VILLAGE OF BARRINGTON HILLS
Minutes of the Regular Meeting May 22, 2006
President Abboud called the Regular Meeting to order at 6:37 pm. Roll Call.
Robert G. Abboud, President John Volpentesta, Country Creek
Fritz H. Gohl, Pro-Tem Ray Pruchnicki, Special Counsel
Steven E. Knoop, Trustee
George L. Schueppert, Trustee
Walter E. Smithe, Trustee
Theodore L. Horne, Trustee
George Lynch, Village Attorney
Robert Kosin, Director of Administration
Michael N. Murphy, Police Chief
Elaine M. Ramesh, Village Clerk
Dolores Trandel, the new Deputy Clerk, was sworn in by Village Clerk Elaine Ramesh.
Trustee Horne motioned to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss legal matters at 6:41 pm. Trustee Smithe 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 7:47 pm.
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May 22, 2006 – page 2
MINUTES
Trustee Schueppert motioned to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 24, 2006 with certain corrections. Trustee Gohl seconded. All present said aye, with Trustees Smithe and Horne abstaining.
Motion Approved
Trustee Schueppert motioned to approve the minutes of the Executive Session of April 24, 2006 with certain corrections. Trustee Knoop seconded. All present said aye, with Trustees Smithe and Horne abstaining.
Motion Approved
Trustee Schueppert motioned to approve the minutes of the Special Meeting of May 2, 2006 with certain corrections. Trustee Gohl seconded. All present said aye.
Motion Approved
PUBLIC COMMENTS
President Abboud opened a thirty-five minute session for public comments at 8:12 pm.
No public comments were made.
FINANCE – Walter E. Smithe
Treasurer’s Report – Trustee Smithe presented the Treasurer’s report for the month of April 2006. Trustee Smithe motioned to accept the Treasurer’s report as presented. Trustee Horne seconded. Trustee Schueppert commented that no investment report had been provided. Trustee Smithe will follow up on this matter. Roll Call.
Ayes: 6 (Schueppert, Knoop, Smithe, Horne, Gohl, Abboud)
Nays: 0
Absent: 1 (McKevitt)
Motion Approved
Police Pension Board’s Report –Trustee Smithe motioned to accept the financial report of the Police Pension Board through March 2006 as presented and the Summary of Activity for the year to date as of March 31, 2006. Trustee Knoop seconded. President Abboud
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May 22, 2006 – page 3
asked for a review of the actuarial assumptions and investment performance of the fund. Trustee Smithe suggested that the Police Pension Board could make a presentation to the Village Board including these issues after the new accounting firm completed their audit of Lauterbach & Amen’s work. Roll Call.
Ayes: 6 (Schueppert, Knoop, Smithe, Horne, Gohl, Abboud)
Nays: 0
Absent: 1 (McKevitt)
Motion Approved
Presentation of Bills – Trustee Smithe motioned to approve the payment of the bills for the month of May to date of $147,146.11 and additional bills of $ 94,834.00 for a total of $241,980.11. 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 $ 4,733.00 in overtime expenses for April 16 through 30, 2006 and $ 3,559.41 for May 1 through 15, 2006. Trustee Schueppert seconded. Roll Call.
Ayes: 6 (Schueppert, Knoop, Smithe, Horne, Gohl, Abboud)
Nays: 0
Absent: 1 (McKevitt)
Motion Approved
Approved Budget – Copies of the approved budget were distributed to the Board members for their reference.
Treasurer – Joanne Sladek will be retiring at the end of the month, so it is necessary to appoint an acting Village Treasurer to fulfill the duties of the office until a suitable replacement is hired. President Abboud motioned acceptance of the nomination of George Schueppert as acting Village Treasurer. Trustee Smithe seconded. An advertisement to fill the position has already been published and candidates have responded. Trustee Schueppert will not receive compensation and it is not anticipated that assumption of this responsibility will place any limitations on his office as Trustee. A temporary worker will assist the acting Treasurer, and the outgoing
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May 22, 2006 – page 4
Treasurer may also be available to act as a consultant to train the new Treasurer. Roll Call.
Ayes: 5 (Knoop, Smithe, Horne, Gohl, Abboud)
Nays: 0
Absent: 1 (McKevitt)
Abstention: 1 (Schueppert)
Motion Approved
Communications Committee – Trustee Smithe reported that the Communications Committee is planning the Village’s 50th anniversary celebration. The Committee is also considering potential cell tower locations. A new website which will allow residents’ comments is under preparation. It is anticipated that the next newsletter may be issued in October. President Abboud asked Trustee Smithe to convey his appreciation to the Communications Committee for their work on the most recent issue of the newsletter.
ROADS AND BRIDGES – Julie McKevitt
Monthly Report – In Trustee McKevitt’s absence, President Abboud provided the report. He indicated that all bids for the 2006 road projects have been processed; that a finalist bidder was accepted and that road repair efforts are already underway.
Work on the Cuba Rd bridge to repair and replace rebar and concrete has already begun. The possibility of using a sensor in the cement to monitor the bridge is being explored. The Trustees discussed whether placing a weight restriction on vehicles using the bridge would increase the longevity of the bridge. Since corrosion due to salt and water apparently causes the most wear, no need for weight restriction is anticipated.
The issue of utility easement repairs left open and unfinished was discussed. An ordinance to insure that openings created be closed within a certain number of days was proposed. Mr. Kosin will check into what requirements already apply to such circumstances.
Trustee Knoop brought up the issue of landscaping trucks or water trucks parking out on Village roads in an unsafe manner while working on residents’ properties.
The trustees agreed to request that the Village Engineer inform them of the cost of a survey of the average speed on Village roads, noting that there is not currently a uniform speed limit, but rather a range of permissible speeds from 25-35 mph. The issue is being addressed in response to the Police Department survey which ranked speed control and traffic very highly as concerns in the Village.
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May 22, 2006 – page 5
PUBLIC SAFETY – Fritz H. Gohl
Monthly Report – Trustee Gohl deferred to Chief Murphy who presented the Police Report for activity in the month of April 2006. Members of the police department completed several hours of training during the past month. All sworn officers attended a training session on handling equines. The Click-It-or-Ticket enforcement program has just been launched today.
The Police Department’s Open House was very successful. About three hundred people were in attendance to tour the Police Department and view the Palos Hills mounted patrol, antique cars, a support helicopter and reproduction of old ‘73 squad car.
A resident donated a Polaris ATV, two motorcycles, a Polaris UTV and a trailer to the Police Department.
Torch Run Authorization – Trustee Horne motioned to adopt the resolution authorizing the Torch Run by the Village of Barrington Hills. Trustee Schueppert seconded. Rolling road blocks will protect the runners. All present said aye.
Resolution 06-14
President Abboud indicated that he has directed that the minor advertising signs which have cropped up all over the roadside on Rts. 62 and 59 be removed. In addition, warning notices will be sent out to the owners of the improper signs.
Trustee Knoop inquired about authorization of a bike rally that was held on Sunday wherein a large number of bikers passed through the Village. The Police Chief confirmed that notice was given, but no approval for the event was requested or received. The Board discussed the safety issues associated with recreational use of Village roads by large and/or organized numbers of bikers and joggers. One safety issue noted was that when groups use the roads, they often do not travel single-file. Attorney Lynch and Administration Director Kosin will research how the problems might be addressed.
BUILDING AND ZONING – George L. Schueppert
Building Permit Report – Trustee Schueppert reported that nine building permits had been issued during the month of May 2006. They included permits for two additions, three alterations and four accessories. So far, the number of granted permits is down appreciably this year as compared to last year. Trustee Schueppert requested that any unauthorized building activity be reported to him.
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May 22, 2006 – page 6
Mr. Kosin confirmed that Village employees compare overweight permit requests to construction permit requests to cross-check that building work has approval. Other issues such as the building of spec homes, incomplete construction and homes which remain vacant for extended periods of time were also discussed. President Abboud requested that the ZBA consider these circumstances.
ZBA Report – Trustee Schueppert reported that the Nelson family was granted a variance at the most recent ZBA meeting. Next month, the ZBA will hear from the Barrington fire protection district with regard to sprinkler requirements.
Fees Review – The ZBA has requested that the Village Board provide permission to add a fee to their schedule for administrative action. The ZBA has requested addition of a $100 filing fee for appeal of a citation of the zoning code. It was noted that appeals of building code violations are already charged $100. Trustee Schueppert motioned approval of a public hearing of the ZBA to consider amending the fee schedule to add a $100 filing fee for appeals of the zoning code. Trustee Smithe seconded. The code currently provides for an appellate process. All present said aye.
Motion Approved
The land at the site of the Penny Rd. Pub may be annexed to the Village. An annexation agreement is under preparation.
PLANNING – Steven E. Knoop
Monthly Report – Trustee Knoop reported that no meeting of the Plan Commission was held during the past month and also that no meeting of the Development Committee was held during the past month.
Country Creek Annexation Extension - Trustee Knoop motioned to adopt an ordinance to extend the date by which the owner has to execute an annexation agreement for Country Creek subdivision. Trustee Schueppert seconded. Attorney Ray Pruchnicki spoke before the Board for Attorney Jerry Callaghan, to explain the extension request. The annexation was originally due by June 1, yet the property owner is unable to meet this deadline, as the previous deal made with a buyer fell through. The owner, Mr. Buttitta is now negotiating with a new buyer for the property. If it is agreeable to extend the date by six months it will allow Mr. Buttitta until December 31st of this year to get an annexation agreement signed and delivered to Village. The extension is conditioned upon a requirement for a new buyer to submit new sketch plan application and also a requirement that the owner provides consent for the buyer to submit the new sketch plan application. The property owner is a Village resident and committed to bringing the
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May 22, 2006 – page 7
property into the Village. Mr. Buttitta’s representative, Mr. Volpentesta indicated that he believed the deal could be closed within the next three to four months. President Abboud requested regular updates on the status of the project. Roll Call.
Ayes: 6 (Schueppert, Knoop, Smithe, Horne, Gohl, Abboud)
Nays: 0
Absent: 1 (McKevitt)
Ordinance 06-09
Fox River Bluff Subdivision – President Abboud indicated that the plat for a subdivision in unincorporated Algonquin Township, within the Village’s 1.5 mile extra-territorial jurisdiction, was approved after the Village’s engineer reviewed it.
Barrington Service Agreement – Discussions continue between the Village and Barrington regarding water and sewer services.
Additionally, a border agreement with Fox River Grove is being pursued.
INSURANCE – George L. Schueppert
Monthly Report – Trustee Schueppert reported that another meeting will be held with the committee on June 5th to review options for health care coverage. Bids may be obtained from other carriers through a broker. In addition, health care plans from Great West are also being reviewed. The renewal fee for the health care plan has been drastically increased by the insurance company this year to recover costs paid out above the stop-loss limit from the previous year. All of the liability policies have been renewed.
HEALTH, BUILDINGS & GROUNDS, ENVIRONMENT – Theodore L. Horne
Solid Waste Management Report – Trustee Horne reported that approximately 12 percent of the residential waste collected in the month of April 2006 was recyclables diverted from landfills.
Board of Health – Trustee Horne reported that no meeting of the Board of Health was held during the past month.
Strategic Plan for Village Building – Trustee Horne reported that he met with carpeting and office furniture vendors. He discussed the proposed modifications to be made in the Board room by the end of summer. Trustee Gohl asked if it would be possible to install a system to show presentations such as plats or maps that could be viewed by both audience and Board. Meanwhile, long-term facility planning continues.
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May 22, 2006 – page 8
A major clean-up of the Village Hall grounds took place in advance of the Police Department’s Open House. Trustee Horne proposed that elected officials, employees and commissioners should have name tags or badges to wear when performing official duties or attending public events such as the Open House.
Refuse, Recycling and Yard Waste Agreement – The Board discussed the advisability of having a Village-wide solid waste disposal service contract with a single provider. Barrington Hills is the only BACOG member without a village contract. Currently, Village residents may choose from several refuse providers, but due to a series of price increases, residents have asked if a Village-wide contract might result in better and/or stabilized rates. Also, having a number of different providers may increase the stress on the Village roads. Trustee Horne distributed copies of Barrington’s refuse contract with Groot for consideration. He indicated that Barrington sends out bills to residents for trash removal. If Barrington Hills obtains a Village-wide contract, it may require an administrator, which will involve expense. President Abboud will discuss this issue with Trustee Horne and they will look into the cost of requesting bids.
ATTORNEY – George Lynch
Attorney Lynch stated that matters of litigation had been addressed in Executive Session.
ADMINISTRATION – Robert G. Abboud
Equestrian Committee Appointments – President Abboud proposed that Dan Lundmark, Dara Valin and John Hart be re-appointed; that the Equestrian Committee be changed to standing committee status from an ad hoc committee, that the committee be expanded to five members; and that it be recommended that at least one member of the Committee also be a member of the Barrington Hills Riding Club who has direct responsibility for trail management. Trustee Gohl so motioned and Trustee Smith seconded. President Abboud will nominate the two additional committee members next month. All present said aye.
Motion Approved
Plan Commission Appointments – President Abboud proposed the reappointment of Kenneth W. Bosworth, David M. Stieper, Patrick J. Hennelly and Tom Roser to the Plan Commission, and re-appointment of Mr. Bosworth as Chair of the Commission. Trustee Schueppert so motioned and Trustee Horne seconded. All present said aye.
Motion Approved
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May 22, 2006 – page 9
Legal Review Committee Appointments - President Abboud proposed that attorney Raymond Busch be appointed to the committee. Trustee Gohl so motioned and Trustee Schueppert seconded. All present said aye.
Motion Approved
Establishment of the Technology Review Committee – President Abboud proposed establishment of a new ad hoc committee, the Technology Review Committee and motioned that Kevin Colosia be appointed as Chair. Trustee Gohl so motioned and Trustee Smithe seconded. The purpose of the committee is to provide assistance with the technology needs and required resources to support the Village. The committee could provide guidance on topics such as cell phone towers; information processing and databases. All present said aye.
Motion Approved
Recording Disposal - Trustee Smithe motioned authorization of the destruction of recorded minutes of the executive session of April 24, 2006. Trustee Horne seconded. Roll call.
Ayes: 6 (Schueppert, Knoop, Smithe, Horne, Gohl, Abboud)
Nays: 0
Absent: 1 (McKevitt)
Motion Approved
Trustee Gohl motioned to adjourn the Public Session at 11 pm. Trustee Schueppert seconded. All present said aye.
Meeting Adjourned
Approved ________________