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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-03-25 Board Minutes MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE PRESIDENT AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF MORTON GROVE COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, HELD AT THE RICHARD T. FLICKINGER MUNICIPAL CENTER MARCH 25, 2013 CALL TO ORDER I & Village President Dan Staackmann called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and led the II. assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance. He then directed the Clerk to call the roll. III. Village Clerk Tony Kalogerakos called the roll. Present were: Trustees Dan DiMaria, Bill Grear, John Thill, and Maria Toth. Trustees Larry Gomberg and Shel Marcus were absent with notice. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Regarding the Minutes of the Special Meeting of March 11, 2013, Trustee DiMaria moved, seconded by Trustee Toth, to accept the Minutes as presented. Motion passed unanimously (with two absent) via voice vote. b. Regarding the Minutes of the March 11, 2013 Regular Board Meeting, Trustee DiMaria moved, seconded by Trustee Toth, to accept the Minutes as presented. Motion passed unanimously (with two absent) via voice vote. V. SPECIAL REPORTS NONE VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS NONE VII. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS (Agenda Items Only) Bob Burkhardt of the Community Relations Commission spoke regarding the National Fair Housing Month proclamation on this evening's Agenda. He explained that the Chairman of the Commission, Samina Hussain, would have been present this evening, but she had a sick child at home. VII. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS (Agenda Items Only) (continued) Mr. Burkhardt said that he is the Chair of the Fair Housing Committee, a subcommittee of the Community Relations Commission. He thanked the mayor and the Commission's trustee liaisons, Trustees Marcus and Thill, as well as the other Board members and Village staff, for their support of fair housing in Morton Grove. He said the Commission envisions tonight's proclamation as an encouragement to the Commission to continue working on ways to assist the Village in doing an even better job of addressing housing issues that challenge Morton Grove and virtually every community these days. Mr. Burkhardt said that, last fall, Open Communities (formerly Interfaith Housing) had done an audit of housing discrimination for the Village. A copy of that report was given to each Board member and the Village Administrator. The report indicated that the audit found no outward signs of racial discrimination in rental testing. The Village ought to be proud of this. At the same time, the audit found that, like most other towns, the Village needs to pay attention to persons with disabilities. Mr. Burkhard said that Morton Grove is a diverse community and a good place to live. Some of its challenges, however, include foreclosures, lack of rental properties, the need for more knowledge about programs that can assist first-time home buyers. The Fair Housing Committee is working on ways to provide information or workshops for the Village and potential residents. The Community Relations Commission looks forward to working with the Board and staff, and encourages residents to offer suggestions on what the Commission could do to address these important and timely housing matters. VIII. PRESIDENT'S REPORT Mayor Staackmann read three proclamations: 1. He proclaimed the month of April 2013 as"Sexual Assault Awareness Month," noting that all individuals must work together to educate everyone in the community about what can be done to prevent sexual assault, as well as how to support the many survivors. Mayor Staackmann said the Village strongly supports the efforts of national, state, and local partners, and of every citizen, to actively engage in public and private efforts to prevent sexual violence. 2. Next, Mayor Staackmann proclaimed April 2013 as "National Fair Housing Month" in the Village. The proclamation establishes Morton Grove as an open and inclusive community committed to fair housing. 3. Lastly, Mayor Staackmann proclaimed April 2013 as "National Donate Life Month." He said that the need for organ donors is greater than ever before, with more than 110,000 Americans awaiting an organ transplant. He urged everyone to renew their commitment to addressing this urgent public health issue, to ensure that every individual has access to the care and services they should have. 2 Minutes of March 25.2013 Board Meeting IX. CLERK'S REPORT 1. Clerk Kalogerakos presented Resolution 13-16, Accepting the Canvass Results and Proclamation For the February 26, 2013 Consolidated Primary Election. This resolutions accepts and confirms the results of the February 26, 2013 Consolidated Primary Election. Two candidates from the Action Party ran for the office of Village President. Total ballots cast were 2,817, of which candidate Daniel P. DiMaria received 1,691 votes and candidate Daniel J. Staackmann received 1,126 votes. Trustee Thill moved to approve Resolution 13-16, seconded by Trustee Toth. Motion passed: 4 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent. Tr. DiMaria ave Tr. Gomberg absent Tr. Grear ae Tr. Marcus absent Tr. Thill ante Tr. Toth aye 2. Clerk Kalogerakos announced that the Consolidated Municipal Election would be held on Tuesday, April 9, 2013. Early voting began today and ends April 6. Residents can vote early at Niles Village Hall (at Oakton and Waukegan), Skokie Village Hall, or the Skokie Court House. 3. Clerk Kalogerakos said that he has been approached by some residents concerned about the number of accidents occurring at the Beckwith/Shermer intersection. He wanted to let the people know that he has spoken with Mr. Home and Police Chief Mark Erickson about this. Clerk Kalogerakos said that, according to Chief Erickson, 200 citations have been issued at that intersection in the last year and a half. The Village will determine what its best course of action to resolve the issues at that intersection. X. STAFF REPORTS A. Village Administrator: 1. Village Administrator Home assured the assemblage that the Village is taking the matter of the Beckwith/Shermer intersection seriously. 2. Mr. Home apologized for a billing error that had been discovered after the Village's vehicle sticker applications had been mailed out. Some had inadvertently not shown the senior discount. He assured residents that the senior discount on Village vehicle stickers is intact. Proof of age is required and one senior discount per household is allowed. 3. Mr. Home then introduced Sharon Durling from the Northern Illinois Municipal Electric Collaborative, a leader in electrical aggregation in Illinois. They worked on Morton Grove's aggregation efforts, as well as 96 other communities in the State. Ms. Durling was present this evening to provide some results of Morton Grove's aggregation. She noted that the average savings per household to date was about $264 (over the nine-month period since aggregation occurred). As a community, the Village's savings in that period is nearing the $2 million mark. 3 Minutes of March 25,2013 Board Meeting X. STAFF REPORTS (continued) a. Ms. Durling said that Commonwealth Edison will implement a one-cent per kilowatt hour increase in its capacity charge for every user. It's good for the Village to be aware of this, as it will be going out to bid again on the electrical contract in the next few months—the current term expires in July. b. Trustee Thill asked if there was anything on the horizon in terms of aggregation for gas. Ms. Durling said that her organization only deals with electrical aggregation. Gas was deregulated some time ago, and the legislature has voted municipal gas aggregation down. B. Corporation Counsel: Corporation Counsel Liston had no report. XI. TRUSTEES' REPORTS A. Trustee DiMaria: Trustee DiMaria presented Resolution 13-17, Authorizing a Contract Extension With the Morton Grove Firefighters Association. He explained that the Morton Grove Firefighters became certified in 1986 as a collective bargaining unit. The initial contract was entered into in May of 1987 and since then, they have periodically renegotiated the terms and conditions of their Collective Bargaining Agreement. The terms of the 2009-2012 agreement were the result of an arbitrator's award. The parties have agreed to extend those terms for one additional year and provide a salary increase of 2% to be effective for fiscal year 2013, effective January 1, 2013. Rather than enter into a protracted negotiation, the parties have agreed to a Memorandum of Agreement for this change for calendar year 2013. Trustee DiMaria moved to approve Resolution 13-17, seconded by Trustee Grear. Motion passed: 4 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent. Tr. DiMaria aye Tr. Gomberg absent Tr. Grear aye Tr. Marcus absent Tr. Thill aye Tr. Toth aye B. Trustee Gomberq: Trustee Gomberg was absent—no report. C. Trustee Grear: Trustee Grear had no formal report, but thanked Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Debbie Juris for encouraging the proclamation for National Donate Life month. 4 Minutes of March 25,2013 Board Meeting XI. TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) D. Trustee Marcus: Trustee Marus was absent—no report. E. Trustee Thill: 1. Trustee Thill presented Resolution 13-18,Authorization for the Purchase of a 2013 Ford F-250 Pick Up Truck and a 2013 F-450 Cab & Chassis With Utility Body &Wheel Lift. This will replace a 1997 Ford pick-up and a 1991 Chevrolet Kodiak tow truck with high mileage currently assigned to the Vehicle Maintenance Department. These replacement vehicles will cost$88,680. Trustee Thill moved to approve Resolution 13-18, seconded by Trustee DiMaria. Motion passed: 4 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent. Tr. DiMaria ae Tr. Gomberg absent Tr. Grear ae Tr. Marcus absent Tr. Thill Tr. Toth ays 2. Next, Trustee Thill presented Resolution 13-19, Authorization for the Purchase of Two (2) 2014 International 7400 SFA Trucks With Plows and Salt Spreaders. He explained that these will replace two 1992 GMC Topkick Dump Trucks with high mileage currently assigned to the Public Works Street and Water Departments. The cost of these two replacement vehicles is $254,415. Trustee Thill moved to approve Resolution 13-19, seconded by Trustee Toth. Motion passed: 4 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent. Tr. DiMaria au Tr. Gomberg absent Tr. Grear aye Tr. Marcus absent Tr. Thill aye. Tr. Toth ae 3. Trustee Thill then brought forward Resolution 13-20, Authorization For the Purchase of a New 2013 John Deere 1435 Series II Commercial Front Mower With a 60-Inch Mower Deck, Contract#10-LTOO777-A. He explained that this will replace a 2001 John Deere F935 Front Mower with high hours currently assigned to the Public Works Street Department. The cost of this vehicle is $13,677.76. Trustee Thill moved, seconded by Trustee Toth, to approve Resolution 13-20. Motion passed: 4 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent. Tr. DiMaria aye Tr. Gomberg absent Tr. Grear aye Tr. Marcus absent Tr. Thill ae Tr. Toth aye Trustee Thill asked Director of Public Works Andy DeMonte if the Village would have been better off putting all of these vehicles in the Northwest Municipal Conference's auction, versus trading them in on the replacement vehicles. Mr. DeMonte said that, typically, the auction does well for SUVs or police vehicles, but not really for heavy equipment-type vehicles. 5 Minutes of March 25.2013 Board Meeting XI. TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) Trustee Thill: (continued) 4. Lastly, Trustee Thill presented Resolution 13-21, Authorizing the Execution of a Contract With H&H Electric Company For the Traffic Signal and Street Lighting Maintenance Program. He explained that the Village is responsible for 10 traffic signals and all of the Village-owned street lights. It is more cost-effective to hire a contractor to maintain these. The contract is for basic routine maintenance; however, an additional amount of$50,000 per year is expected for emergency services, such as when a traffic light or street light pole is knocked down in a crash or other unforeseeable event. The Village is reimbursed by the State for maintaining IDOT- owned traffic signals and street lights, but to be reimbursed, the Village is required to bid the contract according to State requirements. Three bids were received, and H&H Electric Company of Franklin Park, Illinois, was determined to be the lowest responsible bidder. The estimated contract value is$24,849.48, but the estimated contract amount (including the contingency for emergency services) is $80,000. Trustee Thill moved to approve Resolution 13-21, seconded by Trustee Toth. Motion passed: 4 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent. Tr. DiMaria aye Tr. Gomberg absent Tr. Grear Aye Tr. Marcus absent Tr. Thill aye Tr. Toth aye F. Trustee Toth: Trustee Toth had no report. XII. OTHER BUSINESS NONE XI I I. WARRANTS Trustee Toth presented the Warrants for March 25, 2013 in the amount of$688,647.39. She moved to approve the Warrants, seconded by Trustee Thill. Trustee Thill had several questions. He asked about a $12,330 check for Walgreens revenue- sharing, and wondered if that was for both of the Morton Grove Walgreens or just one. Finance Director Remy Navarrete responded that only one of the two Walgreens located in Morton Grove has a revenue-sharing agreement with the Village. In answer to Trustee Thill's additional query, that revenue-sharing agreement will be over in 2013. Trustee Thill also asked about the revenue-sharing agreement that CVS has with the Village. Ms. Navarrete said that agreement runs for another two years. Trustee Thill asked why the Village used two elevator companies, Schindler Elevator Corporation and Collely Elevator Company. Mr. DeMonte replied that Schindler Elevator is proprietary and the other company is cheaper. 6 Minutes of March 25,2013 Board Meeting XIII. WARRANTS (continued) Mr. DeMonte added that the Village is working on getting everything serviced by a single elevator company. There was no further discussion on the Warrants. Mayor Staackmann called for the vote. Motion passed: 3 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent, 1 abstain. Tr. DiMaria ave Tr. Gomberg absent Tr. Grear aye Tr. Marcus absent Tr. Thill rye Tr. Toth aye Corporation Counsel noted that the Mayor needed to vote in this case, since there were only three "aye" votes. Mayor Staackmann aye XIV. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS 1. Steve Muldavan, a 14-year resident, was concerned about the Village's animal license fees. He has three cats, and has to pay $25 each for license fees. He said he had called some of the surrounding towns, and learned that the Village's fees are more than double others. He said he was told that the reason the Village's fees are so high is because it needs to "offset" the cost of the animal control position. He felt strongly that residents should not have to pay for a full-time position. He said he moved to Morton Grove for its affordability and his property taxes have increased significantly. 2. Eric Poders spoke about safety concerns related to Metra and the Morton Grove train station. He said that he submitted a Freedom of Information request to Metra which took two months for a response; he felt that was a violation of the Freedom of Information Act. Now apparently there are other investigations going on regarding Metra. Mr. Poders reiterated that safety is paramount, especially in this area, which has a large population of seniors. XV. ADJOURNMENT/EXECUTIVE SESSION Trustee Thill moved to adjourn the Meeting. Trustee Toth seconded the motion. Motion passed: 4 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent. Tr. DiMaria aye Tr. Gomberg absent Tr. Grear aye Tr. Marcus absent Tr. Thill Tr. Toth aye The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m. Minutes of March 25.2013 Board Meeting PASSED this 8th day of Apri, 2013. Trustee DiMaria -1 Trustee Gomberg /763 s»+ ,r/ Trustee Grear It `'t' Trustee Marcus 8 S r*fle' Trustee Thill .4 / Trustee Toth u i Apr byte thi 2013. Daniel J. Staackmann, Village President Board of Trustees, Morton Grove, Illinois APPROVED and FILED in my office this 9tt4ay of April, 2013. Tony S. Kalogerak04 Village Clerk Village of Morton Grove, Cook County, Illinois - Minutes by Teresa Cousar 8