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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-26-2020 ApprovedMINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE PRESIDENT AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF MORTON GROVE RICHARD T. FLICKINGER MUNICIPAL CENTER OCTOBER 26, 2020 CALL TO ORDER I. Village President Dan DiMaria convened the Regular Meeting of the Village Board at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Village Hall and led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance. II. Village Clerk Eileen Harford called the roll. Present were: Trustees Bill Grear, Rita Minx, Ed Ramos, John Thill, Connie Travis, and Janine Witko. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Trustee Thill moved to accept the Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of October 12, 2020 as presented, seconded by Trustee Minx. Motion unanimously via voice vote. IV. SPECIAL REPORTS Swearing In Ceremony for Thomas P. Kelly, Firefighter/Paramedic Police and Fire Commission Chairman Mike Simkins introduced Fire Chief Frank Rodgers. Chief Rodgers said "This is a big moment for Tom Kelly" and talked about how the Morton Grove Fire Department patch is a symbol of courage, honesty, and bravery as he welcomed Tom. Chairman Simkins asked Tom to introduce his family in attendance this evening—his parents and his fiancée. Mr. Simkins gave some background on Morton Grove's newest firefighter/ paramedic. Tom Kelly was raised by his parents in Arlington Heights and has a younger sister. He received his Associates Degree from Harper College and then transferred to Northern Illinois University, where he met his fiancée. After college, Tom began taking courses in EMS, starting with EMT through Northwest Community Hospital. In spring of 2018, Tom was accepted into Lutheran General Hospital's Paramedic Program. While in the program, students must complete a field internship with their choice of a local Fire Department. Tom earned first choice based on his academic standing and chose Morton Grove. During this internship, Tom learned how to become a functional paramedic in the field, and saw the fire service from the inside for the first time. Following graduation, Tom was hired by the Barrington/Countryside Fire Protection District, where he earned certificates in Basic Operations Firefighter and Fire Apparatus Engineer. He also began working as a Lab Proctor for Lutheran General's Paramedic Program. During this time, Tom began taking Fire Department Eligibility exams. He is extremely happy to have been hired by the MG Fire Department. Tom's father, a Lieutenant with the Elk Grove Village Fire Department, proudly pinned on his son's badge as the Board and assemblage welcomed Tom with a round of applause. Minutes of October 26,2020 Board Meeting V. PUBLIC HEARINGS NONE VI. PLAN COMMISSION REPORTS 1. Plan Commission Case PC 20-03, Request for a Text Amendment to Modify Selected Regulations Relating to Telecommunications Facilities Mayor DiMaria introduced Village Engineer Chris Tomich to report out on this case. a. Mr. Tomich said the Village strives to maintain and enhance its appearance and aesthetics while balancing its need to provide and maintain infrastructure appropriate to support forecasted service levels. The wireless industry is in the process of migrating to a new network layout. Future networks will include a larger number of antennas at a shorter spacing than existed five years ago. The Village reviewed its antenna regulations and found that current regulations do not have a good balance between the aesthetics and the infrastructure the Village strives to provide. Mr. Tomich said we compared Morton Grove's regulations to those of other communities and found some opportunities to better control these installations. b. The proposed Text Amendment provides clear guidance on the Village's preference for where to site antenna towers, among other changes. An application was submitted to the Plan Commission in April of 2020 for this proposed text amendment. The proposed text amendment was considered by the Plan Commission at its meeting on September 21, 2020. The Plan Commission unanimously recommended Board approval of the Text Amendment, with three minor revisions. Mr. Tomich asked if anyone had any questions. c. Trustee Thill asked why this case took so long to get to the Board. Mr. Tomich said there were some continuances on the part of the Plan Commission. Trustee Minx confirmed that, between April and September, the Plan Commission had multiple cases on its Agenda and the Text Amendment was continued several times. VII. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS (Agenda Items Only) NONE VIII. PRESIDENT'S REPORT 1. Mayor DiMaria stated that, not unexpectedly, Suburban Cook County (Region 10) has had eight consecutive days of increase in Covid-19 test positivity and seven consecutive days of increased hospital admissions. This very concerning uptick has led the Governor and the Illinois Department of Public Health to announce increased mitigation measures going into effect on Wednesday, October 28. Mayor DiMaria said he recognized that this will be hard for Morton Grove's small businesses. He noted that Business Interruption Grant applications are still open, and the application is available on the Village's website. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is planning to release funds as quickly as possible. 2 Minutes of October 26,2020 Board Meeting VIII. PRESIDENT'S REPORT (continued) a. Mayor DiMaria said our local restaurants will now be focusing on carry-out/delivery and outdoor dining. He urged residents to please continue to patronize local retailers and local bars and restaurants. The mayor encouraged everyone to continue to follow some simple safety measures to fight COVID-19 by remembering the three W's: Watch your distance; remain at least 6 feet away from those outside your immediate household; Wear face coverings any time social distancing is not possible—especially indoors, and Wash your hands often and for a minimum of 20 seconds each time. Wash with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. The latest guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health and the CDC says that simple, everyday actions can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses. 2. Mayor DiMaria said the Village's Halloween hours are from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 31. He added the CDC has declared typical door-to-door trick or treating a high-risk activity during the current COVID pandemic. The Village strongly discourages traditional trick or treating. Neither the State of Illinois, Cook County, nor the Village is outright banning trick or treating, but is strongly recommending safer, alternative ways to celebrate the holiday, such as at-home family activities and celebrating virtually. If you choose to participate in trick or treating by distributing treats, leave your front porch or entry light on. If you do not want trick or treaters coming to your house, keep your lights off from 3:30 to 7:00 p.m. The Village's website and social media will provide additional details. The Village has signage on its website so that people wanting trick or treaters can print out and hang a "Welcome Trick or Treaters" sign on their door or a sign with "Sorry, No Trick or Treaters" for those who don't want people coming to their door. 3. Mayor DiMaria said that Trustee Travis will have more to say about this program, but he wanted to thank Village staff, especially Public Works personnel, and the Community Relations Commission for hosting the Winter Adopt-A-Planter program. This year, Public Works will be planting live small evergreen trees in the planters. Residents can decorate them this winter and plant them in their yard next spring. This helps foster the Village's efforts to plant additional trees in the community. Mayor DiMaria noted that, as of today, over 70% of Village planters have been adopted. 4. Mayor DiMaria announced that the final French Market (which replaced the Farmers' Market) occurred this past Saturday, October 24. He gave special thanks to all the residents who supported this program, adding the Village is looking forward to the 2021 French Market season. IX.CLERK'S REPORT 1. Clerk Harford announced that there are three ways to cast a ballot in suburban Cook County for the 2020 Presidential Election—by early voting, voting by mail, or voting on Election Day at your local polling place. a. For the November 3, 2020 Presidential Election, traditional early voting is taking place now through November 2. Voters who participate in early voting must vote in person. Voters can vote at any early voting location, including Niles Village Hall, Skokie Village Hall, and the 2nd District Courthouse. b. For voting by mail, any registered suburban Cook County voter with a driver's license, state ID, or social security number on file may request a mail ballot using an online or paper application. Applications will be accepted through October 29. Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day November 3) in order to be counted. 3 Minutes of October 26,2020 Board Meeting IX.CLERK'S REPORT (continued) c. Registered suburban Cook County voters can vote only in their home precinct on Election Day. Residents who are not registered to vote may register and cast a ballot on Election Day, thanks to same-day registration and voting. Those who wish to register on Election Day must present two qualifying forms of ID. Registered and unregistered Cook County residents can find their assigned polling place by calling the Village or by visiting cookcountyclerk.com. X. STAFF REPORTS A. Village Administrator: 1. Mr. Czerwinski said it's time for another Sawmill Station update. He said, if you've driven down Dempster Street lately, you can see the vertical construction coming out of the residential lot. Those are stair towers and elevator towers. Masonry work is beginning on both towers. The residential lot, labeled "Sawmill Place," will have a phased opening, tentatively starting in April of 2021, with complete construction taking another year. The MG Fire Department has worked with construction personnel and Village inspectors, and has found a way to cordon off a portion of the building in order to allow for this phased opening approach. Mr. Czerwinski said the Village is pleased that the site work continues, and grading and utility work on selected areas is ongoing. He said we've all seen the parking garage; it's expected that they will pour the slab for the first floor of the garage this coming week and will continue exterior finishing. As a reminder, the residential structure is comprised of 250 rental units with many amenities. It's currently on track with the timing given the Village when this project went through the procedural control process. b. As far as the retail aspect of Sawmill Station: Raising Cane's is opening on November 3. Kohl's will also open in November. Aspen Dental, Starbucks, and Dollar Tree are already open. Cooper's Hawk Restaurant is scheduled to open in March or April of 2021. The grocery store build-out is well under way, so it should open the latter part of the 4th quarter of 2020 or 1st quarter of 2021. The grocery store name is still unreleased due to the terms of the non- disclosure agreement. Ross is also scheduled to open in the 1st quarter of 2021. The status of the cinema is uncertain, as the pandemic has caused this industry many theater closures. LA Fitness, also part of an industry hit hard by COVID, will hopefully open in the fall of 2021. c. Mr. Czerwinski ended his report by saying that the Village is very comfortable with what's happening at Sawmill and is very pleased with the construction thus far. B. Corporation Counsel: Corporation Counsel Liston had no report this evening. Xl. TRUSTEES' REPORTS A. Trustee Grear: 1. Trustee Grear introduced for a first reading Ordinance 20-22, Approving Text Amendment to Title 12, Chapter 3, Section 6 of the Village Code to Modify Selected Regulations Relating to Telecommunications Facilities. He explained that this Ordinance is based on Plan Commission Report PC20-03, reported out previously by Village Engineer Chris Tomich. 4 Minutes of October 26,2020 Board Meetin. Xl. TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) A. Trustee Grear: (continued) Trustee Grear said that, as this is a first reading, no further action will be taken tonight. B. Trustee Minx: 1. Trustee Minx presented Resolution 20-46, Authorizing an Intergovernmental and Sub-Recipient Agreement for Corona Virus Relief Funds With Cook County. a. She explained that the Corona Virus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act)was passed by Congress and signed into law by the President on March 27, 2020. The purpose of the CARES Act is to provide much-needed resources to help governments, businesses, and individuals to respond to the pandemic. Under the Act, Cook County received $429,000,000. Cook County has chosen to allocate $51,000,000 to the 134 municipalities within Cook County, including the Village of Morton Grove. Allocations to each municipality were based on factors in- cluding immediate needs of the municipality to respond to the pandemic, population, median income, and public health statistics. After consideration of these factors, allocation of potential cost reimbursement to Morton Grove is $342,243.43. Entering into this Intergovernmental and Sub-Recipient Agreement is a requirement of the Cook County reimbursement program. Trustee Minx moved, seconded by Trustee Witko, to approve Resolution 20-46. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Grear aye Tr. Minx Tr. Ramos au Tr. Thill Tr. Travis Tr. Witko aye b. Trustee Thill commented that it's things like this, where population counts matter, that make it so important for everyone to complete the Census questionnaire. C. Trustee Ramos: Trustee Ramos had no report this evening. D. Trustee Thill: Trustee Thill had no report this evening. E. Trustee Travis: 1. Trustee Travis thanked everyone who participated in or viewed the Community Artists' Perfor- mance on Saturday, October 24. It was a beautiful program featuring poetry, dancing, and music. She thanked Ginny from Identity Performing Arts for all her hard work in organizing this event and said it brought joy to so many people. 5 Minutes of October 26,2020 Board Meeting Xl. TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) A. Trustee Travis: (continued) 2. Also, the Community Relations' fall photo contest, themed "Morton Grove Strong" is under way. Up to five photos can be submitted, showing off your creativity and the best of Morton Grove. Winning photographs will be framed and displayed at Village Hall. There is a link on the Village's website to upload your photos, or you can email them to crcc mortongroveil.orq. 3. Lastly, as Mayor DiMaria mentioned, the Winter Adopt-A-Planter program is looking for people to adopt one of the large planters located at the Civic Center, train station, and along Dempster Street and Waukegan Road. This year, Public Works has planted small, live evergreen trees in the planters. When you adopt a planter, you are responsible for decorating and caring for the tree through the winter. You can sign up to keep your tree, if you'd like. Removal of the trees must be coordinated with Public Works. Trustee Travis said that 72 planters have been spoken for, so there are 35 planters left to adopt. Sign up to adopt a planter on the Village's website: https://www.mortongroveil.com/planter. F. Trustee Witko: Trustee Witko had no report this evening. XII. OTHER BUSINESS NONE XIII. WARRANTS Trustee Minx presented the Warrant Register for October 26, 2020 in the amount of 350,342.62. She moved to approve the Warrant Register as presented, seconded by Trustee Ramos. Motion passes: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Grear Tr. Minx Tr. Ramos au Tr. Thill awe Tr. Travis Tr. Witko aye XIV. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS 1. Joe Hedrick, American Legion Post 134's liaison to the Village, appeared before the Board to discuss the Veterans Day Parade. He said the Legion didn't do a Parade on Memorial Day, due to the shutdown in place at that time, but they have been planning a Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, November 8. Because of the uptick in COVID-19 cases and the more stringent re- quirements, the Legion is now thinking this will be a car caravan type of parade. He said the Legion has not yet decided if there will be a program at the Library, as they have done for past Memorial and Veterans Days. He asked the Board to join the car caravan and said he would keep the Village posted as to whether or not a program will be held at the Library. If there's a program, he said the Legion would like Mayor DiMaria to speak. 6 Minutes of October 26,2020 Board Meetin• XIV. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS (continued) a. Mr. Hedrick informed the Board and assemblage that this year, the Navy is not allowing recruits leave the naval base, so there will be no Thanksgiving Day celebration with the Navy cadets as there's been in the past. b. Mr. Hedrick said the Legion is relieved to be able to hold its Queen of Hearts drawing tomorrow night, since the new restrictions don't begin until Wednesday. He thanked the Board and staff for all the Village's help. c. Trustee Thill noted that it would be hard to park all the vehicles in a car caravan at the Library and suggested to Mr. Hedrick that, if the Legion decides to have a program, it might be better done at the Legion Post instead of the Library, so the caravan of cars could park, allowing people to stay in their cars yet see and hear the program. Mr. Hedrick said everything is up in 9theairright now. 2. Mike Alasu, a resident on Central south of Dempster, appeared before the Board to notify them about large trucks, for example, UPS trucks, coming down Central. He added that some- times the drivers get confused and try to back up, which adds to the confusion. He felt that signage for large trucks at Dempster indicating no right turn onto Central might help mitigate the problem. a. Mr. Alusa also inquired about having bees/beehives in Morton Grove. He said he's checked and Skokie and Evanston are both bee-friendly. He hoped Morton Grove could modify its ordinance so that he could keep bees. b. Mayor DiMaria asked Mr. Alasu to give his information to Mr. Czerwinski. He said the Board will pass his comment regarding truck traffic on Central to the Police Department, and staff will research the bee question and get back to him. 3. JoAnn Rapp, 8922 N. Mango, wrote to the Board with three questions. She asked about the identity of the grocery store designated for the southwest corner of the Sawmill Station site. She also wondered if the residential portion was being built for the number of units as initially planned. Lastly, she asked if the full movie theater complex, as initially planned, was being erected. Mr. Czerwinski noted that his Sawmill Station report earlier this evening responded to these questions. The identity of the grocery store still has not been disclosed due to certain non- disclosure terms with the developer. The residential component is being construction for 250 rental units as initially planned. The status of the movie theater complex is unknown at this time, as many other theaters have permanently shut down due to the pandemic. XVIII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Board, Trustee Thill moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Trustee Minx. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Grear Lys Tr. Minx Lys Tr. Ramos Lys Tr. Thill Lye Tr. Travis Ly2 Tr. Witko Lys The meeting adjourned at 7:37 p.m. 7 Minutes of October 26,2020 Board Meeting PASSED this 9th day of November, 2020. Trustee Grear Trustee Minx s)z Trustee Ramos l;. t' Yl` Trustee Thilly Trustee Travis Y -y- Trustee Witko L APPROVED by me this 9th day of November, 2020. Daniel P. DiMaria, Village President Board of Trustees, Morton Grove, Illinois APPROVED and FILED in my office this 10th day of November, 2020. faLr/— Eileen Scanlon Harford, Village rk Village of Morton Grove, Cook County, Illinois Minutes by Teresa Cousar 8