Grundy Reporter

Village of Diamond Village Board met Jan. 24.

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 on the 24th of January 2023.

The scheduled meeting of the Diamond Village Board was held on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. with Mayor Teresa Kernc presiding. Upon roll call Commissioners present were Mark Adair, Dean Johnson, Jeff Kasher and Dave Warner.

Approval of 01-10-2023 Minutes

MOTION was made by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Warner to approve the 01/10/2023 regular meeting minutes and place on file. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Approval of January 24, 2023, Bill List

MOTION was made by Commissioner Johnson, SECOND by Commissioner Adair to approve the January 24, 2023, bill list and place on file. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Public Comment

Mayor Kernc welcome resident Evan Kubina of Division St. to the meeting. Kubina addressed the board requesting an amendment to the burning ordinance. Kubina discussed issues with the trees and brush which are along the Claypool ditch, and he must be responsible for disposing and maintaining. He does not know how he would dispose of this since there is no burning allowed at this time. After discussion regarding the maintenance along the Claypool of which homeowners are responsible for, Kernc recommended Kubina contact Mr. Koerner of the Claypool District. Kubina also discussed the numerous trees on his property and the current ordinance regarding burning and outdoor fire pits. Kubina discussed the letter he received from the village regarding open burning. Kubina discussed the opening burning which is allowed in an outdoor fire pit. After further discussion of this issue, the board agreed to amend the current open burning ordinance to increase the size of outdoor fire pits. This ordinance will be presented for approval at a February board meeting.

New Business

Approve Submission of STP Shared Fund Grant Application Will Road Reconstruction Mayor Kernc stated she must submit another application for the Will Road Project. MOTION was made by Commissioner Adair, SECOND by Commissioner Kasher to Approve Submission of STP Shared Fund Grant Application for the Will Road Reconstruction. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Approve Ordinance #2023-01, Amending the Development Impact Fees Mayor Kernc stated this was discussed at the January 10, 2023, meeting which needs official approval of this amendment. MOTION was made by Commissioner Johnson, SECOND by Commissioner Warner to Approve Ordinance #2023-01, Amending the Development Impact Fees. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Approve Submission of T-Mobile Grant Application for Digital Electronic LED Marquee Sign

Mayor Kernc stated this grant information was received by Village Clerk Lori Holmes through an email and presented it to Kernc. Kernc said she would like to apply for this in the amount of $40,000.00 for the purchasing an LED Digital Electronic Marquee. Commissioner Kasher asked if there was a local match and Kernc responded there was not. MOTION was made by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Johnson to Approve Submission of the T-Mobile Grant Application for Digital Electronic LED Marquee Sign. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Approve Submission of Will County American Rescue Plan Infrastructure Application Mayor Kernc stated Will County received funding from this plan. Kernc would like to submit the amount it would cost for the SCADA system for both plants and lift stations. Commissioner Warner inquired if there was a match. Village Attorney John Gallo stated there was not. Kernc added this plan can only be used for specific areas within the village like sewers, broadband and other infrastructure items. MOTION was made by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Kasher to Approve Submission of Will County American Rescue Plan Infrastructure Application. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Old Business

Grundy and Will County Sheriff’s Monthly Update

Mayor Kernc presented the Grundy County Sheriff’s Monthly Update. Nothing out of the ordinary to report.

Brock Teichmiller-RCAP; Water Rate Analysis

Mayor Kernc welcomed Teichmiller to the meeting and Zach Green who attended the meeting via audio call. Teichmiller stated the last time an analysis was completed was in 2020. The reason why Teichmiller is here this time is because the Illinois EPA asked RCAP to do a pilot program and have RCAP pick 3 communities to complete this pilot program which is no cost to the municipality. This includes an asset management plan and a capital improvement plan. Teichmiller presented the water rate analysis which reviewed the years 2018-2022. Teichmiller discussed their recommendation to review the way the village is billing for water service to the residents and commercial businesses. Discussion of the recommended proposed rate structure was discussed. The recommended rate structure would allow the village plan fo the future maintenance of the plants, upgrades etc. This structure would allow the village to be proactive for all water/sewer maintenance which will be needed. After discussion, the board is open to investigate the recommendations. Village Clerk Lori Holmes will be supplying a breakdown of the gallons used by residents and commercial classifications to Teichmiller which will assist in a rate structure plan. Once Teichmiller has completed the asset management analysis, he will present his findings at that time. Green stated what they are seeing across the nation is a lot of states that are moving to this progressive approach because they want the communities to stop being reactionary. That is why the asset management plan is being pushed at the federal level. However, in Illinois it hasn’t been pushed yet. This is why the EPA is doing this piloting program to see what it would look like if there ever comes a time where communities in Illinois must do these asset management programs in mass. This piloting would assist communities to be proactive not reactionary with the infrastructure of their plants.

Legal Counsel

No Report

Engineer Updates

Village Engineer Mike Perry stated the bid opening for the water meter replacement will be held February 14, 2023. The proposals will be presented at the board meeting that evening for approval. Perry stated the contract with Synagro, was extended through December 31, 2023, however since the original contract, which was awarded in 2021, Synagro stated their cost has increased $14,000.00 and would like to submit a change order. Commissioner Kasher and Adair agree a 20% increase is not acceptable. The board discussed the areas of increase and would like Perry to negotiate that increase with Synagro. The board is willing to split the cost. Perry will discuss the increase with Synagro and present it back to the board.

Public Works Department Updates

Public Works Department Supervisor Jim Dunning asked Mike Perry when Well 2 will be pulled. Perry will check into the date. Dunning stated he will move forward with the purchase of the Tab 8 for utilization at the WTP/WWTP. An industrial otter box will be ordered. They will utilize the operations email address so the village will not have to incur the cost of another Microsoft 365 subscription. The tablet and Otter box will be ordered. Once received and the necessary programs are installed, Dunning hopes to up and running in by February 1. Commissioner Johnson wants to make sure we get the tablet insured. Dunning stated there was a leak on Route 113 which was repaired, and the valve shut off to the service line to the property. There is not a home on the property. Dunning discussed the maple leaf screens which need to be replaced at the plant. Dunning stated he received a quote from Gasvoda to replace the screen along with all the software etc. which are required, will cost $23,000.00. Kernc stated she would like to include that in her grant application. Commissioner Warner is concerned since the proposal does not have a breakdown cost for the screen, O.I.T., programming etc. He wants every line item broken down into the costs. Village Engineer Mike Perry suggested getting another quote from another vendor and Commissioner Warner agreed. Dunning will get an itemized breakdown of the proposal and obtain another quote from another vendor. Dunning stated the roof is leaking on Tinman St. and he will have to reach out to the Clubb Construction who installed the roof.

Clerk Updates

Village Clerk Lori Holmes stated she has submitted the records disposal certificate. This approval of the certificate takes 60 days from the State of Illinois. After she receives approval, she will contact the shred company to schedule a date for shredding.

Commissioner Comments

Commissioner Adair

No Report

Commissioner Johnson

No Report

Commissioner Kasher

No Report

Commissioner Warner

No Report

Mayor Kernc

Mayor Kernc stated the village was awarded the pavement management plan. Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) will come to the village in the spring, and a vehicle will analyze all roads, curbs, and gutters, etc. after which, they will provide a 10-year plan for road repairs, paving, curbs, and gutters etc. based on the deterioration of those pavements. Kernc stated with this plan and the village’s ADA Transition plan, this will assist in a clear direction and priority of work needed within the village. Kernc stated she received a letter from Teamsters 179 they informed her that Environmental Disposal and Recycling, (the village’s disposal company), the employees of Environmental are engaged in a struggle with Environmental with regards to worker’s rights, and the labor union might be forcing them into a labor dispute, which could result in a disruption of our services. The union letter requests that the village exercises our discretion and managerial judgement and tell them we will stop doing business with them if they do not reach a fair contract with their workers that forces them into a labor dispute. Then the letter continues, if the village chooses not to stand behind the workers, the union may have no choice but to make the public aware of our choice. If we continue to do business with Environmental Recycling and Disposal, in the event of a labor dispute, they may distribute handbills or engage in other publicity to inform the public of our position. Kernc reached out to Jay Ipema at Environmental Disposal and Recycling and stated she received this letter and asked Jay about the situation. Jay stated over the last 2 years, they have spent approximately ½ million dollars on issues that the union filed against them, hired an attorney and went to court. The claims were unfounded. They are offering their employees the highest pay rate and the best benefit package in the surrounding area. The issue is management. He doesn’t feel most of his workers would go on strike. He doesn’t feel the village will experience a disruption of services. Kernc stated, we are very happy with the service Environmental Recycling and Disposal company provides the village. Environmental Recycling and Disposal goes above and beyond within the village. She also stated the village is under contract with Environmental Recycling and Disposal and we must provide this service for our residents. The Board of Commissioners agreed with Kernc.

Kernc stated she and Building Administrator Cindy Haywood met with an individual who is interested in building industrial condos. Kernc stated it is in the Will County section of town. They discussed storm water rules and regulations, building construction materials requirements etc. Kernc did go to Channahon where this individual built a similar building, and she was impressed with it. He will be coming to the February 14, 2023, board meeting to discuss his plans with the board.

Adjournment

MOTION was made to adjourn at 8:10 p.m. by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Adair. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

https://www.villageofdiamond.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/01-24-23.pdf