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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-05-11 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 MAY 11, 2015 CALL TO ORDER I & Village President Dan DiMaria called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council II. Chambers and led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance. III. Village Clerk Ed Ramos called the roll. Present were: Trustees Bill Grear, Shel Marcus, John Pietron, John Thill, Maria Toth, and Janine Witko. V. EXECUTIVE SESSION NONE APPROVAL OF MINUTES Regarding the Minutes of the April 27, 2015 Regular Board Meeting Trustee Toth moved, seconded by Trustee Witko, to accept the Minutes as presented. Motion passed unanimously via voice vote. VI. SPECIAL REPORTS NONE VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS NONE VIII. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS (Agenda Items Only) NONE Minutes of Ma IX. PRESIDENT'S REPORT 1. Mayor DiMaria proclaimed May 11, 2015 as "Rev. Lolly Dominski Day" in Morton Grove, recognizing the pastor for being named the National 2015 Parish Pastor of the Year by the Academy of Parish Clergy for best exemplifying pastoral ministry, leadership, personal qualities, and ministry to her congregation. Rev. Dominski came to the Morton Grove Community Church in 2009 after serving at Presbyterian Churches in Arlington Heights, Wilmette, and Glenview. a. After reading the proclamation, Mayor DiMaria presented Rev. Dominski with a "Key to The City" of Morton Grove and thanked her for her service. Rev. Dominski said that it has been a great joy to serve in Morton Grove for the last six years. It's a wonderful community. She said the key and the proclamation would be prominently displayed in the Community Church. 2. Mayor DiMaria then presented Resolution 15-36, Urging All Stakeholdeis to Constructively Work Together to Solve Illinois' Fiscal Crisis. a. c. d. e. f. This resolution urges all stakeholders to work together to solve the State's financial crisis, and asserts the Village's position that any law or policy that hurts the middle class should be rejected as not only wrong in spirit, but wrong for local governments, businesses and tax- payers. This resolution also urges all groups that have a role in fixing Illinois' severe fiscal problems, including state and local elected officials, as well as representativesfrom the unions and business community, to work constructively together and treat each other with mutual respect. Trustee Pietron moved to approve Resolution 15-36, seconded by Trustee Toth. Mayor DiMaria asked if there was any discussion. Trustee Pietron said the beauty of this resolution is the words "middle class." He noted that history has shown that when the middle dass is strong, society and the economy do well. He added, "This is our time to work together," and asked Mayor DiMaria to read the resolution in its entirety for the assemblage. After the mayor read the resolution, Trustee Grear said that, in his mind, this helps clarify the Village's recently -passed Resolution 15-35. Trustee Grear said he voted for Resolution 15-35 because it supported three key issues: it protected the Legislative Distributive Fund; it called for no more unfunded mandates from the State; and it promoted keeping local issues "local". Mayor DiMaria asked the assemblage if anyone wanted to comment on this resolution. George Vale, a 9 -year resident, said that he had been disappointed by the Board's vote to support Resolution 15-35, but he's very pleased about this resolution. He said he was proud of the Village for making it clear that any law hurling the middle class is not a good law, and thanked the Board. Mayor DiMaria called for the vote on Resolution 15-36. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Grear 2y2 Tr. Marcus ave Tr. Pietron Tr. Thill aye Tr. Toth gig Tr. Witko aye 2 Minutes of Ma 0 •• u••'�� X. CLERK'S REPORT Clerk Ramos presented Resolution 15-37, Accepting the Canvass Results and Proclamation For the April 7, 2015 Consolidated Election. He explained that this resolution accepts and confirms the results of the April 7, 2015 Consolidated Election. The Board of Election Commissioners has certified the following results: For Village Trustee for three four-year terms: Rita E. Minx: 1,543 Janine Witko 1,572 John C. Thill 1,616 Mark R. Albers 1,216 For Village Trustee for one two-year term: Edilberto "Ed" Ramos 1,855 For Library Trustee for one six-year term: Stephanie S. Gray 1,790 Total ballots cast were 2,442. Trustee Pietron moved to approve Resolution 15-37, seconded by Trustee Grear. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Grear awe Tr. Marcus ave Tr. Pietron Tr. Thill aye Tr. Toth aye Tr. Witko ave XL STAFF REPORTS A. Village Administrator: Village Administrator Ryan Horne reminded the Board and assemblage that the regularly scheduled Village Board Meeting of May 25, 2015, was cancelled due to the Memorial Day holiday. B. Corporation Counsel: Corporation Counsel Liston had no report. XII. TRUSTEES' REPORTS A. Trustee Grear: Trustee Grear had no formal report, but wanted to recognize and applaud several members of the Morton Grove Police Department who had participated in the 2015 "Run to Remember," in memory of fallen officers of the Chicago Police Department. The MGPD participants were Bob Toussaint, Mike Weitzel, Dennis Johnson, and Tom Barkei. Additionally, Bob Toussant fought in a Police Department -sponsored charity boxing event, "Badges versus Bad Guys." 3 Minutes of May 11, 2015 Board Meetin• XII. B. Trustee Marcus: Trustee Marcus had no report. TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) C. Trustee Pietron: Trustee Pietron had no report, but thanked Trustees Marcus and Toth, saying that he learned a lot from both, and adding "You will be missed." D. Trustee Thill: 1. Trustee Thill presented Resolution 15-38, Authorizing the Purchase of One (1) 2016 Ford 4X4 F-250 XL Through the Suburban Purchasing Cooperative Procurement Program. He explained that the purchase of this vehicle will replace a 1998 Chevrolet 4X4 with plow K2500 pick-up. Money for this purchase is coming from the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2015 in the amount of $32,999. Trustee Thill moved to approve Resolution 15-38, seconded by Trustee Pietron. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Grear aye Tr. Marcus aye Tr. Pietron aye Tr. Thill me Tr. Toth aye Tr. Witko aye 2. Next, Trustee Thill presented Resolution 15-39, Authorizing the Purchase of One (1) Ford 4X4 F-350 XL Through the Suburban Purchasing Cooperative Procurement Program. He explained that the purchase of this vehicle will replace a 2003 Ford 350 4X4 XL with plow and utility body. Money for this purchase is coming from the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2015 in the amount of $50,702. Trustee Thill moved to approve Resolution 15-39, seconded by Trustee Marcus. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Grear Tr. Marcus awe Tr. Pietron ay►e Tr. Thill Tr. Toth Rye Tr. Witko aye E. Trustee Toth: Trustee Toth had no report. 4 Minutes of. May 11, 2015 Board Meetin XII. TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) F. Trustee Witko: XIII. Trustee Witko announced that the Morton Grove Garden Club would be holding their annual Spring Luncheon at the Chateau Ritz on Thursday, May 21 at 11:00 a.m. Tickets are $30 each and can be purchased by calling (847) 967-1184 or (847) 966-0822. WARRANTS Trustee Toth presented the Warrant Register for this evening in the amount of $265,998.81. She moved to approve the Warrants as presented, seconded by Trustee Witko. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Grear gy2 Tr. Marcus aye Tr. Pietron aye Tr. Thill aye Tr. Toth awe Tr. Witko XIV. OTHER BUSINESS Swearing -In of New Trustees a. Mayor DiMaria introduced Judge Anjana Hansen from the 9th SubCircuit and a former 9`h Ward Alderman in the City of Evanston to swear in the newly -elected and reelected Board members. b. Judge Hansen swore in Rita Minx, Ed Ramos, John Thill, and Janine Witko as the assemblage applauded and congratulated them. c. Mayor DiMaria noted, "It's always sad when people leave, bit exciting when new people come on." d. Trustee Grear commented that, "We haven't agreed all the time, but we have most of the time." He said that Trustee Toth always gives 150% to her endeavors and told Trustee Marcus it had been an honor to work with him and Trustee Toth. e. Trustee Pietron said he would miss sitting next to Trustee Marcus, who was always helpful, and from whom he learned a lot. He thanked Trustees Toth and Marcus for their service. f. Trustee Thill said it was a privilege to have served on the Board with both Trustees Toth and Marcus and he has enjoyed their discussions and advice on the issues facing the Village. He added that both retiring Trustees are so good at what they do, and said he hoped they would continue to share their experience and insights with the Village. g. Trustee Witko said she had learned how hard it is to "put yourself out there" and thanked Trustee Toth for doing so, and for her years of hard work for the Village. h. Clerk Ramos said that it had been a pleasure working with Trustees Toth and Marcus. He said they helped him a lot, and have been kind and supportive. He wished both well. 5 Minutes of May 11, 2015 Board Meeting XIV. OTHER BUSINESS (continued) i. Mayor DiMaria told Trustee Marcus that he thinks of him as the "patriarch" of the Village Board, noting that Trustee Marcus brings great wisdom to the other Board members. He wished Trustee Marcus all the best, adding that he will now probably be able to give more time to the B'Nai B'rith organization, and that organization will be the better for it. J• Mayor DiMaria told Trustee Toth that she puts in more effort than anyone. He thanked her for her service, saying that she made the Village Board better. k. The mayor then presented a plaque to Trustee Marcus acknowledging his service as a Trustee from 2007 to 2015. I. Trustee Marcus said it has been an honor serving as a Trustee, noting that he has served the Village for over 40 years in various capacities. He thanked the residents and said that Morton Grove is a great community, a place where he has raised his family and lived for over 40 years. He acknowledged and thanked Marilyn and Don Sneider for urging him to get involved and for being role models...Marilyn as Village Clerk and Don as the longest - serving Village Trustee in Morton Grove. m. Trustee Marcus thanked the Village staff—the Police Department, Fire Department, Public Works, and administrative staff. He said they all do an outstanding job and make the Village Board look good. n. Trustee Marcus thanked his colleagues, noting, as Trustee Grear had done, that "we didn't always agree, but we did what the people elected us to do." He said the disagreements were never personal, that he has always felt that "elections come and go, but friendships last." o. Trustee Marcus wished the new Board members well, saying they have some serious decisions ahead of them. p. q. Lastly, Trustee Marcus thanked three people not in attendance: his parents, for the upbringing they gave him; and his wife Carol, who has been gone for 15 years, but is with him every day and who allowed him to devote time to the Village and other civic commitments. Mayor DiMaria presented Trustee Toth with a plaque commemorating her service to the Village Board from 2009 to 2015, and thanking her for the time she's given to the Village. r. Trustee Toth thanked the mayor for the plaque. She thanked the community for allowing her to represent their interests. Trustee Toth thanked the Village staff, department heads, and administrative personnel for all their hard work and dedication, and said she would miss them. She thanked her colleagues, saying that she has learned something from each of them. Trustee Toth then wished all the best to the new Board members. s. Trustee Minx thanked her husband for encouraging her on this journey, noting that Paul had been there for her "through thick and thin." She thanked her children and grandchildren for their support, commenting that "perseverance pays off." She thanked the Action Party campaign co-chairs and volunteers for all of their positive optimism and hard work, and offered her heartfelt thanks to her fellow candidates Trustee Minx thanked the residents for reelecting her and said that she loves Morton Grove, and wants to make a difference for everyone. She vowed to give 110% effort as a Village Trustee. 6 0:4r-ror.c"r3 i • Minutes of May 11, 2015 Board Meetin. XIV. OTHER BUSINESS (continued) t. Trustee Witko thanked her family, especially her father and her husband, who "picked up the slack" with her children. She thanked her friends, the campaign co-chairs (Connie Travis, Keith White, and Mazhar Khan) and the campaign family. Trustee Witko thanked the residents for voting and said she "heard them" as she went door-to-door in this election. She encouraged residents to give the Board feedback, saying that it was "vital" for the Board. Trustee Witko said the Board recognizes that community outreach is vital and will continue their outreach efforts. She thanked her fellow trustees and the mayor for being encouraging and motivating, and said that she is excited for Morton Grove's future. u. Trustee Thill thanked his wife, who kept him "grounded," and thanked everyone who helped him get reelected. He said that, when he was first on the Board, he was thinner and had more hair, but he's looking forward to the next four years. Trustee Thill noted that there are more challenging issues for the Board now, issues that will affect the future of Morton Grove's residents for years to come. He noted that "we won't always agree" but said "we promise to listen to residents' questions, comments, and critiques." He thanked the community for putting their faith in this new Board. v. Trustee Ramos thanked his fellow residents, and the Action Party Board members for slating him. He thanked his wife, Becky, and his friends and neighbors. He said that, as an immigrant to this country, it is a tremendous honor to have been elected. Trustee Ramos assured every- one that he will always do his best and will do what's in the best interests of Morton Grove. w. Mayor DiMaria acknowledcd that former Mayor Rick Krier and former Trustee Georgianne Brunner were in the assemblage this evening, along with former Clerk Marilyn Sneider and former Trustee Don Sneider. XV. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS XVI. NONE ADJOURNMENT Trustee Minx moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Trustee Ramos. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Grear Tr. Minx aye Tr. Pietron Tr. Ramos au Tr. Thill Ry2 Tr. Witko awe The meeting adjourned at 7:49 p.m. 7 Minutes of May 11, 2015 Board Meeting PASSED this 8th day of June, 2015 Trustee Grear Trustee Minx Trustee Pietron Trustee Ramos Trustee Thill Trustee Witko APPROVED by me this 8th day of June, 2015 Daniel P. DiMaria, Village President Board of Trustees, Morton Grove, Illinois APPROVED and FILED in my office this 9th day of June, 2015. 442/J' Susan Lattanzi, Depfkity Village Clerk% Village of Morton Grove, Cook County, Illinois Minutes by: Teresa Ccusar 8