Grundy Reporter

Village of Diamond Village Board of Commission met Sept. 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

The scheduled meeting of the Diamond Village Board was held on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. with Mayor Teresa “Terry” Kernc presiding. Upon roll call Commissioners present were Mark Adair, Dean Johnson, Jeff Kasher, and Dave Warner.

Approval of 08-22-2023 Minutes

MOTION was made by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Adair to approve the 08/22/2023 regular meeting minutes and place on file. Ayes: Adair, Kasher, Warner, Kernc. Abstain: Johnson; Motion Carried.

Approval of September 12, 2023, Bill List

MOTION was made by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Johnson to approve the September 12, 2023, bill list and place it on file. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Approval of the August 2023 Treasurer’s Report

August made by Commissioner Johnson, SECOND by Commissioner Warner to approve the August 2023 Treasurer's Report. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Public Comment

None

New Business

Approve Ordinance #2023-06, Granting Certain Variance from the Zoning Code (Case#PZ 01-2023; 1515 E Hugh St. -Vaughn)

Zoning Administrator Cindy Haywood stated the Planning and Zoning Board voted favorably to grant the variance. The maximum allowable coverage exceeds 5%. MOTION was made by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Kasher to Approve Ordinance #2023-06; Granting Certain Variance from the Zoning Code (Case #PZ-01-2023; 1515 E. Hugh St.-Vaughn) All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Approve Lowest Bid for Digital Marquee Sign

Mayor Kernc stated this went out to bid. The village received only 1 bid which was from Fast Signs. The total base cost would be $43,689.90. Removing the existing sign will be completed by the Public Works Department. They will also complete the conduit work. Commissioner Kasher stated the money could be spent more wisely. The sign would not improve the village. He would like to see this money go toward possibly a mini excavator, new truck and/or cold storage building. This is not a necessity. He is trying to be frugal, and this is frivolous spending. Commissioner Kasher made it very clear he was not in favor of this purchase. This is a “hard-NO” for his approval on this item. Commissioner Adair agreed with Kasher. Adair does not believe this is responsible fiscal spending. This is a frill not a necessity. Mayor Kernc stated if this item does not receive an approval, she will not allow any of the office personnel to change the sign. Village Clerk Holmes received a concussion due to the sign not able to be properly attached to change the letters etc. Kernc stated the Public Works Department will be responsible for changing the sign. Kasher is good with that. Discussion of the deterioration of the current marquee was further discussed. Commissioner Warner feels with Jewel coming into town along with attracting more businesses, the options for the messages, Warner feels it is time to update the marquee. That is over and above the safety issue. Commissioner Johnson stated he understands Kasher and Adair’s concerns, however Johnson is in favor of the purchase of the new marquee. As people come through town, the marquee reflects the town. Kasher added, if this gets passed, he doesn’t want Kernc to raise the property taxes. Kernc stated, she doesn’t plan to. Kernc is making some changes on Will Road, so she is freeing money up in other areas to offset the cost of this purchase. MOTION was made by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Johnson to Accept and Approve the Bid from Fast Signs for the Digital Marquee Sign for $43,689.90. Ayes: Johnson, Kernc and Warner. Nays: Adair and Kasher. Motion Carried.

Waive Competitive Bidding for Wash Press Replacement at the WWTP Mayor Kernc stated this amount exceeds the amount which we are obligated to place this out for bidding. However, this is the company which the village is seeking to utilize for lift stations and the controls within the plant. Commissioner Warner stated we discussed this last meeting and agreed to go with the new replacement and not rebuilt, since it comes with the warranty and such. The village will keep the old parts as spares for a few years. The village might decide to place the motor on a municipality auction site to sell in the future. MOTION was made by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Adair to Waive Competitive Bidding for Wash Press Replacement at the WWTP. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Accept and Approve Proposal from Gasvoda & Associates for the Purchase and Installation of a Huber Wash Press at the WWTP

MOTION was made by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Kasher to Accept and Approve Proposal from Gasvoda & Associates for the Purchase and Installation of a Huber Wash Press at the WWTP for $84,065.00. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

IEPA Violation Response Letter

Mayor Kernc received notification that the village was in violation from March 31 through May 31,2023 for Outfall Effluent. Kernc had no knowledge of these violations. Kernc started a new policy that when an unacceptable number comes back for water or waste, immediately Kernc, Dunning, Mike Jenke, and John Guistat (Water Operations), will be notified. Commissioner Kasher inquired what the meaning of the violation meant. Village Engineer Mike Perry explained the process of wasting and how the village exceeded the requirement. Perry added, this is not unusual for this to happen, and it does happen all over the country from time to time. Kernc added, the village has been in compliance since May 31, 2023.

Old Business

Grundy and Will County Sheriff’s Monthly Update

Mayor Kernc stated everything looks good.

Legal Counsel

No Report

Engineer Updates

Village Engineer Mike Perry stated they met with Gasvoda today regarding the lift stations and the scada controls which was very enlightening. In 3-5 years, those will be obsolete and have to replace. We will be getting them replaced before the 3-5 years which is great to be proactive. Those alone will cost $250,000.00 and typically must pay out of the water/sewer budget, but because the village applied for the federal grand and the ARPA grant and the Will Co. grant, the village will receive approximately $1Million dollars to use, which will cover that cost. All the plants and lift stations will be 100% up to date with 2023-24 controls. There is no match for any of the grant money which will be received. The balance of the $1 million will be utilized for watermain and hopefully replacing pumps at the McGinty St. lift station. Mayor Kernc added, the village will have to pay approximately $35,000 to North Central for the administration of the grant and some engineering fees. Perry continued stating the site utility plans and design were received from Jewel. Perry stated the traffic study results came in and unfortunately, it still does not warrant the traffic signal to be installed at Will Road however, when you added the Jewel into the equation, it brought the numbers up to warrant the installation of the signal.

Public Works Department Updates

Public Works Supervisor Jim Dunning stated the clam shells are installed but in need of caulking only. The new water meter will be installed at Burt Estates tomorrow. There was a watermain break today which was repaired on Hugh St.

Clerk Updates

Village Clerk Lori Holmes stated the fall fun fest was a success. Holmes distributed a copy of an email she received thanking the village for the fest and how enjoyable it was for the family. The estimated attendance was 700+. Holmes thanked those volunteers who assisted in the event.

Commissioner Comments

Commissioner Adair

No Report

Commissioner Johnson

Commissioner Johnson was concerned about the lids which are missing from the Surf Broadband cans on Will Road. Planning Administrator Cindy Haywood will reach out to Surf regarding this issue.

Commissioner Kasher

Commissioner Kasher stated when the old marquee sign is removed, he would like to see if it could be placed on the municipal auction site to sell. Kernc stated she would like to donate it to another municipal town in their fire department. Village Attorney John Gallo stated yes, the donation can be complete, but it must be declared surplus property.

Commissioner Warner

Commissioner Warner stated he is waiting for Simple Communications to speak with him regarding the fiber optics at the WTP & WWTP.

Mayor Kernc

Mayor Kernc stated she completed the 60-day probationary evaluation on Chris Lassister and John Guistat. They have passed their probationary period. They have received positive feedback. They are now permanent full-time employees of the village. Kernc stated she received a notice that there was FEMA money available for hazard mitigation. There was a pre-application which she needed to complete, which she did and was approved. It was in the amount of $500,000.00 which would be utilized for stormwater management plan. Kernc will discuss with Tim from Chamlin and Associates and utilize for the plan. Kernc wanted the board’s approval to move forward with this. Commissioner Adair asked if there was a match requirement for the funding. Kernc stated she believes it is a 25% match. Kasher stated he would approve of moving forward with it. Kasher did say, if possible, he would like to see parts of the Claypool ditch within the village limits, dredged out. This would increase flow. Kernc stated she would have to look to see if that is in the hazard mitigation plan, then it is possible. That must be in an approved plan already to be eligible. Kernc stated they would have to inquire what is already the plan of Claypool and discuss options. Commissioner Warner would like to see if there are areas in which we could install culverts and such. Kernc would like Chamlin and Associates to assist in the planning to get the most impact for the money. The Commissioners agreed for Kernc to move forward with the grant process.

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