HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-13-2021MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE PRESIDENT
AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF MORTON GROVE
RICHARD T. FLICKINGER MUNICIPAL CENTER AND VIA ZOOM
JANUARY 13, 2021
CALL TO ORDER
I. Village President Dan DiMaria convened the Regular Meeting of the Village Board at 6:00 p.m.
in the Council Chambers of Village Hall and led the Board and the assemblage in the Pledge
of Allegiance.
II. Village Clerk Eileen Harford called the roll and verified that all Board members were present
were able to hear one another. Present in-person or via Zoom and audio-verified were: Trustees
Bill Grear, Rita Minx, Ed Ramos, John Thill, Connie Travis, and Janine Witko.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mayor DiMaria asked for an approval of the Minutes of the regular Board Meeting of
December 14, 2020. Trustee Minx moved to accept the Minutes of that meeting as presented,
seconded by Trustee Grear.
Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays.
Tr. Grear aye Tr. Minx aye Tr. Ramos aye
Tr. Thill aye Tr. Travis aye Tr. Witko aye
IV. SPECIAL REPORTS
NONE
V. PUBLIC HEARINGS
NONE
VI. PLAN COMMISSION REPORTS
L NONE
Minutes of January 13,2021 Board Meetin.
VII. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS (Agenda Items Only)
NONE
VIII. PRESIDENT'S REPORT
1. Mayor DiMaria said the best site for local COVID-19 information is the Village's website.
Another very informative site specifically for COVID-19 Vaccination information is the
Cook County Public Health website. On that site, individuals not affiliated with a healthcare
organization of any type who would like to receive regular updates about when and where they
can receive a COVID-19 vaccination can complete a survey. Mayor DiMaria said the vaccination
supply is still limited, and high risk individuals (as defined by the CDC) are currently being
prioritized. He encouraged everyone to be patient, and to complete the Cook County Public
Health survey and to speak to your healthcare provider about your own specific medical
conditions regarding COVID-19 vaccination.
2. Mayor DiMaria 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. Mayor DiMaria said,
compared to other communities, Morton Grove is doing very well in its handling of COVID-19.
He congratulated the residents, staff, Village Board, and first responders for coming together
on this.
3. Mayor DiMaria reminded everyone that the Village is offering holiday light recycling through
February 1, 2021. A holiday light recycling bin is located on the south side of Village Hall at
6101 Capulina. Discarded lights will be recycled through the Solid Waste Agency of Northern
Cook County and Elgin Recycling. All holiday lighting is accepted through this free program, but
garland, live greens, wreaths, or other decorations with lights will not be accepted.
4. Mayor DiMaria urged everyone to please continue to patronize local businesses, restaurants,
and bars during these unprecedented times. He said the weather's gone cold now, and some
establishments can't operate outside, while others can. He said, "If you're going out to these
places, please keep your mask on at all times until you're seated, and please respect the servers
and others in the establishment." Mayor DiMaria said he felt that Morton Grove has done a
good job of striking a balance, and he's very proud of everyone.
2
Minutes of Janua 13,2021 Board Meetin.
VIII.PRESIDENT'S REPORT (continued)
a. Mayor DiMaria again emphasized the importance of helping local businesses, all of them, not
only bars and restaurants. He said it's a very, very trying time for them and we need to go out of
our way to help them get through this.
IX. CLERK'S REPORT
Clerk Harford had no report this evening.
X. STAFF REPORTS
A. Village Administrator:
Mr. Czerwinski had no report this evening.
B. Corporation Counsel:
Corporation Counsel Liston had no report this evening.
Xl. TRUSTEES' REPORTS
A. Trustee Grear:
1. Trustee Grear presented Ordinance 20-28, Approving a Text Amendment to Modify and
Establish Regulations Within the Village of Morton Grove Municipal Code Relating to the
Use of"Daycare, Adult."
This is the second reading of this Ordinance.
a. Trustee Grear said that this Ordinance amends the Village Code in two different ways: it amends
Title 12, Chapter 4, Subsection E to include "Adult Daycare" as a Special Use in the M-0/R
District, and it amends Title 12, Chapter 5, Section 5 by adding a new subsection D, which
establishes regulations for Adult Daycare Facilities throughout the Village.
b. Trustee Grear said, after speaking with staff and his colleagues, he would prefer that each of
these amendments be considered separately, as it is possible that Board members may support
one or both amendments. He therefore moved to table Ordinance 20-28, and direct staff to
divide the ordinance into two distinct ordinances, one to address the amendment to Title 12,
Chapter 4 and the other to address the amendment to Title 12, Chapter 5. Trustee Minx
seconded the motion.
3
Minutes of Janua 13,2021 Board Meetin.
XI. TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued)
A. Trustee Grear: (continued)
Mayor DiMaria called for the vote on the motion to table the Ordinance.
Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays.
Tr. Grear aye Tr. Minx aye Tr. Ramos aye
Tr. Thill aye Tr.Travis aye Tr. Witko aye
B. Trustee Minx:
1. Trustee Minx presented Ordinance 20-29, Amending Title 1, Chapter 11 to Update the Village
Fee Schedule.
This is the second reading of this Ordinance.
a. Trustee Minx explained that, in June of 2020, the Village Board approved Ordinance 20-12 which
amended Title 1 of the Village Code to add a new Chapter 11 entitled "Fees." The intent of
Ordinance 20-12 was to provide a comprehensive fee schedule for various licenses, permit,
and services authorized by the Code in one location in the Village Code, so that it could be easily
referenced by the public and annually reviewed by Village staff as part of the annual budget
process. At the direction of the Village President and the Village Board, staff has reviewed
Chapter 11 to ensure such fees are consistent with fees assessed by State statutes and other
municipalities for similar services, and that they reflect the costs for the Village to administer
services related to said fees.
b. In order to keep the Municipal Code current, and in order to protect and preserve the health,
safety, and welfare of persons within the Village of Morton Grove, it is reasonable, appropriate,
and necessary to update Title 1, Chapter 11, Section 4, entitled "Fees For Specific Permits,
Licenses, Certificates, and Services" of the Municipal Code and appropriate to modify the
language in certain sections of the Municipal Code for clarity. This Ordinance corrects a vehicle
licensing aspect of the Fee Schedule and adds two new definitions (4-2-1 defines Cannabis Busi-
ness Establishment and 4-3-1 defines Fees Established in the Cannabis section of the Municipal
Code).
Trustee Minx moved to adopt Ordinance 20-29, seconded by Trustee Travis.
Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays.
Tr. Grear aye Tr. Minx aye Tr. Ramos aye
Tr. Thill aye Tr. Travis aye Tr. Witko aye
4
Minutes of January 13,2021 Board Meeting
XI. TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued)
B. Trustee Minx: (continued)
2. Trustee Minx presented Resolution 21-04, Authorizing the Execution of an Extension of the
Contract With Lauterbach &Amen, LLP to Perform Auditing Services.
a. She explained that, in 2017, pursuant to a qualifications-based selection process, the Village
entered into a contract for auditing services with Lauterbach & Amen, LLP for the four fiscal
years ending December 31, 2106 through December 31, 2019. Lauterbach & Amen's services
have been satisfactory. The Government Finance Officers Association best practice recommends
audit contracts be for a duration of a least five years. Lauterbach &Amen has submitted a
proposal for extending the current contract for two more years, with the option of an additional
year. Pricing for the extension is favorable when compared to the proposals from 2016. The cost
of the two-year contract is $66,520.
Trustee Minx moved to approve Resolution 21-04, seconded by Trustee Witko.
Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays.
Tr. Grear aye Tr. Minx aye Tr. Ramos aye
Tr. Thill aye Tr. Travis aye Tr. Witko aye
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 reminded everyone that the Community Relations Commission is sponsoring an
upcoming webinar, led by Village Social Worker Liz Arnold, called "Coping With COVID in 2021."
This webinar will provide helpful coping strategies and information for residents who may be
emotionally impacted by the pandemic. It will include a presentation led by Ms. Arnold, along
with an opportunity for peer-to-peer small group discussions on coping mechanisms facilitated
by a trained professional.
5
Minutes of Janua
XI. TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued)
E. Trustee Travis: (continued)
a. The webinar will be a 1-hour Zoom event held on January 19, 2021 from 3:00-4:00 p.m. and reg-
istration is required. The presentation will be recorded and a list of various mental health re-
sources will be available online after the webinar. To register for this webinar, please go to the
Village's website.
2. Trustee Travis thanked everyone who participated in the Winter Adopt-A-Planter program for
helping make the Village look festive during the holiday season. The Village received a great deal
of positive feedback about this program. Trustee Travis said Public Works personnel will remove
the trees from the planters this spring, and the program participants will have the opportunity to
pick up the trees at the Public Works building and bring them home to replant. She asked
participants to refrain from removing the tree from the planter they adopted.
F. Trustee Witko:
1. Trustee Witko presented Resolution 21-01, Authorizing a Contract With Municipal GIS Partners,
Inc. (MGP) for Geographic Information System Services.
a. She explained that the Village has been a member of the Geographic Information System
Consortium (GISC) since 2002. Membership in the GISC has resulted in a reduction of the costs of
implementing GIS technology by participating in collective bargaining, group training,joint
purchasing, and development and innovation sharing. Municipal GIS Partners, Inc. (MGP) is the
service provider for GIS services to the GISC. Trustee Witko said that MGP is and has been an
outstanding corporate partner in this regard, noting that they recognized the financial impact of
COVID-19 on their 38 municipal clients and voluntarily reduced their monthly billing during this
period by 20%. This saved the Village over $12,000 in the past 9-month period, and the Village
thanks them for that.
Trustee Witko moved, seconded by Trustee Grear, to approve Resolution 21-01.
Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays.
Tr. Grear ave Tr. Minx aye Tr. Ramos aye
Tr. Thill aye Tr. Travis aye Tr. Witko aye
2. Next, Trustee Witko presented Resolution 21-02, Appropriation of 2021 Motor Fuel Tax Funds
for the Maintenance of Streets and Highways, MFT Section 21-00000-00-GM.
a. She explained that, each year, the Village receives a portion of the motor fuel tax collected by
the State. These funds must be spent on eligible improvements of roadways.
6
Minutes of Janua 13,2021 Board Meetin.
XI. TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued)
F. Trustee Witko: (continued)
b. The State requires an estimate and statement of the maintenance expenses for each year of the
program. Trustee Witko said the estimate by the Village for 2021 is $614,000. This Resolution will
authorize the Village Clerk to execute the documentation required by the State of Illinois for the
2021 Motor Fuel Tax program.
Trustee Witko moved to approve Resolution 21-02, seconded by Trustee Ramos.
c. Trustee Thill asked how the amount "$614,000" was determined—was it the Village's number or
the State's? Mr. Czerwinski responded that it was a calculation determined by the Village and
the State together. Trustee Thill noted that the total "Estimate of Maintenance Costs" for
Morton Grove is $1,659,000. He felt it was important that people know that this amount
includes services such as leaf collection ($162,000), catch basin cleaning, asphalt street patching,
concrete street patching, pavement marking, street sweeping, and snow removal. Before casting
his vote, Trustee Thill said "Public Works does a great job!"
Mayor DiMaria thanked Trustee Thill and called for the vote on Resolution 21-02.
Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays.
Tr. Grear aye Tr. Minx aye Tr. Ramos aye
Tr.Thill aye Tr.Travis aye Tr. Witko aye
3. Lastly, Trustee Witko presented Resolution 21-03, Authorizing a Contract With Arthur Weiler,
Inc. For the 2021 Tree Purchasing Program.
a. She explained that the Village has an annual program to plant trees on rights-of-way and
properties it owns. The Village purchases one-inch diameter trees from a nursery and Village
staff plants the trees. This contract was bid through a public process in accordance with the
Village Code. Two sealed bids were received, with the lowest bid coming from Arthur Weiler, Inc.
in the amount of$18,305. This company has furnished and planted trees for the Village in the
past and is qualified to furnish trees for this program..
Trustee Witko moved, seconded by Trustee Travis, to approve Resolution 21-03.
b. Trustee Thill commented that the Village will be planting over 200 trees in 2021.
Mayor DiMaria called for the vote on Resolution 21-03.
Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays.
Tr. Grear aye Tr. Minx aye Tr. Ramos aye
Tr. Thill aye Tr. Travis aye Tr. Witko ave
7
Minutes of January 13,2021 Board Meeting
XII. OTHER BUSINESS
Mayor DiMaria said he welcomed 2021 and wished the residents, staff, and Board members all
the best in this new year.
XIII.WARRANTS
1. Trustee Minx presented the Warrant Register for December 28, 2020 in the amount of
173,606.55. She moved to approve the Warrant Register as presented, seconded by
Trustee Ramos.
Motion passes: 6 ayes, 0 nays.
Tr. Grear aye Tr. Minx ly± Tr. Ramos aye
Tr. Thill aye Tr.Travis aye Tr. Witko aye
2. Trustee Minx then presented the Warrant Register for January 13, 2021 in the amount of
261,800.21. She moved to approve this Warrant Register as presented, seconded by
Trustee Grear.
Motion passes: 6 ayes, 0 nays.
Tr. Grear aye Tr. Minx aye Tr. Ramos
Tr. Thill aye Tr. Travis aye Tr. Witko aye
XIV. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS
1. Frank Pepitone, 8813 Parkside, stated he's been a resident 1955 and has never complained.
He's worked at Val's, the Morton House, and Luxembourg Gardens; he shops in Morton Grove;
he goes to Moretti's twice a week and frequents Kappy's as well.
a. Mr. Pepitone said he lives next to Pizza Hut on Dempster and said he gets all of Pizza Hut's
garbage, but he hasn't complained. He said the alley tilts into his backyard, so when it rains
hard, his yard is flooded. He said he's had a fence in the past, but cars from Midas Muffler
smashed into it; in fact, he's even had a car from Midas end up in his yard.
b. Recently, Mr. Pepitone had a visit from Morton Grove Code Enforcement and was written up
because of the fence. He said he's "at his wit's end" because he doesn't want to pay$6000 for a
new fence that will just get smashed up again. He appealed to the Village to provide a guardrail
there, saying "no one in Morton Grove deserves a guardrail more than I do" and citing guardrails
located in other nearby areas of the Village.
c. Mr. Pepitone also asked about the status of the recreational health club that is supposed to be
included in the Sawmill Station development.
8
Minutes of January 13,2021 Board Meeting
XIV. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS (continued)
d. Mayor DiMaria told Mr. Pepitone that his comments were noted and that he would follow up
with Mr. Pepitone and also have staff review the situation again.
2. David King, a 33-year resident in the Marmora-Church area, said he, too, doesn't complain very
often; the last time he was at a Board meeting was about 20 years ago, when there was an issue
about street lights being removed at Mansfield and Church. He said he was here today because
the Board voted on December 14 to change the Village Code to allow recreational cannabis
facilities in Morton Grove, with an initial store to be located at Sawmill Station. Mr. King said he
was here as a citizen to express his disagreement with the Board's decision. He had sent every-
one on the Board a letter on December 14 before the vote setting forth specific reasons and
medical literature outlining the dangers of recreational marijuana to encourage a "no" vote. He
said recreational marijuana is a dangerous and unsafe substance serving no useful purpose.
a. Mr. King said the THC in marijuana causes impaired judgment and memory, impaired
concentration, and difficulty with problem solving; it can lead to mood changes, including
depression and suicidal thoughts, disrupts learning, and can cause development problems.
Long-term cannabis use affects brain development. Mr. King said that people who drive or work
under the influence of cannabis are dangerous to themselves and others. Further, there are
many who feel (himself included) that marijuana is a "gateway" drug, leading to other drugs.
b. Mr. King noted that cannabis is terrible for lung health. He mentioned that School District 207
was in the paper last week condemning vaping and trying to hold the manufacturer responsible
for vaping practices. This, at the same time the Village is allowing a cannabis business. He noted
that vaping is very unhealthy, as is smoking recreational marijuana. He said that cannabis may
now be legal in Illinois, but the Village had and still has the right to prohibit the operation of
recreational cannabis facilities in the Village.
c. Mr. King said the change in the Village Code may be good for getting some tax revenue, but in
his opinion, it's at the expense of public health and safety, and sends the wrong message to
Morton Grove's youth. He urged the Board to reconsider their decision.
Mayor DiMaria let Mr. King know his comments are noted and thanked him for his time.
3. Rudy Vilk said he has left messages on the Mayor's cell phone and never gets a call back.
Mayor DiMaria questioned that, and said, for the record, that he has never received a message
on his cell phone from Mr. Vilk, and wondering if perhaps he's calling a different phone number.
Mr. Vilk said he's been asking for the Village to recheck his case and wondered how long he'd
have to wait for an answer. Mr. Vilk also complained that Corporation Counsel Liston doesn't
speak into her microphone and that she's very hard to hear.
9
Minutes of Janua 13,2021 Board Meeting
XIV. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS (continued)
Mr. Czerwinski noted that two additional comments had been received via email.
4. First, from Beverly Copeland, received on January 10. She said that, as a 56+year resident of
Morton Grove, she has recently begun looking into its history. With growing awareness in the
country about racism, casteism, and the abhorrent treatment of the original "Americans," she
decided to research the history of Native Americans in Morton Grove. She reached out to the
Morton Grove Historical Society in October of 2020, to let them know that their website was
inaccurate, as the Morton Grove timeline is shown as beginning with white settlers. She
received a response from the Historical Society's Museum Assistant indicating that the staff
would research this and get back to her.
a. Further correspondence from the Historical Society indicated that the inhabitants of the Village
in the 1830's were the Potawatomies, the Miami, and the Redman Indian tribes. The Miami
tribe lived in Illinois, Indiana, and southern Michigan at the time of European colonization of
North America. However, by 1832, the territories of the Potawatomie Nation were all but lost.
The Black Hawk war ended in defeat for the Indians, and in 1833, the Potawatomie and other
remaining tribes ceded their land to the U.S. government, thus relinquishing their ancestral
territories to pioneers and settler.
b. Ms. Copeland was concerned because the Historical Society's website, after two months, had
still not been updated with this information. She wanted Village officials to know about this,
saying "the timeline needs to be updated. We can no longer ignore and disregard our REAL
history."
c. Mr. Czerwinski said the Village reached out to the Historical Society, and the timeline has now
been corrected and updated. He provided Ms. Copeland a link to the updated timeline.
5. Second, from JoAnn M. Rapp, 8922 Mango, received on January 11. She had two questions.
Ms. Rapp said she appreciated the Village making the accommodation for public observation of
the January 5, 2021 Environment & Natural Resource Commission meeting in real-time, using
Zoom technology. She was pleased to see on the Village's website that meetings of the
Appearance Commission, Traffic Safety Commission, and Community Relations Commission are
also now available to the public via Zoom.
a. Ms. Rapp wondered if that same accommodation would be made to that residents could re-
motely observe all Board and Commission meetings going forward, such as the Fire and Police
Commission meetings.
b. Ms. Rapp also commented that she typically sees the Agenda for the Board of Trustees meeting
posted on the Village website on the Friday afternoon preceding the Monday board meeting,
but today's agenda was not posted until midday today (January 11). She wondered why and
hoped the questions could be answered in real-time at the meeting or via a written response.
10
Minutes of Janua 13,2021 Board Meeting
XIV. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS (continued)
c. Mr. Czerwinski responded, regarding the Agenda posting, that it was due to technical
difficulties that have now been corrected.
XV. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Board, Trustee Minx moved to adjourn the meeting,
seconded by Trustee Grear.
Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays.
Tr. Grear aye Tr. Minx aye Tr. Ramos aye
Tr. Thill aye Tr.Travis aye Tr. Witko aye
The meeting adjourned at 6:47 p.m.
11
Minutes of Janua 13,2021 Board Meeting
PASSED this 25th day of January, 2021.
Trustee Grear Que
Trustee Minx a '
Trustee Ramos P
Trustee Thill JP
Trustee Travis A`"'Ali 6
Trustee Witko
APPROVED by me this 25th day of January, 2021.
TrNtok.
Daniel P. DiMaria, Village President
Board of Trustees, Morton Grove, Illinois
APPROVED and FILED in my office this 26th day of January, 2021.
Aezt-- d 7Vik_
Eileen Scanlon Harford, Village Clerk
Village of Morton Grove, Cook County, Illinois
Minutes by Teresa Cousar
12