Grundy Reporter

Coal City Village Board met June 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

At 7p.m. on Wednesday June 14, 2023, Mayor Dave Spesia called to order the regular meeting of the Coal City Village Board in the boardroom of the Village Hall. Roll call- Trustees Dave Togliatti, Dan Greggain, Tim Bradley, Bill Mincey and Sarah Beach. Absent; Pam Noffsinger. Also in attendance were Matt Fritz, village administrator, Police Chief Chris Harseim, Ryan Hansen from Chamlin Engineering and attorney Mark Heinle.

All present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

The minutes of the Regular Village Board meeting on May 24, 2023 were presented for approval. Bradley moved to approve the minutes as written from the Regular Meeting on May 24, 2023, second by Beach. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Bradley, Mincey and Beach. Nays; none. Absent; Pam Noffsinger. Abstain; None. Motion carried.

The warrant list was presented and reviewed by the Board. Chief Harsiem mentioned a correction to the description regarding the Visa PD 01-21-659, the corrected amount was 5,500 Rounds of Ammunition. Bradley moved to approve the warrant list with correction made, second by Togliatti. Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Bradley, Mincey and Beach. Nays; none. Absent; Pam Noffsinger. Abstain; none. Motion carried.

There was no Public Comment at this meeting.

Ordinance 23-13, an ordinance authorizing the Village of Coal City to lease certain property to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency for the operation and maintenance of IEMA's gamma radiation detection units. Matt Fritz explained due to the current lease alongside Berta Road south of Spring Road on the west side that IEMA current holds is expiring. IEMA would like Coal City to continue to accommodate this necessary equipment for the next five years. The lease allows the ground to be utilized for a payment which is provided for a cost of $1.00 per year. Bradley moved to adopt Ordinance 23-13, entering into a lease Agreement with IEMA to accommodate their necessary safety equipment second by Beach. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Bradley, Mincey and Beach. Nays; none. Absent; Noffsinger. Abstain; none. Motion carried.

Ordinance 23-14, an ordinance amending text to include a code update, such as change in appointment term and amendment to vehicles in residential areas. Matt Fritz explained at the most recent Planning & Zoning Board Meeting, the Zoning Board of Appeals held a public hearing on the draft ordinance that has been provided. The text amendment includes three changes to the zoning code. First change, Sections 2-4 explaining the update of the building code requirements for residential homes requiring builders to construct according to the 2021 International Residential Code. Second change, would remove a conflicting portion of code that existed within the land use code regarding storage of vehicles within residential districts. Eliminating the conflicting language and allowing International Property Maintenance Code to prevail will allow for better enforcement of junk vehicles on property in which their storage is not permitted. Third change, located in Section 6 would revise the term for appointed Planning & Zoning Members decreasing their appointment tenure from 5 years to 3 years. Greggain moved to adopt Ordinance 23-14 amending the Village code to adopt an updated residential building standard, amend the total years of appointees to the Planning & Zoning Board and eliminate the conflicting portion of code regarding the storage of vehicle in residential districts second by Beach. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Bradley, Mincey and Beach. Nays; none. Absent; Noffsinger. Abstain; none. Motion carried.

Ordinance 23-15, an ordinance authorizing and ratifying revisions to the schedule of Water and Sanitary sewer rates and related charges. Matt Fritz explained with the potential IEPA low interest loan funding being anticipated, the Board adopted a 7% increase to the rates in order to collect the revenue necessary to support the increased capital cost necessary to pay the debt connected to the water treatment plant expansion project. The FY24 rates were adopted after discussion at the committee level via motion and recorded within the minutes completed on March 22, 2023. This evening's ordinance has been prepared to simply ratify the rate previously adopted and is being charged without changes. The Village will prepare and consider an ordinance in the spring to consider additional utility rate changes in the future. Bradley moved to adopt Ordinance 23-15, ratifying the Utility Rates to be collected within the 2024 Fiscal Year second by Beach. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Bradley, Mincey and Beach. Nays; none. Absent; Noffsinger. Abstain; none. Motion carried.

Ordinance 23-16, an ordinance authorizing the disposal of certain personal property, the Police Department's 2014 Ford Taurus Squad Car. Chief Harseim explains The Police Department maintains a 2014 Ford Taurus squad car as surplus. Chief believes this surplus piece of equipment would be a worthwhile contribution to the county's ProAct effort. Chief also explained that Police Auxiliary has sufficient amount of vehicles. Beach moved to adopt Ordinance 23-16 declaring former squad car #76 as surplus personal property second by Bradley. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Bradley, Mincey and Beach. Nays; none. Absent; Noffsinger. Abstain; none. Motion carried.

Ordinance 23-17, postpone a variance request to the zoning code for the required side yard setback, separation and other portions of the zoning code at 75 E. Barney Way in the Village of Coal City. Matt Fritz explained the ordinance was prepared to be considered by the board, however the petitioner put in an accommodation request due to his hearing impairment.

The Village will fulfill the request at the first meeting in July. Bradley moved to postpone consideration of Ordinance 23-17, granting variances at 75 E. Barney Way to allow a shed addition to remain within the current area of the rear yard second by Beach. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Bradley, Mincey and Beach. Nays; none. Absent; Noffsinger. Abstain; none. Motion carried.

Resolution 23-08, a resolution approving an employment agreement between the Village of Coal City and Chief of Police Christopher R. Harseim (2023-2027). The second contract for Employment as Chief of Police for the Coal City Police Department was attached to the agenda for the Board to review. Chief Harseim commended the Board for their consideration to further his employment with the Village of Coal City. Greggain moved to adopt Resolution 23-08, providing an Employment Agreement with Chris Harseim to continue as Chief of Police through April 30, 2027 second by Beach. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Bradley, Mincey and Beach. Nays; none. Absent; Noffsinger. Abstain; none. Motion carried

Matt Fritz presented the appointments and re-appointments to the Board of Fire & Police Commissioners and the Planning & Zoning Board. The following board appointments:

Planning & Zoning Board:

Richard Crotteau, Term Expiration: June 14, 2024

John Hawkinson, Term Expiration: June 14, 2024

Cody Krug, Term Expiration: June 14, 2026

Board of Fire and Police Commissioners:

Stephanie Enerson, Term Expiration: June 14, 2024

Jay Lusson, Term Expiration: June 14, 2025

Thomas Youskevtch, Term Expiration: June 14, 2026

Bradley moved to confirm Mayor Spesia's Slate of Appointees to the Planning & Zoning Board and the Board of Fire & Police Commissioners as presented second by Beach. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Bradley, Mincey and Beach. Nays; none. Absent; Noffsinger. Abstain; none. Motion carried.

Clerk Stone swore in appointees of the Board of Fire & Police Commissioners, Stephanie Enerson and Jay Lusson. Thomas Youskevtch was absent and would be swore in a later date. Clerk Stone swore in appointees of the Planning & Zoning Board, Cody Krug.

Mayor Spesia presented the Opening of Bids for Surplus Property Outlot A, B and C in Big Timber Estates Subdivision. The Village advertised the availability of outlots that had become the possession of the Village along Big Timber due to the default of the subdivision's developer. Mayor Spesia read aloud to the board the bid composed by Shawn Hamilton for all three lots in the amount of $1.00 plus the cost of development of a cul-de-sac to be determined in further negotiation of the parties. Attorney Heinle informed the Board there was no motion required on this bid.

Matt Fritz presented the bids for the 2023 MFT/ Non-MFT roadwork projects. Mr. Fritz explained the lowest and only bids to this year's street work project came from D Construction. Previously, the Board approved a bid for crack sealant application to Denler, Inc. The cost of this project can be funded with available MFT funds allowing for more projects to be completed from non-MFT sources. This reduction in the total amount of capital and TIF funding sources shall allow the village to increase its total Non-MFT budgeting of projects upwards by $35,000 allowing one additional block of Kankakee between Walnut and Elm to be paved as well as 5th Ave., north of the BNSF railroad tracks northward to North Street. Bradley moved to award the bid for the 2023 MFT roadwork projects to D Construction at an estimated cost of $185,325.37 second by Beach. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Bradley, Mincey and Beach. Nays; none. Absent; Noffsinger. Abstain; none. Motion carried. Bradley moved to award the bid for the 2023 non-MFT roadwork project to D Construction at an estimated cost of $238, 962.23 second by Beach. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Bradley, Mincey and Beach. Nays; none. Absent; Noffsinger. Motion carried.

Matt Fritz presented to the Board a new contract with Comcast that would provide 200 MB speed over the next five years. All departments are served by this single access point and contract for the village, which allows the monthly fee to be split amongst different funds. Matt Fritz explained it is more beneficial to stay with the 5 year contract with Comcast than find alternative internet vendors. Village attorney, Mark Heinle had not had the opportunity to review the contract, he committed to the Board he will review the contract and notify the Board of his approval. Beach moved to authorize Mayor Spesia to enter into a contract With Comcast for the provision of internet service over the next 5 years pending legal advice second by Greggain. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Bradley, Mincey and Beach. Nays; none. Absent; Noffsinger. Abstain; none. Motion carried.

Matt Fritz presented to the Board the engineering payments to CBBEL for S. Broadway reconstruction, final Invoice #23 and project completion. At this time, all but final invoices were paid leaving a final invoice at the time of IDOT's final billing submission. Matt Fritz explained this means S. Broadway Reconstruction project can be paid in its entirety. A final improvement and quantities billing was submitted by IDOT for the final amount of $281,208.85. Of this portion, the village will be billed by IDOT 20% of the total, $56,241.77. Coal City pays 100% of the cost up front and then bills IDOT their 80% of the cost of the construction engineering in the amount of $27,618.23. Matt Fritz said the total amount of the project was $4,737,738.00 in construction dollars. Bradley moved to approve Invoice #23, the Final Invoice for the S. Broadway Reconstruction Project for CBBEL totaling $27,618.23. In addition, recognized IDOT's final billing for construction in the amount of $56, 241.77 is to be paid upon its receipt as well second by Greggain. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Bradley, Mincey and Beach. Nays; none. Absent; Noffsinger. Abstain; none. Motion carried.

Mayor Spesia commended the new appointees of the Planning & Zoning Board as well as the appointees of the Board of Fire & Police Commissioners for devoting their time to the community. The Mayor also commended the Board for doing their due diligence to make our meetings more efficient.

Trustee Mincey showed his appreciation to the Planning & Zoning Board for showing their patience during their previous meeting.

Trustee Bradley is preparing to schedule a finance committee meeting during the week of July 17th, Bradley also commended the heroic act of the firefighter in Diamond of his services in the previous week.

Trustee Greggain asked Matt Fritz to further explain the process of closing Well No. 3. Mr. Fritz explained everything in Well No. 3 was filled and Grundy County Health Department supervised the process as needed. Greggain had no further questions.

Village Attorney, Mark Heinle reported he quickly reviewed the Comcast contract and will further review it and notify the Board when he has completed his review.

Village Engineer, Ryan Hansen reported on the Streets and Alley's water main project working with D Construction, they have had to re-design some of the plans due to the internet company placing their internet lines in the designated water main area. He explained the project will have a potential start date in mid-July.

Chief of Police, Chris Harseim reported he nominated ProAct for the Meritorious Unit Citation award for the Illinois Association of Chief of Police for the year of 2022. ProAct received the award the previous night by Chief of Police of Lemont. He thanked the Board for approving his new employment contract with the Village of Coal City. Chief gave an update of the Five-O Racing and encouraged everyone to come out to the event. Chief Harsiem explained there was vandalism to the Hope Helps Park restrooms and the Police Department was able to review video footage and identify the culprit.

Village Administrator, Matt Fritz shared good news of the Village being the recipient of the FEMA BRIC Grant. The Village of Coal City will receive an estimated amount of a quarter million dollars of grant money for the Water Treatment Expansion Project.

At 8:06 p.m. Trustee Greggain moved to enter into Executive Session second by Togliatti. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Bradley, Mincey and Beach. Nays; none. Absent; Noffsinger. Abstain; none. Motion carried.

Following executive session, Bradley moved to adjourn the meeting second by Greggain. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Bradley, Mincey and Beach. Nays; none. Absent; Noffsinger. Abstain; none. Motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 8:11 p.m.

https://coalcity-il.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/VB-Meeting-Minutes-Web-06-14-2023-1.pdf