VILLAGE OF BARRINGTON HILLS
Minutes of the Regular Meeting March 27, 2006
President Abboud called the Regular Meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. Roll Call.
Robert G. Abboud, President Karen Selman, Resident
Fritz H. Gohl, Pro-Tem Pat Nelson, Resident
Theodore L. Horne, Trustee Bill Nelson, Resident
Walter E. Smithe, Trustee Don Hein, Resident
Steven E. Knoop, Trustee Terry Hein, Resident
George L. Schueppert, Trustee Bill Hannay, Resident
Robert Kosin, Director of Administration Mary Brandt, Resident
Michael N. Murphy, Chief of Police Bob Brandt, Resident
Elaine M. Ramesh, Village Clerk Tom Brandt, Resident
Douglas Wambach, Village Attorney Dan Strahan, Gewalt Hamilton
Nancy Harbottle, Attorney
Absent: Evan Harris, Abbey Woods
Julie McKevitt, Trustee
Trustee Smithe motioned to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss legal matters at 6:34 p.m. Trustee Gohl seconded. Roll Call.
Ayes: 6 (Schueppert, Knoop, Smithe, Horne, Gohl, Abboud)
Nays: 0
Absent: 1 (McKevitt)
Meeting Adjourned
EXECUTIVE SESSION
PUBLIC SESSION
President Abboud called the Public Session to order at 7:50 p.m.
MINUTES
Trustee Schueppert motioned to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 27, 2006 with certain corrections. Trustee Horne seconded. All present said aye.
Motion Approved
Village Board Meeting
March 27, 2006 – page 2
Trustee Schueppert motioned to approve the minutes of the Executive Session of February 27, 2006 with certain corrections. Trustee Knoop seconded. All present said aye.
Motion Approved
ADMINISTRATION – Robert G. Abboud
Longmeadow Parkway Bridge – Trustee Schueppert motioned to adopt the resolution supporting a bridge study corridor and project in Dundee Township for construction of the Longmeadow Parkway (Bolz Road) bridge and Rt. 62 traffic corridor study from Rt. 68 to Rt. 31 with correction of certain typographical errors. Trustee Knoop seconded. The Board discussed how participation by Barrington Hills in the planning of this project could help minimize potential impact on the property of Village residents.
Residents in the potentially affected area were present. The residents provided input on the project, including past history. The residents requested that they be kept informed of the status of the study. The Board indicated that status updates may be provided through the Communications Committee, on the website and/or in the village newsletter. Additionally, President Abboud stated that an ad hoc committee of residents may be formed in the future regarding this project. All present, except Trustee Gohl, said aye.
Resolution 06-06
PUBLIC COMMENTS
President Abboud opened a thirty-five minute session for Public Comments at 8:51 pm.
Autumn Trail residents commented that the Dundee Park District apparently is undertaking surveys on or near their properties for a development project on nearby Park District land. Trustee Smithe requested that Robert Kosin obtain information on the Dundee Park District’s plans.
The traffic situation on Dundee Lane was discussed.
A resident thanked the Board for its efforts in defending the Village against deannexations, which the resident recognized to be complex and controversial issues.
As there were no further remarks, the Public Comments session ended at 9:02 pm.
Trustee Gohl left the meeting.
Village Board Meeting
March 27, 2006 – page 3
Abbey Woods Subdivision Preliminary Plat Approval – Trustee Knoop motioned approval of the preliminary plat of subdivision for Abbey Woods Subdivision. Fourteen lots have been proposed for the 22.6 acre property. The village attorney is in the process of reviewing an agreement with Barrington for provision of water and sewer services to the subdivision. Trustee Smithe seconded. All present said aye.
Resolution 06-07
Trustee Gohl returned to the meeting.
FINANCE – Walter E. Smithe
Treasurer’s Report – Trustee Smithe presented the Treasurer’s Report for the month of February 2006. Trustee Smithe motioned to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented. Trustee Gohl seconded. Roll Call.
Ayes: 6 (Schueppert, Knoop, Smithe, Horne, Gohl, Abboud)
Nays: 0
Absent: 1 (McKevitt)
Motion Approved
Police Pension Board Report –Trustee Smithe motioned to accept the Financial Report of the Police Pension Board through January 2006 as presented. Trustee Schueppert seconded. In response to a question from President Abboud regarding legal services expenses, Trustee Smithe will review the reasons for legal fees that were incurred by the Police Pension Board during the past month. All present said aye.
Motion Approved
Presentation of Bills – Trustee Smithe motioned to approve the payment of the bills for the month of March in the amount of $259,668.72. Trustee Schueppert seconded. Roll Call.
Ayes: 6 (Schueppert, Knoop, Smithe, Horne, Gohl, Abboud)
Nays: 0
Absent: 1 (McKevitt)
Motion Approved
Overtime Reports – Trustee Smithe motioned to approve $3,347.14 in overtime expenses for February 16 through 28, 2006 and $4,174.40 for March 1 through 15, 2006. The reasons for the overtime expenses were discussed. Trustee Horne seconded. Roll Call.
Ayes: 6 (Schueppert, Knoop, Smithe, Horne, Gohl, Abboud)
Nays: 0
Absent: 1 (McKevitt)
Motion Approved
Village Board Meeting
March 27, 2006 – page 4
Establishment of a Drug/Gang/DUI Fund – Trustee Smithe motioned approval of an ordinance establishing a special fund for the prevention of drug and gang activity and to reduce alcohol-related violence in the Village. Trustee Schueppert seconded. All present said aye.
Ordinance 06-05
Amendment of Village Code for Drug/Gang/DUI Fund Operation - Trustee Smithe motioned approval of the amendment of the Village Code to establish a Drug/Gang/DUI Fund. Trustee Schueppert seconded. All present said aye.
Ordinance 06-06
Selection of New Audit Firm – Trustee Smithe motioned that the Village Board grant the Finance Committee the authority to seek a letter of intent for auditor services for approval by the Village President. Trustee Horne seconded. The Committee will select the new firm from one of two firms, as narrowed from an initial field of five bidders for audit services. The experience, capability and bids of the two finalist firms were discussed. Fees of the new audit firm are not expected to vary significantly from fees paid to the present audit firm. All present said aye.
Motion Approved
Employee Salary Review – Trustee Smithe reported that he would provide salary data for the Trustees’ review by the next meeting, including a market survey.
Fiscal Year Modification – The Finance Committee may recommend that the Village adopt December 31 as the date of the end of the fiscal year, for accounting purposes, as the Village’s fiscal year presently ends in April 30, 2006. The change may simplify the budgeting and contract bidding processes.
Communications Committee – Trustee Smithe announced that the deadline for submission of articles for the next Village Newsletter is April 23, 2006.
ROADS AND BRIDGES – Julie McKevitt
Monthly Report – In Trustee McKevitt’s absence, the Director of Administration provided the report. Bids will be requested for the 2006 road work (on Honeycutt, Hills N’Dales, Ridge, Spring, Little Bend and the Cuba Rd. bridge) next week.
The Police Chief is analyzing the traffic on Crabapple and Aberdeen roads regarding potential lowering of the speed limit, in response to residents’ concerns.
Village Board Meeting
March 27, 2006 – page 5
Amendment of Overweight Permit Requirements – Trustee Smithe motioned approval of an ordinance amending the overweight permit requirements during periods of seasonal weight limits. Trustee Schueppert seconded. All present said aye.
Ordinance 06-07
PUBLIC SAFETY – Fritz H. Gohl
Monthly Report – Trustee Gohl deferred to Chief Murphy who presented the Police Report for activity in the month of February 2006. Members of the Police Department completed 52 hours of training during the past month. The Chief answered questions about the deployment of the new camera system for automatic ticketing of speeding violations in the Village. A vehicle crash analysis for 2005 accidents in the Village was distributed to the Trustees for their review. Chief Murphy, Robert Kosin, President Abboud and Trustee Gohl are coordinating efforts in the Village’s preparations for a possible bird flu pandemic.
Disposal of Surplus Property – Trustee Horne motioned approval of an ordinance authorizing disposal of personal property owned by the Village. Trustee Schueppert seconded. The proposal is that two squad cars and computer equipment are to be auctioned on eBay, with proceeds to be deposited into the General Fund. All present said aye.
Ordinance 06-08
BAAC Run – Trustee Gohl motioned approval of a resolution authorizing the Barrington Area Arts Council to conduct a run on a specified route which includes some Village roads, with the addition at the end of Section 2 stating “within the limits of the Village of Barrington Hills”. Trustee Knoop seconded. All present said aye but Trustee Smithe, who abstained from the vote.
Resolution 06-08
BUILDING AND ZONING – George L. Schueppert
Building Permit Report – Trustee Schueppert reported that nine building permits had been issued during the month of February 2006. They included permits for one residence, one accessory building, one elevator, one septic repair, two demolitions, one site development, and two garages.
Village Board Meeting
March 27, 2006 – page 6
ZBA Report – Trustee Schueppert reported that at the most recent meeting, the ZBA continued to work on a potential amendment to the zoning ordinance to further define acceptable home occupations. Future agenda items were reviewed with the Village Board. Board members suggested some topics for addition to the list for future discussion including permissible limits on grading of property for elevating a home above ground level, acceptable building heights, and review of the permissible floor area ratio for homes.
PLANNING – Steven E. Knoop
Monthly Report – Trustee Knoop reported that the preliminary plat of the Abbey Woods subdivision was the topic of the Plan Commission’s March meeting.
President Abboud thanked Trustee Knoop for his work to date on the intergovernmental boundary agreement with Inverness. It is anticipated that the agreement will be executed.
Development Committee – No report was given.
INSURANCE – George L. Schueppert
Monthly Report – Trustee Schueppert reported that three of the Village’s liability policies have been renewed, and that the fourth policy is in the process of being renewed. He also reported that three employees have been selected to participate in a committee charged with exploring solutions to controlling health care costs. Trustee Schueppert also reminded the Board of exclusions for libelous acts in the liability insurance policies.
HEALTH, BUILDINGS & GROUNDS, ENVIRONMENT – Theodore L. Horne
Solid Waste Management Report – Trustee Horne reported that 9.55% of the residential waste collected in the month of February 2006 was recyclables diverted from landfills.
Strategic Plan for Village Building – Trustee Horne reported that he had finished assessing current office furniture requirements. New carpeting and interior painting may be needed as well. Meanwhile, long-term planning continues. He discussed the canopy project as well as the re-roofing of the building with architectural shingles.
Environment – Trustee Horne distributed information on identification of and control strategies for garlic mustard to the Trustees.
Village Board Meeting
March 27, 2006 – page 7
Trustee Horne also reported that he had attended a meeting of the Flint Creek Watershed Partnership during the past month; that the next Citizens for Conservation work day at the Spring Creek Forest Preserve would held shortly; and that the Spring Cleaning Event at the Spring Creek Forest Preserve will be held on April 22, 2006.
Information from Lake County’s Department of Health on minimizing conflicts between wildlife and household pets was distributed.
Resident complaints had been received regarding the restorative work recently done in the Spring Creek Forest Preserve off Penny Rd, wherein some trees were cut down. President Abboud suggested that Trustee Gohl meet with Trustee McKevitt and Peter Wessel regarding the issue.
Opinion on Land Application Systems for Wastewater Treatment – The Village’s Board of Health has reviewed land application systems for wastewater treatment and found that the systems can provide adequate measures of wastewater treatment, but also that they require far more oversight than traditional septic systems to prevent threats to public health and welfare. Trustee Horne motioned that these findings be forwarded to the Plan Commission and Board of Health with a request to craft language for a Comprehensive Plan amendment and/or a Village Code amendment which incorporates the findings. Trustee Smithe seconded. All present said aye.
Motion Approved
ATTORNEY – Douglas Wambach
Attorney Wambach stated that matters of litigation had been addressed in Executive Session.
Review of Archived Executive Minutes - To comply with the Open Meetings Act, Attorney Wambach discussed procedures for review of the Executive Session minutes on a periodic basis to determine whether or not they could be de-classified as confidential. A special meeting of the Board will be called in April to review the archived executive session minutes.
Cook County Forest Preserve Resolution – The 1957 resolution has been reviewed. As it does not have an expiration date, it could be considered to be in effect.
Village Board Meeting
March 27, 2006 – page 8
Village Administrator Contract Authorization Resolution – Trustee Smithe motioned approval of a resolution authorizing the Director of Administration to enter into contracts for services and/or goods on behalf of the Village of Barrington Hills, with a $5,000 limit in Section 3. Trustee Schueppert seconded. All present said aye.
Resolution 06-09
Police Chief Contract Authorization Resolution – Trustee Smithe motioned approval of a resolution authorizing the Police Chief to enter into contracts for services and/or goods on behalf of the Village of Barrington Hills, with a $5,000 limit in Section 3. Trustee Schueppert seconded. All present said aye.
Resolution 06-10
Trustee Schueppert motioned to adjourn the Public Session at 11:20 pm. Trustee Knoop seconded. All present said aye.
Meeting Adjourned
Approved ________________