Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-26-2022MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE PRESIDENT AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF MORTON GROVE RICHARD T. FLICKINGER MUNICIPAL CENTER COUNCIL CHAMBERS SEPTEMBER 26, 2022 CALL TO ORDER I. Village President Dan DiMaria convened the Regular Meeting of the Village Board at 7:00 p.m. & II. in the Council Chambers of Village Hall. III. Village Clerk Eileen Harford called the roll. Present were Trustees Bill Grear, Saba Khan, Rita Minx, John Thill, Connie Travis, and Janine Witko. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Trustee Minx moved to accept the Minutes of the September 12, 2022 Village Board meeting as presented, seconded by Trustee Grear. Motion passed unanimously via voice vote. Next, Trustee Minx moved to accept the Minutes of the Special Meeting (Strategic Plan Workshop) of August 9, 2022 as presented. Trustee Khan seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously via voice vote. Trustee Minx then moved to accept the Minutes of the Special Meeting (Strategic Plan Workshop) of August 16, 2022 as presented, seconded by Trustee Thill. Motion passed unanimously via voice vote. V SPECIAL REPORTS VI. VII. NONE PUBLIC HEARINGS NONE PLAN COMMISSION REPORTS NONE Minutes of September 26,4,22 Board Meeting VIII. IX. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS (Agenda Items Only) NONE PRESIDENT'S REPORT Mayor DiMaria proclaimed the week of October 9 through October 15 2022 as "Fire Prevention Week" in the Village, and the people of Morton Grove to plan and practice a home fire escape for this year's Fire Prevention Week. The theme this year is "Fire won't wait. Plan your escape." He also urged residents to make sure their smoke and CO alarms are working properly and meet the needs of all family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities. Mayor DiMaria noted that Morton Grove's first responders are dedicated to reducing the occurrence of home fire and injuries from home fires through prevention and protection education. He asked everyone to support the many public safety activities and efforts of the Village's fire and emergency services. X. CLERK'S REPORT Clerk Harford had no formal report this evening, but wanted to save a few words to Trustee Grear on this, his last Board meeting as a Trustee. She said she has known him longer than anyone in the room tonight—since first grade! She said Bill has always been the "loud voice in the room" and the person with the spirit to get everyone else involved and excited about the future. She cited his devotion to any cause he embraces has been apparent over the years, and has served him well in his youth, with his career, his family, and his community. Clerk Harford said that Bill's mentors, Dan Scanlon and Jack O'Brien, would be so proud of Bill's unwavering commitment to the Village. She thanked him for his years of selfless dedication to Morton Grove, and said she hoped he wouldn't be a stranger to this community that he's always called home. XI. STAFF REPORTS A. Village Administrator: 1. a. In the absence of Village Administrator Czerwinski, Tom Friel, Assistant to the Village Administrator, presented Resolution 22-39, Authorizing the Conveyance of Portions of Oketo Park From the Village of Morton Grove to the Morton Grove Park District, Pursuant to the Local Government Property Transfer Act. He explained that the Park District plans to construct significant park and recreational improvements at Oketo Park at a cost of over $1,000,000 and is seeking a $500,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to pay for part of these improvements. In order to obtain this grant, the Park District must show proof that it owns the property. To resolve any ambiguity about the ownership of the property, the Park District has requested, and the Village has agreed, to execute a Quit Claim deed transferring any interest it has in this land to the Park District. Since the grant application must be submitted by September 30, 2022, immediate action is needed on this Resolution. Mr. Friel asked for the Board's support of this matter. 2 Minutes of September 26, 2022 Board Meeting XI. STAFF REPORTS (continued) A. Villap;e Administrator: (continued) b. Trustee Grear moved to approve Resolution 22-39, seconded by Trustee Khan. Mayor DiMaria asked if any Board members had any questions or concerns about this matter. c. Trustee Thill asked how it happened that the Village owned part of Oketo Park's land and the Park District owned part of it. Mr. Friel directed the question to Corporation Counsel Liston. d. Ms. Liston said that, back in the 1950s and 1960s, when subdivisions were being created, one of the things the Village would do would be to require a portion of the land be dedicated for park purposes and a portion be dedicated for recreational purposes. Two subdivisions were created near Oketo Park in 1954 and 1955. Those two parcels, plus a third parcel the Park District acquired independently, became what is today's Oketo Park. The Park District has exercised exclusive control over the property. They maintain it as a Park expense and they run programs there. The Park District, in its efforts to upgrade Oketo Park, has applied for a $500,000 grant. They have to prove ownership, and in discussions with the title company, this issue came up, because the phrasing doesn't say "Dedicated to the Morton Grove Park District," rather, it says "Dedicate for parks and recreation." To resolve this title ambiguity and to ensure that nothing gets in the way of the Park District's efforts to get this important grant, this Resolution authorizes the Village to execute a Quit Claim deed and transfer all its interests in this land to the Park District. The Village would no longer have title to any of it. e. Trustee Thill asked Ms. Liston if the requirement of donating land when creating a subdivision is still "on the books." Ms. Liston said it's not strictly adhered to; the last time she can recall it being used was when the Delaine Farm subdivision was being built. She asked Community Development Administrator Zoe Heidorn if she had anything further to add. Ms. Heidorn said the practice of asking for land to be donated for parks/recreational purposes is solely at the discretion of the Plan Commission. f Trustee Thill asked if it was requested of the new development at 8500-8550 Lehigh. Ms. Liston said different developers have to meet different requirements. She believed that the developer for the new development Trustee Thill referred to had been required to donate a certain amount to affordable housing in the Village. There being no further questions, Mayor DiMaria called for the vote on Resolution 22-39. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Grear aye Tr. Khan aye Tr. Minx aye Tr. Thill aye Tr. Travis aye Tr. Witko aye 3 Minutes of September 26, 2022 Board Meeting XI. B. Corporation Counsel: Corporation Counsel Liston had no formal report this evening. STAFF REPORTS (continued) XII. TRUSTEES' REPORTS A. Trustee Grear: Trustee Grear had no formal report this evening. B. Trustee Khan: 1. Trustee Khan presented Ordinance 22-18, Approving a Special Use Permit for a Public Service Use for the Construction of a New Commuter Rail Station on Property Commonly Known as 8501 Lehigh Avenue in Morton Grove, II. This is the second reading of this Ordinance. a. She explained that the Village submitted a complete Special Use Application to the Department of Community and Economic Development requesting approval of a Special Use Permit for the construction of a new Metra commuter rail station at 8501 Lehigh Avenue in Morton Grove, which is zoned C/R Commercial/Residential. The "public service use" is classified as a Special Use in the C/R District. There is no Special Use Permit on file for the existing station, which was constructed in the 1970s. b. The Applicant (Village of Morton Grove) is proposing to locate the new station north of the current station to improve site access, circulation, and visibility. The proposed station will include approximately 1,280 square feet of interior floor space and feature a foyer, atrium, waiting areas, retail space, restroom, and utility closet. A heated 24-hour waiting area required by Metra will be accessible from the west elevation. The surface parking area, which currently contains 99 parking spaces, will be reconfigured to provide 103 parking spaces. New landscape areas will be provided around the site's perimeter and throughout the parking lot. c. On August 1, 2022, the Appearance Commission reviewed the Application, approved an Appearance Certificate for proposed improvements, and recommended approval of the Application with conditions. On August 4, 2022, the Traffic Safety Commission Chairperson determined that the project will not have a significant negative impact on the community from a traffic safety perspective, and waived the review of the Application by the full Commission. On August 15, 2022, the Applicant appeared before the Plan Commission to present the request for approval of the Application made under Case PC 22-11. Based on the Application, supporting staff report, and testimony presented at the public hearing, the Plan Commission voted unanimously (with one Commissioner absent) to recommend approval of the Special User Permit. 4 Minutes of Sept¢r 1bet 26, 2022 Board M€et' XII. B. Trustee Khan: (continued) Trustee Khan moved to adopt Ordinance 22-18, seconded by Trustee Thill. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) Tr. Grear aye Tr. Khan Ry± Tr. Minx aye Tr. ThiII Tr. Travis aye Tr. Witko aye C. Trustee Minx: Trustee Minx had no formal report this evening. D. Trustee Thill: Trustee Thill had no formal report this evening. E. Trustee Travis: 1. Trustee Travis presented for a first reading Ordinance 22-17, Amending Title 6, Chapter 3 of the Municipal Code of the Village of Morton Grove to Add a New Section 4 Entitled "Truancy." a. She said this Ordinance would establish truancy as a local ordinance violation and hold the parent or guardian responsible for a minor's chronic or habitual truancy. b. It is intended to be a "tool of last resort" to assist local school districts in curbing or stopping chronic or habitual truancy. A chronic or habitual truant is defined as a child who is under the age of 16, is subject to compulsory school attendance, and is absent for 5% or more of the previous 180 regular attendance days without valid cause, as determined by the principal of the child's school. c. At the request of superintendents of local area school districts, the Chief of Police has developed proposed amendments to the Village Code which will make chronic or habitual truancy a local ordinance violation and hold a parent or guardian responsible for a minor's chronic or habitual truancy. No citation shall be written pursuant to this Section unless the principal or his/her designee of the schools where the child is enrolled determines that the child is a chronic or habitual truant, that the child and/or his parent or guardian has been offered services or participation in a program which is intended to result in the cessation of habitual or ongoing truant behavior, including prevention, diagnostic, intervention, remedial services, drug and 5 Minutes of September 26, 1:122 Board Meeting XII. TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) E. Trustee Travis: (continued) alcohol counseling, mental health services, community service, education classes or other coun- seling services alternative programs, and the child and parents refused to accept such services or participate in such program. Fines imposed for violations of this Ordinance may be reduced or waived if the truant successfully completes and approved program intended to result in the cessation of the truant behavior. d. Trustee Travis said, as this is the first reading of Ordinance 22-17, no action will be taken this evening. e. Trustee ThiII asked if the Village knows the number of truants or the percentage of truancy that occurs in Morton Grove schools. f. Police Chief Mike Simo responded that it isn't a serious problem, but having this Ordinance on the books would be helpful going forward. It would be "another tool in the tool box." g. Trustee Thill asked if any parents were giving the police officers a hard time. Chief Simo said, occasionally, there are statements made by parents to keep their kids out of school for reasons the schools don't find reasonable or acceptable. h. Trustee Grear said he was really glad this ordinance wasn't around when he was a kid going to school! F. Trustee Witko: 1. Trustee Witko presented Resolution 22-38, Authorizing the Purchase of One (1) New 2022 Ram 2500 Tradesman Utility Truck from Larry Roesch Chrysler Ram, Elmhurst, Illinois. a. She explained that the Water/Sewer Division of Public Works regularly uses a Utility Truck as part of its normal operations. Its current 2011 Ford F350 Utility Truck has outlived its useful life. Typically, the Village purchases replacement vehicles of this nature from the Northwest Municipal XII. Conference (NWMC) Suburban Purchasing Cooperative. However, due to supply chain issues, Utility Trucks are not currently available through the Cooperative, and the availability of Heavy F. and Light Duty Utility Trucks from most dealerships has been suspended for 2022 and most of 2023, with no certainty of delivery in 2024. The Vehicle Maintenance Division has found a new b. 2022 Ram 2500 Tradesman Utility Truck which meets the needs of the Department available for purchase from Larry Roesch Chrysler Ram of Elmhurst, IL, for a total price of $75,900.24. After a trade-in credit for 10 surplus vehicles of $58,000, the net cost to the Village is $17,900.24. c. Trustee Witko said funds for this purchase are available in the 2022 Water Enterprise budget. She moved to approve Resolution 22-38, seconded by Trustee Travis. 6 Minutes of September 26, 2022 Board Meeting XII. F. Trustee Witko: (continued) Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. XIII. TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) Tr. Grear aye Tr. Khan Tr. Minx aye Tr. Thill aye Tr. Travis aye Tr. Witko aye OTHER BUSINESS 1. Mayor DiMaria called Trustee Grear to the podium. The mayor proclaimed today, September 26, 2022, as "Trustee Bill Grear Day" to honor Bill for his service and dedication to the people of Morton Grove and to the Morton Grove Board of Trustees. Mayor DiMaria noted that Bill and his wife, Jan, raised their three children in Morton Grove, and Bill was an active volunteer for many year as an assistant coach and coach for a variety of sports. Bill has also been a perennial volunteer for countless fundraisers and community events. He has been a key leader in running the Village's annual Moron Grove Days Festival, as a volunteer and as President of the Morton Grove Days Commission. Bill has served with distinction as a member of the Village Board for thirteen years, dedicating himself to his mission of making life better for the residents, businesses, and employees of Morton Grove. He's been a liaison to the Police Department, Fire Department, RED Center, Public Works, the Building Department, and the Finance Department. His desire to solve problems and his love for his neighbors supplied the tools he needed to serve his community with pride and excellence. a. Mayor DiMaria presented Bill with a clock, and said, "We couldn't have done all we've gotten done without Billy Grear. He has always backed me." He thanked Bill for his support and told him, "You're doing what's right for you and your family. Everyone's replaceable. But there's nobody who's worked longer and harder, or cared more, than you." 2. Trustee Khan also thanked Bill for his service. She felt he had service as a colleague, a brother, a friend, and a mentor to her. His service to Morton Grove has been invaluable. She said, "I'm sure this was a hard decision for you, and I wish you all the best." 3. Trustee Minx agreed that Bill has be a friend, mentor, co-worker, and a partner in legislation to her. She wished Bill good luck and told him to enjoy his time with his family. She said, "You're leaving behind big shoes to fill!" and reminded him to call whenever he's here in town. 4. Corporation Counsel Liston said she's known Bill for a very long time, and remembered a time when she had to tell him, "No, you can't award live bunnies as prizes at MarthaFest." She said Bill always says what he means. She looked over the packed Council Chambers and said, "All these people, current employees, former employees, former Board members—they've shown up here tonight to thank you for the difference you've made." She said Bill was always the first person to show up and the last person to leave. 7 Minutes of September 26, p22 Board Meeting XIII. OTHER BUSINESS (continued) 5. Trustee Thill noted that Bill Grear has "the biggest heart of anyone I know." He said Bill "left his footprints" all over town. 6. Trustee Travis said that Bill Grear is a true "Grover." The Village has been lucky to have him. She complimented Bill for helping so many residents and for serving selflessly for thirteen years. She said she was thankful for his car and friendship, for answering her questions, and for challenging her thinking. Trustee Travis said it makes her happy to know he's going to be spending time now doing what he wants to do. 7. Trustee Witko noted the theme of "mentor" being mentioned by some of her colleagues. She said she loved that she could talk with Bill anytime. He's lived a lifetime of volunteerism and leadership and she said she's blessed to have known Bill. 8. Fire Chief Ralph Ensign gave Bill a Fire Department coffee cup, a sweatshirt, and a tee-shirt (because it's warm in Florida) on behalf of the MG Fire Department personnel. He told Bill, "The firefighters think you're a great guy." Bill thanked the Chief and asked him to convey his thanks to the firefighters and staff. 9. Police Chief Mike Simo presented Bill with a card, a personalized Police Department jacket and a very cool picture of a cop car. He thanked Bill for all his help and support over the years. Bill told him he'd miss the MGPD dearly, and asked Chief Simo to thank the police personnel for him. 10. Joe Dahm of Public Works recalled the first time he met Bill Grear, Bill was pitching to him! He praised Bill for his dedication, honesty, and wit, and said it had been a privilege to have worked with him. He presented Bill with a Morton Grove Public Works sweatshirt. 11. Park District Commissioner Mazhar Khan said he was profoundly grateful for Bill's kindness and steadfast support over the years. He thanked Bill for all he has done for the community, and said that he and his family extend their deep and sincere thanks to Bill. 12. Bill thanked everyone and said, "Thirteen years doesn't sound like a long time." He said he was grateful that he had been part of a great family—not only his own, but the Action Party family. He thanked the Action Party members for "putting up with him," noting that he's not always the easiest guy to put up with. Bill said, "We always moved the Village forward and found great people to oversee this great Village." He thanked Dan Scanlon and Jack O'Brien and said, "If they hadn't gotten me involved 35 years ago, I would not be here." 8 Minutes of September 26, 2022 Board Meeting XIII. OTHER BUSINESS (continued) a. Bill noted that the Village Board is only as good as those "pulling the wagon," in other words, the remarkable staff of the Village. He thanked them wholeheartedly. b. Bill said he would always be grateful to former Mayor Dan Staackmann, who asked Tom Friel to mentor Bill and "show me the ropes" back in 2009 when Bill was first elected. c. Bill also thanked the residents. He said he always felt that he gave 100%, but for some reason, possibly due to the pandemic, he lost his stride and felt he was no longer giving that 100%. d. Lastly, Bill thanked his wife and his kids. He said he realizes that are a lot of family events that he's missed; it's part of doing your job as an elected official, and you've got to love what you do. He said he's always had a habit, when he's won an election or his "team" has swept the opposition, of making a sweeping motion with his hands and saying "Buh-bye." He looked around the room, grinned, and with a sweeping motion, told everyone "Buh-bye." 13. Mayor DiMaria said he will be appointing someone to fill Bill's seat on the Board. He is taking applications; anyone interested should visit the Village's website and apply by October 31. He will then do interviews and hopefully will make a decision before Thanksgiving. XIV. WARRANTS Trustee Grear presented the Warrant Register for September 26, 2022 in the amount of $334,357.07. He moved to approve this evening's Warrant Register as presented, seconded by Trustee Khan. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Grear aye Tr. Khan ly± Tr. Minx aye Tr. ThiII Tr. Travis aye Tr. Witko XV. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS Rudy Vilk. Mr. Vilk said he had given a letter to Corporation Counsel Liston and to Village Administrator Czerwinski but he has not received any answer. He continued to find fault with Ms. Liston, said she gets angry with him, she's makes mistakes, she won't help him, etc. As Mr. Vilk was speaking, his time elapsed. 9 Minutes of September.26, 2.B22 Board Meeting XVI. ADJOURNMENT Trustee Minx moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Trustee Witko. Motion passed unanimously via voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:48 p.m. PASSED this 10th day of October, 2022. Trustee Khan Trustee Minx Trustee Thill Trustee Travis Trustee Witko APPROVED by me this 10th day of October, 2022. Daniel P. DiMaria, Village President Board of Trustees, Morton Grove, Illinois APPROVED and FILED in my office this 11th day of September, 2022. Saba Koya, Deputy Village Clerk Village of Morton Grove, Cook County, Illinois Minutes by Teresa Cousar 10