Illinois Valley Times

Coal City Village Board met July 9

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

At 7:00pm on Wednesday, July 9th 2025, Mayor Dave Spesia called to order the regular board meeting of the Coal City Village Board in the boardroom of Village Hall. Roll Call - Trustees Dave Togliatti, Pam Noffsinger, Ross Bradley and CJ Lauterbur. Also in attendance were attorney Mark Heinle, Matt Halloran from Chamlin Engineering, Chief Mike Imhof and Matt Fritz, Village Administrator. Absent; Dan Greggain and Bill Mincey.. 

All present recited the Pledge of Allegiance. 

The meeting minutes from the public hearing on June 25, 2025 were presented. Lauterbur moved to approve the public hearing minutes as written, second by Bradley. Roll call-Ayes; Togliatti, Noffsinger, Bradley, Lauterbur and Mayor Spesia. Nays; none. Abstain; none. Absent; Greggain and Mincey. Motion carried. 

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

Mr. Neal Nelson at 603 Hunters Run, Coal City, IL was present at the meeting with three questions of the board. The first was regarding an update on the progress of a quiet zone. Mr. Nelson stated he attended a meeting a few months back for a quiet zone update where he requested a timeline to see where the process is at, who is owning the process and is present tonight wondering where is the quiet zone currently at as of July 9th, 2025. Mayor Spesia noted to Mr. Nelson those are great questions and recently the Village has spoken with IDOT in the end of last year and they gave a commitment of making progress this project season. However, it is looking more to be next construction season into 2026. Fritz explained the Village had a very positive meeting with IDOT last week and there are a series of three different projects they have to complete at 113 and others, in order to have the right safety for BNSF to install quad gates. IDOT stated in a meeting last Monday they would have those three projects left within this fiscal year, which is next construction season. The Village received a commitment that the third project was agreed to get done and currently awaiting paperwork. Kankakee street closure is one other project that needs to be completed. The Village is receiving bids back on the Kankakee project. Mr. Nelson inquired if the Village is getting support from our elected representatives to move things forward with IDOT. Mayor Spesia noted that elected official Bunting is aware and on our side, in addition to hearing from residents. Overall, it can take a long time to get commitments from IDOT and BNSF but the Village is happy to see this movement forward. Mayor Spesia stated this is a high priority for him as well as the board but reluctant to commit to a date as this is out of his control, but we will do what we can to keep it moving forward. 

The second question Mr. Nelson had for the board was regarding the Village incorporating new positions, one being a clerk at the Police Department (PD) and a Deputy Chief. Mr. Nelson asked if the Village has any other new positions they are looking at. Mayor Spesia noted there was a sound off regarding these positions and the clerk positon at the PD is not a new positon. The current clerk at the PD is retiring therefore a new clerk was hired so they could train under the current clerk. The Deputy 

Chief position saved the Village money going from two supervisors down to one. Chief Imhof elected to appoint a Deputy Chief. The Deputy Chief position is a non-bargaining position. 

The third question related to Ralph Brooks garden and any update on resolution. Mr. Nelson asked if the Village was able to make a public statement. Mayor Spesia stated the Village thought this had been. resolved many times. On Monday the Mayor and administrator held a private meeting with the owner of the property and his tenant, Mr. Brooks, administrator Matt Fritz and building official, Kyle Watson to discuss ordinance and compliance. No other board member or residents were in attendance as this was a private meeting. The Village provided the homeowner and his tenant Mr. Brooks, who are related, with the items on the property that were not in compliance. Mayor Spesia stated both the homeowner and Mr. Brooks communicated openly and freely and the meeting was very cordial. The Village and homeowner agreed on the necessary actions with a set completion date. No fines were given at this meeting. Following the meeting, everyone present in the meeting went to the residence to ensure there was no confusion. Kyle Watson spray painted on the ground and provided guidance on addressing the compliance issues. The homeowner stated he was very glad the meeting was called as he was not fully aware of everything that was going on. Mayor Spesia is confident that the necessary items will be resolved. 

Review and Approve Demolition Bids for two Residential Properties 290 N. Fifth Avenue and 573-585 S. Mazon Street. Fritz explained the bids in the packet; the first one for 290 N. Fifth Avenue, three bids were received. The lowest and recommend bid for 290 N. Fifth Avenue totals $17,325.00 to J.K. Trotter Ent. Inc, Coal City. The 573-585 S. Mazon Street property received two bids with the lowest and recommend bid totaling $30,750.00 to Troutman Excavating, Morris IL. Fritz explained the electric meters were already removed at the properties. Upon board approval the Village will begin to coordinate with the contractors. 

Mayor Spesia entertained a recommendation to approve the bid for 290 N. Fifth Avenue to J.K. Trotter Ent. Inc for $17,325.00, Lauterbur moved to approve the motion, second by Bradley. Roll call-Ayes; Togliatti, Noffsinger, Bradley, Lauterbur. Nays; none. Abstain; none. Absent; Greggain and Mincey. Motion carried. 

Mayor Spesia entertained a recommendation to approve the bid for 573-585 S. Mazon Street to Troutman Excavating for $30,750.00. Bradley moved to approve the motion, second by Lauterbur. Roll call-Ayes; Togliatti, Noffsinger, Bradley, Lauterbur. Nays; none. Abstain; none. Absent; Greggain and Mincey. Motion carried. 

Report of the Mayor: Mayor Spesia revisited the position of PD clerk with Mr. Nelson, who was still present in the audience, stating the Village advertised in the Free Press twice, shared on the website for the Village as well as social media. The Village had 40 applicants shortlisted down to 15 before going through a rigorous interview process before the candidate was selected, Lexi Baxter. Mr. Nelson referenced previous elected officials taking non-elected positions in the past and at one point that was not allowed for a period of two years after leaving an elected position. Mr. Nelson inquired if the Village Board would consider putting in an ordinance that elected positions not being able to assume full or part time Village roles for a period of 1 year of resigning from the elected position, retiring or their term expiring. Mayor Spesia noted that during Mr. Nelson's term as Mayor of the Village Mr. Nelson's clerk was moved into a full time collector's role. Mr. Nelson stated it doesn't look good and would ask the Village to consider it. 

Report of the Trustees: 

- Trustee Lauterbur; none

- Trustee Bradley; none 

- Trustee Noffsinger; none 

- Trustee Togliatti; inquired about the existing demolition schedule for 435 S. Mary. Fritz responded this is scheduled with a demolition contractor beginning the week of July 21st and the electrical hookup to the residence was removed. Fritz also stated this was the first demo related to the IHDA Strong Communities Grant that the Village has been utilizing. 

- Report of the Village Clerk; none

Report of Village Attorney; Heinle reminded the board that Oct 1st is the filing deadline to the Department of Revenue if the Village decides to enact a Grocery tax to replace the sun setting State level Grocery tax. The State level tax will disappear as of Oct 1st. will be passed or not. Heinle also noted clear timelines for both the demolition of Fifth Avenue and Mazon Street. 

Report of Village Engineer; Halloran provided an update on the improvements at the water treatment plant. He described both exterior and interior improvements to space and equipment. Interior piping still in progress. Halloran provided an update on the water tower at North Park. He stated the water tower project is expected to be completed at the end of July. 

Report of Chief of Police; Chief Imhof presented a microchip reader that was donated to the PD by Subies of the Corn (SOTC) a 501c3 organization. Imhof read an email received by SOTC expressing their organizations love for animals and goal to make returning pets to their homes easier by simply scanning for microchips using their tool. Imhof expressed this was a very generous donation and great to see they were from Coal City. Imhof also shared the Grundy County Pro-act unit followed by sharing a packet of statistics. He stated they had 11 arrests for the month, multiple units of drugs were seized as well as 1 firearm and $9k in US currency. Imhof stated there were ride along's performed last month and veteran officers expressed positive feedback. 

Report of Village Administrator; this weekend is the first Mid-town Market in front of the Library with a lot of vendors signed up. July 19th is Grundy County Hero's and Helpers, Santa in July at the Coal City Lions Club. July 26th Back to School Bash as well as the second Mid-town Market at the Library. Fritz also stated that the Village has received their first payment from the Tennis Association. Mayor Spesia noted it seems that Pickle ball has been of great interest seeing many people & kids enjoying the new courts. 

Lauterbur moved to adjourn the meeting, second by Bradley. Roll call-Ayes; Togliatti, Noffsinger, Bradley, Lauterbur, Mayor Spesia. Nays; none. Abstain; none. Absent; Greggain and Mincey. Motion carried. 

https://coalcity-il.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/VB-Meeting-Minutes-07-09-2025-Web.pdf