Illinois Valley Times

Coal City Village Board met June 26

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

At 7:02p.m. on Wednesday, June 26, 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, Dan Greggain, Pam Noffsinger, Tim Bradley and Bill Mincey. Also in attendance were Mark Heinle, village attorney, Matt Halloran from Chamlin Engineer, Police Chief Chris Harseim, and Matt Fritz, village administrator. 

All present recited the Pledge of Allegiance. 

The regular meeting minutes June 12, 2024, were presented. Togliatti moved to approve the minutes as written, second by Bradley. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Bradley, and Mayor Spesia. Nays; none. Abstain; Greggain, Noffsinger and Mincey. Motion carried. 

The warrant list was presented, clarifying questions were asked regarding Crescent Electric charges. Bradley moved to approve the warrant list as written, second by Mincey. Roll call-Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, and Mincey. Nays; none. Abstain; none. Motion carried. 

During public comment, Niel Nelson resident of 603 Hunters Run spoke to the board of his positive recommendations of putting the Quiet Zone as a priority for our community. Mr. Nelson voiced his concerns about the disturbing train horns that occur during nighttime which has affected sleep in his household. Mr. Nelson expressed how he believes there is updated technology that could help trains be more aware of safety than horns. Mr. Nelson explained he is preparing to write letters and research how to get extra funding for this project from outside sources. Mayor Spesia explained that an ordinance regarding the Quiet Zone was passed a few months prior and plans requiring construction to accommodate the Quiet Zone are being prepared. Trustee Bradley thanked Mr. Nelson for coming in to express his concerns with the Board. 

Mayor Spesia commended former Trustee Sarah Beach for her hard work on the Village Board and serving her community. 

Mayor Spesia introduced CJ Lauterbur and recommended to the Board to appoint Mr. Lauterbur as Trustee to replace Sarah Beach. Bradley moved to approve the Board to appoint CJ Lauterbur as Trustee of The Village Board, second by Mincey. Roll call-Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, and Mincey. Nays; none. 

Abstain; none. Motion carried. Judge Scott Belt administered the oath of office to Trustee CJ Lauterbur. 

Mayor Spesia commended former Board Members of The Planning & Zoning Board, John Hawkinson and Richard Crotteau for serving their community. 

Mayor Spesia introduced Brad Littleton and recommended the Board to appoint Mr. Littleton as Board Member of Planning & Zoning Board. Bradley moved to approve the Board to appoint Brad Littleton as Board Member of The Planning & Zoning Board, second by Mincey. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Mincey and Lauterbur. Nays; none. Abstain; none. Motion carried. Judge Scott Belt administered the oath of office to Brad Littleton. 

Mayor Spesia introduced Jason Peters and recommended the Board to appoint Mr. Peters as Board Member of The Planning & Zoning Board. Bradley moved to approve the Board to appoint Jason Peters as Board Member of The Planning & Zoning Board, second by Mincey. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Mincey and Lauterbur. Nays; none. Abstain; none. Motion carried. Judge Scott Belt administered the oath of office to Jason Peters. 

Mayor Spesia introduced Stephanie Enerson and recommended the Board to reappoint Mrs. Enerson as Board Member of The Fire & Police Board. Bradley moved to approve the Board to reappoint Stephanie Enerson as Board Member of The Fire & Police Board, second by Greggain. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Mincey and Lauterbur. Nays; none. Abstain; none. Motion carried. Judge Scott Belt administered the oath of office to Stephanie Enerson. 

Mayor Spesia introduced Leann Vota and recommended the Board to reappoint Mrs. Vota as Treasurer of The Village Board. Bradley moved to approve the Board to reappoint Leann Vota as Treasurer of The Village Board, second by Togliatti. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Mincey and Lauterbur. Nays; none. Abstain; none. Motion carried. Judge Scott Belt administered the oath of office to Leann Vota. 

Mayor Spesia introduced Kyle Harmon and recommended the Board to reappoint Mr. Harmon as Board Member of The Police Pension Board. Bradley moved to approve the Board to reappoint Kyle Harmon as Board Member of The Police Pension Board, second by Greggain. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Mincey and Lauterbur. Nays; none. Abstain; none. Motion carried. Judge Scott Belt administered the oath of office to Kyle Harmon. 

Eagle Scout Hunter Patterson presented to the Board to gain approval for his Eagle Scout Project which was positively recommended by the Park Board last meeting. Mr. Patterson presented Mega Chess Set which would be installed in Campbell Park. The set up would require 64 sq ft area for the chess board along with a shed to be installed to hold the chess pieces overnight. Mr. Patterson expressed some ideas he had for locking up the shed at night. Chief Harseim suggested having a code on the shed and Village Hall having a master key. Mr. Patterson also said he is short on funding for materials for construction. Mr. Fritz explained he can investigate with our Public Works Department to see if we have any materials we can donate for the project. Trustee Togliatti moved to approve the Patterson Public Chess Project to be installed under the direction of Public Works, second by Greggain. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Mincey and Lauterbur. Nays; none. Abstain; none. Motion carried. 

Ordinance 24-14, granting variances at 871-903 Covey due to lot square footage. Mr. Fritz explained to the Board that Kenneth, Ken Jr and Rebecca Krier acquired three available lots within RM-1 zoned area that formerly accommodated a duplex on each lot which each lot possesses approximately 12,200 square feet and the minimum required per dwelling unit within RM-1 is 10, 080 square feet. The petitioners wish to construct 3 duplexes within this space, 1 duplex per lot. The Planning and Zoning Board positively recommended the adoption of this variance. Bradley moved to adopt Ordinance 24-14, granting variances regarding minimum square footage requirements within RM-1 for the construction of 3 duplex structures within Springhill Subdivision, second by Mincey. Roll call-Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Mincey and Lauterbur. Nays; none. Abstain; none. Motion carried. 

Resolution 24-07, supporting Dresden as it submits renewal license to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Mr. Fritz explained that Constellation representatives have met with him and Mayor Spesia regarding submitting their renewal license to NRC for another 20-year term. Mr. Fritz explained the benefits for the community by supporting renewal. Bradley moved to adopt Resolution 24-07 supporting the Dresden Station License Renewal, second by Mincey. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Mincey and Lauterbur. Nays; none. Abstain; none. Motion carried. 

Resolution 24-08, granting ComEd an easement at the Public Works Water Treatment Plant for upgraded service. Mr. Fritz explained we already have over ground service and now we are trying to gain underground electrical service line for the water treatment plant. Mr. Fritz included a diagram showing the plan. Greggain moved to adopt Resolution 24-08, a resolution granting a utility easement to Commonwealth Edison subject to legal review, second by Togliatti. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Mincey and Lauterbur. Nays; none. Abstain; none. Motion carried. 

Mr. Fritz and Matt Halloran from Chamlin Engineering presented the bids for Carbon Hill Road Repaving. This project is included within the transportation improvement plan managed by Will County Governmental League which they will provide 80% of funding and Coal City will provide 20% of funding. IDOT requires the Board to select the lowest bidder. Chamlin & Associates positively recommended PT Ferro Construction that held the lowest bid of $438,984.27. Chamlin is estimated to get the contractor to complete the project prior to school year beginning. Greggain moved to ratify the IDOT selected low bidder, PT Ferro Construction to complete the Carbon Hill Road Repaving Project at an estimated $438,984.27, second by Togliatti. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Mincey and Lauterbur. Nays; none. Abstain; none. Motion carried.

Mr. Fritz presented the agreement for the 5-year lease of copier equipment that will be at Village Hall and the Police Department. Mr. Fritz went over the equipment inclusions and the pricing of leases. Bradley moved to authorize Mayor Spesia to enter into an agreement for a 5-year lease of copier equipment by Gordon Flesch Company, second by Mincey. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Mincey and Lauterbur. Nays; none. Abstain; none. Motion carried. 

Mayor Spesia thanked all board appointments for serving their community and Judge Scott Belt for attending. 

Trustee CJ Lauterbur thanked the Board for this opportunity to serve the community. 

Trustee Mincey reported updates regarding Second Ave project. 

Trustee Bradley welcomed all the new board member appointments and thanked them for serving their community. 

Trustee Greggain reported he visited the Water Treatment Plant and gave an update regarding the project. 

Mark Heinle, village attorney reported the State of Illinois passed the elimination of Grocery Tax, he explained the Board may implement our own grocery tax that will compensate for the loss of an estimated $80,000 of the elimination by the state, however, will not go into effect until January 1,2026. The state is willing to collect and distribute this village ordered grocery tax however it may include fees. 

Matt Halloran from Chamlin Engineering gave updates regarding Water Treatment Plant Project, Well #7, Carbon Hill Road and Spring Road, Lead Service Replacement and Riverside Expansion Project. 

Police Chief Chris Harseim reported that Ace Hardware is having an anniversary event and Officer Nugent will be in attendance with a police car for the event. Chief gave an update regarding the status of Officer Brenneman training. Chief Harseim explained that they have been monitoring solicitors in town and administering P-Tickets to violators onsite. Chief also explained that if an approved solicitor who is selling children's books picture will be posted on Facebook for residents to know. Chief Harseim also asked clarifying questions regarding regulations regarding non-approved solicitors and permits. 

Matt Fritz, village administrator reported that Grundy Economic Development Council QR code surveys have been released. Mr. Fritz reported the MAPPING Committee is now named Coaler Drive and a lot of events have been planned. Mr. Fritz also reminded the Board to RSVP for the Employee Appreciation event. 

Trustee Bradley moved to adjourn meeting, second by Mincey. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Mincey and Lauterbur. Nays; none. Abstain; none. Motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. 

https://coalcity-il.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/VB-Meeting-Minutes-06-26-2024-Web.pdf