Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-10-09 Board 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 CIVIC CENTER OCTOBER 9, 2006 CALL TO ORDER I. Village President Rick Krier called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance. II. Village Clerk Carol Fritzshall called the roll. Present were: Trustees Georgianne Brunner, Dan DiMaria, Roy Kogstad, Rita Minx, Dale Senensky, and Dan Staackmann. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Regarding the Minutes of the September 25, 2006 Regular Meeting, Trustee Minx moved to approve the Minutes as submitted, dispensing with the reading thereof. The motion was seconded by Trustee Senensky. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Brunner aye Tr. DiMaria aye Tr. Kogstad aye Tr. Minx aye Tr. Senensky py± Tr. Staackmann aye IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS V. NONE SPECIAL REPORTS Presentation of Employee Anniversary Awards Village Administrator Joe Wade and Mayor Rick Krier acknowledged the anniversaries of: Stephen Smith, 10 years with the Police Department; Carolina Santiago, 15 years with the Police Department; Thomas Belmont, 20 years with the Public Works Department; Marlene Kramaric, 20 years in Administration; Daniel Sowa, 20 years with the Fire Department; and Lois La Mothe, 30 years with the Police Department. Minutes of October 9, 2006 Board Meeting VI. 1. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS (Agenda Items Only) Patrick Kansoer. Mr. Kansoer questioned the exemptions allowed in the proposed smok- ing ban ordinance (Ordinance 06-36). He suggested the ordinance be amended to ban all smoking on Village -owned property, including the removal of the ashtrays outside the buildings, and further requiring that, within six months of passage, all Village employees be non-smokers. He also felt that Board members who smoke should recuse themselves from voting on this ordinance. 2. Bill Luksha. Mr. Luksha also spoke regarding Ordinance 06-36, stating that passage of the ordinance may help, but may hurt, local businesses. He said he had researched a number of ordinances restricting smoking from area municipalities, and suggested the Village look at Skokie's, as it is much more elaborate. 3. 4. Jim Renke. Mr. Renke is the owner of Trackside Tap. He said he believes that Ordinance 06-36 will hurt business in Morton Grove, adding that 40% of his clientele smoke and that he's never heard of a "non-smoking bar" opening up. Mr. Renke felt that residents should have a choice in the matter. He pointed out that Skokie allows many exceptions and that Niles, in the ordinance they are contemplating, will allow smoking in bars, taverns, and restaurants. Mike Cummings. Mr. Cummings is co-owner of The Bringer inn. He said he was very concerned about a blanket "non-smoking" ordinance. He felt his smoking customers would take their business to Skokie, should this ordinance be approved. He felt that Morton Grove should put together a committee of business owners, like Niles is doing, to come up with an acceptable ordinance. He urged the Board to think through this. 5. Sherwin Dubren. Mr. Dubren was concerned about traffic being allowed to turn left into the Trafalgar Square development (Ordinance 06-35). He thinks it will result in serious traffic issues. Mr. Dubren also felt the Village should improve communications regarding when sirens go off, for example, there should be a specific telephone number residents could call. Mayor Krier assured him the whole plan is being updated. 6. Chris Arns. Mr. Arns said he would be interested in seeing the data supporting the Environmental Health Board's recommendations for the smoking ban. He felt this issue is a matter of addiction consequences, and who should bear those consequences. He said he would like members of the Environmental Health Board to be present at a meeting and express their positions personally, and then provide residents with an Executive Summary about their findings. 7. Eric Poders. Mr. Poders said, regarding Ordinance 06-36, that it should be a vote of the people, a referendum, or a public hearing of some sort. Mayor Krier said that, by putting this ordinance on tonight's Agenda, he was hoping to spur further discussion. 2 Minutes of October 9, 2006 Board Meeting VII. PRESIDENT'S REPORT Mayor Krier asked for the Board's concurrence of his appointment of Ken Hogan to the Traffic Safety Commission. Mr. Hogan is retired, but was formerly Superintendent of Streets in the Public Works Department. He has a wealth of knowledge and history of the Village. He is also Mayor Krier's uncle, and to avoid any appearance of impropriety, he has volunteered to serve on this Commission without the stipend normally paid to its members. Trustee Senensky moved to concur with this appointment, seconded by Trustee Minx. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Brunner gyg Tr. DiMaria Tr. Kogstad Tr. Minx are Tr. Senensky gyg Tr. Staackmann aye VIII. CLERK'S REPORT 1. Clerk Fritzshall reminded the assemblage that the Advisory Commission on Aging would be meeting at 1:00 PM on October 10, 2006. 2. Clerk Fritzshall announced that early voting would begin on October 16th and conclude on November 2"d. People can take advantage of early voting between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, and on Saturday, October 21 and October 28, between 9:00 AM and noon. However, residents will have to go to the Skokie Village Hall or the Skokie Courthouse. Those are the two closest sites designated for early voting by the Cook County Clerk. If anyone wants to vote absentee, they can do so at Village Hall, at the County Building (69 West Washington, Chicago), or at five suburban mini -centers. IX. STAFF REPORTS Mayor Krier said that, prior to the Village Administrator's Budget Overview report, the assemblage would see a slide presentation on the Budget. He encouraged everyone to attend Budget Workshops if they wanted to comment on the Budget. Mayor Krier thanked Mr. Wade and Finance Director Daniela Partipilo. He also stated that he's been wanting to simplify the Budget, and was pleased that this year's Budget document is only 150 pages, versus previous years' 300 pages. Mayor Krier said that this budget is about pensions—nearly a million dollars more is being spent on pensions in 2007 than in 2006. A. Village Administrator: 1. Mr. Wade said, regarding the change in the Budget format, that in some ways, it's more detailed than previously. He said the goal was to try to make the Budget more user- friendly and invited comments. He thanked the department heads, the Finance Depart- ment staff, and Sue and Marlene from the Administrative staff. Mr. Wade explained that a lot of hours have already been spent in the preparation of the budget. The 2007 Total Budget (all funds), as proposed, is $51,466,961. The General Fund portion is $22,932,401, a 6.6% increase over the 2006 Budget. This is primarily due to pensions: for example, the Police pension fund was budgeted for $1,965,797 in 2006. In 2007, it is budgeted for $2,958,981. A couple of significant expenditures in 2007 will be capital for the paving of Osceola and Shermer, and a replacement for a 1983 Public Works end loader. This budget assumes a 4.286% property tax levy increase, as well as a continuation of the gas and food local taxes. 3 Minutes of October 9, 2006 Board Meeting IX. STAFF REPORTS (continued) A. Village Administrator: (continued) Ms. Partipilo added that changes to the Budget format include the addition of a detailed Salary Schedule and Glossary of Terms; the elimination of some funds, and the consolida- tion of some accounts. The Budget is available for review on the Village's website. There is also a copy available at the Library and at Village Hall for residents to review. Mayor Krier pointed out, in the slide presentation, a chart indicating what the Village should have been paying into the pension account over the last several years compared to what it has actually been paying in order to have the pensions fully funded by 2030. He said that, in the 2007 Budget, the pension is being funded at the amount recommended by the actuaries. He said the Village can't keep short-changing the pension funds; they must, by law, be fully funded by 2030. 2. Mr. Wade announced that Budget Workshops would be held at 6:00 p.m. on October 25, 2006, and at 8:30 a.m. on October 28, 2006. Both workshops will be held at Village Hall in the Trustees' Conference Room (second floor). If needed, a third Budget Workshop will be held on November 1, 2006. 3. Mr. Wade also reminded the assemblage that the next Town Hall Meeting would take place on Monday, October 30, 2006, at 7:00 p.m. at the American Legion Memorial Civic Center. B. Corporation Counsel: Ms. Liston had no report. X. TRUSTEES' REPORTS A. Trustee Brunner: Trustee Brunner presented for a first reading Ordinance 06-36, Amending Title 8, Chapter 9, Entitled "Smoking Control" of the Municipal Code of the Village of Morton Grove. Trustee Brunner explained that this ordinance will restrict smoking in all public places and all Village facilities except for five exemptions, including nursing homes. She said that nursing homes are exempted because it's where people live, so it's like a private residence. There are also behavioral concerns involved—the concern that a resident could be trying to hide in a closet and smoke, and end up burning down the place. Since smoking is an addiction, Trustee Brunner said she has spoken with Mr. Wade and with Jackie Walker -O'Keefe about the possibility of implementing smoking cessation programs. Trustee Brunner said that people make choices about what they're exposed to, and pointed out that there's no advance prevention for drinking and driving—only prevention after something happens. 4 X. Minutes of October 9, 2006 Board Meeting TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) A. Trustee Brunner: (continued) Trustee Brunner said she found it "offensive" to read Trustee Kogstad's comments about this ordinance in the newspaper. She said that the bar and restaurant owners and her fellow Board members had been invited to an Environmental Health Board meeting in June to discuss this proposal. Trustee Kogstad did not call her and did not attend. She felt Trustee Kogstad should keep his opinions out of the newspaper. Trustee Brunner said she had a question regarding "vehicles of public conveyance"— there's no definition of that in the Definitions section. Also, regarding banning smoking for "home-based businesses", she asked if that was for 24 hours, or just for when the home- based business is "open". Mayor Krier thanked Trustee Brunner for her help in shepherding this ordinance along. He encouraged the Trustees to give their opinions on this ordinance. Trustee Minx said that she had attended the June meeting, noting that very few business owners had. She said that she personally believes in choice, rather than the Village legis- lating everything. She felt that bars and taverns and bowling alleys could have smoking but should install signage indicating that it's a smoking establishment, so that people could make a choice whether or not they want to patronize it. As far as restaurants, she felt that places that serve people under 18 years of age should be non-smoking—unless they have a separate room with a separate HVAC system, in which case smoking could be allowed in one of the rooms. Trustee Minx felt that more work needs to be done on this ordinance, and that more definitions need to be included, i.e., bars, bowling alleys, restaurants, etc. Trustee Senensky thanked Mayor Krier for encouraging this discussion. He asked Mr. Wade how many complaints the Village receives annually about smoking in public places. Mr. Wade responded, "Only a handful—primarily from restaurant patrons." Trustee Senensky said that his dad had died from lung cancer, but he did not feel that it was the government's place to legislate smoking. He felt that people should have a choice, noting that, in California, people can't smoke while driving their cars. Trustee Senensky said he wanted to bring tax dollars into Morton Grove, not hurt businesses, and wondered why the Village was making an issue of this when there are virtually no complaints about it. He also felt that receptacles for cigarette butts should be allowed outside Village -owned buildings. All in all, he felt the ordinance needed more review. Trustee Staackmann was concerned about the definition of "club" in the ordinance. He felt that people could just declare themselves members of a club in order to be exempt from the smoking ban. He was also concerned about the American Legion property and won- dered if the Legion Post was exempt. He agreed the ordinance should be more thoroughly reviewed. Trustee DiMaria agreed that bars, restaurants, and bowling alleys should be exempt. He felt this was a good piece of legislation, but needed more research, more discussion, and a bit of tweaking. 5 X. Minutes of October 9, 2006 Board Meeting TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) A. Trustee Brunner: (continued) Trustee Kogstad, responding to Trustee Brunner, said he had sent a memorandum dated August 1 regarding the proposed ordinance. He pointed out that the July 26th TIF meeting had been highly publicized all over town, but very little public input had been sought re- garding this ordinance. Trustee Kogstad said that he would like to see a representative of the Environmental Health Board at a future Board meeting to discuss this further. He said he felt there should be more work done on this ordinance, noting that many municipalities have passed smoking legislation—some a lot more stringent. He said that the Surgeon General's report confirms that second-hand smoke is an alarming health hazard—all the more reason to implement the ordinance introduced tonight. Trustee Brunner said that all the members of the Environmental Health Board had been invited to tonight's meeting; she wasn't sure why no one was present. Responding to an earlier comment, she said that smokers and non-smokers both have a conflict of interest with this ordinance—so neither group should vote on it! Mayor Krier applauded the Trustees, stating, "This is a thoughtful Board; they'll make the best decision. It comes down to the question: How far does government go?" Regarding advertising the TIF meeting, the Mayor said that meeting was very successfully adver- tised, thanks to a lot of people, none of whom were Trustee Kogstad. He added that he had personally called the newspapers to get the word out on this ordinance, and had spoken to every restaurant owner in the Village. Trustee Kogstad said that no press release had been done regarding this matter, and wondered why the American Heart Association and/or the Lung Association weren't repre- sented. He pointed out that there were only a couple of business owners present to speak to this, and those are the ones the Mayor talked to. He said the Village should have done for this meeting what it did to promote the TIF meeting. Trustee Kogstad said that lots of people didn't know that this would be discussed tonight. Trustee DiMaria pointed out the article about this ordinance that had appeared in The Bugle. Trustee Brunner moved to postpone Ordinance 06-36 to the second meeting in January, 2007, when it would come up for its second reading. She further moved that a Special Meeting (of the Whole) be scheduled to work with Corporation Counsel on revisions and clarifications to this ordinance. Trustee Senensky seconded the motion. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Brunner ay2 Tr. DiMaria ave Tr. Kogstad Tr. Minx ave Tr. Senensky aye Tr. Staackmann Le Trustee Brunner also suggested that a meeting be held where public input could be gathered, so the Board would have that input prior to scheduling its Special Meeting. B. Trustee DiMaria: 1. Trustee DiMaria presented Ordinance 06-35, Authorization to Designate Turn Restrictions for the Proposed Trafalgar Woods Development's Connection Points to Waukegan Road Within the Village of Morton Grove. This is the second reading of this Ordinance. 6 Minutes of October 9, 2006 Board Meeting X. TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) B. Trustee DiMaria: (continued) Trustee DiMaria said that the original site access plan for this development had been approved by the Traffic Safety Commission and the Board, but was rejected by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). Following a meeting with the developer's Traffic Engineer, the Village Engineer, and representatives from IDOT, a revised plan that was acceptable to IDOT was formulated. Ordinance 06-35 is the Village's concurrence with the revised plan. 2. Trustee DiMaria moved to approve Ordinance 06-35, seconded by Trustee Staackmann. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Brunner aye Tr. DiMaria aye Tr. Kogstad aye, Tr. Minx ayg Tr. Senensky Eye Tr. Staackmann ave Next, Trustee DiMaria presented for a first reading Ordinance 06-37, Authorization to Install Parking Restrictions on Georgiana Avenue North of Capulina Avenue Within the Village of Morton Grove. Trustee DiMaria explained that the Traffic Safety Commission had heard and approved this request for zone parking to allow parking on Georgiana north of Capulina only for cars displaying Zone 11 stickers. This is in response to the commuter parking problem. Similar restrictions exist on Ferris, Fernald, and Ca!lie. Trustee DiMaria said that he felt this was just pushing the commuter parking problem more to the east, and that the Village would have more such requests in the future. He suggested that there should be a blanket restriction covering the area Dempster south to Lincoln, and Ferris east to Austin. Trustee Senensky said he would like to amend this ordinance by expanding the parking restrictions to be over the area outlined by Trustee DiMaria. Mayor Krier asked Corpora- tion Counsel Liston if this was appropriate. Ms. Liston said that if Trustee Senensky wants to amend the ordinance to create a larger area of parking restrictions, the Village must give notice that they're taking such an action; otherwise, it's a violation of the Open Meetings Act. The Village also has a process in place for the impacted residents to be notified, and for them to be able to be heard at the Traffic Safety Commission level. Mayor Krier suggested that the Board pass this Ordinance, then direct Administrator Wade to initiate a request to impose parking restrictions for the broader area. Trustee Staackmann suggested that the area contemplated should also include McVicker and Elm Street south of Lincoln Avenue. Trustee Senensky asked if he could amend the ordinance to include those people who had received the Traffic Safety Commission notice (residents on Smithwood and Crain). Corporation Counsel said she hadn't actually seen the notice, but said Trustee Senensky had the right to do this. Trustee Senensky so moved. Mayor Krier requested that the ordinance be passed without amendment. Trustee Senensky withdrew his motion to amend. 7 Minutes of October 9, 2006 Board Meeting X. C. Trustee Koostad: Trustee Kogstad had no report. TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) D. Trustee Minx: Trustee Minx had no formal report, but said that the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) held a "document destruction day" over this past weekend. She wasn't sure how well attended it was; but thought that might be covered at the SWANCC meeting occurring tomorrow. Trustee Minx reminded the assemblage that it's Fire Prevention Week this week and encouraged everyone to make sure they change the batteries in their smoke alarms! E. Trustee Senensky: Trustee Senensky asked Chief Tasch if he could give the Board an update as to the status of the Police Department renovation. Chief Tasch said he would provide an update at the next Board meeting. Trustee Senensky said that, despite having shoulder surgery, he was attending tonight's meeting to commemorate Officer Barry Shalin, who was killed by a drunk driver on October 9, 1999. He paid tribute to Officer Shalin, and said it was important that the Village never forgets this tragedy. Mayor Krier thanked Trustee Senensky for the re- minder. F. Trustee Staackmann Trustee Staackmann presented Resolution 06-57, Authorization to Purchase and Install New and Reconditioned Outdoor Warning Siren Equipment. He explained that the Village was awarded two separate grants for the purchase of this equipment, both from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Rep. John D'Amico sponsored one grant, for $50,000, and Rep. Lou Lang sponsored the second grant, for $22,000. The purchase of this equipment will double the number of out- door warning sirens in the Village. The new sirens will be placed at Oriole Pool and at Prairie View Park. The existing system at Shermer and Harlem will be refurbished and moved to the vicinity of Lincoln Avenue and the Edens. Trustee Staackmann said that ESDA had already notified the residents in the area of the new sirens and the relocated sirens about them. The lowest qualified bidder for the new and refurbished sirens is Bucom, Inc. of Wau- conda, Illinois, in the amount of $61,183. Thus all of the equipment will be paid for by the grant funds. Trustee Kogstad asked Administrator Wade if the Village has received the grant money. He said that the Village must pay for the equipment, then it will get reimbursed. 8 X. Minutes of October 9 2006 Board Meeting TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) F. Trustee Staackmann: (continued) Mayor Krier thanked the Park District for allowing the Village to install sirens at Prairie View Park. XI. XII. XIII. XIV. XV. Trustee Staackmann moved to adopt Resolution Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Brunner aya Tr. DiMaria afire Tr. Minx Tr. Senensky awe 06-57, seconded by Trustee Kogstad. Tr. Kogstad Tr. Staackmann OTHER BUSINESS NONE WARRANTS Trustee Kogstad presented the Warrant Register, which totaled $294,101.20. He moved to approve the Warrants, seconded by Trustee Minx. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Brunner aae Tr. DiMaria Tr. Kogstad aye Tr. Minx Tr. Senensky aye Tr. Staackmann ayie RESIDENTS' COMMENTS John Thill. Mr. Thill noted that last Saturday was Public Lands Day; 95 people came out for the clean-up day at the woods. He said that Friends of the Forest Preserve would be holding an Open House on Sunday, October 22, from 9:00 a.m. to noon, at the Linne Woods parking lot (off of Dempster, follow the road all the way back). Refreshments will be provided and tours will be conducted. Mr. Thill said residents could contact him if they had questions at 847-966-0231. ADJOURNMENT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION There being no further business to come before the Board, Trustee Minx moved to adjourn the Board Meeting into Executive Session to discuss the collective bargaining process. Trustee Brunner seconded the motion. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Brunner Ay2 Tr. DiMaria up. Tr. Kogstad gyi Tr. Minx aye Tr. Senensky aye Tr. Staackmann aye The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 10:00 p.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION The Executive Session was called to order at 10:12 p.m. Present were: Mayor Krier, Clerk Fritzshall, and Trustees Brunner, Minx, Senensky, and Staackmann. Also present were Administrator Wade, Corporation Counsel Liston, Daniela Partipilo, and Nancy Pankow. 9 Minutes of October 9, 2006 Board Meetin. XVI. ADJOURNMENT After the conclusion of the Executive Session, Trustee Minx moved to adjourn the Board Meeting, seconded by Trustee Staackmann. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Brunner .aye Tr. DiMaria Ryt Tr. Kogstad Rya Tr. Minx Rya Tr. Senensky aye Tr. Staackmann aye The Board Meeting adjourned at 10:44 p.m. PASSED this 23rd day of October, 2006. Trustee Brunner Trustee DiMaria Trustee Kogstad Trustee Minx Trustee Senensky Trustee Staackmann APPROVED'bye thi y of October, 2006. ti Richard Krier, Village President Board of Trustees, Morton Grove, Illinois APPROVED and FILED in my office this 24th day of October, 2006. Carol A. Fritzshall, Village Clerk Village of Morton Grove Cook County, Illinois Minutes by: Teresa Cousar 10