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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-07-18 Special Meeting Minutes MINUTES OF A SPECIAL 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 JULY 18, 2013 CALL TO ORDER I & Village President Dan DiMaria called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and led the II. assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance. He then directed the Clerk to call the roll. III. Village Clerk Ed Ramos called the roll. Present were: Trustees Bill Grear, Tony Kalogerakos, John Pietron, John Thill, and Maria Toth. Trustee Shel Marcus was absent with notice. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Regarding the Minutes of the Special Meeting of July 8, 2013, Trustee Toth moved, seconded by Trustee Kalogerakos, to accept the Minutes as presented. Motion passed unanimously (with one absent) via voice vote. V. SPECIAL REPORTS NONE VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS NONE VII. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS (Agenda Items Only) Donald Szachowicz thanked the Board for including the residents in the process (regarding the assault weapon legislation) over the last 10 days. He commended the Board on their tire- less efforts and noted that, although there have been differences of opinion; he has also seen a lot of friendship and camaraderie exhibited. He told the Board, "What you've done is good." VIII. PRESIDENT'S REPORT 1. Mayor DiMaria sought the concurrence of the Board for his appointment of Brian Harris, a doctor of veterinary medicine, to the Village's Board of Environmental Health. His resume was included in each Board member's packet. Trustee Thill so moved, seconded by Trustee Kalogerakos. Motion passed unanimously (with one absent) via voice vote. CI VIII. PRESIDENT'S REPORT (continued) 2. Mayor DiMaria presented Ordinance 13-10, An Ordinance Amending Titles 4-3-5B Entitled "Fees Established" and 4-6D-1 to 4-6D-20 Entitled "Liquor Control" of the Municipal Code of the Village of Morton Grove. This is the second reading of this ordinance. a. Mayor DiMaria explained that this ordinance will make it easier for restaurants to come into town. He said that there have been some changes to this ordinance since the first reading. b. Director of Economic Development Nancy Radzevich said that staff was originally trying to attract more restaurants by increasing the number of liquor licenses. They had originally contemplated taking "E" licenses out of the Municipal Code because that type of license had a heavy amount of paperwork attached to it, as Class "E" licenses required that more than 50% of an establishment's sales had to come from the sale of food. Also, at the first reading, there had been some concern expressed regarding the gaming aspect of the ordinance. c. Upon further discussion and review, it was recommended that the Village keep the Class "E" liquor license but eliminate the food sales requirement. Thus a Class "E" license is similar to a Class "A" license except that that a Class "E" license will be only for restaurants as defined in the Village's Zoning Ordinance. d. Staff also recommended increasing the number of Class "A", "B", and "C" licenses, noting that the number of Class "A" licenses issued already exceeded the permitted amount, and the number of Class "B" and "C" licenses was closing in on the permitted amount. e. Ms. Radzevich explained that a Class "A" license was for"full pouring;" Class "B" for beer and wine only; and Class "C" for clubs. She said currently any establishment holding an "A", "B", or"C" license could apply to the State for a gaming license. Right now the Village has four establishments holding gaming licenses (Tommy's, Bringer Inn, the American Legion, and the Moose) and three with applications pending (Classic Lounge, the Betty's Bistro at Washington Commons and the Betty's Bistro at Lenore Plaza). She said there was an initial surge of inquiries regarding gaming licenses, but that has tapered off significantly. f. Trustee Thill asked what type of liquor licenses the Moose and the American Legion held. Ms. Radzevich said they both held Class "C" licenses. g. Trustee Kalogerakos asked for clarification regarding gaming licenses. Corporation Counsel Liston said that under Illinois' Gaming Act, an establishment can only receive a gaming license if it holds a liquor license and if the municipality has an ordinance allowing video gaming. The Village's ordinance allows gaming only if the establishment's liquor license is a Class "A", Class "B", or Class "C". Morton Grove currently has eight Class "A" licensed establishments. Only two of the eight currently have a gaming license as well, and one additional place has applied for a gaming license. The Village's gaming requirements are not changing. Ms. Liston said that some places apply for gaming licenses but end up withdrawing their applications once they see what the process and requirements are. Trustee Thill then moved to adopt Ordinance 13-10, seconded by Trustee Toth. Motion passed: 5 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent. Tr. Grear aye Tr. Kalogerakos aye Tr. Marcus absent Tr. Pietron afire_ Tr. Thill aye Tr. Toth ays 2 18,2013 Board MeetIn VIII. PRESIDENT'S REPORT (continued) h. Mayor DiMaria thanked his fellow Board members for their input on this ordinance. 3. Mayor DiMaria commented on the upcoming Ordinance 13-13; he wanted to reiterate that the process worked very well—it was truly democracy in action. He acknowledged that there are two differing points of view in this issue, and thanked the residents for their input. He also commended the Board for their diligent work and the Village staff for doing an incredible job of creating a balanced ordinance. It's probably one of the best in the State. IX. CLERK'S REPORT Clerk Ramos had no report. X. STAFF REPORTS A. Village Administrator: Village Administrator Ryan Home stated that he had received a memorandum from Trustee Marcus concerning Ordinance 13-13 and asked the Board to allow him to read it when that ordinance comes up in the Agenda. B. Corporation Counsel: Corporation Counsel Liston had no report. XI. TRUSTEES' REPORTS A. Trustee Grear: Trustee Grear presented Resolution 13-43, Authorizing the Purchase and Installation of Data (T1) Line Terminal Equipment in Fire Station #4 and #5. a. He explained that this purchase is necessary to accommodate the T1 data circuits to replace existing analog phone lines between the fire stations and the RED Center. It will result in a cost savings to the Village. The cost of the equipment plus installation is $18,229. b. Trustee Pietron asked if there were any other benefits outside of a monthly savings. c. Fire Chief Tom Friel responded that there are "avoidance" costs involved (the cost of copper analog wiring continues to increase), plus the datalink between the RED Center and our fire stations will be faster. Trustee Grear moved, seconded by Trustee Kalogerakos, to approve Resolution 13-43. Motion passed: 5 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent. Tr. Grear aye Tr. Kalogerakos aye Tr. Marcus absent Tr. Pietron aye Tr. Thill aye Tr. Toth aye 3 18,2013 Board Meetin XI. TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) B. Trustee Kalogerakos: 1, Trustee Kalogerakos presented Ordinance 13-11, Approving a Preliminary and Final Plat for the McGrath Subdivision and Relief From Various Submittal Requirements in Section 12-8 of the Unified Development Code for a 15.96+1—Acre Parcel, Located North of Golf Road Between Harlem Avenue and Waukegan Road, Commonly Known as 7000, 7040, 7100, and 7152 Golf Road. This is the second reading of this ordinance. Trustee Kalogerakos moved to adopt Ordinance 13-11, seconded by Trustee Toth. Motion passed: 5 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent. Tr. Grear aye Tr. Kalogerakos aye Tr. Marcus absent Tr. Pietron aye Tr. Thill aye Tr. Toth aye 2. Next, Trustee Kalogerakos presented Ordinance 13-13, Amending Title 6, Chapter 2 of the Morton Grove Municipal Code Entitled "Deadly Weapons". This is the second reading of this ordinance. a. Trustee Kalogerakos explained that on July 9, 2013, the Illinois Legislature passed the Illinois Concealed Carry Act, making it lawful for persons to carry concealed weapons under certain terms and conditions within the State. The Act also allowed municipalities to define and regulate the possession and ownership of assault weapons but only if it adopted an ordinance on or before July 19, 2013. The Act required municipalities to define the term "assault weapon" as part of any ordinance regulating the possession or ownership of assault weapons. Any ordinance so adopted can later be amended. b. Trustee Kalogerakos said that the Village held a Town Hall Meeting and received input from the community regarding the definition and regulation of assault weapons on July 15, 2013. c. The proposed revisions to the Municipal Code define an assault weapon as a firearm combined with an immediately accessible magazine capable of containing 31 or more rounds of ammunition. The possession of assault weapons is prohibited outside of a person's legal residence or business, or where a person is an invitee, unless the person possessing the assault weapon meets one of six exemptions or the weapon is being lawfully transported. This ordinance also incorporates by reference Illinois Statutes regulating assault weapons. d. Village Administrator Home then read Trustee Marcus' statement. In it, Trustee Marcus thanked Mr. Home, Chief Mark Erickson, and Officer Hankey for taking the time to explain in detail the distinction between different types of firearms and weapons. Trustee Marcus said his primary concern was the safety of the residents. He felt that Ordinance 13-13 allows this Board and future Boards the necessary flexibility and helps maintain local control. He said that he supported Ordinance 13-13. e. Trustee Toth asked for clarification regarding the section of the Municipal Code prohibiting handgun dealers. This section has now been deleted. 4 I 18,2013 Board Meetin. XI. TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) B. Trustee Kaloqerakos: (continued) f. Ms. Radzevich said that the Village's Code previously did not allow gun shops, but moving forward, she would suggest reviewing the zoning districts and the Code to see where such an establishment might possibly be located if permitted. The Village's business license regula- tions also need to be reviewed. g. Trustee Grear thanked the residents who provided input and said he appreciated that they took the time to do it. He said it was great to see residents coming together and respecting differing opinions. He said that Morton Grove is unique in that aspect. h. Trustee Pietron said that he has heard similar debates over the years, but was quite encour- aged to see compromise. He felt that compromise is a position of strength and felt that resi- dents were happy with the compromise. He echoed Trustee Grear's observation about the un- iqueness of Morton Grove, adding that he was proud to be a 37-year resident. i. Trustee Kalogerakos said that it's important to remember that if the Village does nothing now regarding this issue; it will not be able to do anything in the future. Trustee Kaogerakos moved to adopt Ordinance 13-13, seconded by Trustee Toth. Motion passed: 5 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent. Tr. Grear ave Tr. Kalogerakos ave Tr. Marcus absent Tr. Pietron ave Tr. Thill aye Tr. Toth ave C. Trustee Marcus: Trustee Marcus was absent—no report. XI. Trustee Pietron: D. Trustee Pietron had no report. E. Trustee Thill: 1. Trustee Thill had no report. F. Trustee Toth: Trustee Toth had no report. 5 Minutes of July 18,2013 Board Meeting XII. OTHER BUSINESS Trustee Thill noted that many individual discussions had been held this week between trus- tees and residents, the mayor and residents, and the mayor and individual trustees. He said that none of the Board members knew what the other members' concerns were. He asked the mayor if, in the future, a colleague brings a concern or a question to the mayor, if the mayor could share it with the rest of the board. XIII. WARRANTS NONE XIV. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS NONE XV. ADJOURNMENTIEXECUTIVE SESSION Trustee Kalogerakos moved to adjourn the Meeting. Trustee Toth seconded the motion. Motion passed: 5 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent. Tr. Grear aye Tr. Kalogerakos aye Tr. Marcus absent Tr. Pietron ave Tr. Thill aye Tr. Toth aye The meeting adjourned at 6:27 p.m. 6 Minutes of July 18,2013 Board Meetin• PASSED this 12th day of August, 2013. Trustee Grear AYE Trustee KalogerakosY Trustee Marcus Alt_ Trustee h n Till Trustee hill Trustee Toth APPR by th s 12th day of August, 2013. I Daniel P. DiMaria, Village President Board of Trustees, Morton Grove. Illinois APPROVED dgFI^LED in my office this 13th day of August. 2013. Edilberto Ramos, Village Clerk Village of Morton Grove, Cook County, Illinois Minutes b}.`eesa Co use, 7