Will County Gazette

Village of Channahon Committee of the Whole met Dec. 2.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

VP Moorman Schumacher called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. with Ti'ustees Greco, Host, McMillin, Perinar, Scaggs and Slocum present.

Also present were Village Administrator Thomas Durkin, Assistant Village Administrator Mike Petrick, Director of Community Development and Information Systems Scott McMaster, Finance Director Heather Wagonblott, Director of Public Works Ed Dolezal, Chief of Police Adam Bogai1, Village Attorney David Silverman and Village Clerk Kristin Hall.

VP Moorman Schumacher informed everyone present that anyone who speaks at the meeting shall be deemed to have given his/her consent to the recording of their likeness and speech. This meeting is being recorded.

VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR

Discussion - Hiring of Two (2) Public Works Laborer Positions

Durkin stated the Board has information on the potential two new hires and HR Manger Denton will provide fu11her information.

Denton stated that two laborer openings became available in the Public Works Department in November 2024. The Board was informed of the intent to fill these two positions. Ads to hire were placed in house, our social media outlets, IML, ILCMA and Public Salary. A total of 29 applications were received and reviewed by her as well as PW Director Dolezal, Superintendent Barrett, Assistant PW Director Fricke and VP Moorman Schumacher. Seven interviews were conducted by her Barrett and Fricke on November 2151, November 22nd and November 261\ 2024. The interview panel would like to make a recommendation for consideration to hire Nicholas Ochs and Kody Waxweiler at the starting salary of $53,569 per the 2024/25 IOUE, Local 150 CBA wage schedule. Mr. Ochs has prior experience in landscaping, snow removal, basic plumbing and trench digging. He is currently working for Double J Sports Bar as a barback where he has also performed bartending and security. Mr. Waxweiler has prior experience with Lockport Park District where he learned basic skills such as snow removal, minor electrical, carpentry and mechanical repairs and small equipment operations. He recently worked for Enterprise LLC as a Fleet Maintenance Porter for 3 years before leaving to put himself through CDL school at 160 Driving Academy. These would be conditional offers pending board approval, background check and completion and passing of physical with drug screen.

ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT

Discussion - Advancing Grundy - Economic Diversification & Resiliency Plan - Draft Petrick stated this was included for the Board's information. The Grundy Economic Development Council, in Partnership with the Grundy County Chamber of Commerce has been working on a $600,000 plan funded primarily by a grant from the US Economic Development Administration. The need for this plan came about from facing the 2020 possibility that Dresden Generating Station (now Dresden Clean Energy Center) would close - causing harm to the area economy. The public draft of this plan has now been released and is open for comments. The plan can be downloaded from the Grundy Chamber website, and comments may be left directly at: https://grundychamber.com/advancing-grundy-plan/. The full plan is attached, but suggested attention should be paid to the ten steps of the Strategic Action Plan found in chapter 3. Public Comments are being accepted until December 13, 2024.

VP Moorman Schumacher stated that Lion Electric has ceased production at the Joliet facility.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & INFORMATION SYSTEMS

McMaster stated he had no formal items for discussion.

FINANCE DEPARTMENT

Discussion - An Ordinance for the Levy and Assessment of Taxes for the Village of Channahon, Will and Grundy County, Illinois for the Fiscal Year Beginning May 1, 2024 and Ending April 30, 2025 - 1st Read

Discussion - An Ordinance Abating a Portion of the Levy for the Village of Channahon, Will and Grundy County, Illinois for 2024 (General Obligation Bonds, Series 2016) - 1st Read

Discussion - An Ordinance Abating a Portion of the Levy for the Village of Channahon, Will and Grundy County, Illinois for 2024 (Refunding General Obligation Bonds, Series 2021B) - 1st Read

Wagonblott stated on November 18th this was presented to the Board and there have been no changes. The estimated rate is .5492.

POLICE DEPARTMENT

Discussion - Hiring of Community Service Officer

Bogart stated that Ms. Chloe Bosewell is here with her mom, Heather.

Denton stated the part-time Community Service Officer position in the Police Department became vacant as a result of the resignation on Brianna Funk in August 2024. On August 26, 2024, an ad to replace the position was placed in house, social media and e-blast on HR Public Salary forum. A total of 6 applications were received for this position. Five interviews were conducted on November 191\ 2024 by her and DC Gunty. Ms. Bosewell is a Minooka High School graduate and is currently attending Aurora University for Social Work. She has participated in ride-alongs with our department and has an interest in a future career in Law Enforcement. The panel would like to make a recommendation for consideration to hire Ms. Chloe Bosewell at $15/per hour, conditional on the board approval. Sne passed the physical and-- drug screen and her background check is back.

Bogart added that during her background we found that her personal and professional references consistently praised her organization, trustworthiness and the ability to manage sensitive information with utmost care. Her strong skills have frequently been highlighted in those interviews among her colleagues and mentors and her ability to handle complex task situations with clarity. He believes she will be a fantastic hire.

VP Moorman Schumacher stated that she had an opportunity to speak with Chloe before the meeting and she is hoping to get into Law Enforcement. She is taking classes for social work but the long-range goal is Law Enforcement.

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

Discussion -Award Well #4 Rehabilitation Construction Contract

Dolezal stated bids were publicly opened on October 24, 2024 for the Well 4 Rehabilitation contract. Five bids were received and the apparent low, responsible bidder was Great Lakes Water Resources Group, Inc.

Discussion - An Ordinance Authorizing the Village of Channahon to Vacate the Right-of Way of an Alley - pt Read

Dolezal stated that the requester has not provided the Plat of Vacation to us. This is all pursuant to getting a fence permit.

VP Moorman Schumacher stated that this will be tabled for the time being.

COMMUNICATIONS

PUBLIC COMMENT

EXECUTIVE SESSION

• Appointment, Employment, Dismissal, Compensation, Discipline and Performance of an Employee of the Village of Channahon

• Probable or Imminent Litigation and Pending Litigation

VP Moorman Schumacher stated that there is no action coming out of Executive Session, so we will move that to the end of the Board meeting.

The Committee of the Whole was adjourned at 6:11 p.m.

https://www.channahon.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_12022024-627