control will respond to  calls only. 

Discuss ITEP Grant Application; IL 113 Sidewalk/ADA Ramps 

Mayor Kernc stated this would be a 20% match grant. The application would be based on 6’ not 8’  sidewalks which were in the original plan. Resident Jan Berta and resident Tina Johnson complained  about the sidewalks on IL 113 (Division St.). Both residents stated they are in poor condition. Berta  complained it was also too narrow when she and her husband walk for exercise and pleasure. Mayor Kernc explained that IDOT is replacing all the existing 5’ ramps on IL 113 with ADA compliant 6’  ramps and that the Village of Diamond is applying for an ITEP grant to remove and replace all existing  5’ sidewalk between the ramps with 6’sidewalk. Mayor Kernc does not have all the information  regarding the grant and total cost but wanted to confirm with the Board of Commissioners they agreed  for her to proceed with the application process. The Board gave approval to move forward in the  application process. 

Approve Travel, Meal, and Lodging Expense Form for Mayor Kernc; IML Conference  September 15-17, 2022 

Mayor Kernc will be attending the IML Conference. The cost of the ticket to attend is free however,  the hotel cost is $992.00, the banquet is $125.00 and parking $25 per day. She will complete a mileage  reimbursement form on the day of travel. Kernc is one of the Board of Directors for the IML.  MOTION was made by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Warner to approve  Travel, Meal, and Lodging Expense Form for Mayor Kernc to attend the IML Conference September  15-17, 2022. All Ayes: Motion Carried. 

Approve Travel, Meal, and Lodging Expense Form for Public Works Supervisor Jim Dunning  and Public Works Employee Larry Grachan to attend IPWMAN Conference October 25-26,  2022. 

Mayor Kernc stated the village joined IPWMAN and after the Diamond tornado, which the  organization was instrumental and sent free assistance to the village. This organization provides  mutual aid response and recovery assistance to communities when confronted with natural or man made emergencies and disasters. It is a statewide mutual aid system for all public works agencies in  Illinois. Public Works Supervisor Jim Dunning and Public Works Employee Larry Grachan would be  attending the conference. Dunning stated they are considering taking one of the village’s vehicles to  the conference and ride together. The cost would be for hotel/lodging for 1 night and 2 meals per  person. Dunning did not have the cost of the hotel at this time. The conference will be held in  Bloomington, IL. MOTION was made by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner  Johnson to Approve Travel, Meal, and Lodging Expense Form for Public Works Supervisor Jim Dunning and Public Works Employee Larry Grachan to attend IPWMAN Conference October 25- 26, 2022. All Ayes: Motion Carried. 

Old Business 

Grundy and Will County Sheriff’s Monthly Update 

Mayor Kernc stated nothing out of the ordinary for Grundy and Will County Sheriff’s Report. Kernc  believes with the opening of the Gas N Wash, more calls will occur in the Will County corridor. Will  County Sheriff bills the village based on the calls.  

Legal Counsel 

No Report 

Engineer Updates 

No Report 

Public Works Department Updates 

Public Works Supervisor Jim Dunning stated the motors and VFD for the sewer plant have been  ordered. Trees have been removed at the Water/Wastewater Treatment Plant. Westech completed  an inspection and noted the bearings are wearing out on clarifier 1. Full report has not been received  yet however this is an item which must be scheduled every 10-15 years. Dunning stated drain tiles  have been installed throughout the village where needed. The streetlight on Kevin Dr. should be fixed  within the next week. 

Clerk Updates 

Village Clerk Lori Holmes stated E-Waste Recycling Day will be held on Saturday, September 17,  2022, from 8:00am-12:00pm. She is waiting the cost for televisions from Environmental Disposal  and Recycling. 

Commissioner Comments 

Commissioner Adair 

Absent 

Commissioner Johnson 

No Report 

Commissioner Kasher 

Commissioner Kasher stated there will be an auction this Saturday which will have a Case International  UTV for sale. He would like to bid on the item to purchase for the village. Consensus was given for  Kasher to proceed at auction not to exceed $10,000 on the Case International UTV. 

Commissioner Warner  

No Report 

Mayor Kernc 

No Report 

Adjournment 

MOTION was made to adjourn at 7:32 p.m. by Com

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