Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-11-27 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 NOVEMBER 27, 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. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Regarding the Minutes of the November 13, 2006 Regular Meeting, Mayor Krier asked if anyone had any changes corrections the Minutes. N , did 4I Minutes or corrections to the IVIIIIULCJ. No one did, JV LII IVUI IULt VVGIe approved unanimously via voice. IV. SPECIAL REPORTS Presentation of the Fire Department Poster Contest Awards Captain Bill Porter, head of the Fire Prevention Bureau, presented these awards, assisted by Chief Tom Friel, Mayor Krier, and Trustee Minx, who is the liaison to the Fire Department. Captain Porter said that all the schools in the Village were invited to participate, as well as a couple of neighboring schools that have Morton Grove students. Over 200 posters were received from 10 schools. This year, the theme was any fire safety topic the student wanted to choose. The posters were judged by the Firefighters Association, and winning posters were based on the following criteria: (1) that the fire safety message was correct; (2) that the message was clear; and (3) the quality of the artwork. The poster contest winners received a keepsake Ben Franklin 50 -cent piece, along with a plaque containing a digitized picture of their winning poster. Additionally, a plaque is awarded to the student with the best overall poster, and to the school that student represents. The winners of the 2006 Poster Contest are: Kindergarten: Vahey Mouradian, Hynes School First Grade: Adam Majcher, Park View School Second Grade: Maika Larracas, Hynes School Third Grade: Uzma Patel, Hynes School Fourth Grade: Lauren Coplon, Park View School Fifth Grade: Halle Winkler, Park View School Sixth Grade: Lyba Zia, Lincoln Jr. High School Minutes of November 27, 2006 Board Meeting IV. SPECIAL REPORTS (continued) Seventh Grade: Rachel Naumann, Jerusalem Lutheran School Eighth Grade: Jonathan Powell, Jerusalem Lutheran School Overall Winner: Aisha Usman, Park View School Mayor Krier thanked Captain Porter, Chief Friel, and the Firefighters Association for all their efforts in undertaking this annual event. V. PUBLIC HEARINGS Public Hearing on the 2007 Calendar Year Budget Village Administrator Joe Wade explained that this Public Hearing is part of the annual budget process. This year, preparation for the Budget included three budget workshops. The budget was introduced at the November 13, 2006 Board Meeting. This is an opportunity for the public to comment and ask questions on the budget. a. John Thill. Mr. Thill noted that there will be a surplus from the 2006 budget, and questioned why, in light of that surplus, the Board was eliminating the sunset provisions from the Local Motor Fuel Tax and the Local Food & Beverage Tax, and raising property taxes. Mayor Krier said this budget is about choices—about the Village's under -funded pensions and about planning for the future. He's trying to build up the fund balance to be able to do more things, for example, the three streets that will now be able to be resurfaced and rebating a portion of the garbage fees. (The Budget provides for the Village to pick up $235,000 of the garbage costs.) Mayor Krier said that he would ultimately like to get the garbage fee included back in the property tax. He said the 2007 Budget will generate a 23% surplus, and that it's the first year the pensions are being funded according to the actuaries' advice. The Police Department pension is currently at 61 % and the Fire Department pension is at 59%. Both have to be 100% funded by 2030. Mayor Krier said that Franklin Park got sued by its fire- fighters over pensions, and Franklin Park lost. He said he doesn't want that to happen here. b. Patrick Kansoer. Mr. Kansoer pointed out that, two budgets ago, when Mayor Krier was a Trustee, he had proposed cutting $900,000 "surplus" out of the budget. That didn't happen. Last year, Mayor Krier said he was raising taxes by 20% and said it was being done so that it didn't have to happen down the road. Now taxes are going up again in spite of a surplus. Mr. Kansoer also was concerned because the budget had incomplete information, which he felt translated to "improper notice", which violates the Truth in Taxation law. He felt the Board was trying to balance the budget on the back of real estate taxes rather than on sales taxes. Mayor Krier said that this is a very transparent budget. It's half the size and it's readable and understandable. He said when he proposed the $900,000 cuts two years ago, that was before Franklin Park lost the pension lawsuit. He said he was not trying to "balance the budget on the back of real estate taxes", in fact, the Local Motor Fuel Tax and the Local Food & Beverage Tax bring in $600,000. c. Jim Quinn. Mr. Quinn said he went to all of the budget workshops and felt the process was good—deliberative, intelligent, and reasoned. He had a question regarding a historical General Fund Balance. 2 Minutes of November 27, 2006 Board Meetin• V. d. e. PUBLIC HEARINGS (continued) Mr. Quinn wondered why, on December 31, 2003, the Pension Fund balance had a negative $28,000 balance, but on December 31, 2004, it had a positive $7 million dollar balance. He also asked what the funding ratio was. Mayor Krier said that the reporting process changed, and asked Finance Director Partipilo to explain. Ms. Partipilo said that the State Board changed the reporting; the funds had been there all along, but were not stated as assets—that's what changed. She said she would have to get back to Mr. Quinn on his funding ratio question. Bill Luksha. Mr. Luksha commented that instead of increasing taxes, the Board should better manage properties in the Lehigh -Ferris TIF District. He was concerned that revenue from real estate taxes goes into the TIF Fund, but expenses for services provided in the TIF are borne by all taxpayers. He said that Skokie and Niles have retired TIFs early, and felt the Board should consider retiring the Lehigh -Ferris TIF early. Mayor Krier said the TIF isn't mismanaged and it hasn't cost operating dollars. He said the Lehigh -Ferris TIF was helping to spur development and, if it becomes feasible to retire it early, the Board will do it. He said he hoped when the TIF is closed, that it'll be generating more tax dollars to the Village, schools, etc., because the EAV will be that much higher. Sherwin Dubren. Mr. Dubren felt that more initiatives to improve retail sales would help the budget. He said the plan to have a center lane down Dempster Street will have a negative impact ori retail sales. He wondered why the Village didn't purchase the Osco outiot to use for parking, and asked what the criteria is for selecting a lot to be suitable for parking. He also wondered why Lazy Boy Furniture moved to Glenview, and noted that the Village has lost a lot of businesses. Mayor Krier said that a long-range comprehensive plan had been developed in 1990 and up- dated in 2000. That plan targeted some parcels to purchase for parking. He said that if any business has left Morton Grove because of something the Village did, he wants to know. He said the parcels being purchased for parking are being purchased with federal grant funds. f. Chris Arns. Mr. Arns stated that he has attended all the budget workshops for the past four years. He claimed that the property tax paid by the people who live in the Lehigh -Ferris TIF ends up in the TIF Fund, which doesn't help the Village offset the cost of police and fire service, sewer and road repair, etc. He suggested that, if the Village retires the TIF early, it could get $40 million dollars that could be used for a tax decrease. Regarding pensions, Mr. Arns said he realizes it's mandated by law to have the pensions funded by 2030 (24 years from now). He wondered if there were any projections of the "windfall" the Village would have in 2023, when the TIF is scheduled to be retired, and what amount of that money could be routed into pension funds, thus taking some pressure of the decisions being made today. Mayor Krier said that TIF increment couldn't be used for pensions after the TIF expires. He explained that the people who live in the TIF District have had their EAV frozen. They pay taxes like everyone else—the taxes go to all the taxing bodies, except that everything "above" the frozen EAV goes into the TIF Fund. He said the TIF is going to be generating tax dollars. The money for infrastructure improvements in the TIF comes from the TIF increment and is an incentive for developers to build there. This TIF has been a "pay as you go" TIF. The rea- son Skokie closed their TIF early was because the developers developed everything faster than had been anticipated. 3 Minutes of November 27, 2006 Board Meeting V. PUBLIC HEARINGS (continued) Trustee Staackmann pointed out that one of the benefits of the Lehigh -Ferris TIF is that it has given an opportunity to many residents to be able to stay in Morton Grove—people who bought houses in the 1950's have sold them and are now living in the developments in the TIF. He felt that the TIF has spurred real estate taxes. Trustee Minx said, regarding "choices", that when this Board took office, the Village had less than $1 million in its fund balances. If the Village would have continued in that vein, residents might have had to be making choices about what programs and services to keep. She felt that it was important to keep re -investing in the Village. Regarding the claim of the budget document being "incomplete", Trustee Minx noted that most of the bills won't be in and paid until January or February and there's no way to "put the budget off" to wait for that. Regarding retiring TIFs early, she agreed that Skokie and Niles have both done that, but it's because those TIFs have been completed and they've achieved their goals. That's not the case here. Regarding Lazy Boy Furniture, their space was owned by Jewel -Osco and Lazy Boy rented it. She wasn't aware whether or not Lazy Boy had been approached to find another location in the Village, but said it could have also been a case of Lazy Boy receiving some kind of assis- tance or incentive from Glenview to move there. There being no other comments from the Board or the assemblage, Trustee Minx moved to close the Public Hearing at 8:37 p.m. Trustee Brunner seconded the motion. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Brunner aye Tr. DiMaria aye Tr. Kogstad aye Tr. Minx aye Tr. Senensky aye Tr. Staackmann aye VI. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS (Agenda Items Only) 1. Joann Angarola. Ms. Angarola represents Public Storage, Inc. She addressed the Board regarding Ordinance 06-41 (rezoning ordinance). She said that Public Storage, Inc. objected to the proposed rezoning and felt it would have an adverse impact on its business and on the community. She asked the Board to think about striking a balance between sales tax and every resident's need for storage. Ms. Angarola said she had met with Village staff, who suggested that Public Storage relocate to a different industrial location within the Village; however, Public Storage loves their current location. She asked the Board to please give consideration to her comments. 2. Pat Kansoer. Mr. Kansoer spoke regarding Resolution 06-22 (concerning computer consult- ing services). He was concerned because the Village upgraded its computers last year and proposes to spend more money now, yet the Police Department cannot do a simple keyword search. Mr. Kansoer was also concerned about Ordinance 06-45 (authorizing the Village to regulate traffic and parking on certain private property). He said that, according to the ordi- nance's legislative summary, there is "no financial impact" to the Village should they approve this. He wanted to know if that meant that the private developer would then be paying for the police personnel costs and the cost of wear and tear on police vehicles. 4 Minutes of November 27, 2006 Board.Meetin. VI. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS (Agenda Items Only) Mr. Kansoer addressed Ordinance 06-41, the rezoning ordinance. He wondered if it was, in effect, an eminent domain seizure—because the Village would be making it impossible for Public Storage to continue. He said the ordinance isn't business -friendly and wondered why the Village was doing this. Regarding Ordinances 06-39 and 06-40, the ordinances eliminating the sunset provisions on the Local Food & Beverage Tax and the Local Motor Fuel Tax, Mr. Kansoer commented that the Village is losing a Marathon gas station and he felt that it was a direct correlation to this tax. He commented that Mayor Krier had previously voted against the tax, but it passed with the sunset provisions added. Now this administration is removing those sunset provisions. Regarding the Public Hearing on December 13, 2006 for 501c3 Bonds, Mr. Kansoer said that he's heard of Revenue Bonds and of General Obligation Bonds, but never of 501c3 Bonds. He wondered if the Village was "breaking new ground", and if so, why. Mayor Krier said, regarding the Police Department keyword search matter, that the system used by the Police Department is used by many other police departments. It works great for what it's needed to do. The information Mr. Kansoer had requested is available, it's just that it will take some time to gather it. Regarding the loss of the Marathon gas station, Mayor Krier said the reason they're leaving has nothing to do with the Village's Local Motor Fuel Tax. Regarding police service on private property, Mayor Krier said it's not to help the developer; it's the residents asking for the Village's help. It is private property, but the Police Department can issue tickets only with the Homeowners Association's permission. The ordinance in ques- tion merely sets out ground rules for these types of contractual agreements. Regarding Public Storage, the Village is not chasing them out. The Village has residential zoning districts, commercial zoning districts, and industrial zoning districts, and feels that the area where Public Storage is currently located would be better served if it was zoned commercial. He said the Village wants to have a balance of all three zoning districts, not just all residential or all commercial. Regarding the 501c3 bonds, Mayor Krier explained that he had been approached by a repre- sentative from Skokie's Holocaust Museum project, who asked if the Village would be willing to use its bonding authority to issue bonds for the museum. He said he had requested more information about it, which he then asked Administrator Wade, Corporation Counsel Liston, and Finance Director Partipilo to review. He wanted to make sure that it wouldn't cost the Village anything or hinder the Village's financial well-being in any way. He felt there was really no reason why the Village couldn't do this. Mayor Krier pointed out that the Village of Skokie is not doing it because they are concerned about setting a precedent for other groups to come and ask. Mayor Krier felt it should be looked at on a case-by-case basis, and each case should stand on its own merits. 3. Joe Hedrick. Mr. Hedrick asked Mayor Krier to explain again why Skokie wasn't issuing these 501c3 bonds. Mayor Krier did so, and said that Morton Grove should be proud that it's able to help. He noted that Skokie has helped the Holocaust Museum by the fact that it owns the property where the museum will be built. He said there'd be more opportunity for discussion on this matter at the Public Hearing on December 14th 5 Minutes of November 27, 2006 Board Meeting VI. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS (Agenda Items Only) 4. Chris Arns. Mr. Arns had more questions about taxes paid by taxpayers in the TIF District and what that money could or couldn't be used for. He also wondered when the TIF would be complete. He asked if the Village would comply with the request of its auditors for a complete review of the Osco outlot transaction. VII. PRESIDENT'S REPORT Mayor Krier had no report. VIII. CLERK'S REPORT Clerk Fritzshall had no formal report, but reminded seniors that they should begin signing up for their 2007 membership in the Senior Center. Sign-up starts next weeks. IX. STAFF REPORTS A. Village Administrator Mr. Wade announced that a special Board Meeting would be held on December 14th for a Public Hearing regarding the issuance of $30 million dollars in 501c3 tax-exempt, low-interest bonds by the Village of Morton Grove to benefit the Holocaust Museum in Skokie. Mr. Wade said that the Internal Revenue Service does allow the Village to act as a "conduit" in this mat- ter. The bonds would be paid for by revenues generated from the Museum. It would not be carried on the Village's financial books as a "debt". The Public Hearing is set for 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Village Hall. Mr. Wade said he had spoken to Skokie's Village Manager, Al Rigoni, who told him that the Skokie Village Board was considering doing a bond issue for the downtown area so they wanted to be cautious about possibly maxing-out their bonding capacity. Trustee Staackmann asked Mr. Wade if, prior to the Public Hearing, he could get the trustees a copy of the law that authorizes this and any other information on the Holocaust Museum Foundation's fundraising. He also requested information regarding what happens to the Village if the bonds are defaulted on—how does it affect the Village's bonding authority? B. Corporation Counsel: Ms. Liston had no report. X. A. Trustee Brunner: TRUSTEES' REPORTS 1. Trustee Brunner presented Resolution 06-61, Approving Revisions to the Solid Waste Financial Assistance Program. 6 Minutes of November 27, 2006 Board Meeting X. A. Trustee Brunner: (continued) TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) Trustee Brunner explained that this Resolution expands the scope of the Solid Waste Finan- cial Assistance Program to include a provision of financial assistance to residents experienc- ing financial distress in the areas of utility bills, rent/mortgage payments, medical assistance, basic needs (food, clothing), emergency shelter, and transportation. This Resolution also changes the name of the program to "Financial Assistance Program", rather than "Solid Waste Financial Assistance Program." Trustee Brunner noted that criteria will have to be met, similar to that in other communities, before a person can obtain this financial assistance. Trustee Staackmann asked if there was a maximum amount. Trustee Brunner said it's $300 per year per household. She then moved to approve Resolution 06-61, seconded by Trustee Staackmann. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Brunner up Tr. DiMaria Ay± Tr. Kogstad RyA Tr. Minx Tr. Senensky Tr. Staackmann kye Trustee Brunner thanked Jackie Walker -O'Keefe for all her input and assistance with the ex- pansion of this program. 2. Next, Trustee Brunner presented for a first reading Ordinance 06-43, Amending Title 1, Chapter 15, Entitled "Civic Center Fees" of the Municipal Code of the Village of Morton Grove. She said that this Ordinance %mill facilitate the periodic review of rental rates and other pertinent operations of the Civic Center. It allows the Director of Family and Senior Services to establish rates, rules, and procedures for rentals. There was no discussion. B. Trustee DiMaria: Trustee DiMaria presented Resolution 06-68, Authorizing the Execution of a Service Con- tract with Municipal GIS Partners (MGP) For Geographical Information System Ser- vices. Trustee DiMaria explained that this Resolution will authorize the Village Administrator to exe- cute a contract with Municipal GIS Partners for the maintenance and development of Geo- graphical Information System services in 2007. The amount of the contract is not to exceed $49,570.00. He moved to adopt Resolution 06-68, seconded by Trustee Brunner. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Brunner up Tr. DiMaria Tr. Kogstad aye Tr. Minx Tr. Senensky Tr. Staackmann C. Trustee Kogstad: 1. Trustee Kogstad presented Ordinance 06-39, Amending Title 4, Chapter 17F, of the Municipal Code Entitled "Municipal Prepared Food and Beverage Tax". 7 Minutes of November 27, 2006 Board Meeting X. TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) C. Trustee Kogstad: (continued) This is the second reading of this ordinance. He explained that this ordinance will remove the "sunset clause" from the Municipal Prepared Food and Beverage Tax Ordinance. The sunset clause would have allowed this tax to termi- nate on February 1, 2007. Trustee Minx moved to approve Ordinance 06-39, seconded by Trustee Brunner. Most trustees commented prior to their vote: Trustee DiMaria noted that he had been on the Board when this tax was implemented. He said he was, relatively speaking, a "fan" of this type of tax because it doesn't affect Morton Grove residents only; it affects people from other towns who eat or drink in Morton Grove. However, he said, the Village's financial picture has improved, so he was going to vote no. Trustee Kogstad said that the Village now has money in the bank; its financial situation is bet- ter than it was when this tax was implemented. He said the Village needs to attract busi- nesses and he felt that lower taxes will make more businesses and residents come to Morton Grove. Trustee Kogstad said that it was a campaign promise to cut taxes, so he, too, was going to vote no. Trustee Senensky said he hadn't heard from any restaurant or business in Morton Grove that this tax is prohibitive, so he was going to vote yes. Trustee Staackmann said he voted against this tax the first time and he was going to vote against it now. He said the Village is financially better now. He felt reducing taxes creates better economics, citing similar programs done by Presidents Reagan and Kennedy. He felt that rescinding this tax would be a good thing. Mayor Krier said he was surprised by the three "no" votes and wondered how the Village would make up the $280,000 revenue this tax generates. He felt that trying to apply national economic policies to the Village was ridiculous, especially in light of the many unfunded man- dates with which the Village must comply, and the pension funding issue. He said he would vote yes. Upon the vote, the motion passed: 4 ayes, 3 nays. Tr. Brunner gy2 Tr. DiMaria nay Tr. Kogstad _a_y Tr. Minx aye Tr. Senensky gyp. Tr. Staackmann nay Mayor Krier ave 2. Next, Trustee Kogstad presented Ordinance 06-40, Amending Title 4, Chapter 17E, of the Municipal Code Entitled "Local Motor Fuel Tax". This is the second reading of this ordinance. Trustee Kogstad explained that this ordinance will remove the "sunset clause" from the Vil- lage's Local Motor Fuel Tax Ordinance. The sunset clause would have allowed this tax to terminate on February 1, 2007. 8 Minutes of November 27, 2006 Board Meeting X. TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) C. Trustee Kogstad: (continued) Trustee Minx moved to approve Ordinance 06-40, seconded by Trustee Senensky. Again, several trustees commented prior to voting. Trustee DiMaria said that he has defended this tax in the past because it shares the burden between residents and non-residents, plus he felt that the Village's gas prices are competitive. He said he would vote yes. Trustee Kogstad said he believed that Morton Grove's gas prices are higher than in surround- ing areas due to this tax, so he would vote no. 3. Trustee Senensky asked where the money would come from if the Village loses this source of revenue. He said he would vote no. Upon the vote, the motion passed: 4 ayes, 2 nays. Tr. Brunner are Tr. DiMaria afire Tr. Kogstad Lai Tr. Minx Tr. Senensky a rLe Tr. Staackmann nay Trustee Kogstad introduced Ordinance 06-41, An Ordinance Rezoning That Property in the Village of Morton Grove Commonly Known as 8601 and 8625 Waukegan Road From the M1 Restricted Manufacturing District to the C1 General Commercial District. This is the second reading of this ordinance. He explained that this ordinance will rezone the properties at 8601 and 8625 Waukegan Road, and that rezoning of these properties was necessary to maintain consistency with developmental trends within the area and to further the goals of the 1999 Comprehensive Plan Update. For the benefit of the assemblage, Trustee Staackmann asked for an explanation of the difference between the C1 zoning versus the M1 zoning in this area. Economic and Commu- nity Development Director Bill Neuendorf said that it has to do with the type of uses allowed in each zoning district. The site that has Public Storage and formerly had Revell -Monogram is zoned M1. The Revell -Monogram property will now be developed for townhomes. With this rezoning, Public Storage will remain, but as an incompatible use. If they move, there would be no ability to put in another incompatible / manufacturing use. Trustee Staackmann asked if anyone was trying to purchase Public Storage's property. Mr. Neuendorf said, to the best of his knowledge, no. Trustee Kogstad moved, passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays Tr. Brunner up Tr. Minx Ayre_ • seconded by Trustee Minx, to approve Ordinance 06-41. Motion Tr. DiMaria Tr. Senensky Tr. Kogstad Tr. Staackmann 9 Minutes of November 27, 2006 Board Meetin. X. TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) C. Trustee Kogstad: (continued) 4. Trustee Kogstad then brought forward Ordinance 06-42, An Ordinance Adopting the Budgets for All Corporate Purposes of the Village of Morton Grove and the Morton Grove Library, Cook County, Illinois, For the Calendar Year Effective January 1, 2007 and Ending December 31, 2007. This is the second reading of this ordinance. The Village's total budget for 2007 is $53,340,704. The Morton Grove Public Library's budget is $2,753,583. Together, they total $56,094,287. Trustee Minx moved to adopt Ordinance 06-42, seconded by Trustee Senensky. A couple of trustees prefaced their vote with comments. Trustee DiMaria said that, while he agrees with the intention of the budget, he has issues on the revenue side. He reminded the Board and the assemblage that the Village had had an opportunity for an alternative source of revenue that would have accomplished the same result, without having to resort to burdening the residents. He said he would vote no. Trustee Kogstad said that the budget tax levy increase comes to 25% over the past two years, which is four times the rate of inflation. He said the Village has healthy cash balances now and it really doesn't need to increase taxes. He felt the residents had been "overtaxed" in 2006. He said that residents are going to hear that the Caucus Party is "giving back" some of the revenue via the Financial Assistance Program and by picking up a portion of the garbage fees. He cautioned the assemblage, saying "for every $1 the Caucus Party is giving back, it's $10 that you've been taxed." Trustee Kogstad said that Village spending is not in alignment with recent years' spending. The 2007 budget is 6.5% over 2006 actual costs. He felt the budget was higher than it needs to be, and wondered where, in the last two years' budgets, the Caucus Party's promises to cut taxes show up. He said he has suggested ideas to this administration to no avail. He felt that the Board could give taxpayers a refund, saying that more than enough taxes are being collected to sustain basic services. He said he would vote no on the budget. Mayor Krier said that he has tried to avoid political rhetoric, and only one trustee consistently brought up politics. He said the Board had to make some hard choices last year. Trustee Kogstad did not show up to two of the three budget workshops this year. He wondered where the money would come from if taxes weren't raised. He said he felt that the 2007 budget has been kept to a minimum, and that no one was talking about a long-term vision for the Village. He said the Village is currently in negotiations with two of its unions, and that it's easy to say that taxes are high and then vote 'no' on the budget. Mayor Krier challenged Trustee Kogstad to show him data of where he would get the money to balance the budget. Mayor Krier said that Trustee DiMaria has had discussions with him on this matter, and knows his feelings that the Village could have or should have allowed the OTB in. He said that was a choice the Board made. He said this is not a "bloated" budget; it's the right thing to do. He said he would vote yes. Upon the vote, the motion passed: 4 ayes, 3 nays. Tr. Brunner Ryl Tr. DiMaria nay Tr. Kogstad n�C Tr. Minx ave Tr. Senensky afire Tr. Staackmann nay Mayor Krier 10 Minutes of November 27, 2006 Board Meeting X. TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) C. Trustee Kogstad: (continued) 5. Trustee Kogstad next had Ordinance 06-44, An Ordinance Levying and Assessing Taxes for the Village of Morton Grove, Cook County, Illinois, for Calendar Year Beginning January 1, 2007 and Ending December 31, 2007, as well as several tax abatement resolu- tions. He asked Corporation Counsel Liston if, in the interests of time, these could all be voted upon at one time. She said they could be. Therefore, Ordinance 06-44, Resolution 06-65, Resolution 06-66, and Resolution 06-67 passed unanimously via voice vote. D. Trustee Minx: Trustee Minx had no report. E. Trustee Senensky: 1. Trustee Senensky presented Resolution 06-63, Authorizing the Purchase of Watchguard In -Car Recording Systems for Police Vehicles. 2. He explained that this system will protect police officers and the public by recording activities occurring outside police squad cars. The cost for three of these recording systems is $15,060. It is being paid out of the General Fund along with insurance monies already received. Trustee Senensky moved to approve Resolution 06-63, seconded by Trustee Minx. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Brunner aye Tr. DiMaria aye Tr. Kogstad aye Tr. Minx aye Tr. Senensky Tr. Staackmann aye Trustee Senensky then presented Resolution 06-64, Authorizing the Purchase of a Police Pursuit Vehicle Throught the Illinois Department of Central Management Services State Bid Program. He explained that this will authorize the purchase of a police pursuit vehicle from Landmark Ford in Springfield, IL for $20,946.20. This will replace a vehicle that was damaged and totaled in 2006. The insurance received for the vehicle was $20,946.20. Trustee Staackmann asked if the insurance received was for the full value of the vehicle. Administrator Wade said it was not the full value. Police Chief Paul Tasch explained that there had actually been three vehicle crashes. The insurance collected from all three will pay for one replacement car, so the department is now "down" two cars. Trustee Senensky moved to adopt Resolution 06-64, seconded by Trustee Staackmann. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Brunner aye Tr. DiMaria aye Tr. Kogstad aye Tr. Minx aye Tr. Senensky aye Tr. Staackmann aye 11 Minutes of November 27, 2006 Board Meetin • X. TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) E. Trustee Senensky: (continued) 3. Trustee Senensky then introduced for a first reading Ordinance 06-45, Authorizing the Village to Regulate Traffic and Parking on Certain Private Property in the Village of Morton Grove. He explained, as had been brought up earlier in the meeting, that this ordinance will allow the Village to enter into contract(s) with various private property owners, which may include school boards, hospitals, condominium complexes, etc., to regulate traffic and parking areas within these private properties. The Village has received a request from a condominim for the regulation of traffic and parking regulations on private roadways. There was no discussion. F. Trustee Staackmann Trustee Staackmann presented Resolution 06-62, Authorizing an Extension and Modifica- tion Agreement for Computer Consulting Services with Netcomm2000. He explained that this will extend the current contract for the development and maintenance of the Village's computer network through December 31, 2007. The Village continues to be satisfied with Netcomm2000's services. This one-year extension contract is in the amount of $30,000. Trustee Staackmann moved to approve Resolution 06-62, seconded by Trustee Brunner. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Brunner ave Tr. DiMaria aye Tr. Kogstad aye Tr. Minx aye Tr. Senensky aye Tr. Staackmann aye XI. OTHER BUSINESS NONE XII. WARRANTS Trustee Kogstad presented the Warrant Register, which totaled $1,565,488.48. He moved to approve the Warrants, seconded by Trustee Minx. Motion passed: 5 ayes, 0 nays, 1 abstain. Tr. Brunner aye Tr. DiMaria abstain Tr. Kogstad aye Tr. Minx ayg Tr. Senensky aye Tr. Staackmann ayg 12 Minutes of November 27,:2006 Board Meetin• XIII. 1. 2. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS Joe Hedrick. Mr. Hedrick said he agreed that deferring pension payments would not be a good idea, stating that for every dollar the Village puts in now, it won't have to put in $7 or $8 down the road. He also said he was confused—Skokie's already planning to issue bonds for its downtown area, therefore it can't issue bonds for the Holocaust Museum? He said he hoped to have clarification on this at the December 14th Public Hearing. Regarding the American Legion, Mr. Hedrick said the Legion is enjoying the continued cooperation of the Village in its events, like the very successful recent Veterans Day Parade. He said that the Legion had complied with the new liquor license rules by obtaining a J license, but he didn't feel that other groups in the Village have done so. He also felt these other groups should carry dram shop insurance. Mayor Krier responded that other groups have complied with the new rules and have obtained J licenses. He is not aware of any that have not. He reminded Mr. Hedrick that a J license is not needed to serve liquor, just to sell it. Regarding the bond issue, he said it was also because Skokie's mayor did not want to set a precedent for other groups to come and ask the Village to issue bonds. Mayor Krier said Morton Grove is waiting until the end of the year because there's a limit to the bonds that can be issued in a year. Sherwin Dubren. Mr. Dubren wondered if there was a law about having to make incremental contributions to the pension funds in order to have them funded by 2030. He also felt that the Village's process for applying for and receiving financial assistance was intrusive and cum- bersome. He felt it should be based on the circuit breaker concept and that people should be allowed to apply via mail, rather than in person. Mayor Krier said that, by state law, the pensions are supposed to be funded yearly per an ac- tuary's projections. He also said that a lot of people in the Village have received financial as- sistance, which suggests to him that the process is not as onerous as Mr. Dubren contends. He added that the trustees who voted against the budget voted against helping people who really need it, because the budget provided additional funds for further financial relief. 3. Bill Luksha. Mr. Luksha was concerned about spending money in the Lehigh -Ferris TIF District, all the while the Police Department is down two vehicles. XIV. ADJOURNMENT/EXECUTIVE SESSION There being no further business, Trustee Minx moved to adjourn the Board Meeting. The mo- tion was seconded by Trustee Brunner and approved unanimously via voice vote. The meet- ing adjourned at 10:22 p.m. 13 PASSED THIS 11th day of December 2006. Trustee Brunner Trustee DiMaria Trustee Kogstad Trustee Minx Trustee Senensky Trustee Staackmann Mayor Krier APPROVED BY ME THIS 1 1th day of December 2006 ATTESTED and FILES in my office This 12th day of December 2006. Carol A. Fritzshall, Village Clerk Village of Morton Grove Cook County, Illinois Minutes of November 27,: 006 oa'dLMeetin 'chard Krier, Village President Village of Morton Grove Cook County, Illinois Minutes by: Teresa Cousar 14