Illinois Valley Times

Village of Diamond Village Board of Commission met April 23

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 23rd day of April 2024.

The scheduled meeting of the Diamond Village Board was held on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. with Mayor Teresa “Terry” Kernc presiding. Upon roll call Commissioners present were Dean Johnson, Jeff Kasher, and Dave Warner. Absent: Mark Adair.

Motion to Open Public Hearing to Consider Ordinance Appropriating All Corporate Purposes

MOTION was made by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Kasher to Open Public Hearing. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

➢ Public Comment: No Public Comment

Motion to Close Public Hearing

MOTION was made by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Johnson to Close

Public Hearing. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Approval of 4-9-2024 Minutes

The minutes were presented. Commissioner Warner stated two corrections. Once on page 4, under minded correction as one word and page 5 removal of an extra “s”. MOTION was made by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Warner to Approve the 4-9-2024 meeting minutes with corrections. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Approval of April 23, 2024, Bill List and Additional Bill List

Commissioner Kasher inquired about the AHW LLC. Public Works Supervisor Jim Dunning will investigate the cost. MOTION was made by Commissioner Johnson, SECOND by Commissioner Warner to approve the April 23, 2024, bill list and additional bill list and place it on file. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

New Business

Approve Ordinance #2024-08, Appropriating for All Corporate Purposes

Mayor Kernc presented the Appropriations Ordinance. MOTION was made by Commissioner Johnson, SECOND by Commissioner Kasher to Approve Ordinance #2024-08, Appropriating for All Corporate Purposes. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Approve Shenberg Construction for Village Hall Installation of roof, gutters & soffit

Mayor Kernc stated the village hall roof needs to be replaced. Kernc would like to install the same roof as the one which was installed on the 1752 E. Division building. Kernc would like the buildings to be cohesive. The cost of the installation is $25,000.00. MOTION was made by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Johnson, to Approve Shenberg Construction for the Village Hall Installation of roof, gutters, and soffits. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Reappoint Tracy Warner to the P & Z board for a 4-year term until April 30, 2028

MOTION was made by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Johnson to Reappoint Tracy Warner to the P & Z board for a 4-year term until April 30, 2028. Ayes: Johnson, Kasher and Kernc, Abstain: Warner. Motion Carried.

Reappoint Craig VanDuyne as Chairman of the P & Z Board for a 1-year term until April 30, 2025

MOTION was made by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Warner to Reappoint Craig Van Duyne as Chairman of the P & Z board for a 1-year term until April 30, 2025. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Approve Ordinance #2024-09, Increasing the Number of Class A-1 Liquor Licenses for Lilly’s Café

Mayor Kernc welcomed Andy and Nancy Galette to the meeting. Galatte gave his praise and acknowledged the helpfulness of Village Clerk Lori Holmes, Public Works Supervisor Jim Dunning, Planning Administrator Cindy Haywood and Building Inspector Bill Wethington. Galatte stated the purchase of Lilly’s by the original buyer will not be completed. Galatte does have another buyer. He will have them attend the May board meeting to introduce himself and meet with the board. This item was passed.

Temporary Acting Public Works Supervisor

Mayor Kernc stated Public Works Supervisor Jim Dunning will be on medical leave for up to 6 weeks starting May 10. Kernc recommends Larry Grachan to be acting supervisor while Dunning is on leave. Commissioner Kasher agrees since Grachan has seniority. Kasher discussed his knowledge of Grachan and why he feels he would be the best candidate. Dunning discussed some reservations on Grachan. Kasher understands his concerns, however, he stated this would be a good trial basis for Grachan. Kernc and Kasher will discuss some of Dunnings concerns with Grachan. After further discussion, the decision was made to make Grachan the temporary public works supervisor during Dunnings’ leave with no additional pay. MOTION was made by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Kasher to Assign Larry Grachan as the Acting Temporary Public Works Supervisor while Dunning is on leave. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Appoint Public Works Supervisor Jim Dunning as, Diamond EMA Coordinator for both Grundy and Will Counties EMA

Kernc stated Dunning has stepped into this position with his volunteer positions and Kernc would like to delegate this position to him for the village. MOTION was made by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Warner to Appoint Public Works Supervisor Jim Dunning as Diamond EMA Coordinator for both Grundy and Will Counties EMA. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Award Lowest Bid, Clarifier Cleaning and Painting

Village Engineer Mike Perry stated he received only 1 bid, which was submitted by Putnam County Painting. The bid amount was $89,335.00. MOTION was made by Commissioner Johnson, SECOND by Commissioner Warner to Approve and Award, Putnam County Painting in the amount of $ 89,335.00. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Award Lowest Bid, Water Tower Cleaning

Village Engineer Mike Perry stated there was only one bid received which was from Putnam County Painting. The bid was in the amount of $ 12,000.00 which was for exterior washing only and the cost of the lift for the Will Road tower. This would not include any touch up painting that might be required. After further discussion, Kernc will reach out to Putnam County Painting to negotiate a price for both towers to be cleaned. She has consensus to proceed to contact Putnam County Painting to negotiate the cleaning of both towers not to exceed $14,000.00.

Information Purposes-2024 Street Maintenance Program

Mayor Kernc presented the breakdown for the total estimated cost of the streets highlighted in red.

Engineer David Farrell prepared the breakdown of the repairs needed and cost estimate. The total estimated cost for the streets will be $383,955.00. Kernc stated the funds received from ARPA will be used for the program. Kernc presented an Engineering Service Agreement for Chamlin and Assoicates in the amount of $15,000.00. A consensus was reached to move forward with the Engineering Service Agreement with Chamlin and Associates so this work can be placed out to bid.

The Engineering Service Agreement will be placed on the May 14, 2024, agenda for formal approval.

Coal City Water Use/IGA

Mayor Kernc stated the Village of Diamond has been providing water to Coal City since last week.

She would like Village Attorney John Gallo to complete an Intergovernmental Agreement, so the village has it on file. Information was distributed with cost of water per gallon, chemicals, and discussion of overtime hours which will be billed to Coal City. Currently, Coal City should have their well fixed by Friday. Dunning stated he does not have the actual total of gallons used daily. He should have them by tomorrow. Once Coal City’s well is up and running, Dunning will discuss and confirm the total gallons with Coal City. Commissioner Warner stated our billing rate for water covers all chemicals etc. and that is the rate we will charge them. For every 1,000 gallons, they will be billed $11.52. Coal City will be billed separately for the water usage and the overtime hours for the workers.

Commissioner Kasher stated he and Kernc discussed a credit to be given, however, Kasher wants to keep it simple and bill them for all water used and work hours. Warner agreed. Warner stated we are charging them what our residents would pay. Considering what happened in Coal City, Kernc stated this has been a learning experience for the village. There are items which the village needs to address within our water system. Dunning stated the EPA did recently recommend that the village should put the third softener into operation which will need to be budgeted for next year. Gallo will proceed with completing an Intergovernmental Agreement for Coal City. MOTION was made by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Kasher to move forward with the Intergovernmental Agreement, invoice Coal City for the gallons used at the rate of $11.52 along with the overtime hours which the village employees worked. 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. Kernc did inform the board that one of the themed streetlights near the village hall was hit by a motorist and needs to be replaced. She will be taking this incident to court since the driver does not have insurance. The installation cost for the streetlight will be $8,500.00 and Kernc is waiting for the cost of the theme light. The total approximate cost for replacement could be $20,000.00-$30,000.00.

Legal Counsel

No Report

Engineer Updates

Village Engineer Mike Perry stated there will be a preconstruction meeting for the SCADA bid process next week. 

Public Works Department Updates

Public Works Supervisor Jim Dunning said the brine tank lids are completed and ready for pick up.

They will be installed this week. Restoration work has been completed. Dunning asked Perry about the 5/8” water meters which need to be returned. Perry stated he is waiting for approval from the EPA. The village will keep the 1” meters.

Clerk Updates

Village Clerk Lori Holmes informed the board the village has received a total of $5,000.00 for so far from sponsorships for the fall fun fest.

Commissioner Comments

Commissioner Adair

Absent

Commissioner Johnson

Commissioner Johnson stated he and Dunning looked at the soccer field area for the placement of the new maintenance building. Johnson stated the area will not be for public use once the building is erected. Dunning added, the building should be placed east/west onto the property.

Commissioner Kasher

No Report

Commissioner Warner

No Report

Mayor Kernc

Kernc presented information from Keystone Power Holdings, which is a solar development company, which stated they could place solar on top of our lagoon for power/electric to run the water/sewer treatment plant which would be free of charge to the village. It takes 1 ½ acres of land to be able to place solar on to run the plants and the village will not give that land for this purpose. Kernc stated she doesn’t believe it will work but she is waiting for the representative to get back with her.

Commissioner Warner had concern once the solar panels reach their life span, which is roughly 10 years, and the government no longer subsides solar energy, who’s responsible for removing the equipment. Village Attorney John Gallo stated normally the company would place a bond which the village would hold until the end date. Commissioner Kasher never heard of solar on a lagoon. Kernc stated she thought she would ask and is awaiting the answer. Kernc continued, a resident, Amanda Ryder reached out to Kernc regarding the installation of a park in Farmstone. Ryder stated she has been in contact with other residents, and they would like to see a park in the subdivision also. Kernc gave Ryder Commissioner Adair’s contact information and Bob Koerner from Claypool. Kernc advised Ryder to compile all her information and plans, etc. and once she does and wants to pursue this further, she will need to present her information to the board. Kernc proceeded to discuss the possibility of a marijuana dispensary in Diamond, which could raise $200,000.00-300,000.00 a year which would be utilized for street maintenance. She just wants the board to think about this subject and will be discussed later if a project like this moves forward. Gallo stated the current ordinance would have to be amended to accommodate this type of business. Kernc continued, eliminating the grocery sales tax bill which the Governor is proposing is very close to being implemented. This would remove the 1% sales tax on grocery items. This will decimate communities in Illinois. When Kernc went to Springfield, she was told what could happen if the state would take away the 1% state sales tax and allow each municipality to create their own sales tax. The IML and other municipalities are wanting this to be coordinated. The municipalities need to implement the tax before the state removes the 1% sales tax so there is not a 6-month gap and the municipalities lose revenue, which would be very detrimental to the towns. The state will collect the sales tax that the municipalities will implement and return the money however, they will charge the municipalities 1 ½ % charge for doing so. The state would make approximately $5 million dollars. By removing the 1% grocery tax, the revenue is approximately $360 million dollars a year in losses for all municipalities in the state. Kernc stated the 1% sales tax was never money for the state. The state only collected the money then paid the money collected back to each local municipality. Kernc will keep the board updated on this topic.

Adjournment

MOTION was made to adjourn at 7:36 p.m. by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Kasher. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

https://www.villageofdiamond.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/04-23-24-1.pdf