Village of Diamond Village Board met Feb. 22.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The scheduled meeting of the Diamond Village Board was held at 6:00 p.m. with Mayor Teresa “Terry” Kernc presiding. Upon roll call Commissioners present were Mark Adair, Jeff Kasher, and Dean Johnson. Absent: Dave Warner. Face masks along with social distancing was required.
Approval of 02-08-2022 Minutes
MOTION was made by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Adair to approve the 02/08/2022 regular meeting minutes and place on file. All Ayes: Motion Carried.
Approval of February 22, 2022, Bill List
MOTION was made by Commissioner Johnson, SECOND by Commissioner Kasher to approve the February 22, 2022, bill list and place on file. All Ayes: Motion Carried.
Public Comment
None
New Business
Discuss Drainage Issue; 670 S. Laura Lane
Mayor Kernc welcomed Johanna Peterman and Paula Nowdomski to the meeting. The village received a complaint regarding the drainage issue resulting from the bike path which affected 670 S. Laura Lane and 660 S. Laura Lane. Village Engineer Mike Perry and Maintenance Supervisor Jim Dunning went to investigate the issue. Several options were discussed to resolve the issue. After discussion, Perry and Dunning will meet to plan out the installation of the additional drainage pipe and will implement the plan in the spring.
Grundy County Sheriff’s Contract
Mayor Kernc presented the contractual letter for police services. Kernc stated the cost due is based on the recent census report due to the increased population, therefore the amount due will be $105,600.00 with an annual increase of 3%.
Discuss and Approve Water Meter & Lead Service Lines Replacement Engineering Services Agreement
Village Engineer Mike Perry presented the agreement. Perry stated he completed and submitted the application a year ago for this project and the village missed the timing to fund it through that specific grant. The village does have an approved budget planning report and has been placed on the approved project list. We are required to have a specific engineering agreement executed to cover any engineering drawings, inspections of meters, etc. which will be required for this project. MOTION was made by Commissioner Adair, SECOND by Commissioner Johnson to Approve the Water Meter & Lead Service Lines Replacement Engineering Services Agreement. All Ayes: Motion Carried.
Discuss and Approve Water Meter & Lead Service Lines Loan Application Village Engineering Mike Perry stated the village has been placed on the approved project list. This project/grant is approved for $330,000 total cost. $165,000.00 is forgiven therefore, the cost to the village would be $165,000.00. This will be required to be paid through a 20-year loan at 1%, however that percent and cost is based on last year’s rate. The new rate will be determined once submitted and where the village will rank after the submission of the application. This meter replacement funding allows the village to replace approximately 537 meters and any lead service lines which would be identified during the installation. Mayor Kernc inquired if the cost covers installation, which Perry stated it would. Coordination of the project would be through the Village Clerk. Appointments would be set up with the residents to conduct the install of the new meter. Further questions and discussion regarding days/weekends installation and if the resident does not comply with arranging an appointment. Perry stated other villages have an ordinance in place for compliance when the village must complete repairs and/or replacements of meters. The resident is given 2-3 opportunities to contact the village to set up an appointment. If they do not comply, they will have their services interrupted until they do so. Kernc would like to implement an ordinance similar as well. Perry will obtain the ordinance from another village which have one in place and then Village Attorney John Gallo will set up one for the village. MOTION was made by Commissioner Adair, SECOND by Commissioner Kasher to Approve Water Meter & Lead Service Lines Loan Application. All Ayes: Motion Carried.
Discuss RAISE Grant Application (Will Road)
Mayor Kernc she has submitted 3 STP grants for Will Road. One for the complete project, the others 1/3 and 2/3 of the project. She has taken a class for the RAISE Grant Application process and had a debriefing on how to increase the probability rate of receiving the grant. Kernc was concerned since the village is a small town, she did not want to waste her time to complete the application process to receive federal money, if the village did not have a chance to receive the grant. The advisor stated no, that wasn’t the case. The minimum amount required for the grant application is $5 million dollars, and Kernc will be applying for approximately $7.9 million dollars. MOTION was made by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Adair to approve Mayor Kernc to submit the RAISE Grant Application. All Ayes: Motion Carried.
Grundy and Will County Sheriff’s Monthly Update
Mayor Kernc stated Grundy and Will County Sheriff’s update had nothing out of the ordinary to report. Kernc also stated the village should be hearing soon from IDOT regarding the permit for the installation of the Flock cameras.
Legal Counsel
No Report
Engineer Updates
No Report
Public Works Department Updates
Public Works Supervisor Jim Dunning stated Complete Industrial will be out tomorrow to look at the lift stations to provide options for the removal of the POTS lines. Dunning stated he has been in contact with the representative from Synagro for the cleaning of the lagoons. There is a process needed before the removal, lab testing, permit application etc. Test, Inc. will be completing samples this week. The cost of one of the test samples is $3,000.00. This tests for pesticides etc. Samples must be completed to determine the chemical analysis of the sludge, which needs to be provided in the application to receive a permit. Dunning stated 2 valves on the softeners have been installed and pictures of the old valves were provided for the board to view. Commissioner Kasher would like Dunning to check if the valves are made in stainless steel and what the cost would be. Mayor Kernc inquired how the new employee is working out and Dunning stated he is doing a fine job and is continuing to learn each day. He unfortunately hit a mailbox while plowing however, it has been replaced. Dunning added, the plan this summer will be to provide him plow training. Commissioner Johnson added, he did see him plow in his neighborhood and he was very courteous and cautious while plowing. Being cautious is good thing, Johnson added.
Clerk Updates
Village Clerk Lori Holmes stated she inquired with Ferguson if they had a buyback program for the old water meter handhelds, which they do not. It was suggested to her that other municipalities sell their old handhelds on eBay. The board would like to move forward to try to sell them and Commissioner Kasher suggested to place the items on govdeals.com. Village Attorney John Gallo will draw up the paperwork required for the sale of surplus property. Holmes stated there were 37 water meters on the shut off list this month. Due to weather conditions, the shut off date was extended and through phone calls, emails, and door notifications, no one had they service interrupted.
Commissioner Comments
Commissioner Adair
No Report
Commissioner Johnson
Commission Johnson was concerned with a vehicle which is parking by the fitness center. The vehicle is obstructing the view for other cars when they are trying to enter onto Route 113. He added, this is a safety hazard. Dunning stated the area is an old entry for a business which was there in the years past. Mayor Kernc stated she will reach out to Dynamic Fitness to determine who owns the vehicle first to notify them parking is prohibited there and then contact IDOT to try to get the old entry removed.
Commissioner Kasher
Commissioner Kasher stated there are numerous b-boxes which are quite high throughout town. He stated, the one on the corner of McGinty St. and IL Route 113 is coming out of the ground approximately 18 inches. He noticed snowmobile tracks were within 2 feet from it and is concerned when that is snow covered, it is dangerous. Kasher would like those painted until they can be cut down to their proper size.
Commissioner Warner
Absent
Mayor Kernc
Mayor Kernc stated the board had previously approved Gas N Wash to erect their highway sign at 100-125 feet high. Gas N Wash completed a study utilizing a crane holding a sign at the height of 100 and 125 feet high. Pictures were taken traveling north bound and south bound on Interstate 55 and based on their study, it was determined the height for the sign will need to be erected at the 125 feet mark. Kernc distributed pictures of the study for viewing. The board agreed as well. Kernc continued, The Grundy County Transportation Plan is coming together. Each municipality has agreed to pay their portion as well as 2 additional villages would also like to participate. Ann Schneider will be writing a grant to IDOT for the actual planning of the study. The cost of the study will be $400,000.00 and the local match is 20%. Kernc would like a consensus moving forward for the village to contribute $2,999.00 for the cost of the 20% match. This will not be due anytime soon, however when completing the application, Schneider is required to address where the local match monies will be acquired. The study will consist of all areas of Grundy County as well as IL Route 113, Railway, Reed Road etc., which could assist those municipalities for future grant applications. Consensus was unanimous.
Adjournment
MOTION was made to adjourn at 7:15 p.m. by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Johnson. All Ayes: Motion Carried.
https://www.villageofdiamond.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/02-22-22-1.pdf
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