Will County Gazette

Village of Channahon Committee of the Whole met July 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

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

Also present were Village Administrator Thomas Durkin, Director of Community Development Scott McMaster, Director of Public Works Ed Dolezal, Chief of Police Adam Bogart, 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 PRESIDENT

Presentation - Wyland Mayors' Water Challenge Trophy

VP Moorman Schumacher welcomed her fellow colleagues Ray Soliman, Mayor of Crest Hill, CC DeBold, Mayor of Shorewood and Hugh O'Hara the consultant of the Grand Prairie Water Commission. The Wyland Mayors' Water Challenge is a challenge to conserve water and it runs from April 1st to April 30th each year. We thought it would be a fun thing for the Grand Prairie Water Commission communities to participate in this a few years ago. The first year, Crest Hill was the winner of the water challenge and last year we didn't have one so Mayor Soliman has been holding on to that trophy for two years. This year Channahon came out on top.

CC DeBold, Mayor of Shorewood and current President of the Grand Prairie Water Commission, stated he had the privilege of presenting this award to Crest Hill a few years ago. All of the six communities of the Grand Prairie Water Commission participate in this local challenge. Channahon was the winner this year of the six communities. Mayor Soliman does have the water drop and will present it.

Ray Soliman, Mayor of Crest Hill stated that they have had the award for almost two years and he is glad that he hasn't broken it. The true winner, each year of this most prestigious award, is the 275,000+ people in the six communities of the Grand Prairie Water Commission. It is extreme honor and privilege to present this to all the residents of the Village of Channahon, the Village Board and Mayor Moorman Schumacher.

VP Moorman Schumacher stated the winners are the residents of all of the communities. She thanked all of the residents who participated and put us on top this year. The Grand Prairie Water Commission is a huge project and it will ensure clean, safe and reliable water for our 275,000+ residents in the six communities that participate. The projected tum on date is sometime in 2030 and that will be here before we know it.

VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR

Discussion - Continuation of the 1 % Statewide Grocery Tax

VP Moorman Schumacher stated that as she mentioned at the last meeting that she was going to bring this up for discussion. Shorewood and several other communities have already passed it.

CC DeBold, Mayor of Shorewood, stated they couldn't afford to lose it. It was a huge impact and it was a net neutral impact to our residents. The legislature gave that opportunity and ours has already been passed.

Durkin stated during the 2024 Spring Legislative Session, Public Act 103-0781 was signed into law by Governor Pritzker repealing the statewide tax on groceries. Included in this Act is the authority for both home rule and non-home rule municipalities to implement by ordinance a 1 % locally imposed grocery sales tax (without need for referendum approval) following the elimination of the statewide grocery tax effective January 1, 2026. Municipalities wishing to implement a local grocery sales tax effective on January 1, 2026 and to guarantee no lapse in receiving this revenue, must pass an authorizing ordinance and remit that ordinance to the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR), postmarked by October 1, 2025. If a municipality chooses to implement a new local 1 % grocery tax after the elimination of the tax effective on January 1, 2026, an ordinance authorizing a tax must be sent to IDOR and postmarked before April 1 for collection begin on July 1, or postmarked after April 1 but before October 1, for collection to begin January 1 of the following year. Determining just how much revenue the Village receives from the current grocery tax is very complicated, making it virtually impossible to get a completely accurate number. First, retailers must have a separate means of recording and accounting for collection of receipts for sales of food prepared for immediate consumption (which does not qualify) from sales of food that is not prepared for immediate consumption (which could qualify). If a retailer does not maintain separate receipts for these items, all sales are presumed to be at the high rate of tax and would not qualify for the suspension. In addition, the retailer must not provide on-premises facilities for consumption of the food or, if the retailer does provide such facilities, they must be physically separated or otherwise distinguishable from the area where food not intended for immediate consumption is sold. Given the complexities of reporting, the best that can be done is to provide an estimate of the revenues received. An October 3, 2024 article at illinoispolicy.org estimated that in 2023, the Village of Channahon received $231,593 in grocery tax revenue. Estimates provided by Finance Director Wagonblott are in the neighborhood of $200,000 to $300,000 and could be as high as approximately $400,000/year. IDOR states that there is no way to determine a municipality's exact grocery tax revenue figures, as the reliance is on how the numbers are reported to the department, so the numbers are a "best guess" estimate. Funds generated from the grocery tax are utilized by municipalities to support local priorities such as:

- Maintaining roads and water systems;

- Supporting police and emergency services;

- Funding capital improvements and infrastructure;

- Enhancing public spaces and providing public events;

- Public services to Village residents and businesses

- Supporting public works initiatives like snow removal and year-round Village maintenance.

How each municipality utilizes these funds is up to them and subject to accepted government accounting practices. Currently, the Village of Channahon utilizes these revenues for:

- Supporting police and emergency services;

- Funding capital improvements and infrastructure;

- Providing and enhancing public spaces and providing public events;

- Public works initiatives and other year-round maintenance activities.

Any existing revenue reductions would need to be replaced by increasing revenues in other areas such as increases in property taxes, providing new or increasing other existing taxes or fees in the equivalent, including increasing those to replace those generated by more opportunities for grocery sales occur (i.e. the addition of new grocery retailers), or cutting expenditures.

VP Moorman Schumacher stated that going back to 1990 when this was instituted, the State put this in place so it was an across the board tax of 1 % on applicable grocery items. The State eliminating it doesn't affect their budget. It's a smoke in mirrors happy feel good that doesn't affect the State but effects all the municipalities. For us, we don't have a grocery store so our residents are going to feel this tax because they are traveling to another municipality where they will have to pay the tax. It's a user fee. It's very much like the LGDF that was put in place a few years ago to eliminate personal income tax to municipalities and 10% of that was supposed to go back to the communities after it was collected by the State. It has been swept and taken. Every year we go down to Springfield and beg them not to cut our LGDF and this year we are getting 6.5%. Our population is increasing and we are going to have a grocery store so it will happen eventually. Ifwe don't have this revenue stream we are going to have to replace it with something else. If we cut off our revenue sources that at this point is a net zero to our residents, we are going to have to look for other revenue sources to replace it.

Durkin stated that to allow this to continue, it requires us to pass this ordinance by October 1st• We have some time to go over this and have discussion.

Trustee Scaggs asked if not having this grocery tax would be an incentive a grocery store to come here.

McMaster stated that he didn't think so. More or less it's the population growth that is going to drive a retail store to come here.

Attorney Silverman stated that the tax could be used as an incentive to attract a grocery store.

Trustee McMillin asked if someone from staff could reach out to a grocer to see if this is a determining factor.

Durkin stated that is something that we could try and get some direct information from them. As McMaster, said it is not something that is coming out of the pocket of the retailer. This is a tax on the things they are selling paid by the buyer and that it not going to make a difference in whether or not they come here.

Trustee Scaggs stated that maybe it would attract more business here ifwe didn't have the tax.

Durkin stated that for $1 on a $100 grocery bill, he doesn't think it would be significant enough to impact whether a retailer will locate here.

VP Moorman Schumacher stated that it does give us a bargaining chip.

Trustee Slocum stated that he has been asking staff to come up with a one sheet sales advertisement to go after a grocery store for Town Center. A grocery store would jump start that development. He is asking staff to compile the advertisement that we could send out to every grocery store small, medium and large and talk about the incentives that we could offer them, that its in a TIF District and that it is the center piece for Town Center. He would like to know where we are at with that and to let the Board know that is something he would like to see.

VP Moorman Schumacher stated that she talked with Sydney and if staff could provide her with some sales information she will get something put together for the next meeting.

McMaster stated that he wasn't sure it could be done by the next meeting but it is a priority. That is something that we are about ready to work on.

Trustee Slocum stated that it shouldn't take long. We have the Town Center map and design done already, along with demographic data. Let's get something in the hands of some of these companies.

Trustee McMillin asked if we have a real estate agent representing this piece of property that the tax payers own. Are we comfortable representing this property as the Village without having a real estate professional.

Trustee Slocum stated absolutely.

Trustee McMillin stated that who would in charge of that.

Trustee Slocum stated staff.

Trustee McMillin stated so our staff knows the ins and outs ofretail real estate. Ifhe hires Rick Gray to sell his house, he would like to know that Rick Gray will sell his house as a professional real estate agent. He wants to make sure that the tax payers are represented by a professional real estate developer and that we are protected 100% and that our staff can do that.

Trustee Slocum stated that he is confident that our professional staff will deliver.

ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT

Durkin stated he had no formal items for discussion.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

McMaster stated he had no formal items for discussion.

FINANCE DEPARTMENT

Durkin stated he had no formal items for discussion.

POLICE DEPARTMENT

Bogart stated he had no formal items for discussion.

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

Discussion - Village Hall Parking Lot Expansion Design

Dolezal stated this project is to complete the design for the south Village Hall parking lot expansion. The proposed expansion will provide one additional drive isle with parking on both sides in addition to additional handicap parking stalls. The Village has selected Baxter & Woodman to assist Village staff with the design process, providing surveying, drafting services and quantity calculations. Baxter & Woodman provided similar services for the expansion of the PD parking lot previously. Design services are budgeted in the FY26 budget with construction anticipated in FY27.

Trustee Greco asked how many additional spaces would that be.

Dolezal stated that it's about 20 more spaces.

Discussion - Approval of Corrpro's Proposal to Replace the Cathodic Protection System at Bridge Streets' Booster Station

Dolezal stated the booster station is a critical piece of infrastructure as it distributes water between two different pressure zones within the water system. This asset is safeguarded from deterioration by a cathodic protection system. The original system installed during construction has since failed and is in need replacement. In 2024, Corrpro was commissioned to evaluate the current system and supply recommendations for replacement. Based on these findings, an impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) system will be the most economical way to provide CP for the pump station given its current conditions. This is a budgeted expenditure under 30-70- 541.000.

Discussion -Approval to Purchase Replacement Luminaries for Navajo Drive Dolezal stated the current high-pressure sodium Lumec luminaires that line Navajo Drive are no longer supported and are produced only as LED. Simultaneously, the refractor lenses are showing discoloration and the electronics have been utilized to capacity. The Village is currently operating with a few of the requested new units, from Crescent Electric, and they are preforming as expected. The total cost of the requested hardware comes to $38,777.64 and is a budgeted expenditure under 01-53-538.004.

Trustee Slocum stated that we are spending money but all 28 are damaged on the bottom. Is there anything that we plan on doing and who keeps hitting them.

Dolezal stated that the mowers hit them. It has been on the radar but he comes to the conclusion that the minutes he puts a new one on there it will be damaged within a few mo wings. Staff will look at alematives.

Discussion -Purchase of Two New 2026 Ford F-250 Service Body Vehicles Dolezal stated the proposed service body vehicles will be replacements for the current units #40 (2013) and #47 (2016). The identical new units will be 2026 F-250's with service bodies, C-tech tool drawers, inverters and Tommy Gate Liftgates. Vehicle upfitting will take place through Monroe Truck Equipment at a cost of$55,214.00 due upon completion. The cab and chassis would be purchased through Sutton Ford, under SPC contract, at a cost of$93,670.00 due upon delivery to Monroe Truck Equipment. These vehicles are budgeted expenditures under the FY25-26 budget. Unit #40's replacement will be split evenly between 31-70/71-631.000 and unit #47's replacement will derive from 11-53-631.000.

Discussion - Approval of Stewart Spreading Inc. For Wastewater Solids Removal Dolezal stated currently the Village of Channahon contracts Stewart Spreading Inc. for biosolid land application needs. The removal ofbiosolids for quarters 2, 3, & 4 is estimated at 830 cubic yards to be hauled, at a cost of$29.37 per cubic yard. The total cost associated with the removal ofbiosolids is $24,377.10.

Discussion - UMA LLC (Dairy Queen) -Acceptance of Public Improvements and Release of Improvement Completion Guarantee

Dolezal stated this guarantee is held as an Improvement Completion Bond, bond number 41K236687. In accordance with Subdivision and Development Regulations, the developer has requested the Village release the currently held Improvement Completion Bond and accept the public improvements consisting of: storm sewer, sanitary sewer, and parkway landscaping. Per Village Ordinance, acceptance of public improvements and release of the ICG must include provision of a two-year Maintenance Guarantee at 20% of the original ICG. Public Works staff has inspected all improvements and finds they are 100% complete and in good condition.

COMMUNICATIONS

PUBLIC COMMENT

Karen DelRaso, resident of Channahon, stated that she lives in Heritage Lakes and last year it was started to have the streets replaced in concrete. Is that going to continue or was it just a partial replacement.

VP Moorman Schumacher stated that we talked about and what the Board voted on was to do a test section and then see what happened afterwards.

Dolezal stated that we took the worst spots and redid that. We will keep doing Portland cement concrete when we need to. We don't have anything in the upcoming year's budget.

VP Moorman Schumacher stated that we have a street rating system and that the worst ones are addressed each year.

Mrs. DelRaso asked if anyone has been out there since the snowplows have been though. In front of her house there is grass growing in the middle of the street.

Dolezal stated that there are cracks in concrete and all of the curbs have it. Unless we go through and spray weed killer on it, which can have negative effects, that will happen.

Mrs. DelRaso asked if there was a percentage of the residents that wanted the concrete versus the blacktop.

VP Moorman Schumacher stated that there was a lot of talk. After the fact, she heard from a lot of people that said they would have been happy with asphalt but none of those people showed up. She knows that some of it was that they were fine with asphalt but they didn't want to say anything in front of their neighbors. If no one tells us until after the decisions, then how do we know?

Mrs. DelRaso asked if it would be possible to have asphalt talked about again.

VP Moorman Schumacher stated that she doesn't have a problem with that. It is going to look different. She thinks that you are more likely to get it done sooner, if it was asphalt because it is cheaper. We could have done the whole thing last year in asphalt snd that was the conversation last year.

Mrs. De!Raso stated that we have a lot of kids in the neighborhood and she would appreciate if the Board would revisit asphalt.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

The Committee of the Whole was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.

https://www.channahon.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07072025-683