Illinois Valley Times

Coal City Village Board met June 12

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

 At 7:01p.m. on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, Mayor Dave Spesia called to order the meeting of the Coal City Village Board in the boardroom at Village Hall. Roll call- Dave Togliatti, Tim Bradley and Sarah Beach. Also in attendance were Mark Heinle, village attorney, Ryan Hansen, village engineer, Police Chief Chris Harseim, and Matt Fritz, village administrator. Absent was Dan Greggain, Pam Noffsinger and Bill Mincey. 

All present recited the Pledge of Allegiance. 

The regular meeting minutes of May 22, 2024, was presented. Togliatti moved to approve the minutes as written, second by Bradley. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Bradley, Beach and Mayor Spesia. Nays; none. Absent; Greggain, Noffsinger and Mincey. Abstain; none. Motion carried. 

The warrant list was presented. Bradley moved to approve the warrant list as written, second by Beach. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Bradley, Beach and Mayor Spesia. Nays; none. Absent; Greggain, Noffsinger and Mincey. Abstain; none. Motion carried. 

During public comment, Jeff Torino resident of 465 Shabbona St. stated there is a level difference in the residential backyards causing many flood occurrences. Mr. Torino stated the flooding has caused damage to his deck. Mr. Torino mentioned these issues to Trustee Bradley and Matt Fritz, village administrator. Mr. Fritz stated he will investigate the area further and follow up on the project to identify possible solutions. 

Police Chief Chris Harseim presented Department Life Saving Ribbons to Officer Casey Roth and Sergeant Michael Imhoff for their life saving response on May 5, 2024, where they administered Narcan during an overdose resulting in the rescue of a male resident. Chief Harseim and the Board congratulated Officer Roth and Sergeant Imhoff on their award and thanked them for their continued service to the police department. Chief Chris Harseim presented the Department Life Saving Ribbons to Officer Kolton Stockdell and Officer Nathan Stadler (absent) during the meeting, for their living saving response on April 20, 2024, where they administered Narcan during an overdose resulting in the rescue of a male resident at a different call. Chief Harseim and the Board congratulated Officers Stockdell and Stadler on their award and thanked them for their continued service to the police department. 

Ordinance 24-13, a variance for side yard setback and total accessory structure square footage at 895 Pheasant Lane. Mr. Fritz explained that homeowners Debra and Ricardo Ortiz are requesting to install a carport within their rear yard to be used for storage for their RV. Mr. Fritz stated the petitioner would like to place it within 5 feet from the boundary instead of 8 feet that is required due to the impairment it could cause. The Zoning Board of Appeals recommended a positive adoption of the variance. Togliatti moved to approve Ordinance 24-13, granting a variance to the side yard setback at 895 Pheasant for the construction of a permanent carport improvement, second by Beach. Roll call-Ayes; Togliatti, Bradley, Beach and Mayor Spesia. Nays; none. Absent; Greggain, Noffsinger and Mincey. Abstain; none. Motion carried. 

Catherine Burson, owner of Sweet Treats and Tasty Eats presented an agreement to the Board that would allow her business to utilize the concession stand on weekends. Mrs. Burson explained she already fulfilled itinerant vendor requirements with the village. Mrs. Burson also explained she has plans to keep her business in town and would like to open a permanent business residence and she currently has a pop-up stand on various corners of Coal City. Mrs. Burson also stated she has discussed partnership with BBQ & Baker. Mayor Spesia explained that it is a wonderful idea she has for potential business with the community, however, he believes the Board should organize and investigate an agreement that allows a schedule for opportunities that accommodates all start-up businesses in the community. Trustee Bradley and Beach both came up with inclusions for the future agreement that would accommodate everyone. After discussion within the Board, Mr. Fritz explained he will work with Mark Heinle, the village attorney, to revise future agreements that make it non-exclusive for businesses to utilize the Campbell Park concession stand. Bradley moved to adopt the Campbell Park Concession Stand Agreement allowing Sweet Treats and Tasty Eats to begin operating from Campbell Park for the remainder of the year, second by Beach. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Bradley and Beach. Nays; Spesia. Absent; Greggain, Noffsinger, and Mincey. Abstain; none. Motion failed for lack of a majority of the quorum of the full board. 

Mr. Fritz explained that approval was granted for a Block Party at Coaler Drive and Elizabeth Drive for Sunday June 23, 2024, that was requested by Brian Pope resident of 800 West Daisy Place. Chief Harseim said he would be in attendance and will make sure safety precautions such as proper barricades are installed. 

Mr. Fritz explained the need to ratify the Disbursement #5 of $483,931.71 made to D Construction that aligns with the IEPA approval of $6,954,363.52 for total expenditures on the current water treatment expansion project. Mr. Fritz reminded the Board an agreement has been made already been approved, this is just ratifying the disbursement. Bradley moved to approve to ratify the next payment of $483,931.71 made to D Construction with IEPA construction proceeds for completions of 18.9% of the total water treatment expansion project, second by Beach. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Bradley, Beach and Mayor Spesia. Nays; none. Absent; Greggain, Noffsinger and Mincey. Abstain; none. Motion carried. 

Mr. Fritz explained the need to ratify the Disbursement #6 of $307,123.90 made to D Construction, Midwest Well and Chamlin Engineering that aligns with the IEPA approval of $6,954,363.52 for total expenditures on the current water treatment expansion project. Mr. Fritz reminded the Board an agreement has been made already been approved, this is just ratifying the disbursement. Bradley moved to approve to ratify the next payment of $307,123.90 made to D Construction, Midwest Well and Chamlin Engineering with IEPA construction proceeds for completions of 23.3% of the total water treatment expansion project, second by Beach. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Bradley, Beach and Mayor Spesia. Nays; none. Absent; Greggain, Noffsinger and Mincey. Abstain; none. Motion carried. 

Mr. Fritz presented the contract for Fall Fest Band "Snapshot", no comments were brought up regarding contract. Beach moved to authorize Mayor Spesia to sign a contract for Fall Fest band "SnapShot", second by Bradley. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Bradley, Beach and Mayor Spesia. Nays; none. Absent; Greggain, Noffsinger and Mincey. Abstain; none. Motion carried. 

Mr. Fritz presented to the Board sludge removal vendors. Mr. Fritz explained he requested bids from multiple companies and only received actual bids back from Stewart Spreading. Stewart Spreading, which is a sole source provider, is qualified for transportation and disposal of this material. The total amount budgeted for this service is $125,000. Bradley moved to authorize Stewart Spreading to Remove the Sludge at a rate of $0.125/ gallon as well as a mobilization charge of $7,500 for a total estimated expenditure of $125,000, second by Beach. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Bradley, Beach and Mayor Spesia. Nays; none. Absent; Greggain, Noffsinger and Mincey. Abstain; none. Motion carried. 

Mr. Fritz presented to the Board a design from Mueller Custom Cabinetry for the conference room dais replacement for the Board that is used during the Regular Meetings. After the research was done, local contractor Mueller Custom Cabinetry provided an estimate of $24,600. Bradley moved to authorize Mueller Custom Cabinetry to proceed with a new dais replacement design and construction for the estimated amount of $24,600, second by Beach. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Bradley, Beach and Mayor Spesia. Nays; none. Absent; Greggain, Noffsinger and Mincey. Abstain; none. Motion carried. 

Mayor Spesia reported he attended the Riverside Beam Raising event and construction is moving along well. Mayor Spesia congratulated the officers on receiving their life saving awards and commended them for their hard work. 

Trustee Beach reported she is resigning her position as Trustee due to accommodate her family and business needs. Trustee Beach appreciated the ability to serve on the Board and has cherished her time and thanked the community and her fellow board members. 

Trustee Bradley reported that he recently traveled to Washington DC and met with Congressman Darin LaHood who has great things to say about Coal City. Bradley thanked Trustee Beach for her service on the Board and it was great serving with her. Trustee Togliatti thanked Trustee Beach for service on the Board and she did a wonderful job on the Parks Committee. 

Alexis Stone, village clerk, thanked Trustee Beach for service on the Board and she will be missed. 

Mark Heinle, village attorney thanked Trustee Beach for her service on the Board and was sad to see her leave. Mr. Heinle recommended adopting a facility policy that states first come first service for utilization of the concession stand facility and said he will investigate other options. Mr. Heinle reminded the Board regarding the Capital Improvement Board for the adoption of building codes, etc. After he conducted a query, Coal City is currently in compliance. 

Ryan Hansen from Chamlin Engineering thanked Trustee Beach for her service on the Board and was sad to see her leave. Mr. Hansen gave updated regarding several projects including Spring Rd, Riverside construction and the Water Tower. 

Police Chief Chris Harseim thanked Trustee Beach for her service on the Board. Chief Harseim stated that Officer Larson was representing Coal City in the upcoming 5- 0 Racing event for Special Olympics this weekend. Chief Harseim reported the school resource officers are working shifts for the department for the summer. The department is sorthing through all of the dashboard camera equipment and its implementation. Chief explained he attended a going away event for the Coast Guard and it was a wonderful event. Lastly, Chief Harseim went over the following reports 2024 Total CAD Events 

• 2024 Calls Requiring Report 

• 2024 Criminal Arrest 

• 2024 Citations 

• 2024 Traffic Crashes 

• 2024 D.U.I. 

• 2024 Verbal Warnings 

• 2024 P-Tickets 

Matt Fritz, village administrator reported he attended the Baskerville 100-year anniversary event. Mr. Fritz said he is currently working on next action committee meetings and goals from the MAPPING committee. Mr. Fritz thanked Trustee Beach for her service on the Board and she will be missing. Mr. Fritz provided a letter to the Board from Lucille DeGulie regarding her appreciation towards the Board regarding recognition on her 100th birthday. 

Bradley moved to adjourn the regular meeting, second by Beach. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Bradley, Beach and Mayor Spesia. Nays; none. Absent; Greggain, Noffsinger and Mincey. Abstain; none. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:18p.m

https://coalcity-il.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/VB-Meeting-Minutes-06-12-2024-Web.pdf