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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-12-2024MINUTES 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 NOVEMBER 12, 2024 CALL TO ORDER I. In the absence of Mayor Dan DiMaria, Village Clerk Eileen Harford requested a motion from the Board to appoint a Mayor pro -tem. Trustee Travis moved to have Trustee Witko serve as Mayor pro -tem for tonight's meeting. The motion was seconded by Trustee Minx and passed: 5 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent. Tr. Khan absent Tr. Minx aye Tr. Shiba aye Tr. Thill aye Tr. Travis aye Tr. Witko aye Trustee Witko then 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. Clerk Harford called the roll. Present were Trustees Rita Minx, Ashur Shiba, John Thill, Connie Travis, and Janine Witko. Mayor DiMaria and Trustee Saba Khan were absent with notice. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Mayor pro -tem Witko asked for a motion to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 22, 2024 as presented. Trustee Minx so moved, seconded by Trustee Shiba. Motion passed unanimously via voice vote with 1 absent. IV. SPECIAL REPORTS NONE V. PUBLIC HEARINGS NONE VI. PLAN COMMISSION REPORTS NONE Minutes November 12, 2024 Board Meeting VII. VIII. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS (AGENDA ITEMS ONLY) NONE PRESIDENT'S REPORT 1. Mayor pro -tem Witko joined Police Chief Mike Simo at the podium for the presentation of the Civilian Award of Merit to a good Samaritan from Skokie. Chief Simo was joined by Michael Lande, a resident of Skokie, and Officer Dan Dahm, who was the first responding officer at the scene. a. Chief Simo explained that, on October 24, 2024, the Morton Grove Police Department received a call for a reckless driver in the area of Oakton Street and River Drive. As officers responded, the suspect vehicle collided with a parked car and then drove onto Metra train tracks, where it became disabled. At that moment, a southbound train was rapidly approaching, and the situation became perilous. b. Fortunately, Michael Lande was in the vicinity and witnessed the incident. Without hesitation, he took immediate action, approaching the disabled vehicle and pulling the sole occupant to safety, away from the tracks. Moments later, the vehicle was struck by the oncoming train and was catastrophically impacted. c. Michael Lande's swift and courageous response undoubtedly prevented a tragic fatality. His actions exemplify the highest standards of bravery and community spirit, and the Morton Grove Police Department is honored to present him with this Civilian Award of Merit in recognition of his heroic efforts. Chief Simo applauded Mr. Lande's swift and courageous response, and said he admired Mr. Lande's actions. Mayor pro -tem Witko said she was proud to offer Mr. Lande a "Key to the City" of Morton Grove, noting that this is an honor seldom given, but definitely deserved to Mr. Lande for his heroism. 2. Mayor pro -tem Witko said that work is continuing on the new Metra Station. As the winter months approach, the Village is investigating options to provide support for "kiss and ride" patrons. She encouraged residents to check the Village's website and social media to be aware of any changes. 3. Lastly, Mayor pro -tem Witko urged residents to stay up to date on the latest Village events and news by signing up for E -News and following the Village on Facebook and Instagram. IX. CLERK'S REPORT Clerk Harford had no formal report this evening. 2 Minutes November 12, 2024 Board Meeting X. A. Village Administrator: Mr. Meyer had no formal report this evening. STAFF REPORTS B. Corporation Counsel: Corporation Counsel Liston had no formal report this evening. XI. TRUSTEES' REPORTS A. Trustee Khan: 1. Trustee Khan was absent with notice, but Mr. Meyer introduced Ordinance 24-21, Adopting the Budgets for All Corporate Purposes of the Village of Morton Grove and the Morton Grove Library, Cook County, Illinois, For The Calendar Year Effective January 1, 2025 and Ending December 31, 2025. a. Mr. Meyer said the Budget was presented at a Village Workshop held on October 15 and a Public Hearing on the Budget will take place on November 26, 2024. Public notice of the hearing was published in the Chicago Tribune Local newspaper on November 14, 2024. The Budget has been available at the office of the Village Administrator, the Public Library, and posted on the Village's website since at least November 4, 2024. b. Mr. Meyer said that Village staff, led by Finance Director Hanna Sullivan as well as the department heads, have been working on the budget and tax levy since July. He said this is a "managed" budget totaling $79 million dollars, which is a 5.5% decrease from the 2024 Budget. This is largely due to projects that have now been completed or are nearing completion. c. Some highlights of the Budget are progressive enhancements (i.e., bond rate stabilization) and long-term goals such as maintaining the Village's financial reserves, continuing pension contributions at an appropriate level. The Budget also focuses on resurfacing streets, replacement of water mains, and sewer lining projects. The Austin Avenue reconstruction will continue, as well as the work being done on the Oakton Street pedestrian path. Maintenance of public facilities, systematic equipment replacement, and IT security enhancements are also included in the 2025 Budget. As this is the first reading of this Ordinance, no action will be taken this evening. 2. Next, Mr. Meyer brought forward Ordinance 24-22, Levying and Assessing Taxes for the Village of Morton Grove, Cook County, Illinois, for 2024 to be Collected in the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2025 and Ending December 31, 2025. 3 Minutes November 12, 2124 Board Meeting XI. A. Trustee Khan: (continued) TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) a. Mr. Meyer explained that the amount necessary to be levied for the 2024 property taxes is $12,104,185 for Village operational expenses; $660,213 for Village debt service; and $3,908,808 for the Public Library. This will result in a levy of $12,764,398 for the Village and $3,908,828 for the Library, for a total levy of $16,673,226. The effective result is a 3.74% increase in the Village's portion of the tax levy and a 4.85% increase in the Library's portion of the tax levy, resulting in an overall increase of 4.0% from the final extended tax levy from the previous year. As this is the first reading of this Ordinance, no action will be taken this evening. B. Trustee Minx: 1. Trustee Minx presented Resolution 24-64, Authorizing a Collective Bargaining Agreement Between the Village of Morton Grove and the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 2178, for January 1, 2024 Through December 31, 2026. a. She explained that the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 2178 (IAFF) is the exclusive representative of sworn positions in the Fire Department at and below the rank of Lieutenant in th Morton Grove Fire Department. The Village and the IAFF have routinely negotiated numerous collective bargaining agreements; the most recent contract expired on December 31, 2023. b. Notable changes in the new three-year contract include increased compensation, increased Preceptor Pay; increased tuition reimbursement; and a change to the employee health insurance premiums. Trustee Minx moved to approve Resolution 24-64, seconded by Trustee Thill. Motion passed: 5 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent. Tr. Khan absent Tr. Minx aye Tr. Shiba aye Tr. Thill ave Tr. Travis aye Tr. Witko ave 2. Next, Trustee Minx presented Resolution 24-65, Authorizing the Purchase of One Stryker MTS Power -Load Powered Cot Fastener System. a. She explained that the purchase of this equipment is necessary in order to continue to provide excellent and reliable services to the community, while also increasing the safe handling and movement of patients. b. The Fire Department's apparatus fleet consists of three ambulances, two front-line and one reserve. Each ambulance is outfitted with a Stryker Power -LOAD Powered Cot Fastener and a 4 Mffitit0filfvectrWilf2tiAliblartra XI. TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) B. Trustee Minx: (continued) Stryker Powered Cot. These two -unit work in concert with each other, allowing for the safe loading and unloading of patients into and out of the ambulances. The purchase of this new equipment will be used to replace the current unit in Ambulance #5. It helps increase safety by supporting the cot throughout loading and unloading. Data indicates a high percentile in preventing injuries due to the reduction in spinal loading when placing the cot in the ambulance, preventing cumulative trauma injuries. These devices function in this role thousands of times every year. c. As with anything mechanical that involves moving parts, guide rails, and support mechanisms, parts deteriorate and wear out. This situation has occurred with Ambulance #5 and is starting to impact the others as well, despite the fact that maintenance is performed on the units annually and/or as needed. The MGFD strongly believes that this is not a defect in the product, but a condition where the length of time that something stays in good, properly functioning condition, is up. d. Stryker is the sole source provider of this device and this purchase is essential in maintaining the safety and compatibility for our ambulances as well as our mutual aid partner, who all utilize the same device. The quote for this equipment is $31,305.99, including freight and shipping. The Village is working on reducing the quote through use of Sourcewell, a purchasing consortium. Trustee Minx moved, seconded by Trustee Travis, to approve Resolution 24-65. Motion passed: 5 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent. Tr. Khan absent Tr. Minx awe, Tr. Shiba ave Tr. Thill aye Tr. Travis aye Tr. Witko aye C. Trustee Shiba: Trustee Shiba had no formal report, but commented that the 2024 Pumpkin Smash surpassed last year's totals! The 2024 Pumpkin Smash saw a total of 4.07 tons of pumpkins disposed of. He thanked everyone who participated in this event. D. Trustee Thill: Trustee Thill had no formal report this evening. He mentioned that a resident had approached him, very disturbed that the Village hadn't gotten rid of a pile of debris he had left at the curb. Trustee Thill reminded the resident that the Village is doing "leaf pick-up" only, and asked the resident if his pile of debris had anything other than leaves in it. That ended the discussion. 5 Minutes November 12,24 Board Meeting XI. TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) E. Trustee Travis: Trustee Travis said there are still planters available for the Village's Winter Adopt -a -Planter PrograL._ Anyone interested in obtaining a planter should visit the Village's website to secure your planter today! F. Trustee Witko: Trustee Witko had no formal report this evening. XII. OTHER BUSINESS NONE XIII. WARRANTS In the absence of Trustee Khan, Trustee Travis presented the Warrant Register for November 12, 2024 in the amount of $401,795.71.Trustee Travis moved to approve the Warrants as presented, seconded by Trustee Minx. Motion passed: 5 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent. Tr. Khan absent Tr. Minx aye Tr. Shiba aye Tr. Thill aye Tr. Travis aye Tr. Witko aye XIV. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS NONE XV. ADJOURNMENT As there was no further business before the Board, Trustee Minx moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Trustee Shiba. Motion passed unanimously via voice vote with 1 absent. The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m. 6 PASSED this 26th day of November 2024. Trustee Khan Trustee Minx Trustee Shiba Trustee Thill Trustee Travis Trustee Witko I e NE Prpe LQ APPROVED by me this 26th day of November 2024. • Daniel P. DiMaria, Village President Board of Trustees, Morton Grove, Illinois APPROVED and FILED in my office this 27th day of November 2024. Eileen Harford, Village Clerk Village of Morton Grove, Cook County, Illinois Perittifes Minutes by Teresa Cousar 7