Grundy Reporter

Village of Diamond Village Board of Commission met May 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

Proceedings, transactions, and resolutions made and order of said record of said Board in the Village of Diamond, IL on the 14th day of May 2024.

The scheduled meeting of the Diamond Village Board was held on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. with Mayor Teresa “Terry” Kernc presiding. Upon roll call Commissioners present were Mark Adair, Jeff Kasher, and Dave Warner. Dean Johnson (arrived at 6:19pm)

Approval of 4-23-2024 Minutes

MOTION was made by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Kasher to approve the 4-23-2024 meeting minutes. Ayes: Kasher, Warner, Kernc. Abstain: Adair: Motion Carried.

Approval of May 14, 2024, Bill List

MOTION was made by Commissioner Johnson, SECOND by Commissioner Warner to approve the May 14, 2024, bill list and place it on file. Ayes: Adair, Kasher, Warner, Kernc: Motion Carried.

Approval of the April 2024 Treasurer Report

MOTION was made by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Kasher to approve the April 2024 Treasurer Report. Ayes: Adair, Kasher, Warner, Kernc: Motion Carried.

Public Comment

Audrey Miller, Regional Market Manager for Surf Internet was in attendance. She introduced herself and wanted to inform the board if there are any issues with the internet or any other issues with their service, she would be the contact person.

New Business

Approve Ordinance #2024-09, Increasing the Number of Class A-1 Liquor License for Lucky Dogs

Mayor Kernc welcomed Andy and Nancy Galette. Galette stated Gene Rowell will be purchasing Lilly’s Café and the name will be changed to Lucky Dogs. Rowell was in attendance to introduce himself and stated this will be his 13th location in Illinois. They are a family operated business and look forward to working in Diamond. MOTION was made by Commissioner Adair, SECOND by Commissioner Kasher to Approve Ordinance #2024-09, Increasing the Number of Class A-1 Liquor License for Lucky Dogs. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Discuss/Approve FSCI for Commercial Building Plan Review and Inspections Zoning Administrator Cindy Haywood stated the village is currently utilizing FSCI for planning and reviews for fire and inspections. Grundy County is currently handling the commercial building inspections, however with the anticipation of the growth coming to Diamond, and with the limited staff which Grundy County has, they will not be able to accommodate efficiently as the village would require. Haywood reached out to several companies and this one she prefers since she already has a good working relationship with them with the fire inspections. They are very hands-on and accommodating, with contractors and architects, and handle any questions etc. they need. Haywood stated she would like to continue with utilizing them under the current agreement the village has in place and use them for the commercial building plan review and inspections. Haywood stated she reached out to several other companies for qualifications and quotes however, they did not get back with her. Commissioner Adair inquired where the company is located in. Haywood stated Elgin and Adair asked if they would limit the number of days for inspections and Haywood stated they would be here daily as needed. Adair doesn’t have an issue moving forward utilizing them. Commissioner Kasher inquired if Haywood had any issues previously with them for the fire inspections and she has not. Kernc added, the Village of Minooka utilizes them also. After further discussion, Haywood will move forward with the previous agreement and will be utilizing them for all planning and reviews.

Approve Agreement Chamlin and Associates for Engineering Services 2024 General Fund Street Maintenance in the Amount of $15,000.00

Mayor Kernc stated Village Engineer Mike Perry gave the village a discount for their services on this project. MOTION was made by Commissioner Adair, SECOND by Commissioner Kasher to Approve Agreement Chamlin and Associates for Engineering Services 2024 General Fund Street Maintenance in the Amount of $15,000.00. Ayes: Adair, Kasher, Warner, Kernc. Motion Carried.

Approve Putnam County Painting, Inc. for the Cleaning and Painting of the Clarifiers in the amount of $99,385.00

Mayor Kernc stated this is for the cleaning and painting of 1 clarifier. MOTION was made by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Adair to Approve Putnam County Painting, Inc. for the Cleaning and Painting of the Clarifier in the amount of $99,385.00. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Approve Wren Construction for Storm Water Project

Mayor Kernc stated the village is purchasing all the materials for the project and will complete the restoration. Temporary Acting Public Works Supervisor Larry Grachan stated the materials required for the project are scheduled to be delivered Tuesday. MOTION was made by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Warner to Approve Wren Construction for the Storm Water Project in the Amount of $25,000.00. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Approve Chamlin and Associates to Provide Engineering Services to Create a Biddable Project for Well #2 Abandonment, not to exceed $2,500.00

Mayor Kernc stated Well #2 was to be used as a monitoring well and have a transducer placed into the well however, the EPA did not have the funds and changed their minds. The well will need to be sealed off. Chamlin will create a biddable project for this and place it out for bid. MOTION was made by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Adair to Approve Chamlin and Associates to Provide Engineering Services to Create a Biddable Project for Well #2 Abandonment, not to exceed $2,500.00. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Discuss and Approve Associated Technical Services, LTD Proposal

This item was tabled to discuss and approve Associated Technical Services. Kernc, Chris Perra from Test, Inc. and Water/Sewer employee Mike Jenke discussed the village’s water loss which is approximately 100,000 gallons per day. An area of concern is the original connection to Coal City. The b-box is broken therefore, we cannot determine if water is flowing into Coal City. When Diamond was providing water to Coal City recently, the number of gallons which Diamond was supplying them was 100,000 gallons per day. Further investigation will be done, and action will be taken to close the connection and install a flush hydrant. Commissioner Warner stated, if that amount of water is entering the ground somewhere within the village, we should notice it. Kernc added we would unless it was entering into a catch basin. After further discussion, the village will coordinate with Coal City to disconnect and cap off the connection near 5th Street area. Warner stated this is a good area to start with.

Trench Box Policy/Purchase

Mayor Kernc stated the village will void out the current dig policy which is in place because all the dig which have been completed except for 1 did not comply. Diamond is a Class C for soil and based on OSHA regulations, when digging, you can go up to 4 feet before a trench box is required. Public Works Employee Ryan VanGilder is an excellent backhoe operator and has experience in trench boxes. Kernc had VanGilder look at trench boxes and get a cost estimate. The cost for an aluminum trench box is $11,107.00 which has an adjustable spreader. VanGilder is scheduled for OSHA training, and he will schedule the public works employees for the OSHA trench box training and competent man. Commissioner Kasher stated he spoke with the public works supervisor in Coal City, and he was informed they purchased a trench box approximately 20 years ago and they have used it only 4-5 times. The issue is when you are working on a b-box or such, there is not enough space for the trench box due to fiber optic lines, electric lines, etc. Kasher was also informed when Coal City does a dig, they utilize the step method. Kasher stated he doesn’t have an issue with a compliance officer or with the training. Kasher would like to give the workers the necessary safety equipment however, he would like to allow the dig up to 6 feet utilizing the step method. He would like to utilize Wren Construction for any digs that are deeper than 6 feet and/or if the soil would require their services at any depth. Kernc would like the OSHA training for all public works employees. Commissioner Warner inquired if a trench box can be rented if/when the village needs one and Kernc stated yes. Kasher stated he does not have an issue with training or the safety compliance officer, but he does with purchasing a trench box based on the information he discussed with the Coal City Public Works Director. He added, Coal City does rent theirs out to contractors, so that is something we could do if needed as well. He would like to see how things would work out moving forward and if deemed necessary, then purchase one.

Safety Compliance Officer

Mayor Kernc would like to make Ryan VanGilder the safety compliance officer for the village. Commissioner Adair inquired if there is anyone else who knew about this position or would be interested and Kernc stated, he is the only employee who would be qualified for this position. Kernc added, she would like Larry Grachan as the lead mechanical person. Kasher stated, he still would like Public Works Supervisor Jim Dunning to have the final say in any matter within the public works area. All items should be presented to him first before moving forward on any issue. MOTION was made by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Adair to assign Ryan VanGilder as the safety compliance officer. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Old Business

Grundy and Will County Sheriff’s Monthly Update

Mayor Kernc stated there was nothing out of the ordinary to report.

Legal Counsel

No Report

Engineer Updates

Absent

Public Works Department Updates

Temporary Public Works Supervisor Larry Grachan stated there is a b-box in the sidewalk on Division St. which needs to be moved, which they will complete the dig by hand. There is no vactor truck available to rent for several weeks and Coal City’s vactor is broken also. They are renting a mini excavator for a trench job next week. The Huber will be installed tomorrow. ComEd will be coming tomorrow to bring the monitors for the blowers to the plant. Elliott Electric can install them. Pressure testing for the water lines at Jewel will be completed tomorrow. Commissioner Johnson inquired if about the water issues on the northside streets and if the village is still addressing it and Grachan stated yes. They have been pumping daily. It does clear the water off the street. They will continue doing so until the project is completed. Kernc stated Grachan must run conduit for a streetlight on Sandstone and there is an electrical box in the resident’s yard which is located next to the playground in the resident’s yard. If for any reason the children open in, they could get electrocuted. Kernc asked Grachan if the electrical boxes in the village are locked, and he stated none of the electrical boxes are locked except for 2 which have padlocks on them. Grachan stated most utilities use wire latches. Kernc wants Grachan to purchase several hundred and start installing them. Commissioner Warner stated those won’t detour anyone from getting inside the boxes. Kernc stated at least they would have to try and cut them off. This is better than nothing on them. It will assist to deter them.

Clerk Updates

Village Clerk Lori Holmes had no report however, Planning Administrator Cindy Haywood stated she sent out an email to the Commissioners to see their availability before the board meeting on June 11, 2024. She would like to schedule a joint workshop for comp plan review at 5:00 pm with Teska before the board meeting. Commissioner Warner will not be available, and Commissioner Adair stated he will get back to Haywood on his availability.

Commissioner Comments

Commissioner Adair

No Report

Commissioner Johnson

No Report

Commissioner Kasher

No Report

Commissioner Warner

No Report

Mayor Kernc

No Report

Adjournment to Closed Session: 2(c) (1) Performance Reveiws/Compensation and 2 (c) (21) Review of Closed Sessions

MOTION was made by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Kasher to enter closed session at 7:08 p.m. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

MOTION was made by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Adair to enter open session with no action taken at 7:44 p.m. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

MOTION was made by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Kasher to release the following closed session minutes: 11-14-2023. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Adjournment

MOTION was made to adjourn at 7:45 p.m. by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Warner. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

https://www.villageofdiamond.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/05-14-24-3.pdf