Grundy Reporter

Coal City Village Board met March 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

At 7:01p.m. on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, Mayor Dave Spesia called to order the meeting of the Coal City Village Board in the boardroom at Village Hall. Roll call- Ayes; Trustees Dave Togliatti, Dan Greggain, Pam Noffsinger, Tim Bradley, Sarah Beach, and Bill Mincey. Also in attendance was Mark Heinle, village attorney, Ryan Hansen from Chamlin Engineering, Police Chief Chris Harseim and Matt Fritz, village administrator.

All present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

The regular meeting minutes of February 28, 2024, was presented. Beach moved to approve the minutes as written, second by Greggain. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Beach and Mincey. Nays; none. Absent; none. Abstain, Bradley. Motion carried.

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

Ordinance 24-05, amending Ordinance 23-01 and allowing gaming to be hosted at Luevano's of 435 W. Division. Mr. Fritz explained that Mr. Luevano has re-submitted an updated business plan that includes gaming to be allowed in his business. The business plan was voted in favor with a 5-1 majority vote at the Zoning Board of Appeals and the request was granted. Oscar Luevano was in attendance and answered follow up questions from the Board and explained he plans to have as many gaming terminals as allowed. The ordinance as prepared was amended to allow Mr. Luevano to have additional gaming terminals to the maximum allowed. Greggain moved to approve Ordinance 24-05, amending Ordinance 23-01, and allowing gaming to be hosted at Luevano's of 435 W. Division, second by Beach. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Beach and Mincey. Nays; none. Absent; none. Abstain; none. Motion carried.

Ordinance 24-06, authorizing increase to utility rates. Mr. Fritz explained the Combined Water & Sewer Utility rate was reviewed and estimates total expenses according to the formula. Mr. Fritz explained the forecasted 6% increase can be adjusted downward 58% to return to a 2.5% increase within the upcoming FY25 Budget. The increase to the utility rates for the upcoming fiscal year with the billing to be provided to the residents in June as follows:

Water Usage     Water & Sewer Rate    Water Only 

0-5,999              $15.00                           $9.75 

6000-20,999      $16.71                         $10.86 

21,000+             $16.02                         $10.42

Mr. Fritz also explained the garbage fee shall be increased from its current rate of $23.00 per month, to $27.00 per month to fund the increased contract costs and keep the fund in a positive balance. Each account will continue to be charged a $5.00 per month surcharge to be collected for water treatment plant upgrade and expansion currently under review by IEPA. Greggain moved to authorize revisions to the schedule of water and sanitary sewer rates and related charges effective April 1, 2024, second by Beach. Roll call-Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Beach and Mincey. Nays; None. Absent; none. Abstain; none. Motion carried. Togliatti moved to authorize revisions to the Garbage Collection, second by Beach. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Beach and Mincey. Nays; none. Absent; none. Abstain; none. Motion carried.

Resolution 24-01, entering into an agreement with Mahaffays to utilize a portion of the land along Carbon Hill Road for a permanent utility easement. Mr. Fritz explained how the Board recently entered into an agreement with Riverside for the expansion of their facilities, within the agreement the Village is to secure a utility easement from Walt and Lynne Mahaffay who reside on the west side of Carbon Hill Road. The owners would receive payment for the square footage where the sanitary, water and roadway improvements would permanently lie. Beach moved to adopt Resolution 24-01, entering into an agreement with the Mahaffays to utilize a portion of the land along Carbon Hill Road for a permanent Utility Easement, second by Togliatti. Roll call- Ayes: Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Beach and Mincey. Nays; none. Absent; none. Abstain; none. Motion carried.

Ryan Hansen from Chamlin Engineering presented payment #1 to D Construction for Second Avenue Improvement Project. Chamlin Engineering reviewed and inspected the work by D Construction in which was completed in compliance with the Village's standards and contract requirements. Chamlin & Associates recommends a payment in the amount of $216,540.00 made to D Construction for the North S Ave Storm Sewer and Watermain Project. Greggain moved to authorize payment #1 to D Construction for Second Avenue Improvement Project, second by Bradley. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Beach and Mincey. Nays; none. Absent; none. Abstain; none. Motion carried.

Mr. Fritz explained the Board had included the repainting of the North Water Tower within its current 5-year capital improvement plan. Mr. Fritz confirmed there has been discussion with Coal City Unit District to ensure the lettering and design to include community's state champion team. Ryan Hansen from Chamlin Engineering explained the pricing over the graphic design for the water tower and confirmed there will be paint testing done as well. Bradley moved to authorize Chamlin Engineering to complete design and oversight of the North Water Tower and Sanitary Clarifiers Repainting Project, second by Greggain. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Beach and Mincey. Nays; none. Absent; none. Abstain; none. Motion carried.

Mayor Spesia reported he attended the Grundy Economic Development Council Annual Dinner. He congratulated Sarah Beach for winning the Entrepreneur of the Year award. Mayor Spesia also announced the Village of Coal City was awarded The Partnership Award by Grundy County Moves Transportation Plan.

Trustee Beach thanked the Board for all the support and appreciated the award of Entrepreneur of the Year.

Trustee Bradley reminded the Board it is budget season with various scheduled meetings.

Trustee Noffsinger asked for a report of the previous Park Committee meeting. Mrs. Beach explained they created a list of things wanted/ needed and are doing the necessary research to get quotes.

Ryan Hansen from Chamlin Engineering reported Spring Road construction has begun and water connections will be conducted soon. Spring Road should be opened the following week. Mr. Hansen also gave an update regarding the Water Treatment Plant.

Police Chief Chris Harsiem went over the statistics for the Grundy County ProACT Unit and mentioned they did fantastic work. Chief Harsiem also reported the Village will have equipment installed that captures and reads license plates of drivers on the road.

Matt Fritz, village administrator went over upcoming dates for scheduled board meetings which included the regular village board meeting being held on April 8, 2024, instead of April 10, 2024. Mr. Fritz also reported that Kyle Watson passed his certifications and has been promoted to Building Inspector, and will receive a raise along with the official title.

Bradley moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m., second by Beach. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Beach and Mincey. Nays; none. Absent; none. Abstain; none. Motion carried.

 https://coalcity-il.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/VB-Meeting-Minutes-03-13-2024-Web.pdf