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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-10-08 MinutesCALL 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, Shel Marcus, Rita Minx, Dan Staackmann, and John Thill. Trustee Roy Kogstad was absent. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Regarding the Minutes of the September 24, 2007 Regular Meeting, Mayor Krier asked if anyone had any changes or corrections to the Minutes. There were none. Trustee Minx moved, seconded by Trustee Brunner, to approve the September 24 Regular Meeting Minutes as presented. Motion passed unanimously via voice vote. b. Regarding the Minutes of the September 28, 2007 Special Meeting, Mayor Krier asked if anyone had any changes or corrections to these Minutes. Seeing none, Trustee Minx moved, seconded by Trustee Marcus, to approve the September 28, 2007 Special Meeting Minutes as presented. Motion passed unanimously via voice vote. IV PUBLIC HEARINGS NONE V SPECIAL REPORTS Trustee Marcus commented that October 9th is a special date for the Morton Grove Police De- partment. On October 9, 1989, Officer Barry Shalin was killed by a drunk driver. Trustee Mar- cus asked for a moment of silence to honor all deceased members of the Village's Public Safety personnel. Swearing-in Ceremony for New Police Officers Fire and Police Commission Chairman Mike Simkins, along with Trustee Marcus and Chief Tasch, performed the swearing-in ceremony for two new police officers. V. SPECIAL REPORTS (continued) Chairman Simkins commented that the process this time had been very rapid. He thanked his fellow Commissioners for their flexibility and adapting to a very rigorous schedule. He also thanked Chief Tasch and the Police Department staff for expediting tasks such as background checks, etc. Chairman Simkins presented Officer Jennifer J. Nemeth and her son, Kyle. He provided some background on Officer Nemeth: She began as a Morton Grove employee on September 27th and began her training on October 1st. She is a graduate of Wheeling High School, received an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice from Harper College and a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice from Louis University. She served for seven years as an MP in the Marines and achieved the rank of Sergeant. The Board congratulated Officer Nemeth as her son pinned on her badge. Chairman Simkins then introduced Officer Eric R. Eimer and his wife, Vicky. Like Officer Nemeth, Officer Eimer began as a Morton Grove employee on September 27th and began his training at the academy on October 1st. He was born in Missouri, attended St. Therese High School in Decatur, and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from the University of Illinois-Champaign. The Board welcomed Officer Eimer and congratulated him as his wife pinned on his badge. Trustee Marcus, who is liaison to the Police Department and the Fire and Police Commission, said that people often don't realize all the work that goes into having excellent police and fire personnel. He said the Village is fortunate to have an outstanding Fire and Police Commis- sion led by Chairman Simkins. 2. Presentation of Employee Anniversary Awards Mayor Krier and Village Administrator Joe Wade acknowledged and congratulated the follow- ing employees for their years of service to the Village: Scott Exo of the Fire Department for 15 years Dennis McCauley of the Fire Department for 15 years James Hosfield of the Fire Department for 20 years Nancy Reynolds of the Family and Senior Services Department for 20 years Paul Tobin of the Public Works Department for 20 years Bill Edwards of the Fire Department for 25 years Vincent Gendusa of the Public Works Department for 25 years James O'Keefe of the Fire Department for 25 years VI. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS (Agenda Items Only) Eric Poders. Mr. Poders submitted nine pages of documents purported in part to be a transcript of his comments from the September 24, 2007 meeting of the Village Board of Trus- tees. The Village Clerk accepted these documents and placed them on file as part of the Clerk's records. VII. Mayor Krier proclaimed the month of October 2007 as "Crime Prevention Month" and urged all citizens, government agencies, public and private institutions, and businesses to invest in the power of prevention and work together to make Morton Grove a safer, stronger, and more car- ing community. 2. Mayor Krier welcomed and introduced two students from Oakton Community College who are here tonight observing this meeting for a Government class. 3. Mayor Krier noted that, at the October 22, 2007 Board Meeting, AT&T will be present to dis- cuss their plan to launch cable service in Morton Grove. The mayor said that people can go to the Civic Center to see samples of the types of boxes AT&T will need to install in parkways and can check the Village's Web site to find the locations where AT&T is proposing that these boxes be installed. He invited everyone interested to attend the meeting on October 22~d 4. Mayor Krier said that the Family Fest Block Party event had over 1,000 people attend. About 350 people came to the pancake breakfast and hundreds stayed all day and into the evening to hear the live entertainment. Forty-two different community groups and businesses were rep- resented. Mayor Krier said that 60 businesses had pledged over $13,000 to help offset the costs of the event. He doesn't have the final financial status yet because pledges are still coming in, but wanted to thank some of the major sponsors, including Prinmar Corporation (a construction company), the Morton Grove Foundation, Lin-Mar Motors, S.B. Friedman & Com- pany, the Moose, LaSalle Bank, mb Financial, and many more. The mayor also thanked the Village staff, saying that an event like this couldn't even get off the ground without their help. He thanked Village Administrator Joe Wade, Human Resources Director Nancy Pankiw, Sanitarian Bonnie Burnett, Finance Director Danielle Partipilo, Director of Public Works Andy DeMonte and his staff, Fire Chief Tom Friel and Captain Bill Porter, Police Chief Paul Tasch and Deputy Chief Mark Erickson, Administrative Intern Peter Falcone, and Director of ESDA John Hill. He thanked his fellow Board members for attending and helping out all day. Mayor Krier said the bulk of the work and the planning had fallen on two people, Director of Commu- nity & Economic Development Bill Neuendorf and Christy Krier, the two co-chairmen of the event. He and the assemblage applauded and thanked them both for their thousands of hours of work. He also thanked former Mayor Dan Scanlon and other former trustees who attended. The Board will decide later if this is something that might be repeated next year. Trustee Marcus commented that the Village will "just have to win (the Family Circle Award) again next year." Mayor Krier said that, interestingly, he will be attending around-table dis- cussion in November with the mayor of Madison, Mississippi, which is another community that was named in the Family Circle list of "Top Communities in which to Raise a Family", as well as mayors from the other communities who won the award, to put together ideas that can be shared with many other communities to make their towns great places to raise a family. VIII. CLERK'S REPORT Clerk Fritzshall had no formal report, but said that the County is looking for both equipment judges and regular judges to man the polls during early voting and the presidential primary. Equipment judges earn $500 /day and have to attend three classes (2-3 hours each). Anyone interested should let her know and she'll have the County send out an application to them. IX. STAFF REPORTS A. Village Administrator Mr. Wade reminded the assemblage that the final Town Hall Meeting of 2007 would be held on Monday, October 29, at 7:00 p.m. at Austin Park fieldhouse. All are welcome. 2. Mr. Wade that said there would be a Special Board Meeting on Monday, October 15, at 7:00 p.m. for the hearing on Renovo's business license. Another Special Board Meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 17, at 7:00 p.m., for Bond Issuance Consideration. 3. Mr. Wade announced that two Budget Workshops have been scheduled: Wednesday, October 24, at 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 27, at 9:00 a.m. Notices of all the above meetings will also be posted on the Village's Web site. B. Corporation Counsel: Ms. Liston had no report. X. A. Trustee Brunner: TRUSTEES'REPORTS Trustee Brunner reminded the assemblage that residents age 55 and older could still call the Senior Services hot line at (847) 470-5223 to make an appointment to receive their flu immunizations. 2. Trustee Brunner also reminded the assemblage that the Community Relations Commission would be presenting a "Unity in Our Diversity" event on Sunday, October 14, from 1:00 p.m. tc 4:30 p.m. at the Civic Center. There will be a panel discussion featuring three speakers, and a question-and-answer period for audience participation. She encouraged everyone to attend. 3. Trustee Brunner congratulated Christy Krier and Bill Neuendorf on how wonderful the Family Fest Block Parry was. B. Trustee Marcus: Trustee Marcus had no formal report. He acknowledged Trustee Minx's involvement and helpfulness in the Fire and Police Commission's interviewing process for the newly-hired po- lice officers, and said that the Commission is now in the process of interviewing for fire per- sonnel. Trustee Marcus echoed Trustee Brunner's congratulations to Christy Krier and Bill Neuendorf, and said, "It couldn't have been done without everyone~ommunity members and Village personnel~etting involved." X. C. Trustee Kogstad: TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) Trustee Kogstad was absent - no report. D. Trustee Minx: Trustee Minx presented Ordinance 07-26, Providing for the Issuance of General Obliga- tion 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. This is the second reading of this Ordinance. Trustee Minx explained that this Ordinance will authorize the borrowing of funds and the issuance of bonds to pay for projects within the Lehigh/Ferris TIF District in an amount not to exceed $10 million; will authorize the execution of a bond order; and shall provide for the levy and collection of a direct annual tax for the payment of principal and interest on said bonds. The proceeds from the sale of these bonds shall be used to fund the cost of the issuance of the bonds, the cost of demolition of obsolete buildings within the TIF District, to conduct a utility study, the construction of a new water line on Main Street, the acquisition of real estate, the cost to construct and design roadway improvements, and to construct other public and in- frastructure improvements, as well as consultation and legal fees for general planning within the Lehigh/Ferris Redevelopment Project Area. Trustee Minx moved to approve Ordinance 07-26, seconded by Trustee Brunner. Trustee Staackmann asked if the interest rate was known yet. Finance Director Partipilo said it would be approximately 4.25%. He asked if the money would be issued all at once, or over time. She said it would be all at once. Trustee Staackmann asked where the money would go. She said it would be invested so that it can earn interest, but it would be invested through a consultant in various Treasury and other accounts, some short-term, some longer term, so that monies would be available as needed. Trustee Marcus asked if the interest earning could be used by the Village for "anything". Ms. Partipilo clarified that they could only be used for the project for which the bonds had been issued (i.e., the Lehigh/Ferris TIF District). There being no further discussion, Mayor Krier called for the vote on Ordinance 07-26. Motion passed: 5 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent. Tr. Brunner ~ Tr. Kogstad absent Tr. Marcus Tr. Minx ~ Tr. Staackmann ~ Tr. Thill 2. Next, Trustee Minx presented Resolution 07-53, Authorizing the Execution of a Contract with Sikich, LLP to Perform Auditing Services. She explained that the Village had sought proposals for auditing services and had received four. A committee comprised of Village staff and two Trustees evaluated the proposals and interviewed the auditing firms. X. D. Trustee Minx: (continued) TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) The committee determined that, while not the lowest bidder, the firm of Sikich, LLP was the preferred auditing firm. They will provide auditing services for the period January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2010 for the amount of $137,012. Trustee Minx moved, seconded by Trustee Marcus, to approve Resolution 07-53. Trustee Minx noted that she and Trustee Marcus, along with the Finance Director and Assis- tant Finance Director, had interviewed the auditing firms. They all interviewed well, but the committee felt that Sikich was the best. Trustee Thill thanked Trustee Marcus for making this all more understandable for him. Trustee Marcus said that the committee's concern was to get the best possible organization at the most fiscally responsible cost. The committee spent an evening interviewing each organi- zation and went through each proposal, addressing the pros and cons of each, until they fi- nally came to a consensus of which firm to present to the Board for its consideration. Trustee Marcus said he was pleased that the Village did this due diligence, and pleased with the proc- ess and how it all came out. He thanked the Village staff for their assistance. Mayor Krier said that this is really the first time it's been done this way. Typically, Village staff reviews everything and makes a recommendation to the Board. He felt having the Trustees involved in the process helped make it better, and thanked Trustees Marcus and Minx for be- ing willing to take this on. There being no further discussion, Mayor Krier called for the vote on Resolution 07-53. Motion passed: 4 ayes, 1 nays, 1 absent. Tr. Brunner ~ Tr. Kogstad absent Tr. Marcus Tr. Minx ~ Tr. Staackmann ~ Tr. Thill 3. Trustee Minx added her kudos to Bill Neuendorf and Christy Krier, saying it was a fantastic event. She noted that many residents told her and other members of the Board how much fun they had and how great it was that the Village had received the Family Circle award. She thanked everyone who participated in this event's success. E. Trustee Staackmann Trustee Staackmann presented for a first reading Ordinance 07-27, An Ordinance Granting an Amendment to the Special Use Permit for the Property Located at 8710 Ferris and 8701 Lincoln Avenue for a Planned Unit Development in the Village of Morton Grove. He explained that this ordinance will grant an amendment to the Special Use Permit for the property located at 8710 Ferris and 8701 Lincoln Avenue to allow a revision to the site plan to reduce the total units of townhomes from 65 to 64 as well as changes to the mix of unit types. Trustee Staackmann said he was impressed with the developer for coming back to the Village and changing this so he can "move" the units. X. E. TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) Trustee Staackmann: (continued) Mayor Krier noted that Village staff was requesting that the requirement for a first reading be waived so that the developer could proceed. Trustee Brunner moved to waive the first reading of Ordinance 07-27, seconded by Trustee Brunner. Trustee Thill wondered why the developer wanted to "build less". Village Administrator Wade said his understanding is that there is one model with a narrower frontage that they're having difficulty marketing. Trustee Marcus noted that it's not uncommon for a developer to change things around slightly once they see how the market is moving. He said that he, like Trustee Staackmann, has strong reservations about waiving the requirement for a first reading, but felt that, in this case, it would be more advantageous to the Village and the developer to move forward. Mayor Krier pointed out that the requirement for a first reading was never meant to tie the Vil- lage's hands; it was meant to ensure that projects that are controversial, or where large sums of money are being spent, have plenty of notice so that residents or concerned parties can have the opportunity to research them and speak out, if they care to. Mayor Krier said the Board wants to encourage businesses, and part of that is "cutting through the red tape", when necessary. There being no further discussion, Mayor Krier called for the vote on the motion to waive the first reading for Ordinance 07-27. Motion passed: 4 ayes, 1 nays, 1 absent. Tr. Brunner ~ Tr. Kogstad absent Tr. Marcus Tr. Minx ~ Tr. Staackmann ~ Tr. Thill Trustee Staackmann then moved to adopt Ordinance 07-27, seconded by Trustee Minx. Motion passed: 5 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent. Tr. Brunner ~ Tr. Kogstad absent Tr. Marcus Tr. Minx ~ Tr. Staackmann ~ Tr. Thill Trustee Thill Trustee Thill presented Ordinance 07-29, An Ordinance Amending Title 7, Chapter 9 of the Municipal Code of the Village of Morton Grove, Establishing Standards for the Con- struction of Facilities on the Public Rights-of-Way. He explained that the Village rights-of-way are a valuable and limited Village asset. From time to time, utility companies request the right to install structures, devices, objects, and materials on, over, above, along, upon, under, across, or within the rights-of-way. This ordinance identi- fies the process and standards by which the Village may grant permission to utility companies to utilize its rights-of-way. The ordinance was modeled after an ordinance developed by the Illinois Municipal League and addresses the permit application process, application fees, an- nual registration requirements, insurance and indemnification requirements, security require- ments, permit suspension and revocation, general construction standards, procedures for the removal/relocation/modification of utilities, maintenance, clean-up, restoration, variances, and penalties. X. F. Trustee Thill: (continued) TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) Citing AT&T's plans to install large boxes in Village parkways,Trustee Thill moved to waive the first reading on this Ordinance. The motion was seconded by Trustee Brunner and passed: 3 ayes, 2 nays, 1 absent. Tr. Brunner ~ Tr. Kogstad absent Tr. Marcus Tr. Minx ~ Tr. Staackmann ~ Tr. Thill Trustee Thill then moved to adopt Ordinance 07-29, seconded by Trustee Brunner. Trustee Brunner pointed out that this ordinance strengthens an ordinance passed by the Board earlier in the year regarding the Village's rights-of-way. Mayor Krier pointed out that it's important that this is in place, not only because of AT&T's plans, but because of other things coming up in the future. There being no further discussion, Mayor Krier called for the vote. Motion passed: 5 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent. Tr. Brunner ~ Tr. Kogstad absent Tr. Marcus Tr. Minx ~ Tr. Staackmann ~ Tr. Thill 2. Trustee Thill introduced Resolution 07-54, Authorization to Execute an Agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation and Authorization to Execute an Agreement with Ciorba Group, Inc. for the Austin Avenue Local Area Pavement Preservation (LAPP) Project. Trustee Thill moved to adopt Resolution 07-54, seconded by Trustee Minx. Motion passed: 5 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent. Tr. Brunner ~ Tr. Kogstad absent Tr. Marcus Tr. Minx ~ Tr. Staackmann ~ Tr. Thill Trustee Thill commented that Saturday's festivities are a classic example of why Morton Grove won the Family Circle award. XI. OTHER BUSINESS NONE XI I. WARRANTS Trustee Minx presented the Warrant Register for October 8, 2007, which totaled $632,142.86. She moved to approve the Warrants as presented, seconded by Trustee Marcus. Motion passed: 5 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent. Tr. Brunner ~ Tr. Kogstad absent Tr. Marcus Tr. Minx ~ Tr. Staackmann ~ Tr. Thill 8 XIII. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS Nancy Canning. Mrs. Canning said, regarding the Family Fest, there was a special couple there helping out, Bill Neuendorf's parents. They came in from Wisconsin and were very sup- portive. Mayor Krier agreed, saying that they helped all weekend. He said it's clear that Bill has a keen sense of family and that's what took the event to a higher level. XIV. ADJOURNMENT/EXECUTIVE SESSION There being no further business, Trustee Minx moved to adjourn to Executive Session to dis- cuss personnel, labor negotiations, litigation, and real estate matters. The motion was sec- onded by Trustee Brunner. Motion passed: 5 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent. Tr. Brunner ~ Tr. Kogstad absent Tr. Marcus Tr. Minx ~ Tr. Staackmann ~ Tr. Thill Mayor Krier called the Executive Session to order at 8:32 p.m. In attendance were Mayor Krier, Clerk Fritzshall, Trustees Brunner, Marcus, Minx, Staackmann, and Thill; Village Admin- istrator Wade, Corporation Counsel Liston, and Community & Economic Development Director Neuendorf. Following the discussion, Trustee Minx moved to adjourn the Executive Session, seconded by Trustee Brunner. The motion passed unanimously via voice vote at 9:31 p.m. Trustee Minx then moved to adjourn the Regular Meeting, seconded by Trustee Brunner. That motion also passed unanimously via voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 9:32 p.m. PASSED this 22nd day of October, 2007. Trustee Brunner Trustee Kogstad Trustee Marcus Trustee Minx Trustee Staackmann Trustee Thill APPROVED by me this 22nd day of October, 2007. Richard Krier, Village President Board of Trustees, Morton Grove, Illinois APPROVED and FILED in my office this 23rd day of October, 2007. Carol A. Fritzshall, Village Clerk Village of Morton Grove Cook County, Illinois Minutes by: Teresa Cousar 10