Grundy Reporter

Coal City Village Board of Trustees met March 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

At 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, Mayor Dave Spesia called to order the regular board meeting of the Coal City Village Board in the boardroom of the Village Hall. Roll call- Trustees Dave Togliatti, Dan Greggain, Pam Noffsinger, Tim Bradley, Bill Mincey and CJ Lauterbur. Also in attendance were attorney Mark Heinle, Police Deputy Chief Mike Imhof, Ryan Hansen from Chamlin Engineering and Matt Fritz, village administrator. Absent: none.

All present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

The regular meeting minutes of February 26, 2025, were presented. Lauterbur moved to approve the minutes as written, second by Greggain. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, and Lauterbur. Nays; none. Absent; none. Abstain; Mincey. Motion carried.

The warrant list was presented. Trustee Bradley asked if we acquire other bids for planting or maintain the current vendor, Mr. Fritz explained the current contract has been the cheapest option presented so far. Mayor Spesia asked for clarification regarding the IACP renewal for the Police Chief. Fritz confirmed the renewal is not just for Chief Harseim and can be used for the next Chief in position or village wide. Mayor Spesia asked for clarification on what the details are included in the Sewer License Fee from Railroad Management Co. Mr. Fritz explained it is an annual fee we pay due to the location of sanitary piping south of Spring Road, and we are within their right of way. Lauterbur moved to approve the warrant list as written, second by Bradley. Roll Call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Mincey and Lauterbur. Nays: none. Absent; none. Motion carried.

There was no public comment at this meeting.

Ordinance 25-05, creating Special Service Area #4 atop Lot #1 of the Hunters Run Senior Residential Subdivision. Mr. Fritz explained back in November the Board approved the development of Hunters Run Senior Residential Subdivision located at the corner of Maple & Marguerite. A requirement for the development of subdivision is a special service area adoption that enables the village to levy a property tax that the property owners would be responsible for if neglect of privately paid utilities. Mr. Fritz explained this has been 63 since the passed public hearing, it is able to be adopted. Mr. Fritz explained that this is created for potential future use on a needed basis. Lauterbur moved to adopt Ordinance 25- 05, creating Special Service Area #4 atop Lot #1 of the Hunters Run Senior Residential Subdivision, second by Bradley. Roll Call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Mincey and Lauterbur. Nays: none. Absent; none. Motion carried.

After approval of Ordinance 25-05, the Board asked Mr. Fritz when the Village will acquire the donated Lot #2 from North Arrow. Mr. Fritz explained there is not a set date and that North Arrow needs to receive the certificate of occupancy prior to donating the lot. Mr. Fritz believes the delivery will be within months.

Resolution 25-03, authorize Mayor Spesia to sign onto a Letter of Understanding with Lakeshore Recycling Systems, LLC (LRS) to extend its garbage hauling services for the Village for an additional year until April 30, 2026. Mr. Fritz explained to the Board LRS has been servicing the Village for several years. LRS has an increases of 4.3% per year, inside the contract was an optional extended contract for an additional year until April 30, 2026 for an increase of 3.9%. Mr. Fritz explained the rate would increase $26.00 per month beginning on May 1, 2025. Mr. Fritz explained this utilization of extended contract will get us through to research future bids. Bradley moved to adopt Resolution 25-03, authorizing Mayor Spesia to sign onto a Letter of Understanding with LRS to extend its garbage hauling services for the Village for an additional year until April 30, 2026, second by Mincey. Roll Call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Mincey and Lauterbur. Nays: none. Absent; none. Motion carried.

Ryan Hansen from Chamlin Engineering explained the progress payment for the Lead Service Line Project needs to be authorized to Brandt Construction in the amount of $197,055 for completed work. Mr. Hansen explained this would move us to 20.6% completed in total cost. Mr. Hansen reminded the Board, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency provides a forgivable loan for this project. Mayor Spesia requested the list of completed lead services to keep track of the progress of the project. Mr. Fritz asked Mr. Hansen about the construction path that Brandt Construction will follow. Lauterbur moved to authorize the payment to Brandt Construction in the amount of $197,055, which will bring the project to 20.6% of the total projected costs, second by Bradley. Roll Call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Mincey and Lauterbur. Nays: none. Absent; none. Motion carried.

Mr. Fritz explained the '09 dump truck in the Public Works Department needs an engine replacement. Mr. Fritz explained Darrell Olson has been researching alternative options instead of replacing the engine. However, Mr. Olson could not find any other dump trucks that were for sale by any other entities that would result in a cheaper payment. Mr. Olson attempted to find assistance with other engines experiencing these problems. The most cost efficient option was to replace the engine at Gray's Garage for a full engine replacement. Mayor Spesia asked for clarification on how this expenditure would affect the budget. Mr. Fritz explained that since this was not included on our prepared budget, there will be a resolution made for line items that exceed the budget, which would need authority to be given to do so. Mayor Spesia asked how long the dump truck has been disabled, which was answered as a few months. Mayor Spesia asked if this would be beneficial to wait until the new budget, Mr. Fritz said it would not due to the fact it would have the same affect on the next budget. Trustee Mincey wanted to clarify the overall truck was in good condition and would pro-long the overall life of the vehicle. Greggain moved to authorize the replacement of the engine within the '09 Public Works Dump Truck at an estimated cost of $33,452 from Gray's Garage in Pontiac, second by Mincey. Roll Call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Mincey and Lauterbur. Nays: none. Absent; none. Motion carried.

Deputy Police Chief Mike Imhof explained to the Board, the police department is requesting a new squad car that is available at Dwight Ford. Deputy Chief Imhof explained there are a few older squad cars that are operating currently, they would like to replace those vehicles to ensure safety during patrol. Deputy Chief Imhof explained this is included in FY26 budget, this will bring the total of cars to 12. Mayor Spesia asked if the plan is to sell and/or donate older squad cars, Deputy Chief Imhof, explained the plan would be to sell and/or donate like we have in the past. Trustee Bradley asked what vehicle would be leaving, which would be the squad SUV driven by Officer Moran. Deputy Chief Imhof explained Dwight Ford has a vehicle that includes the necessary package needed to dress the vehicle. Togliatti moved to authorize Chief Harseim to order the 2025 Ford Interceptor Squad Car from Dwight Ford at a cost not to exceed $49,010.70 to be paid in FY26, second by Lauterbur. Roll Call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Mincey and Lauterbur. Nays: none. Absent; none. Motion carried.

Mayor Spesia congratulated the high school and middle school state wrestlers for their accomplishments. Mayor Spesia explained he attended the Polar Plunge for benefit of the Special Olympics at the Braidwood Rec Club, the Coal City Police Department has a team that participated called "Cool Cuffers". The team raised $3,575 for the cause. Mayor Spesia thanked everyone who participated in the great event. Mayor Spesia reported he attended the ribbon cutting for Goodwill Donation Center who recently opened up in town, he wanted to let all the residents know they do not have to sort any donations themselves, the business will do that for them. Mayor Spesia congratulated The Cove on receiving Entrepreneur of the Year Award to Laura & Tyler Jones from the Grundy Economic Development Council. Mayor Spesia wished everyone a safe and happy St. Patrick's Day.

Trustee Lauterbur asked for an update regarding construction of North Park and the pickle ball courts, Mr. Fritz explained once the cold weather is over the progress will resume, Mr. Fritz said he will check in with Public Works Director, Darrell Olson. Mayor Spesia asked for an update on security cameras at the parks, Mr. Fritz said they have not been installed yet but it is in progress at the new Meadow Estates Park that will be able to ensure the progress on the next step of installation.

Trustee Bradley reminded the Board there is a finance committee meeting coming soon. Trustee Bradley congratulated all the state wrestlers on their success.

Trustee Greggain reported at the Water & Sewer Committee meeting, the garbage rates have been set but the water rates are still in progress.

Clerk Baxter updated the Board on the new filing system for the Grundy County Economic Interest. Clerk Baxter explained after a phone meeting with the County, everything is now electronic and is sent to email addresses to the members who need to file. Receiving the filing form in the mail will only be sent if the filer has not responded by email, however it will be very close to the due date and may result in being filed late. Clerk Baxter explained if someone is not interested in filing electronically, she will make a call to get the form mailed sooner. Clerk Baxter explained the new online format and explained she will give assistance to anyone who may need it.

Ryan Hansen, Village Engineer, reported there can be a re-design for the water tower that can include the state wrestler's statistics. Mr. Hansen explained the roof is completed on the Water Treatment Plant. Mr. Hansen requested a Street & Alleys committee meeting to go over repairs needed.

Police Deputy Chief Mike Imhof reported that the police department gave out several awards to the officers for their hard dedicated work. Deputy Chief Imhof congratulated the state wrestlers and explained the department was able to give an escort when they arrived home. Deputy Chief Imhof explained the department participated in the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics at the Braidwood Rec Club, their team name was the "Cool Cuffers" and they raised $3,575. Deputy Chief Imhof thanked everyone who participated and donated to the cause, he thought it was a wonderful event they will plan to do annually and also explained you can still donate to the cause until March 31, 2025. Deputy Chief Imhof provided updated department statistics and highlighted the Grundy County Proactive Unit department statistics.

Matt Fritz, village administrator, reported the Connect @ 4 event by the Grundy Chamber of Commerce is at Surf Internet in town on March 13, 2025. Mr. Fritz explained there might be a scheduling conflict with the finance committee meeting. Mr. Fritz explained the audit was completed and will be a scheduled time approaching to be reviewed.

Bradley moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:37p.m., second by Lauterbur. Roll Call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Mincey and Lauterbur. Nays: none. Absent; none. Motion carried.

https://coalcity-il.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/VB-Meeting-Minutes-03-12-2025-Web.pdf