Illinois Valley Times

Village of Diamond Village Board of Commission met Nov. 12

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 12th day of November 2024.

The scheduled meeting of the Diamond Village Board was held on Tuesday, November 12, at 6:00 p.m. with Mayor Teresa “Terry” Kernc presiding. Upon a roll call Commissioners present Mark Adair and Jeff Kasher. Absent: Dean Johnson and Dave Warner.

Approval of 10-22-2024 Minutes

Commissioner Kasher noted for item regarding Fastsigns, the amount approved was $559.38. Revision will be made. MOTION was made by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Adair to approve the 10-22-2024 meeting minutes, with revision and place on file. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Approval of November 12, 2024, Bill List

MOTION was made by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Adair to approve November 12, 2024, bill list and place it on file. All Ayes: Motion Carried. 

Approval of October 2024 Treasurer’s Report

MOTION was made by Commissioner Adair, SECOND by Commissioner Kasher to approve the October 2024 Treasurer's Report and place it on file. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Public Comment

None

New Business

Waive Competitive Bid-Aeration Tank Walkway

This Item Was Tabled

Approve and Accept Lowest Bid to Build and Install Aeration Tank Walkway at WWTP

This Item Was Tabled

Discuss and Approve Proposed 2025 Board Meeting Schedule

Village Clerk Holmes presented the proposed dates for the year 2025. After discussion, the following dates were approved: January 14 & 28; February 11 &25; March 11 & 25; April 8 & 22; May 13 & 27; June 10 & 24; July 8 & 22; August 12 & 26; September 9 & 23; October 14 & 28; November 25, there will be no meeting on November 11 due to the Veterans Day holiday; December 9 & 23. MOTION was made by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Adair to Approve the 2025 Board Meeting Schedule at noted. All Ayes: Motion Carried. 

Approve Resolution #2024-10, Resolution for Construction on State Highways

Mayor Kernc stated this must be completed every 2 years. MOTION was made by Commissioner Adair, SECOND by Commissioner Kasher to Approve Resolution #2024-10, Resolution for Construction on State Highway. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Approve Ordinance #2024-17, Ordinance Amending Chapter 114: Tobacco Dealers of the Village of Diamond Code of Ordinances

Mayor Kernc stated this was discussed at the previous meeting. Village Attorney John Gallo stated this ordinance was updated with new definitions and additions of items for example, vapes which were not in the previous ordinance. Gallo stated the village will have 2 types of licenses. They will be based on sales. Class A will be those businesses whose tobacco sales are 25% or less, which would be gas stations, grocery stores etc. Class B licenses would be those businesses which 25% or more in tobacco sales. MOTION was made by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Adair to Approve Ordinance#2024-17, Ordinance Amending Chapter 114: Tobacco Dealers of the Village of Diamond Code of Ordinances. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Approve Meade Industries for Bower Disconnect and Feeders

Mayor Kernc stated this project is underway and needs to be completed by December 1, 2024, for the incentive. Public Works Jim Dunning stated this project should be completed by Thursday. MOTION was made by Commissioner Adair, SECOND by Commissioner Kasher to Approve Meade Industries for Blower Disconnect and Feeders. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

Discuss and Approve RD8200SG Survey Grade Mapping Radion Detection Device

Public Works Supervisor Jim Dunning presented the information. This device works with the village’s current mapping system. Our current device will be obsolete in 2-3 years and if parts are needed, we will not be able to obtain them. This device has accuracy to pinpoint within 2 millimeters. The cost is $13,000.00 with a $1,300.00 trade-in bringing the cost to $11,700.00. Commissioner Kasher asked if the current device works, and Dunning stated yes. . Adair asked if the Public Works GIS everything now and Dunning stated yes. Kasher would like to utilize the current device until it breaks since technology is ever changing and if we purchase this device, there could be a better one available in 2-3 years. Use what we have until we cannot use any longer. No Action taken on this item.

Waive Competitive Bid on Public Works Building Pad

This Item was Tabled

Approval of D Construction Proposal for Public Works Building Pad

This Item was Tabled

Discuss Amendment to Employee Handbook/Time Off Without Pay-Utilize All Benefit Days

Village Clerk Lori Holmes discussed an issue which Treasurer Wendy Herbert brought to Mayor Kernc’s attention. There are employees who are calling in sick however, they do not have sick benefits available to receive the day off with pay. Therefore, they are taking the time off without pay. The employee could have vacation and/or personal or comp time available to utilize. The issue was brought up previously about employees taking time off without pay and the board was against that due to individuals abusing it. Holmes reached out to Village Attorney John Gallo asking if the village could require employees to utilize all sick, vacation, personal and comp time before time off without pay can be used. Holmes was concerned about the word “abuse” in the handbook, and feels it needs to be defined. After further discussion, a decision was made which would require employees who do not have sick day benefits available, they must utilize their other paid benefit days. Gallo will make an amendment to the handbook stating this change and it will be brought to the board for formal approval.

Old Business

Grundy and Will County Sheriff’s Monthly Update

Mayor Kernc stated nothing out of the ordinary for Will County. Kernc did state the tragic house fire in Diamond is still under investigation.

Legal Counsel

No Report

Engineer Updates

Absent

Public Works Department Updates

Public Works Supervisor Jim Dunning stated the new watermain project is underway. The watermain project on Will Road has been completed. The blower work is being completed this week.

Clerk Updates

Village Clerk Lori Holmes stated the fiber optic project for the village hall and plant is underway.

Commissioner Comments

Commissioner Adair

No Report

Commissioner Johnson

Absent

Commissioner Kasher

Commissioner Kasher stated he reached out to Ryan Storm at John Deere regarding a plow the village might be interested in purchasing for the removing snow on the sidewalks. Kasher is awaiting a quote for the tractor and plow.

Commissioner Warner

Absent

Mayor Kernc

No Report

Adjournment to Enter Closed Session for Review of Closed Sessions 2 (c) (21)

MOTION was made by commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Adari to enter closed session at 6:47 p.m. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

MOTION was made by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Adair to enter into open session with no action taken at 6:54 p.m. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

MOTION was made by Commissioner Kasher, SECOND by Commissioner Adair to release the following closed session minutes: 8-23-2022 and 07-11-2023. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

MOTION was made to adjourn at 6:55 p.m. by Commissioner Adair, SECOND by Commissioner Kasher. All Ayes: Motion Carried.

https://www.villageofdiamond.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/11-12-24-2.pdf