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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-03-27 Minutes MINUTES 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 MARCH 27, 2017 CALL TO ORDER I – V. Village President Dan DiMaria called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. in the Council Chambers of Village Hall, and led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance. VI. Village Clerk Connie Travis called the roll. Present were: Trustees Bill Grear, Rita Minx, John Pietron, Ed Ramos, John Thill, and Janine Witko. VII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Regarding the March 13, 2017 Regular Board Meeting, Trustee Minx moved to approve the Minutes as presented, seconded by Trustee Grear. Motion passed unanimously via voice vote. VIII. SPECIAL REPORTS NONE IX. PUBLIC HEARINGS NONE X. RESIDENTS’ COMMENTS (Agenda Items Only) NONE XI. 1. PRESIDENT’S REPORT Mayor DiMaria announced that the Village is changing the vehicle sticker cycle. Current vehicle stickers will not expire at the end of April; rather, the cycle has been extended and they will now expire at the end of August. The new stickers will be sold starting June 1 and must be displayed by August 31, 2017. Minutes of March 27, 2017 Board Meeting 2 XI. 2. 3. a. b. 4. 5. 6. PRESIDENT’S REPORT (continued) Mayor DiMaria noted that March is “Severe Weather Preparedness Month” and advised residents to develop a safety plan for use in their home, workplace, school, and vehicle, as well as for outdoor activities. For more information, see the emergency preparedness guide on the Village’s website (www.mortongroveil.org) or visit www.ready.Illinois.gov. Mayor DiMaria welcomed two new businesses to the Village: Celtic Chicago, a full-service marketing agency, has relocated from Niles to 8120 Lehigh in Morton Grove. They currently have 30 employees and are hoping to double or triple that number. Penn Station, a new upscale quick-service restaurant focusing on fresh ingredients and display cooking, located at 7923 Golf Road. Mayor DiMaria said they have “fantastic” French fries! Mayor DiMaria reminded the assemblage that there would be a “Morton Grove Artists Spring Performance” at the Civic Center on Saturday, April 22, at 4:00 p.m. Seating is limited and will be on a first-come, first-served basis. The performances will highlight dance, poetry, and music. Mayor DiMaria noted that the Community Relations Commission’s Spring Photo Contest will be starting soon. Photographers must submit their entries by June 2, 2017. Mayor DiMaria also announced that the Morton Grove Days Commission would be holding a Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, May 13, 2017 from 8:00 a.m. to noon at the Civic Center in conjunction with the Mother’s Day Farmers’ Market. The breakfast will raise funds to offset the projected costs of “Santa Claus Coming to Town” in December of 2017. Mayor DiMaria encouraged everyone to attend. XII. CLERK’S REPORT Clerk Travis said the Spring Photo Contest gets under way on Monday, April 3, 2017, and reminded residents that they can submit up to five photos. XIII. A. STAFF REPORTS Village Administrator: Village Administrator Czerwinski had no further report. B. Corporation Counsel: Corporation Counsel Liston had no report. Minutes of March 27, 2017 Board Meeting 3 XIV. A. TRUSTEES’ REPORTS Trustee Grear: Trustee Grear had no report B. 1. a. b. c. Trustee Minx: Trustee Minx presented Ordinance 17-04, Approving a Minor Amendment to a Special Use Permit for a Drive-Through Facility for a New Restaurant at 9480 Waukegan Road, Morton Grove, Illinois. This is the second reading of this ordinance. Trustee Minx explained that the Board had approved a Special Use for a drive-through for a new Dunkin Donuts restaurant in August of 2015, and then in July of 2016, had granted the Applicant’s request for a one-year extension of time to commence and proceed with construction of the proposed project. The Applicant was finalizing the designs for construction, and proposed minor modifications which would improve site circulation. They are therefore now seeking approval of an amendment to the Special Use and updated site plan. Specifically, the Applicant is proposing to add a bypass lane for the drive-through and a dedicated left-turn egress lane out onto Waukegan Road. These improvements are consistent with suggestion made by the Plan Commission to the Applicant at the public hearing for their original Special Use application. To accommodate these changes, the Applicant reduced the number of parking spaces from 12 to 11. The modified building and site plan comply with all the bulk, density, and parking requirements. The Applicant is also proposing to improve the existing alleyway to accommodate bypass lane circulation and will also provide, as necessary, new and/or additional fencing along the alley to help minimize any potential noise impact from the menu board. Trustee Minx said the Village’s Unified Development Code allows for minor amendments of existing special use permits upon review by the Building Commission or his/her designee, the Plan Commission Chairperson, the Village Administrator, and Corporation Counsel. All of these required people have reviewed the plans and consulted with the Fire Department and Public Works, and determined this requested amendment is in substantial compliance with and does not change the intent of the original special use permit. Trustee Minx moved to adopt Ordinance 17-04, seconded by Trustee Witko. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Grear aye Tr. Minx aye Tr. Pietron aye Tr. Ramos aye Tr. Thill aye Tr. Witko aye C. Trustee Pietron: Trustee Pietron had no report. Minutes of March 27, 2017 Board Meeting 4 XIV. D. TRUSTEES’ REPORTS (continued) Trustee Ramos: Trustee Ramos had no report. E. Trustee Thill: Trustee Thill presented Resolution 17-19, Authorizing the Funding For the Extension of an Existing Contract For Maintenance of a Municipally Owned Wireless Fire Alarm Network. He explained that, in September of 2009, the Village entered into an intergovernmental agree- ment with area municipalities to investigate the feasibility and benefits of maintaining a municipally-owned fire alarm radio network, with the cost of the equipment needed to form the infrastructure to be shared by the participating departments. The Village of Niles was the “lead agency” and solicited bids for the equipment at that time. The group then recommended and accepted the lowest qualified bid, in the amount of $78,446. To expedite the installation and build-out of the network, the Village of Morton Grove then financed the purchase of the equip- ment from funds existing in the RED Center Alarm Fee reserve account. The other participating communities then purchased “shares” in the equipment and reimbursed Morton Grove. In April of 2011, the Village entered into a five-year contract agreement with Chicago Metropolitan Fire Prevention, Inc. (CMFP) to install and maintain the radio equipment. Since that time, the vendor has performed adequately and met all the performance criteria originally solicited in the agree- ment. Since the contract term has expired, the member communities now wish to invoke the option to extend the agreement. The extension will be for five years and will maintain the maintenance, replacement hardware, and service fees charged by the vendor. Trustee Thill moved to approve Resolution 17-19, seconded by Trustee Grear. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Grear aye Tr. Minx aye Tr. Pietron aye Tr. Ramos aye Tr. Thill aye Tr. Witko aye F. 1. a. Trustee Witko: Trustee Witko had presented Resolution 17-20, Authorizing the Approval and Execution of an Agreement For Municipal Finance Advisory Services Related to the Implementation and Financing of a New Water Supply Delivery System With the City of Evanston as Water Supplier (Village of Morton Grove, Village of Niles, and Speer Financial, Inc.). She explained that the Villages of Morton Grove and Niles had issued a Request for Proposals in December of 2016 to municipal finance advisory firms to solicit proposals for financial advisory services to create a plan of finance that would produce adequate financing options for all aspects of a water delivery system project, including land acquisition, short-term and long-term capital costs of the new water system, professional services, and construction of water transmission lines, pumping and storage, and other related water delivery and receiving infrastructure that will extend from Evanston’s point of delivery to existing water receiving points owned and operated by the Villages of Morton Grove and Niles. Minutes of March 27, 2017 Board Meeting 5 XIV. F. b. c. TRUSTEES’ REPORTS (continued) Trustee Witko: (continued) Trustee Witko said that the proposal submitted by Speer Financial was deemed to best meet the needs and expectations of the Villages. The proposal was further negotiated and the scope of services refined. Speer Financial’s fees will be based on the actual amount of work performed. The Village’s share will be one-half o f the total expenditures, which will be paid equally by Morton Grove and Niles. Speer’s fees in connection with any debt offerings shall be $25,000 plus a percentage between 1/10th of one percent to 1/20th of one percent of the securities issued, not to exceed $75,000 per sale. The cost relative to EPA loans shall be $5,000 plus travel reimbursements. Trustee Witko moved to approved Resolution 17-20, seconded by Trustee Minx. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Grear aye Tr. Minx aye Tr. Pietron aye Tr. Ramos aye Tr. Thill aye Tr. Witko aye Trustee Pietron commented that this is another step of this huge, historical project, which has already taken at least 1,000 hours of staff time—approximately half a year on the part of the Village Administrator, Corporation Counsel, Finance Director and staff, and Public Works. XV. OTHER BUSINESS NONE XVI. WARRANTS Trustee Witko presented the Warrant Register for March 27, 2017, in the amount of $758,108.44. She moved that the Warrants be approved as presented. Trustee Ramos seconded the motion. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Grear aye Tr. Minx aye Tr. Pietron aye Tr. Ramos aye Tr. Thill aye Tr. Witko aye XVII. 1. RESIDENTS’ COMMENTS Mary Elsner read an open letter from Open Communities about the need to move quickly to adopt a “Welcoming Community” ordinance. She is one of the letter’s signatories. Ms. Elsner said that passing an ordinance would facilitate justice, because crimes that may not be reported due to a person’s fear of contacting a police officer would actually be reported once a “Welcoming Community” ordinance is in place. She said that it is incumbent on Morton Grove, as a community, to do what we can so that immigrants can live their lives without worrying whether law enforcement officials will be called upon to deport them. Ms. Elsner said that such an ordinance is not only practical; it’s reflective of Morton Grove’s values. She asked the Board to follow the lead of communities such as Skokie, Evanston, Oak Park, and Chicago in taking action to pass this legislation without delay. Minutes of March 27, 2017 Board Meeting 6 XVII. 2. a. b. 3. a. 4. 5. RESIDENTS’ COMMENTS (continued) Jonathan Lahn distributed to the Board members a copy of a draft ordinance, which he said he had also emailed to everyone. Mr. Lahn is a member of AIS–Chicago, and said that anyone interested can find a copy of the draft ordinance at aischicago.org. He felt there was a mis- conception as to what this ordinance would or wouldn’t do. Basically, he said, it formalizes current Village policies and practices. This ordinance does not prohibit police officers stopping anyone suspected of committing a crime; it does prohibit officer stopping someone for immigration purposes. This ordinance does not make Morton Grove a sanctuary for anyone who breaks the law. It prohibits participating in registries, but it does not prohibit serving a legitimate criminal warrant on anyone. The ordinance prohibits the investigation of immigration status, detention of an immigrant, and turning anyone over to Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials. Mr. Lahn said that being here illegally is not a criminal offense, and the ordinance reiterates what is already largely the policy of the Village. It’s not a dramatic change, and he believed it to be fair and sensible. He encouraged the Village to review the draft ordinance and pass this or similar legislation. Bob Burkhart, a member of the Village’s Community Relations Commission, thanked the Mayor and the Board and said it was a privilege to be here. He said that, before he retired, he served as a Pastor, and for most of his life, where he lived and where he served was ordered by a Bishop. When he retired, he and his wife were faced with making a decision on where to live, for the first time in 43 years. Mr. Burkhart said they had lived in Skokie for 20 years and felt it was important to be located in a multicultural community. They researched Morton Grove, which was attractive to them because of the town’s diversity, green space, and proximity to the City. Mr. Burkhart said he’s been involved with the Community Relations Commission for the past six years, and felt that Morton Grove’s reputation would be further strengthened by declaring formally that it is a welcoming community. He said it’s a moral statement that says something about who we are. He added that, not only would it be powerful to have such a welcoming statement for businesses and residents, but it emphasizes the Village’s new tagline as well. Habeeb Quadri spoke as a resident and as the Principal of the MEC school. He said that in the 13 years he’s lived in Morton Grove, he has personally seen the Village Board and administration and the Police Department make great strides in building relationships with ethnic residents and religious minorities. He said that Morton Grove has been recognized twice as one of the top 10 places in which to live, and urged the Board to consider taking the next step to be a truly “welcoming community.” Laura Frisch, a 13-year resident, said that one of the reasons she and her family moved to Morton Grove was so that her children could learn about many different cultures and be familiar with them once they grow up and are out in the world. She said that, recently, a video was sent out by some Niles West teachers. The video’s message was “Diversity makes you better.” She noted that there are many families worried about their own safety, and many children worried that their parents won’t be coming home after work. She urged the Board to pass a “Welcoming Community” ordinance. She said that she was fine with the removal of federal money (per President Trump’s comments), commenting that it would be “worth it” to have families feel safe. Minutes of March 27, 2017 Board Meeting 7 XVII. 6. 7. 8. a. b. 9. RESIDENTS’ COMMENTS (continued) Sammy Schein, a Morton Grove resident who’s an 18-year old senior from Niles North High School, wanted to voice his support, and that of many of his peers, of the “Welcoming Community” ordinance. He said that, as he drives to school, he notices a plethora of “Skokie Welcomes Everyone” signs. At Niles North, the principal has made countless efforts to assure the student body that Niles North is a welcoming place where everyone can feel safe, regardless of documentation. Many of the students are Morton Grove residents, and unfortunately, they say they have not felt the same level of support from Morton Grove as they do from the Village of Skokie. Mr. Schein said that Morton Grove takes pride in its diversity, and it would benefit everyone to feel the reassurance that would come from passing such an ordinance. Nabba Khan, another Niles North student, agreed that the school is incredibly welcoming. She felt the ordinance was important because it says that, regardless of a person’s legal status, they are valued. Passage of this ordinance would allow diversity to continue, and would bring people together. Ms. Khan felt it is “our job” to provide an environment where everyone can feel that they belong. Sue Pellicano said she would like to provide a different perspective. She commented that, while some people might be comfortable if the Village loses federal funds for being a welcoming com- munity, there are plenty of seniors living in this town on limited incomes who would struggle if the loss of such funds meant higher taxes or increased fees. She said she moved here in 1954. She—and her children—are all graduates of Niles North. Ms. Pellicano said that she has six grandchildren, and wondered how she would teach them which laws are okay to follow and which are not. How can we say it’s okay to refuse to “hold someone” if the government asks us to? She felt that Niles North is teaching “defiance,” and she was concerned about that. She has worked in and with schools for a number of years, and noted that she had often heard students say that they couldn’t wait to get out of high school so they wouldn’t have to follow any rules any more. She would tell them, “Do you really think the world has no rules?” She would hear comments that “even our police departments pick and choose what rules to enforce,” such as underage smoking. Her feeling is “breaking a law is breaking a law.” Ms. Pellicano felt that a decision regarding passage of a “Welcoming Community” ordinance should be advertised, published, and brought before the public so that everyone could weigh in. She pointed out that it’s important to listen not only to vocal supporters of this type of legislation, but to others who may not think it’s the right thing for the Village to do. Chris Kenron said that she and her husband are both immigrants; their families are from two different continents. They had to be on waiting lists and had to jump through all kinds of hoops to come to America. They had to have sponsors to prove that they had relatives or friends who would support them if their parents couldn’t find work. Ms. Kenron said we can and do have plenty of diversity without welcoming more illegal immigrants. She said she is not okay with the Village potentially losing any federal funding due to protecting illegal immigrants, and she is not okay with Morton Grove becoming “a magnet” attractive even more illegal immigrants. Minutes of March 27, 2017 Board Meeting 8 XVII. 10. 11. a. b. 13. a. b. RESIDENTS’ COMMENTS (continued) Ted Smukler, a Skokie resident who works at Open Communities, wanted to comment about the possible loss of federal funding. He said he had walked with Mayor DiMaria at the Interfaith Walk last fall and knows that he is passionate about diversity. He said this ordinance does not ask the Village to break any federal laws, explaining that immigration enforcement is a function of Homeland Security, not local municipalities. He felt that the “loss of federal funding” was just a threat to keep municipal officials from doing the “right and moral” thing, and pointed out that federal funds for an infrastructure project have no relationship at all with immigration. Immigration enforcement is not a state or municipal function. Masud Khan, a Morton Grove resident, said that clearly, we are not going to resolve this national political debate on immigration policy today, especially as regards to who is considered “illegal” and who is not. Deportation and deportation discussion is happening at the federal level, and Morton Grove passing a “Welcoming Community” ordinance is not going to make a bit of difference to that debate. Mr. Khan said he’s heard television commentators say that this (passing a Welcoming Community ordinance) is not going to help resolve immigration matters, but he personally felt that passing this type of ordinance would go a long way to resolving them, because it reframes the discussion and speaks to the atmosphere and environment of a community. Mr. Khan said everyone, even people opposed to passing this type of legislation, wants what’s best for their town. He said, “When we look at other municipalities that have passed “welcoming communities” legislation and then look at those who have not, do we want to say that we’re “Incredibly Close. Amazingly Open.” without adopting such an ordinance?” Mayor DiMaria thanked everyone for attending and said it was great to hear what everyone had to say. He said that, what people said tonight is not falling on deaf ears, but noted that there is clearly more than one side to this matter. Mayor DiMaria said that, whether written or unwritten, nobody should be af raid in Morton Grove. He said, “We hear you. I hear you.” There are 23,000 residents and this is a polarizing, divisive issue. When it involves people whose status could be jeopardized, the Village has to get it right, and the only way to do that is to take the time necessary to get it right. Mayor DiMaria said he was proud of Morton Grove, especially of its diversity, and felt it would be prudent to hold a town hall meeting. He encouraged those who spoke this evening to attend the town hall meeting and speak there. He said, “There are two sides,” and said the Board’s goal is to pass legislation that the community wants. He asked Mr. Czerwinski to check into the availability of the Civic Center to accommodate a large town hall meeting within enough time to allow for appropriate notice and promotion of the meeting. Mr. Czerwinski felt that April 17th might be the earliest date a town hall could be held, and said he would check the Civic Center’s availability for that date or slightly later. He said the Village would prepare a postcard similar to the one that gets sent out for each “Community Outreach” event, and would also promote the town hall meeting on the Village’s website, on its Facebook page, and in its e-newsletter. Minutes of March 27, 2017 Board Meeting 9 XVIII . ADJOURNMENT Trustee Minx moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Trustee Ramos. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Grear aye Tr. Minx aye Tr. Pietron aye Tr. Ramos aye Tr. Thill aye Tr. Witko aye The meeting adjourned at 7:51 p.m. PASSED this 10th day of April, 2017. Trustee Grear __________ Trustee Minx __________ Trustee Pietron __________ Trustee Ramos __________ Trustee Thill __________ Trustee Witko __________ APPROVED by me this 10th day of April, 2017. Daniel P. DiMaria, Village President Board of Trustees, Morton Grove, Illinois APPROVED and FILED in my office this 11th day of April, 2017. ______________________________________ Connie J. Travis, Village Clerk Village of Morton Grove, Cook County, Illinois Minutes by: Teresa Cousar