Grundy Reporter

Coal City Village Board met Dec. 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

At 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, Mayor Dave Spesia called to order the meeting of the Coal City Village Board in the boardroom at Village Hall. Roll call- Trustees Dave Togliatti, Dan Greggain, Pamela Noffsinger, Sarah Beach, Bill Mincey and Mayor Spesia. Also in attendance were Mark Heinle, village attorney, Ryan Hansen from Chamlin Engineering, Police Chief Chris Harseim and Matt Fritz, village administrator. Absent; Trustee Tim Bradley.

All present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

The public hearing meeting minutes of November 20, 2023 was presented. Beach moved to approve the minutes as written, second by Mincey. Roll call-Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Beach and Mincey. Nays; none. Absent; Bradley. Motion carried.

The regular meeting minutes of November 20, 2023 was presented. Greggain moved to approve the minutes as written, second by Beach. Roll call-Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Beach and Mincey. Nays; none. Absent; Bradley. Motion carried.

The warrant list was presented. Following questions and review, Greggain moved to approve the warrant list as presented, second by Togliatti. Roll call-Ayes; Toglitti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Beach and Mincey. Nays; none. Absent; Bradley. Motion carried.

There was no public comment at the meeting.

Ordinance 23-31, the Adoption of the 2023 Property Tax Levy. Fritz stated there were some specific levy line amount changes, including corporate liability insurance. The final proposed tax rate would decrease, but the annual cost would depend on the value of each resident's home in the market place. Also stated was the change in verbiage in the ordinance page 4, a line item was added for the Parks levy. Beach moved to approve Ordinance 23-31 to adopt the 2023 Property Tax Levy, second by Mincey. Roll call-Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Beach and Mincey. Nays; none. Absent; Bradley. Motion carried.

Ordinance 23-33, granting a Conditional Use and Variances for 435 W. Division. Fritz explained the new owners of 435 W. Division are re-opening a restaurant and requesting to serve alcohol as well as erecting a sign on the property, which was unanimously supported and recommended for adoption by the Planning and Zoning Board. Greggain moved to grant the conditional use to serve alcohol as well as variances regarding placement and type of signage, second by Beach, Roll call-Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Beach and Mincey. Nays; none. Absent; Bradley. Motion carried.

Ordinance 23-36, creating a Class C Liquor License for Bimak Inc. at 435 W. Division. Fritz explained that once a license is unused it no longer exists and if needed a new license must be created. Mayor Spesia inquired about the opening of the new restaurant "The Clubhouse" which the owner stated will open within the next few months depending on availability of essentials required to complete renovation. Spesia also had questions regarding the extra suite being created within the restaurant.

The owner indicated this room can be used for overflow for the restaurant as well as private parties which will hold 30 to 40 people. There will be a private entrance from the outside one can enter as well as an entrance from within the restaurant. This will be where the gaming machines will be located and can only be utilized when there is not a private party being held. Beach moved to adopt 23- 36 creating a Class C Liquor License for Bimak Inc., second by Greggain. Roll call-Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Beach and Mincey. Nays; none. Absent; Bradley. Motion carried.

The board continued discussion regarding the lighting of the sign which will be standard lighting and not bright. They also discussed that the gaming area will have a separation within the room so that anyone under 21 is not entering the area and also quality cameras in the area as well.

Ordinance 23-37 adopting a policy regarding the Provision of Paid Leave for Full Time and Part Time Employees. Fritz indicated there were a couple of additional changes to the guidelines surrounding the requirements since the last discussion. First, should such agencies clarification from the Department of Labor regarding truly bonafide benefit providing employers adopt something prior to January 1, 2024 than that policy can prevail moving forward since benefits are provided in excess of what is required by the state. Second, the addition of accruing time for part time employees which has been included within the proposed policy not done in the past.

Mayor Spesia had a change in the Employee Handbook, Chapter 3, Page 8, Vacation Leave to change the verbage of after three (3) months to after 90 days of continuous service. Fritz stated the change would be made. Beach moved to adopt Ordinance 23-37 amending Chapter 3 of the Employee Handbook to include language considering employee benefits in line with the requirements of the Paid Leave Act as amended, second by Mincey. Roll call-Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Beach and Mincey. Nays; none. Absent; Bradley. Motion carried.

Resolution 23-19 Approval of 2024 Annual Meeting Dates. Fritz explained that Linda Sula, deputy clerk put together the dates and had been waiting for the Fire and Police Board of Commissioners to decide upon their meeting, which is now included. There were no questions at this time. Greggain moved to approve the 2024 Annual Meeting Dates as presented, second by Beach. Roll call-Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Beach and Mincey. Nays; none. Absent; Bradley. Motion carried.

Mayor Spesia reported that Public Works did a great job with the Christmas decorations along South Broadway and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Trustee Greggain also wished everyone Merry Christmas.

Attorney Heinle announced the filing deadline of December 26, 2023 for the Tax Levy Ordinance that was passed and wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

Village engineer Hansen reported regarding the 2nd Avenue Water Main and Storm Sewer Project that the Water Main part is complete and the contractor is proceeding with water service installation. The well drilling project is still moving along and the contractor is about 500' down and steadily progressing.

Chief Harseim attended a Heroes Helpers event which serviced 183 children at Walmart with gifts for the holiday season. Kirsten McKim graduates from the Police Academy in Champaigne on December 21, 2023 and will start immediately to get her field training time in. There was authorization to hire two officers. Due to the time constraints of the list, there is one officer who will be going to PTI on January 7, 2024. The next person will be hired after the budget in April. The second individual on the list has been contacted and is scheduled for testing and evaluations to continue the process. Harseim also went through the stats for the month.

Administrator Fritz provided a memo to recognize positive actions taken by staff for the Water Treatment Plant. ComEd was offering an efficiency program which had a lot of paperwork and items that had to be submitted and in the end the Village received a check for $106,721.60. He also wished everyone Happy Holidays.

Chief Harseim also stated that they will be doing the First Responders' Silent parade on December 17, 2023 at 6pm stating in Carbon Hill.

Greggain moved to adjourn into executive session per Section 2(c)(2) of the FOIA's exemption for discussion of collective bargaining and salaries for classes of employees, second by Togliatti. Roll call-Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Beach and Mincey. The motion was adopted at 7:42 p.m.

Following the executive session, Greggain moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:23 p.m., second by Togliatti. Roll call-Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Beach and Mincey. Nays; none. Absent; Bradley. Motion carried.

https://coalcity-il.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/VB-Meeting-Minutes-Web-12-13-2023.pdf