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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-28-2023MINUTES 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 FEBRUARY 28, 2023 CALL TO ORDER I. Village President Dan DiMaria convened the Regular Meeting of the Village Board at 7:00 p.m. &11. in the Council Chambers of Village Hall. III. Village Clerk Eileen Harford called the roll. Present were Trustees Saba Khan, Rita Minx, Ashur Shiba, John Thill, Connie Travis, and Janine Witko. IV APPROVAL OF MINUTES Trustee Minx moved to approve the Minutes of the February 14, 2023 Village Board Meeting as presented. Trustee Khan seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously via voice vote. Mayor DiMaria thanked Trustee Witko for filling in for him at the February 14, 2023 Board Meeting. V. SPECIAL REPORTS NONE VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS NONE VII. PLAN COMMISSION REPORTS NONE VIII. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS (Agenda Items Only) NONE 1"•- IX. - ..i •. �-. _- _ .t ftl : t'-'- .- Minutes of February28, 2023 Board Meeting IX. PRESIDENT'S REPORT 1. Mayor DiMaria noted that tonight is the last night of National Restaurant Month. You can still go out to eat tonight to participate and hopefully win one of 10 $25 gift cards! To enter, you can either submit a photo of you, your friends, or your family dining at a Morton Grove restaurant, or, submit receipts from a Morton Grove restaurant totaling at least $25 and dated tonight. Entries are due by March 9. Dine -in, take-out, and delivery are all eligible! Visit Village Hall to submit receipts or printed phots, or go to www.mortc 1,2 ';veil.org/dink..,,p, to submit digital photos. Winning entries will be announced at the March 14 Village Board meeting. Maximum of one winner per household. 2. Mayor DiMaria also announced that a new public plaza, "Gateway Plaza," will be constructed in 2023 at Lincoln and Ferris Avenues. Community members will be able to leave a lasting legacy through the purchase of a commemorative brick ($125) or bench ($3,000) to be installed in the plaza. The mayor said, at this time, all three benches have been taken. But a commemorative brick is still a wonderful way to honor a loved one, living or deceased, a veteran, a neighbor, a friend, family, or local organization. More information can be found on the Village's website. Applications will be taken until March 15, 2023. Commemorative items will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. He asked the assemblage to "spread the word." X. CLERK'S REPORT Clerk Harford had no formal report this evening. XI. STAFF REPORTS A. Village Administrator: 1. Village Administrator Czerwinski presented Ordinance 23-03, Approving and Authorizing the Execution of an Economic Incentive and Tax Increment Allocation Financing Development by and between the Village of Morton Grove, Illinoi, MHDC SLF LLC, and Metropolitan Housing Development Corporation, in regard to Certain Real Property Located in the Lincoln/Lehigh Redevelopment Area and the Expenditure of Funds From the Lincoln/Lehigh Tax Increment Financing District Fund. This is the second reading of this Ordinance. a. Mr. Czerwinski said this Ordinance approves and authorizes an Economic Incentive and Tax Increment Allocation Financing Development Agreement between the Village and MHDC SLF LLC, and Metropolitan Housing Development Corporation for a mixed-use development to include 24 residential units (including 6 affordable units) and ground -floor commercial uses with the Lincoln/Lehigh TIF District. b. Mr. Czerwinski said the Village owns property in the Lincoln/Lehigh TIF District, 8500 and 8550 Lehigh Avenue. 8500 Lehigh is currently vacant and has been for some time. 8550 Lehigh is 2 Minutes of February 28, 2023 Board Meeting XI. STAFF REPORTS (continued) A. Village Administrator: (continued) b. improved with an asphalt parking lot. MHDC SLF LLC ("Owner") and Metropolitan Housing Development Corporation ("Developer") propose to develop both properties and a portion of Chestnut Avenue that abuts these parcels with a mixed-use development to include twenty-four (24) residential units, including six (6) affordable units as defined by the Illinois Housing Development Authority). There will also be a coffee shop, a microbrewery, a private banquet room, restaurant, and cafe/bar. c. The Developer has represented, and the Village has verified, that the Development is not Financially feasible and cannot be constructed as proposed without Village assistance. The Developer submitted a TIF application demonstrating that financial assistance is necessary for the Development to generate a reasonable rate of return. The application was reviewed by Kane McKenna and Associates, who determined that the level of TIF assistance to be provided by the Village is reasonable. d. The total project cost for the Development is estimated to be $13.3 million, which is likely to increase due to hikes in construction and financing costs. The Developer and Village staff negotiated an Economic Incentive and Tax Increment Allocation Financing Development Agreement, which provides that the Village will sell its property to Owner for $1 million (subject to a note and mortgage for the full purchase price to be held by the Village); the Owner and Developer will develop, construct, operate, and maintain the Development as approved pursuant to Ordinance 22-03; upon completion of the Development, including the affordable housing units, the Village will reimburse the Owner and Developer for up to $1.8 million in TIF -eligible expenses; any Illinois Affordable Housing Tax Credits received by the Village relating to the Development shall be donated to the Developer; and the Owner's note to the Village shall be forgiven at a rate of 75% of the Village's share of state and local sales taxes generated by the Development. e. Mr. Czerwinski said the Village TIF assistance accounts for approximately 13.53% of the total development costs. This Ordinance will approve the Agreement and authorize the expenditure of TIF funds for this project. Mr. Czerwinski said Village staff would appreciate the Board's support of this Ordinance. Mayor DiMaria called for a motion on Ordinance 23-03. Trustee Thill moved to adopt this Ordinance, seconded by Trustee Minx. Clerk Harford then called the roll. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Khan aye Tr. Minx aye, Tr. Shiba Ayg Tr. Thill ave Tr. Travis aye Tr. Witko aye f. Mayor DiMaria pointed out that it's a common procedure for a municipality to hold the note and the mortgage of a developer, noting that Morton Grove has done it before. 3 - i 4.1r.ilMliniftietllwiear 2a;0D23 Board Meeting XI. A. Village Administrator: (continued) g. STAFF REPORTS (continued) Mr. Czerwinski extended his thanks to Corporation Counsel Liston, Community Development Administrator Zoe Heidorn, and Ted Stec, one of the developers, for the time, patience, and expertise in getting this project to the Board. He noted that Mr. Stec had gone through a great many iterations of the project prior to this current one. 2. Mr. Czerwinski then presented Resolution 23-15, Authorizing and Approving a Professional Service Agreement Between FGM Architects Inc. and the Village of Morton Grove For Design Study Services for a Combined Morton Grove Village Hall and Police Station Complex. a. He explained that the current Village Hall and Police Station facilities at 6101 Capulina Avenue have served the Village since 1980. Portion of the facility were originally built in the 1890s, with many additions through the decades. This building was previously used as a public grammar school. The facilities no longer meet the needs of the Village of the community. They are in a state of deterioration that renders them obsolete, cost prohibitive to maintain, and detrimental to Village operations. The Village is currently in negotiations with Fifth Third Bank to acquire the property commonly known as 6201 Dempster Street, Morton Grove, as the future site of a combined Village Hall and Police Station complex. b. Village staff sought out and evaluated the work of architectural firms experienced in providing design services for the reuse of existing structures for municipal facilities. After reviewing municipal facilities that have been designed by FGM Architects Inc. of Oak Brook, IL, staff finds that FGM Architects best meets the Village's design study service needs for converting the existing building at 6201 Dempster to a municipal complex. FGM Architects Inc. submitted a proposal dated February 20, 2023, for design services relating to a future municipal complex at 6201 Dempster in Morton Grove for the base cost of $48,400 plus reimbursable expenses. c. This Resolution will authorize the Village Administrator to negotiate, finalize, and execute a professional service agreement with FGM Architects for design study services based on their proposal dated February 20, 2023, and for such additional project planning and analysis services as deemed necessary by the Village Administrator for a total expenditure not to exceed $60,000, the amount budgeted by the Village for this work. Design study services work is expected to start in late March 2023, with all services being completed approximately four (4) months thereafter. Trustee Witko moved, seconded by Trustee Travis, to approve Resolution 23-15. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Khan ay± Tr. Minx aye Tr. Shiba ay± Tr. Thill aye Tr. Travis ave Tr. Witko aye d. Trustee Thill commented, "It's about time." 4 Minutes of February 28, 2023 Board Meeting XI. B. Corporation Counsel: Corporation Counsel Liston had no formal report this evening. STAFF REPORTS (continued) XII. A. Trustee Khan: Trustee Khan had no formal report this evening. TRUSTEES' REPORTS B. Trustee Minx: Trustee Minx had no formal report this evening. C. Trustee Shiba: Trustee Shiba had no formal report this evening. D. Trustee Thill: Trustee Thill announced that Morton Grove is once again offering residents an opportunity to participate in the Village's 50/50 Tree Planting Program, which allows residents to choose available tree types to be planted in their parkway by paying 50% of the cost. This year, the cost for the resident is $60 per tree. To take part in this program, visit the Village's website or pick up an application at Village Hall. The deadline to apply for this program is April 1, 2023. E. Trustee Travis: Trustee Travis announced that the Morton Grove Police and Fire Department are seeking "Citizens Police & Fire Academy" participants. 2023 is the first year the Fire Department will be joining the Academy. This free, 12 -week program gives residents a working knowledge of the departments' operations, law enforcement, firefighting, and emergency medical services. The Academy will be held on Tuesdays, March 7 through May 23, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at Village Hall, 6101 Capulina Avenue. Visit the Village's website or contact the MGPD Community Liaison Officers at 847-470-5200 to apply. Classes are limited to 20 students, so sign up today! 5 Minutes of February 28, 2023 Board Meeting XII. F. Trustee Witko: Trustee Witko had no formal report this evening. XIII. TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) OTHER BUSINESS NONE XIV. WARRANTS Trustee Khan presented the Warrant Register for February 28, 2023 in the amount of $306,264.10. She moved to approve the Warrant Register as presented, seconded by Trustee Minx. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Khan ave Tr. Minx aye Tr. Shiba Tr. Thill aye Tr. Travis aye Tr. Witko kyg XV. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS 1. Rudolf Vilk had requested time before the Board this evening. a. b. Prior to Mr. Vilk coming to the podium, Mayor DiMaria addressed the assemblage. He said that the Illinois Open Meetings Act allows any person the right to address public officials under the rules established by the public body, and that is as it should be. The Village of Morton Grove's Code allows residents to speak on an Agenda item at the beginning of the meeting, and any person to speak on a topic of Village concern for up to four (4) minutes at the end of the meeting. Morton Grove's ordinance provides that meetings are conducted pursuant to Robert's Rules of Order as determined by the mayor. Robert's Rules of Order require speakers to be courteous, to avoid personal attacks, and to focus comments on Village -related topics, not on individuals. Robert's Rules of Order states it is the Mayor's responsibility to enforce these rules. Mayor DiMaria said, "Mr. Vilk speaks at Board meetings on a regular basis. At most meetings, he addresses the same topic which he has addressed at previous meetings, misrepresents his conversations with elected officials and Village staff, and makes personal attacks against elected officials and our staff. The last time Mr. Vilk addressed the Board, he rudely, and without cause, accused our Village Administrator of being a criminal. Mr. Vilk's previous behavior at Village Board meetings is unacceptable and I will no longer tolerate it." 6 Minutes of February 28, 2023 Board Meeting XV. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS (continued) c. Mayor DiMaria said, "Effective immediately, Mr. Vilk will have the right to speak at Board meet- ings. His comments shall continue to be limited to four minutes; however, if he addresses the Board on the same complaint or on a topic that he has recently spoken about, or if he personally attacks anyone, or acts rudely or disrespectfully, he will lose his right to continue speaking and will be barred from addressing the Board for the next two meetings." Mayor DiMaria then invited Mr. Vilk to the podium. Mr. Vilk sent he recently sent each Board member an 8 -page letter. He said Corporation Counsel Liston had told him to send it. He said he has been sending letters since 2020. He was concerned about the minimum fees for water usage and asked why the fee structure is written in a manner that makes it difficult to understand. He said it seems as if there is no additional charge for people if they use more than 8,000 gallons of water, but no discount for people who use Tess than 3,000 gallons. Mr. Vilk again questioned the $5M savings the Village was supposed to receive for the difference between purchasing water from the City of Chicago versus the City of Evanston. He said he has asked for a written response to this question but has not received one. He said that he hopes, by the next meeting, he will have received a response. XVI. ADJOURNMENT Trustee Minx moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Trustee Witko. Motion passed unanimously via voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m. 7 Minutes of February 28,4:123 Board Meeting PASSED this 14th day of March, 2023. Trustee Khan Trustee Minx Trustee Shiba Trustee Thill Trustee Travis Trustee Witko APPROVED by me this 14th day of March, 2023. Daniel P. DiMaria, Village President Board of Trustees, Morton Grove, Illinois APPROVED and FILED in my office this 15th day of March, 2023. Eileen Harford, Village Clerk Village of Morton Grove, Cook County, Illinois Minutes by Teresa Cousar 8