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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-06-23 MinutesMINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE PRESIDENT AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF MORTON GROVE COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, HELD AT THE RICHARD T. FLICKINGER MUNICIPAL CENTER JUNE 23, 2014 CALL TO ORDER I. Village President Dan DiMaria called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Trustees' Conference Room and led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance. II. Village Clerk Ed Ramos called the roll. Present were: Trustees Bill Grear, John Pietron, John Thill, Maria Toth, and Janine Witko. Trustee Shel Marcus was absent with notice. III. EXECUTIVE SESSION IV- VI. Trustee Toth moved to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss personnel matters and collec- tive bargaining issues. Trustee Thill seconded the motion. Motion passed: 5 ayes 0 nays, 1 absent. Tr. Grear aye Tr. Marcus absent Tr. Pietron aye Tr. Thill aye Tr. Toth aye Tr. Witko aye Trustee Toth then moved to adjourn the Executive Session and reconvene the meeting at 7:00 p.m. Trustee Pietron seconded the motion, which passed unanimously (with one absent) via voice vote. The Executive Session adjourned at 6:37. RECONVENE MEETING Village President Dan DiMaria reconvened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. and led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance, after which Clerk Ramos called the roll. Present were: Trustees Bill Grear, John Pietron, John Thill, Maria Toth, and Janine Witko. Trustee Shel Marcus was absent with notice. VII_ APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Regarding the Minutes of the Special Meeting of June 3, 2014, Trustee Toth moved to accept the Minutes as presented. Trustee Witko seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously (with one absent) via voice vote. VII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (continued) 2. Regarding the Minutes of the April 14, 2014 Regular Board Meeting, Trustee Toth moved, seconded by Trustee Witko, to accept the Minutes as presented. Motion passed unanimously (with one absent) via voice vote. VIII. SPECIAL REPORTS NIMEC Presentation Regarding the Electrical Aggregation Program a. Village Administrator Ryan Horne said that the Village's Electrical Aggregation Program has saved the homeowners, on average, approximately $264 a year since its inception. He then introduced Sharon Durling of the Northern Illinois Municipal Electrical Collaborative (NIMEC). Ms. Durling said that electricity rates have gone up, primarily due to this past winter's polar vortex, but also because regulators increased the capacity charge. This is required to keep electricity in our future. c. The Village's current electricity provider is First Energy. They are charging $0.0784 per kilowatt hour. The first year the Village participated in the Electrical Aggregation Program, electricity rates were $0.0442 per kilowatt hour, and the second year, they were $0.05226 per kilowatt hour. d. Ms. Durling said that Commonwealth Edison's rate fluctuates, so a conservative estimate of its current rate is $0.0791 per kilowatt hour. This will be re -priced in October, possibly to $0.0781 per kilowatt hour. The Village's contract with First Energy contains language prohibiting charges for opting out of the program, so residents can move out of the program at any time. Ms. Durling pointed out that some residents may want to stay with First Energy simply to avoid CE's rate fluctuations—they would have rate stability with First Energy for 36 months, and possibly would enjoy some savings as well. e. Ms. Durling said that deregulation of electricity providers in Illinois $0.09 has benefitted the consumer, noting that four summers ago, residents were paying $0.09 per kilowatt hour. In fact, she said, Illinois' rates are among the lowest in the nation, and are lower than some of our neighboring states. Trustee Thill asked what caused rates to fluctuate. Durling said that natural gas prices are a component, adding that reserves are low because of the lengthy and record-setting winter. Trustee Thill commented about people opting to leave the Electrical Aggregation Program and go back to ComEd; he wondered if that was tantamount to putting NIMEC out of business. Ms. Durling said that, to a degree, that was correct, but NIMEC works with 140 communities, and different communities get different rates, so NIMEC assists with getting the best possible rates. Trustee Thill asked what would happen if several communities worked together as a consortium to reduce the electricity rate. Ms. Durling said that some communities have tried that, but the rate differential was negligible. g. Ms. Durling said that there's a website called'ruWW.plucon§gins. &!"0 that residents could use to research electricity rates. Mayor DiMaria asked Mr. Horne to make sure that a link to that website was posted on the Village's website. b. 2 IX. PUBLIC HEARINGS NONE X. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS (Agenda Items Only) NONE XI. PRESIDENT'S REPORT 1 Mayor DiMaria presented Ordinance 14-12, Amending Title 4 of the Municipal Code Entitled "Liquor Control," Chapter 6D, Section 14 Entitled "Regulations For Licensees Operating Video Gaming Terminals on the Licensed Premises.". This is the second reading of this ordinance. a Mayor DiMaria explained that, in order to regulate the number of video gaming establishments in the Village, staff has proposed that only holders of Class "A" and "C" liquor licenses, and holders of Class "5" licenses who have made a proper application to the Illinois Gaming Board for the operation of video gaming terminals before August 1, 2014, be permitted to have video gaming machines. Currently, nine establishments in the Village have video gaming. b. Mayor DiMaria commented that video gaming has been good for the Village, but there's a con- cern about "oversaturation" of video gaming, so it's time to step back a little. He asked for a motion to adopt Ordinance 14-12. Trustee Thill so moved, seconded by Trustee Toth. Motion passed: 5 ayes 0 nays, 1 absent. Tr. Grear aye Tr. Marcus absent Tr. Pietron aye Tr. Thill aye Tr. Toth aye Tr. Witko aye 2. Proclamation Mayor DiMaria read a proclamation declaring Sunday, July 13, 2014 as "Birch Street Block Party Day" in Morton Grove. He said that the residents of the 9000 and 9100 blocks of Birch Avenue have been holding annual block parties since 1954, noting that the Village wanted to recognize the hard work and dedication of these neighbors as they celebrate 60 years of coming together and being a part of the Village. 3. Mayoral Update a. Mayor DiMaria offered kudos to Community and Economic Development Director Nancy Razdevich and the Economic Development Commission for the progress of economic development in Morton Grove. Hesaidthat Certificatesof_Completion havebeenissued for nine new businesses in town, including the new Xfinity retail store in the Washington Commons, only the second such store in the country. He thanked his colleagues for attending the recent ribbon -cutting. 3 xl. PRESIDENT'S REPORT (continued) 1 b. Mayor DiMaria announced that Sko-Die, an existing business, is expanding by putting on a 4,000 -square foot addition. He added that Lenore Plaza, at Dempster and Harlem, is now under new ownership by some businessmen from St. Louis, and has been renamed Dempster Crossing. The facades of the stores there are being renovated. c. Mayor DiMaria welcomed new businesses to the east side of Dempster: Schuleman's Butcher Shop at 5705 Dempster; All -Inn Tavern at 5707 Dempster; the Carpet Store (a kitchen cabinet and supply store) at 5708 Dempster; and Steel Fitness (one-on-one personal training) at 5814 Dempster. All of these new businesses are helping make Dempster Street look better. d. Mayor DiMaria commented that the Village, in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce, is proud to announce a new "Street Banner" program, where Morton Grove businesses are highlighted prominently in the center of the banner. These banners can be purchased through the Chamber. He complimented Ms. Razdevich, Boyle Wong, and Chamber Executive Director Debbie Juris on the banner program. e. Mayor DiMaria welcomed former Trustees Don Sneider, Rita Minx, and Georgianne Brunner, in attendance this evening. He also offered the Board's condolences to former Village Clerk Wilma Wendt on the passing of her husband, George. XII. CLERK'S REPORT Clerk Ramos had no report. XIII. STAFF REPORTS A. Village Administrator: Village Administrator Ryan Horne had no report. B. Corporation Counsel: Corporation Counsel Liston had no report. XIV. TRUSTEES' REPORTS A. Trustee Grear: Trustee Grear presented Resolution 14-34, Authorizing the Collective Bargaining Agreement Reached Between the Village of Morton Grove and the Fraternal Order of (Police, Lodge »135, for January 1, 2014 Through December 31, 2016. Trustee Grear moved, seconded by Trustee Toth, to approve Resolution 14-34 Motion passed: 5 ayes 0 nays, 1 absent. Tr. Grear aye Tr. Marcus absent Tr. Pietron aye Tr. Thill aye Tr. Toth aye Tr. Witko aye 4 XIV. TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) A. Trustee Grear: (continued) Next, Trustee Grear presented Resolution 14-32, Authorizing the Purchase of a New 2015 Heavy Duty 4 -Function Fire Engine. He explained that this purchase is necessary to replace a 1978 Pierce fire engine. The entire cost of this will be paid up front in order to qualify for applicable discounts. The final price reflects the inclusion of a third -party performance bond. The actual specifications for this apparatus came to 179 pages and are on file at Fire Station 144. The cost is $585,203, which will be paid out of the General Obligation Bonds Series 2014. Trustee Grear moved to approve Resolution 14-32, seconded by Trustee Pietron. Motion passed: 5 ayes 0 nays, 1 absent. Tr. Grear aye Tr. Marcus absent Tr. Pietron aye Tr. Thill aye Tr. Toth aye Tr. Witko aye B. Trustee Marcus: Mayor DiMaria noted that Trustee Marcus is at the United Nations for B'Nai B'rith. C. Trustee Pietron: Trustee Pietron had no report. D. Trustee Thill: 1. Trustee Thill presented Resolution 14-35, Authorizing the Execution of a Contract Renew- al With Precision Pavement Markings, Inc. For the 2014 Pavement Marking Program. He explained that four communities, including Morton Grove, have formed a Cooperative a. Procurement Program, administered at no cost to Morton Grove by the City of Highland Park, to provide pavement marking services for a four-year term (one-year and renewal for no more than three consecutive one-year terms). The estimated contract value is $30,000, but since this is a unit price contract, the final contract amount will be based on the actual quantity of work performed. b. Trustee Thill moved, seconded by Trustee Toth, to adopt Resolution 14-35. Motion passed: 5 ayes 0 nays, 1 absent. Tr. Grear aye - Tr. Marcus absent -- Tr. Pietron aye -- Tr. Thill aye Tr. Toth aye Tr. Witko aye 41 5 XIV. TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) E. Trustee Toth: Trustee Toth had no report. F. Trustee Witko: 1. Trustee Witko presented Ordinance 14-14, Granting an Amendment to the Special Use Permit For the Property Located at8820 National Avenue, Morton Grove, Illinois, For the Installation of Three New Antennas and Associated Equiprrent on an Existing Transmission Tower. This is the second reading of this Ordinance Trustee Witko explained that Sprint is requesting an amendment to the Special Use Permit o. to install three additional antennas and associated equipment at 8820 National Avenue. These changes are proposed to increase the quality of service for cellular customers and to accommodate newer cellular technologies. Trustee Witko moved, seconded by Trustee Toth, to adopt Ordinance 14-14. Motion passed: 5 ayes 0 nays, 1 absent. Tr. Grear aye Tr. Marcus absent Tr. Pietron aye Tr. Thill aye Tr. Toth ave Tr. Witko aye 2 Next, Trustee Witko presented Ordinance 14-15, Granting an Amendmentto the Special Use Permit For the Property Located at 6040 Oakton Street, Morton Grove, Illinois, For the Installation of Three New Antennas and Associated Equipment on an Existing Transmission Tower. This is the second reading of this Ordinance. Trustee Witko explained that Sprint is requesting an amendment to the Spedal Use Permit to install three additional antennas and associated equipment at 6040 Oakton Street. These changes are proposed to increase the quality of service for cellular customers and to accommodate newer cellular technologies. Trustee Witko moved to adopt Ordinance 14-15, seconded by Trustee Pietron. Motion passed: 5 ayes 0 nays, 1 absent. Tr. Grear aye Tr. Marcus absent Tr. Pietron aye Tr. Thill aye Tr. Toth ave Tr. Witko aye 6 XV. OTHER BUSINESS XVI. Trustee Grear thanked Police Chief Michael Simo for being an integral part of the negotiations for the new police contract. Mayor DiMaria asked residents to stop and stay in Morton Grove to show their support of the new businesses in town. He said if residents want businesses to thrive, they must support them. He added, "It's not hard to shop in Morton Grove." WARRANTS Trustee Toth presented this evening's Warrant Register in the amount of $917,444.09. She moved to approve the Warrants as presented, seconded by Trustee Witko, Motion passed: 5 ayes 0 nays, 1 absent. Tr. Grear aye Tr. Marcus absent Tr. Pietron aye Tr. Thill aye Tr. Toth aye Tr. Witko aye XVII. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS a. Georgianne Brunner, former Village Trustee and President of the Morton Grove Days Commission, once again promoted the upcoming Morton Grove Days festivities. She said the carnival opens at 4:00 p.m. on July 3, with opening ceremonies at 7:00 p.m. Bella Cain opens the entertainment at 8:30 p.m. b. Mrs. Brunner said the Parade kicks off at 2:30 p.m., and this year's Grand Marshal is the Village's Public Works Department. The beer garden opens at 5:OOpm, and entertainment begins at 5:30 with Band X, followed by Rod Tuffcurls and the Benchpress at 7:30 p.m. The fireworks display, sponsored by the Morton Grove Park District, begins at 9:45 p.m. On Saturday, the entertainment begins early with the Niles Township Symphony, and later in the evening, High Infidelity. There will also be a Business Expo and Touch -a -Truck. Megabands are on sale at Village Hall for $55 for unlimited rides all three days. Once the event begins, they will only be sold at the carnival and will cost $65. d. Mrs, Brunner said all of this is paid for by sponsorships and private donations—not by tax dollars. She encouraged people to visit the Morton Grove Days website at wyvvy rnortorgrgyecigy ova, or its Facebook page, or its new Twitter account (#morton- grovedays) for up-to-the-minute information. Mrs. Brunner thanked the Village, the Police Department, Fire Department, and Public Works Department, and the Park District, for all their assistance in making this festival happen. Trustee Grear, who is the liaison to the Morton Grove Days Commission, also encouraged_ everyone to come out and enjoy this great tradition. He added that an event of this nature doesn't just happen overnight...there are countless meetings involved in getting everything organized. This is all done by a group of volunteers, led by Mrs. Brunner, who love XVII. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS (continued) XVIII Morton Grove. He said he was honored to be the liaison to this group, and urged everyone to come out and enjoy the entertainment and the excellent food provided by Village Inn, Fit to Be Fried, and Culvers. ADJOURNMENT Trustee Toth moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Trustee Thill. Motion passed: 5 ayes 0 nays, 1 absent. Tr. Grear aye Tr. Marcus absent Tr. Pietron aye Tr. Thill aye Tr. Toth aye Tr. Witko aye The meeting adjourned at 7:31 p.m. PASSED this 14th day of July, 2014. Trustee Grear Trustee Marcus Trustee Pietron Trustee Thill Trustee Toth Trustee Witko ED by me this 14th day of July, 2014. Daniel P. DiMaria, Village President Board of Trustees, Morton Grove, Illinois APPROV -D1an. FILED in my office this 15th day of July, 2014. r".► ,MCS Edilberto Ramos, Village Clerk Village of Morton Grove, Cook County, Illinois 41 Minutes by: Teresa Ccusar 8