Village of Diamond Village Board met April 26

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Aug 15, 2022

Village of Diamond Village Board met April 26.

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, Dean Johnson, and Dave Warner.

Approval of 04-12-2022 Minutes

MOTION was made by Commissioner Johnson, SECOND by Commissioner Kasher to approve the 04/12/2022 regular meeting minutes and place on file. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Approval of April 26, 2022, Bill List and Additional Bill List

MOTION was made by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Adair to approve the April 26, 2022, bill list and place on file. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Public Comment

None

New Business

Illinois Water Survey

Mayor Kernc and Village Engineer Mike Perry attended the Kankakee Water Alliance meeting and Daniel Abrams who is an Associate Research Scientist for Groundwater Flow Modeler from the Illinois State Water Survey was at the meeting. He would like to utilize Well 2 for testing. The testing would identify groundwater flow to understand the risk to our water supply in our wells. The village might possibly have more water available in the wells over the next 100 years, than first projected. MOTION was made by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Kasher to allow Daniel Abrams the use of Well 2 for testing purposes. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Approve Ordinance #2022-06; Intergovernmental Agreement Between the County of Grundy, The Sheriff of Grundy County, and the Village of Diamond to Provide Police Services Mayor Kernc stated there is a 10% increase for this year however, for the upcoming years, the increase will be a 3% annual increase in place until the next census is conducted. MOTION was made by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Warner to Approve Ordinance #2022-06; Intergovernmental Agreement Between the County of Grundy, The Sheriff of Grundy County, and the Village of Diamond to Provide Police Services. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Reappoint Craig VanDuyne as Chairperson of the Planning and Zoning Committee for a 2- year term expiring April 20, 2023

Village Attorney John Gallo stated this should reflect a 1-year term. The village can approve however, can readdress once this is confirmed at the next meeting. MOTION was made by Commissioner Adair, SECOND by Commissioner Johnson to Reappoint Craig VanDuyne as Chairperson of the Planning and Zoning Committee for a 2-year term expiring April 20, 2023. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Reappoint Bob Bianchetta and Scott Tidwell to the Planning and Zoning Committee for a 4- year term expiring April 30, 2026

MOTION was made by Commissioner Adair, SECOND by Commissioner Warner to Reappoint Bob Bianchetta and Scott Tidwell to the Planning and Zoning Committee for a 4-year term expiring April 30, 2026. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Old Business

Grundy and Will County Sheriff’s Monthly Update

Mayor Kernc stated there was a neighbor dispute in Diamond Estates subdivision. However, nothing out of the ordinary for either Will or Grundy County Sheriff’s reports for the month.

Legal Counsel

No Report

Engineer Updates

No Report

Public Works Department Updates

Public Works Supervisor Jim Dunning stated due to the lack of manpower to complete some of the necessary jobs on his list of repairs/installations etc. needed within the village, he will be contracting 5 of the jobs to Wren Construction. Commissioner Kasher suggested another company however, due to prevailing wages etc., Mayor Kernc will continue utilizing Wren Construction. She is very happy with their work. Dunning continued discussing issues at the sewer plant, McGinty lift station, well #4 findings and a possible power surge was the issue with the lift station pumps and pump at the sewer plant, issues with the SCADA system. If it is determined it was a power surge issue, the village will submit a claim to insurance. Commissioner Warner and Johnson discussed options for the VFD and ideas for cloud-based applications. Dunning continued to discuss issues and complaints with Surf Air installing their high-speed internet lines, and further discussions of other public work issues and work. Well 4 transducer is in and will be installed this week. Hydrant flushing is being conducted and should be completed by the end of the week. Mayor Kernc stated Dunning has been very busy with all the major mechanical issues happening within the village. Mayor Kernc discussed the purchase of a UTV for the village to use for snow removal on sidewalks and for the multifunctional capabilities that is can be used for by the public works department. Kernc stated Dunning found a new UTV for the cost of $19,200.00 which is equipped with the options we are seeking. Commissioner Kasher asked if Dunning received a quote with the government discount from Hogan Walker and Dunning had at a cost of $36,000.00. Kasher is concerned at the cost and doesn’t believe utilizing it for plowing purposes. Kasher is concerned since when this was first discussed on purchasing another gator, it was for trimming, meter reading etc. He feels it really isn’t needed, just more of a convenience to have a second one. He would rather purchase a new pick-up truck which is aging out then to spend $20,000.00 on a gator. Dunning discussed what an additional UTV would be used for and the safety of the employees for utilizing it in many different capacities. Utilizing a UTV versus the pickup in many ways is safer for the employee. Kasher stated a gator is not the best device for plowing snow. Dunning stated the schools utilize gators/UTV for plowing. Dunning stated the one he had found was a Bobcat model. After further discussion, Kasher would like to stay with a John Deere/gator brand. Dunning and Kasher will discuss this more in detail when they meet later this week.

Clerk Updates

No Report

Commissioner Comments

Commissioner Adair

No Report

Commissioner Johnson

No Report

Commissioner Kasher

No Report

Commissioner Warner

No Report

Mayor Kernc