Illinois Valley Times

Village of Diamond Village Board of Commission met Aug. 13

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

The scheduled meeting of the Diamond Village Board was held on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. with Mayor Teresa “Terry” Kernc presiding. Upon roll call Commissioners present Mark Adair, Dean Johnson, Jeff Kasher and Dave Warner.

Approval of 7-23-2024 Minutes

Mayor Kernc presented the minutes. Commissioner Kasher made a correction/addition in his comments to add the word “strap” after the word ratchet. MOTION was made by Commissioner Johnson, SECOND by Commissioner Warner to approve the 7-23-2024 meeting minutes with the addition of the word strap and place on file. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Approval of August 13, 2024, Bill List

MOTION was made by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Adair to approve the August 13, 2024, bill list and place it on file. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Approval of the July 2024 Treasurer’s Report

MOTION was made by Commissioner Johnson, SECOND by Commissioner Warner to Approve the July 2024 Treasurer's Report and place it on file. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Public Comment

None

New Business

Approval of Ordinance #2024-10; Regulating Camping Within the Corporate Boundaries and Other Actions in Connection Therewith

Mayor Kernc stated this was presented at the IML summer board meeting. Approximately 1 month ago there was an individual who was thrown out of his girlfriend’s apartment and decided to camp in the pavilion off Clark Street. This ordinance gives the village the ability to remove someone from our property. Village Attorney John Gallo stated this ordinance came as a result from a Supreme Court ruling of a case which occurred in the western United States. MOTION was made by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Warner to Approve Ordinance #2024-10, Regulating Camping Within the Corporate Boundaries and Other Actions in Connection Therewith. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Approval of Ordinance #2024-11; Pertaining to Prohibited Artificial Intelligence

Mayor Kernc received this at the IML summer meeting. This could be a liability for the village if we use it, it could be distributed, and the information does not have to be factual. The IML is instituting this as well as other municipalities, therefore Kernc feels it is appropriate for the village to institute this ordinance until they get a handle on AI. Commissioner Johnson doesn’t understand why this ordinance needs to be passed and wanted clarification that the employees cannot use AI at all? Gallo stated that is correct. Johnson doesn’t agree since most app’s are a form of AI and that is too restrictive. The search engine on Google is AI, so you are saying that the employees could not utilize google at all. Commissioner Warner stated the village already has “HIPPA” regulations for our employees regarding personal information etc. Kernc stated if you don’t want to prohibit it, then there is another ordinance to look at. After discussion, Commissioners Johnson and Warner will look at the information which Kernc will supply to them to come to a decision regarding this matter. This item was tabled.

Approval of Ordinance #2024-12; Implementing a Municipal Grocery Retailers’ Occupation Tax and a Municipal Grocery Service Occupation Tax

Mayor Kernc stated this will replace the grocery tax which the State of Illinois will be eliminating starting January 1, 2026. This ordinance must be completed and must be certified for the village to implement the sales tax by October of this year. MOTION was made by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Adair to Approve Ordinance #2024-12, Implementing a Municipal Grocery Retailers’ Occupation Tax and a Municipal Grocery Service Occupation Tax. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Proposal Associated Technical Services, Ltd., for Leak Detection

Kernc stated she discussed this service in a prior meeting and said she would like to bring this company in and have them check all b-boxes and hydrants to determine if there is a leak. Kernc stated we know we have water loss, and we must determine where the leaks are. Commissioner Adair commented they wouldn’t give the village a flat fee versus an hourly fee? Kernc stated no, it is per hour cost.

Commissioner Kasher is concerned about the time which would be allotted for this work at the cost of $175.00 per hour. Village Engineer Mike Perry stated he is familiar with companies which do leak detection work. Perry stated Wren Construction can do leak detection work. Mayor Kernc will contact Wren regarding leak detection services. This item was tabled.

Waive Competitive Bid for Gasvoda for Blower, Control Panel and Control System for WWTP

The village would be provided with an incentive from ComEd by installing the new blower. If the village installs this by December 1, 2024, we will receive an extra 20% which comes to approximately $89,000.00. This is to waive the competitive bid so we can order the blower. Kernc added, there is a bill from Meade Electric which will be placed on the next agenda for the installation, conduit, cable etc. for the blower in the amount of $32,011.00. Commissioner Warner added, the blower is reaching its’ life expectancy. MOTION was made by Commissioner Adair, SECOND by Commissioner Warner to Approve to Waive Competitive Bid for Gasvoda for Blower, Control Panel and Control System for the WWTP. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Approve Gasvoda Proposal for Blower, Control Panel and Control System Installation at the WWTP

MOTION was made by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Johnson to Approve Gasvoda Proposal for blower, Control Panel and Control System Installation at the WWTP in the amount of $ 169,182.00. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Approve Lowest Bid for Well #2 Abandonment to Great Lakes Water Resources Group in the Amount of $9,999.00

Village Engineer Mike Perry stated the village received 4 bids. The lowest bid was presented by Great Lakes Water Resources Group. Perry stated their company did pull the pump and worked on it previously so they were aware how much work would be involved with this project. MOTION was made by Commissioner Adair, SECOND by Commissioner Johnson to Approve Great Lakes Water Resources as the Lowest Bid for Well #2 Abandonment in the Amount of $9,999.00. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Approve FEMA Memorandum of Understanding for Technical Assistance

Mayor Kernc stated this is for technical assistance for the municipal detention on the northside. She received previous approval to proceed, and this is to assist in writing the grant. This was free and Kernc thought it would be good exercise. Commissioner Kasher stated he does not want a detention pond on that side of town. Kasher feels strong about draining into Claypool. Commissioner Johnson asked Kasher why he feels so strongly about not having detention on the north side. Kasher stated he would like to see storm lines replaced and have everything drain into Claypool and see what you have there before you start putting a $7 Million detention pond and paying for property. Claypool has drained water for over 100 years. Commissioner Johnson is concerned that Claypool is not maintained properly and if it is at capacity, then the village would have to proceed with detention.

Adair stated as things are currently now, he is not for a detention pond. Warner stated this technical assistance is just to lay the groundwork should we decide we have a need for it down the road. Kernc would like to proceed with this just to do it and then put it on the shelf and if it is needed, the village would be ready to proceed. After further discussion, the commissioners agreed if Kernc could get a grant for conveyance, they would be fine with that but no detention at this current time. MOTION was made by Commissioner Johnson, SECOND by Commissioner Warner to Approve FEMA Memorandum of Understanding for Technical Assistance with the understanding they will not approve applying for a grant for municipal detention. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Approve Preemptive Device on Signal at IL Route 113 & Will Road

Mayor Kernc stated we need 4 devices installed to cover both directions on all streets. We have 2 of them for IL route 113 and this proposal is for 2 on Will Road. Adair questioned if we need it on Will Road and Public Works Jim Dunning stated yes. There was an incident when Berta Road was closed due to a downed tree and the fire department had to use Will Road. Engineer Farrell questioned Dunning why the fire department came down Will Road that day and Dunning explained Will Road was the only road they could use to access IL Route 113. Farrell had informed Dunning there is no preemptive device on Will Road. Kernc added, Braidwood and Wilmington can respond when needed and would utilize Will Road, so it makes sense to have them installed. We have them on Berta Road in all directions. Kernc added, she will try to get IDOT to pay for ½ however, she feels that she won’t be successful. MOTION was made by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Adair to Approve Preemptive Devic e on Signal at IL Route 113 and Will Road in the Amount of $6,817.93. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Sewer Credit : 110 Winding Trails in the Amount of $15.61

Village Clerk Lori Holmes stated the resident at this address had a leak in her crawl space therefore the water was ground water and did not enter the sewer system. Based on her usage, Holmes is requesting a credit in the amount of $15.61. MOTION was made by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Adair to Approve a Sewer Credit in the Amount of $15.61 to 110 Winding Trails. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Country Meadows 2024-25 Snow Removal Agreement

Mayor Kernc stated she proposes an increase of $5.00 from $215.00 per hour to $220.00 per hour and maintaining the $4.50 per gallon gas cost and cost of salt of $150.00 per occurrence as last year.

MOTION was made by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Warner to Approve the 2024-25 Country Meadows Snow Removal Agreement with an increase of $5.00 per hour to $220.00 per hour. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Approve Mayor Kernc Hotel/Travel Expense to Attend IML Conference September 19-21, 2024

Mayor Kernc stated she does not have to pay to attend the conference, however, she is responsible for the hotel cost, parking and mileage. The total cost is approximately $1,000.00. MOTION was made by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Johnson to Approve Mayor Kernc Hotel/Travel Expense to Attend IML Conference September 19-21, 2024. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Approve Employee John Guistat to Attend Wastewater Class 2 Training, Transportation & Lodging

Mayor Kernc stated this is the final course he will need for wastewater. He will be required to complete all necessary hours which will take approximately 1-1 ½ years to receive his certification. MOTION was made by Commissioner Warner, SECOND by Commissioner Adair to Approve John Guistat to Attend the Wastewater Class 2 Training, Transportation & Lodging September 23-27, 2024. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Old Business

Grundy and Will County Sheriff’s Monthly Update

Mayor Kernc stated Will County had computer issues and could not produce a report for Kernc. Village Clerk Lori Holmes explained an incident at the park which occurred the evening of August 8, 2024, where a juvenile set fire to one of the trash cans. After watching the camera footage on August 9, 2024, Holmes recognized the individual who was at the park the following day. Grundy County Sheriff’s Department was notified and was able to apprehend the young man who admitted starting the fire. Kernc spoke with the Sergeant and stated she wanted restitution and would like to petition him into juvenile court. He would be responsible for the purchase of a new trash receptacle.

Legal Counsel

No Report

Engineer Updates

Village Engineer Mike Perry stated the Public Works Building project is out for bid. There are bid items in the street maintenance program for the sidewalk apron and the piece of sidewalk on Will Road which still need to be attended to. The grating at Will Road has started. Kasher stated he noticed there are no end caps-the ends are open. There is approximately a 1-foot opening, and someone could go under the grating. Perry will investigate this matter. Perry stated he has not heard from the company who was to complete the power washing of towers.

Public Works Department Updates

Public Works Supervisor Jim Dunning stated the international truck has been repaired at a cost of $6,100.00. They are cleaning and sealing the walls at the sewer plant. Sunshine Garden Center’s bbox/service line has been found. The building next to the village hall is being painted.

Clerk Updates

Village Clerk Lori Holmes reminded the Commissioners they need to check their emails frequently in case residents have reached out to them.

Commissioner Comments

Commissioner Adair

No Report

Commissioner Johnson

No Report

Commissioner Kasher

No Report

Commissioner Warner

No Report

Mayor Kernc

No Report

Adjournment

MOTION was made to adjourn at 7:13 p.m. by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Warner. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

https://www.villageofdiamond.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/08-13-24-1.pdf