Grundy Reporter

Village of Diamond Village Board met May 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

*OATH OF OFFICE PRESENTED: Village Clerk Lori Holmes swore in the elected officials: Teresa Kernc-Mayor, Commissioners: Denise Brown and Dean Johnson. Jeff Kasher-Absent.

The scheduled meeting of the Diamond Village Board was held on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. with Mayor Teresa “Terry” Kernc presiding. Upon a roll call Commissioners present, Denise Brown and Dean Johnson. Absent-Jeff Kasher.

Approval of April 22, 2025, Minutes

MOTION was made by Commissioner Johnson, SECOND by Commissioner Brown to approve the 04-22-2025 meeting minutes and place it on file. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Approval of May 13, 2025, Bill List

MOTION was made by Commissioner Johnson, SECOND by Commissioner Brown to approve May 13, 2025, bill list and place it on file. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Approval of the April 2025 Treasurer’s Report

MOTION was made by Commissioner Brown, SECOND by Commissioner Johnson to approve the April 2025 Treasurer's Report. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Public Comment

None

New Business

Approval to Appoint Dave Warner as Water Commissioner

Mayor Kernc recommended to the board to appoint Dave Warner as Commissioner. MOTION was made by Commissioner Johnson, SECOND by Commissioner Brown to Appoint Dave Warner as Commissioner. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Oath of Office

Village Clerk Lori Holmes presented the Oath of Office and swore in Dave Warner as Commissioner.

Approve Ordinance #2025-03, Designating Commissioners Post and Appointing Other Representatives

Mayor Kernc presented Ordinance #2025-03. Commissioners Posts: Denise Brown as Commissioner of Accounts and Finance, Dean Johnson as Commissioner of Public Health, Safety and Parks, David Warner as Commissioner of Public Sewer and Public Water Systems and Jeff Kasher as Commissioner of Street and Public Improvements. Additional Appointments of Representatives included: Law Firm of Tracy, Johnson and Wilson as Village Attorney, Chamlin and Associates appointed as Village Engineer, Mack and Associates appointed as Village Auditor, Lori Holmes as Village Clerk, Wendy Herbert as Village Treasurer, Cindy Haywood as Deputy Village Clerk and Zoning Administrator. The MOTION was made by Commissioner Brown, SECOND by Commissioner Johnson to Approve Ordinance #2025-03, Designating Commissioner’s Posts and Appointing Other Representatives of the Village of Diamond. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Approval of FSCI Building Code Update

Mayor Kernc stated Seth Sommer of FSCI provided a comprehensive overview of the key changes between the current 2015 code which the village is currently utilizing and the 2024 edition and the cost impacts, for the board to review. Kernc highlighted the 2021 edition areas which were of concern to several board members from the April 22, 2025, meeting. Kernc stated she would like to see the village adopt the 2024 update since there will be a new update in effect in 2027. By moving the village’s update to the 2024 version, this would align the village with the most current codes. Zoning Administrator Cindy Haywood stated there are several series and updates based on electrical editions etc. Commissioner Warner and Johnson agreed with Kernc. MOTION was made by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Johnson to Approve FSCI Building Code Update. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Approve Wren Construction in the Amount of $25,000 for 24” Storm Sewer Project Public Works Supervisor Jim Dunning discussed the location of the project on School St. and Daly Street. This project is a continuation of the project which was completed last year. MOTION was made by Commissioner Johnson, SECOND by Commissioner Warner to Approve Wren Construction in the Amount of $25,000.00 for the 24” Storm Sewer Project. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Approve Pay Application #1 for Aeration Tank Walkway in the Amount of $18,000.00 Village Engineer Mike Perry stated the walkway is under review by the structural department and once approved, the project can move forward for completion. MOTION was made by Commissioner Johnson, SECOND by Commissioner Warner to Approve Pay Application #1 for the Aeration Tank Walkway in the Amount of $18,000.00. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Approve Pay Application #1 in the Amount of $112,500.00 and Pay Application #2 in the Amount of $82,854.00 for the Public Works Building

Mayor Kernc stated she is happy with the building. Public Works Supervisor Jim Dunning stated he is as well. Kernc stated there will be LED lighting installed like the energy efficient ones which are installed at the village hall. It is possible that the village will receive a grant for these which would cost the village $2,500.00 for 54 fixtures. If a grant is not received, the cost will be $5,000.00. Village Engineer Mike Perry stated the change in the Pay Application #2 covers the elimination of the soffit vents and installation of 2 gable vents. Kernc stated the public works department is completing the electrical work which is a cost savings as well. MOTION was made by Commissioner Brown, SECOND by Commissioner Johnson to Approve Pay Application #1 in the Amount of $112,500.00 and Pay Application #2 in the Amount of $82,854.00 for the Public Works Building. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Approve State of Illinois Department of Central Management Service Local Government Cooperation Agreement IGA

Mayor Kernc presented the IGA. This is required every 3 years to update the IGA since the village’s health care plan is administered through the Illinois Department of Central Management Service. Kernc added the rates for this year’s coverage have decreased from last year. MOTION was made by Commissioner Brown, SECOND by Commissioner Warner to Approve State of Illinois Department of Central Management Service Local Government Cooperation Agreement IGA. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Approve Change Order #1-Additional $7,200.00 and Change Order # 2-Additional $5,992.00 for SCADA Project

Mayor Kernc presented the contract. Village Engineer Mike Perry stated the scum pumps were in question in the change order. Perry stated they were not included in the original price/quote which the village received and that is why the change order needed to be issued. MOTION was made by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Johnson to Approve Change Order #1-Additional $7,200.00 and Change Order # 2-Additional $5,992.00 for SCADA Project. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Discuss and Approve Sewer Rate Change

Mayor Kernc presented information which was completed by Village Clerk Lori Holmes. Kernc stated the village was not reading the digits required on larger water meters for over a decade, since this information was not presented to us. This billing cycle was the first one since the change on several of the meters and the village can now account for the water which we thought was being lost. Holmes presented the information regarding the sewer charges. Commercial businesses are currently charged a flat sewer rate. By doing so, the larger users are paying the same as the smaller business users. If the village changes the commercial rates to residential rates, then all will be fair, based on their usage and all will be paying appropriately resulting in small businesses using minimum water and sewer which sill see a reduction in their water bills. Holmes presented a spreadsheet highlighting the loss and gains if the board chooses to change this billing procedure. The change in the water meter reading and change in the sewer charge, if the board chooses, will be a gain in revenue for the village resulting specifically because large businesses using large amounts of water/sewer will now be paying fairly based on actual gallons used. After discussion, MOTION was made by Commissioner Johnson, SECOND by Commissioner Warner to Approve the Sewer Rate Change. Village Attorney John Gallo will prepare an Ordinance reflecting the change and it will need formal approval for the May 27, 2025, meeting. 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.

Buckeye

Mayor Kernc stated they will be coming tomorrow to remove the line. Kernc was contacted by Buckeye stating they had another project which was cancelled and since they were mobilized, they can come tomorrow which should be a cost savings to the village since mobilization was already in force.

Legal Counsel

No Report

Engineer Updates

No Report-just keeping up the current projects

Public Works Department Updates

Public Works Supervisor Jim Dunning stated the SCADA has been installed however, still working through some programming issues. We have also received broken parts which need to be replaced. Dunning stated the WTP/WWTP has provided 3 pages of issues with the system to Primex, and Primex does not acknowledge those issues, and the village doesn’t receive updates when they are fixing them and/or when they are fixed. At times, John Guistat logs into the system etc. to find an issue fixed but had never received contact from them that they were working on it, or had fixed the problem.

Dunning stated he does speak with Shane Elliott regarding issues. Dunning stated what is working is working fine. Dunning continued, the high service pump is online and the department is working on sidewalks in Diamond Fields. Water and sewer services have been completed for the Hero’s West project and the water service for Culver’s has been completed. Dunning stated there was an issue last week when the water towers lost pressure due to the softener regen cycles when both softeners went into regeneration at the same time causing the issue. Commissioner Warner stated we can’t have this happen again and inquired if this can be fixed via a programming correction and Dunning stated it should be.

Clerk Updates

No Report

Commissioner Comments

Commissioner Brown

No Report

Commissioner Johnson

No Report

Commissioner Kasher

Absent

Commissioner Warner

No Report

Mayor Kernc

No Report

MOTION was made to adjourn at 6:46 p.m. by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Johnson. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

https://www.villageofdiamond.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/05-13-25-1.pdf