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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-09-24 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 CENTER SEPTEMBER 24, 2007 CALL TO ORDER Village President Richard Krier called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and led the assem- blage in the Pledge of Allegiance. 111. Village Clerk Carol Fritzshall called the roll. Present were: Trustees Georgianne Brunner, Shel Marcus, Rita Minx, Dan Staackmann, and John Thill. Trustee Roy Kogstad was absent. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Regarding the Minutes of the September 10, 2007, Regular Meeting, Mayor Krier asked if anyone had any changes or corrections to the Minutes. Seeing none, Trustee Minx moved, seconded by Trustee Marcus, to approve the September 10, 2007, Regular Meeting Minutes as presented. Motion passed unanimously via voice vote. V PUBLIC HEARINGS NONE VI. SPECIAL REPORTS NONE VII. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS (Agenda Items Only) Mayor Krier asked if any residents had any comments regarding agenda items. There were no residents' comments. VIII. PRESIDENT'S REPORT Mayor Krier had no formal report. IX. CLERK'S REPORT Clerk Fritzshall had no formal report, however, she reminded everyone in attendance the presidential election would be February 5, 2008. There is currently a dire need for election and equipment judges. Anyone interested could contact her directly. Minutes of September 24, 2007 Board Meeting X. A. Village Administrator STAFF REPORTS 1. Mr. Wade reminded everyone in attendance of a Special Board Meeting to be held at 5:30 pm on September 28, 2007, to discuss demolition and construction bids for the Dempster Street parking lots. 2. Mr. Wade also made an announcement about the upcoming Town Hall Meeting to be held at 7:00 pm on October 29, 2007, at the Austin Park Field House, 8336 Marmora. This is the last scheduled Town Hall meeting for the year and all are invited to attend. 3. Mr. Wade also stated a special meeting would be held at 7:00 pm on October 17, 2007, at Village Hall to finalize the bond sale. B. Corporation Counsel Ms. Liston had no formal report. XI. TRUSTEES' REPORTS a. Trustee Brunner Trustee Brunner had no formal report. She did report flu shots would be given out for 55 and older residents on October 10. For additional information call 847-470-5223. Trustee Brun- ner also reminded everyone about the Unity in Diversity Day which will be held from 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm on October 14, 2007. All are invited to attend. b. Trustee Marcus: Trustee Marcus had no formal report; however he wanted to inform the Board and the public the grant had been approved and received ($10,355) for the two police squad Panasonic lap- tops. This purchase was approved at a prior Village Board meeting. c. Trustee Kogstad: Trustee Kogstad was absent — no report. d. Trustee Minx: 1) Trustee Minx presented Resolution 07-50, Authorizing a Contractual Agreement with Chapman and Cutler LLP for Services as Bond Counsel. Trustee Minx explained the Village plans on demolishing a couple of obsolete buildings, con- duct a utility study, construct a new water line on Main Street, acquire additional real estate, design and construct roadway improvements, and construct other public infrastructure im- provements. Funds will need to be borrowed for these various projects and will require a bond counsel in order to sell these market securities. The firm of Chapman and Cutler has been used in the past and they did a fine job for the Village. The estimated contract fee for this service will be approximately $20,000 which will not be paid until the closing of the sale of proceeds of the bonds. Trustee Minx moved to adopt Resolution 07-50, seconded by Trustee 2 Minutes of September 24, 2007 Board Meeting 2) 3) Brunner. Trustee Staackmann expressed concerns there was no formal bidding process for the selec- tion of this bond counsel. Ms. Liston stated no formal bidding process was required. She also stated this particular counsel was the "gold standard" in the industry. The Village has previously used this firm and found their work to be exceptional. There were no further ques- tions and the vote was taken. Motion passed: 4 ayes, 1 nays, 1 absent. Tr. Brunner ay_q Tr. Kogstad absent Tr. Marcus fire_ Tr. Minx EyR Tr. Staackmann y Tr. Thill ave Trustee Minx presented Resolution 07-51, Authorizing a Contractual Agreement with Speer Financial, Inc. to Provide Financial Advisory Counsulting Services for the Lehigh/Ferris Subarea. Trustee Minx explained in order to develop the Lehigh/Ferris Subarea, the Village plans on demolishing a couple of obsolete buildings, conduct a utility study, construct a new water line on Main Street, acquire additional real estate, design and construct roadway improvements, and construct other public infrastructure improvements. The Village will need to borrow funds and will require a financial advisory service in order to accomplish that task. In 2003, a re- quest for quotation was sent out to various firms who submitted their qualifications to provide for such service. On September 26, 2004, Resolution 04-15 was passed authorizing a con- tract with Speer Financial, Inc. At that time, the Village did not follow through with this con- tract; however, Speer Financial, Inc. is willing to provide their services under the same terms as outlined in Resolution 04-15. The estimated contract fee will be one-quarter of one percent of par amounts issued and should the debt not be sold, the Village will have no obligation to pay this fee. There being no questions or concerns, Trustee Minx moved to adopt Resolution 07-51, sec- onded by Trustee Brunner. Motion passed: 5 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent. Tr. Brunner ave Tr. Kogstad absent Tr. Marcus afire Tr. Minx ave Tr. Staackmann aye Tr. Thill ave Trustee Minx presented Ordinance 07-26, Providing for the Issuance of General Obligation Bonds, Series 2007, of the Village Authorizing the Execution of a Bond Order in Connection Therewith and Providing for the Levy and Collection of a Direct Annual Tax for the Payment of the Principal of and Interest on Said Bonds. The Lehigh/Ferris Project Area was established in 2000 to improve this area. It was determined to be in the best interest of the Village to undertake certain improvements wthin this area including but not limited to land acquisition, traffic signalization, streetscape, landscaping, lighting, and street improvements, building demolition, and public infrastructure improvements. It has therefore been determined the Village needs to issue General Obligation Bonds which will be backed by the full faith and credit of the Village. The Bonds' interest rates are generally more competitive than other funding sources and it is anticipated the debt service and cost to repay these bonds will come from increments generated within the Lehigh/Ferris TIF District. The actual ordinance was prepared by the Village's Bond Counsel, Chapman and Cutler. This is the first reading of this ordinance. The second reading will be on October 8, 2007. Mr. Neuendorf, Community and Economic Development Director was called upon to explain the reasons for the bonds. He stated there is a framework plan in place and money is needed to move forward with various infrastructure plans. Some Trustees had a few concerns about the amount of the bonds and whether there would be enough to accomplish everything 3 Minutes of September 24, 2007 Board Meeting needed to be done. It was noted these monies will need to be spent within a three year period. Trustees also discussed the possibility of taking incremental bonds. It was also noted there is some flexibility that can be used when spending this money within the Lehigh/Ferris TIF District. Grants will also be sought where possible for the various projects. The Village has successfully used bonding in the past and it is anticipated bonds will be used in the future. e. Trustee Staackmann Trustee Staackmann had no formal report. He did report last Monday was the first ESDA Strategic Planning Committee meeting with John Hill. He was impressed with John's creden- tials and feels he will do a great job. f. Trustee Thill Trustee Thill had no formal report. XII. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Neuendorf reported on the Family Fest and Block Party which will be held from 8:30 am to 11:00 pm on Saturday, October 6, 2007. Many activities and events are being planned and include a pancake breakfast, story telling hour, scarecrow contest, food vendors, and hay rides. This will be a celebration of the Family Circle magazine recognition the Village received as being a great town to raise a family. XIII. WARRANTS Trustee Minx presented the Warrant Register for September 24, 2007, which totaled $852,542.20. She moved to approve the Warrants as presented, seconded by Trustee Brun- ner. Motion passed: 5 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent. Tr. Brunner aye Tr. Kogstad absent Tr. Marcus ave Tr. Minx aye Tr. Staackmann aye Tr. Thill aye XIV. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS Eric Poders, 7940 Foster. Mr. Poders congratulated Park View School at having a great sci- ence program. According to U.S. News Report they are 7th in the country. He has involved himself in economic development recently, by calling owners of various properties and com- panies. He also expressed his concern over the handling of the Renovo case. Mayor Krier expressed concern over Mr. Poders possible detrimental interference with Village business and negotiations, citing a letter addressed to Mr. Poders as the Manager of the Vil- lage of Morton Grove from Comcast. Mr. Poders was cautioned to avoid representing himself as employed or connected to the Village of Morton Grove in any capacity other than a con- cerned citizen. 4 Minutes of September 24, 2007 Board Meeting XV XVI. There being no further business, Trustee Minx moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Trustee Brunner. Motion passed: 5 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent. Tr. Brunner aye Tr. Kogstad absent Tr. Marcus aye Tr. Minx aye Tr. Staackmann aye Tr. ThiII afire ADJOURNMENT/EXECUTIVE SESSION No Executive Session was held. The meeting adjourned at 8:09 pm. PASSED this 8th of October 2007. Trustee Brunner Trustee Kogstad Trustee Marcus Trustee Minx Trustee Staackmann Trustee Thill FhDs5/UT" APPROVED by me this 8th of October 2007. icha'rd rier, Village President of the Board of Trustees Village of Morton Grove, Cook County, Illinois APPROVED and FILED in my office this 9th day of October 2007. 614(/ Carol A. Fritzshall, Villa e Clerk Village of Morton Grove, Cook County, Illinois Minutes by: Susan Lattanzi 5