VILLAGE OF BARRINGTON HILLS
Minutes of the Regular Meeting August 28, 2006
President Abboud called the Regular Meeting to order at 6:44 pm. Roll Call.
Robert G. Abboud, President Karen Selman, resident
Fritz H. Gohl, Pro-Tem Neal Waltmire
Steven E. Knoop, Trustee Joanne Sladek, East Dundee
George L. Schueppert, Trustee Kevin Colosia, resident
Julie McKevitt, Trustee Irwin Shechtman, resident
Walter E. Smithe, Trustee Cindy Gehrke, resident (sp)
* Theodore L. Horne, Trustee Ed Lebbos, Wauconda
Douglas Wambach, Village Attorney Eduardo Perez, Schaumburg
Robert Kosin, Director of Administration Monica Valenzuela, Schaumburg
Michael N. Murphy, Police Chief
Elaine Ramesh, Village Clerk
Trustee Smithe motioned to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss legal matters at 6:45 pm. Trustee Schueppert seconded. Roll Call.
Ayes: 6 (Schueppert, Knoop, McKevitt, Smithe, Gohl, Abboud)
Nays: 0
Absent: 1 (Horne)
Meeting Adjourned
EXECUTIVE SESSION
* Trustee Horne arrived at 7:11 pm.
PUBLIC SESSION
President Abboud called the Public Session to order at 7:45 pm.
President Abboud presented a special plaque to Joanne Sladek to honor her for her service to the Village as Treasurer. She was the Village’s third Treasurer, and served the longest of the three Treasurers. One of her many accomplishments was to transition the Village’s bookkeeping from hand-typed to automated accounting systems.
Village Board Meeting
August 28, 2006 – page 2
MINUTES
Trustee McKevitt motioned to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 24, 2006 with certain corrections. Trustee Gohl seconded. All present said aye.
Motion Approved
Trustee Horne motioned to approve the minutes of the Executive Session of July 24, 2006. Trustee Gohl seconded. All present said aye.
Motion Approved
PUBLIC COMMENTS
President Abboud opened a thirty-five minute session for public comments at 7:49 pm.
Kevin Colosia, chair of Technology Committee, made a presentation with regard to his survey of homeowners’ satisfaction with cell phone service in the Village. The information was also presented at the August Zoning Board of Appeals meeting. He worked in conjunction with Communications Committee on this matter, and thanked Beth Mallen, the Communications Committee, Chief Murphy and the Police Department for their assistance in assessing the situation. Since residents can choose from several different cellular service providers, residents have different levels of satisfaction with service, depending upon which carrier is their provider. Moreover, some households have multiple cellular providers. In general, the qualitative survey indicated that the residents have a less than average satisfaction with cellular service. Mr. Colosia presented a map of the Village which showed the locations of existing cell phone towers. Since the towers are on the periphery of the Village, resulting coverage in the interior of the Village is poor. If additional cell towers (each hosting multiple carriers) are located within the Village, cell phone coverage will improve. Mr. Colosia suggested that the issue of improving cell phone coverage be an agenda item for the Planning Commission at a future meeting.
Resident Cindy Gerkhe inquired about horse-keeping on her three-acre property. She was advised to meet with Mr. Kosin to review the Village’s regulations and their application to her particular property.
Resident Irwin Shechtman commented on individual homeowner’s practice of the open burning of refuse. He indicated that the Village of North Barrington is considering banning burning in the Village, and requested that Barrington Hills do the same. He indicated that certain residents burn waste continually throughout the year. The smoke and foul odors generated sometimes force him to stay indoors. Thus, he is prevented from enjoying his property and engaging in such outdoor activities as swimming. He advocated a total ban on burning of waste, but also suggested that additional limitations
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August 28, 2006 – page 3
on burning such as limiting it to only part of the year (cold months) or limiting a resident to only a certain number of fires per year would help somewhat. Mr. Shechtman indicated that other residents share his sentiments. The Board discussed the current regulations and limitations on open burning in the Village. He was encouraged to contact the police the next time there is a problem, but Mr. Shechtman indicated that he has called the police in the past, without resolution of the problem. This is so because since smoke and foul odor can drift some distance, the source of the odor and location of the fire cannot necessarily readily be identified. He requested that the Board re-consider this issue.
As there were no further remarks, the public comments session ended at 8:44 pm.
FINANCE – Walter E. Smithe
Treasurer’s Report – Trustee Smithe presented the Treasurer’s report for the month of July 2006. Trustee Smithe motioned to accept the Treasurer’s report as presented. Trustee Gohl seconded. All present said aye.
Motion Approved
Police Pension Board Report –Trustee Smithe motioned to accept the financial reports of the Police Pension Board dated July 20, 2006 and August 20, 2006 as presented and to enter a letter from the new Police Pension Board president Gary Hammelmann into the record. Trustee McKevitt seconded. Trustee Schueppert suggested that if the Police Pension Board did their business at same bank as the Village, fees for electronic transfer of funds would be avoided. The audit of the Police Pension Board’s account should be complete within 90 days. Acting Treasurer Schueppert will respond to the letter from the new Police Pension Board president. All present said aye.
Motion Approved
Presentation of Bills – Trustee Smithe motioned to approve the payment of the bills for the month of August to date of $ 742,190.87. Several of the larger bills to be paid were discussed. Trustee Schueppert seconded. Roll Call.
Ayes: 7 (Schueppert, Knoop, McKevitt, Smithe, Horne, Gohl, Abboud)
Nays: 0
Absent: 0
Motion Approved
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August 28, 2006 – page 4
Overtime Reports – Trustee Smithe motioned to approve $ 4,980.91 in overtime expenses for July 16 through 31, 2006 and $ 6,270.26 for August 1 through 15, 2006. The reasons for the overtime expenses were discussed. Trustee Gohl seconded. Roll Call.
Ayes: 7 (Schueppert, Knoop, McKevitt, Smithe, Horne, Gohl, Abboud)
Nays: 0
Absent: 0
Motion Approved
Appropriations Transfer – Trustee Smithe motioned approval of the resolution making certain transfers from one corporate object or purpose to another corporate object or purpose within the annual appropriation ordinance. Trustee Schueppert seconded. Roll Call.
Ayes: 7 (Schueppert, Knoop, McKevitt, Smithe, Horne, Gohl, Abboud)
Nays: 0
Absent: 0
Resolution 06-22
Fiscal Year Amendment – Trustee Smithe motioned approval of the ordinance adopting a new fiscal year of May 1, 2006- October 31, 2007 and thereafter November 1 to October 31. Trustee Schueppert seconded. Roll Call.
Ayes: 7 (Schueppert, Knoop, McKevitt, Smithe, Horne, Gohl, Abboud)
Nays: 0
Absent: 0
Ordinance 06-14
Communications Committee Report – Trustee Smithe reminded the Trustees that their contributions to the newsletter are due August 31st. An interactive website for the Village is still under preparation. Budget information, position papers, and answers to commonly asked questions may all be posted on the new website once it is launched.
ROADS AND BRIDGES – Julie McKevitt
Monthly Report – Trustee McKevitt reported that the 2006 road repair program is substantially complete. Landscaping necessitated by the road repair projects will begin shortly. She also reported that the county’s work along Old Sutton and Donlea roads continues; that the 2006 miscellaneous drainage program bids for projects to be completed this year will be put out on August 26th and will be due back on September 13th; and also that the bridge & culvert condition survey proposal has been accepted.
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August 28, 2006 – page 5
Trustee McKevitt met with the Equestrian Commission regarding the equestrian trail along Ridge Rd. The additional horse crossing signs should be up as soon as the sign locations have been confirmed. Trustee McKevitt will meet with Cuba Township & IDOT representatives to discuss plowing for upcoming winter season.
Public Hearing on Village-wide Uniform Speed Limit: The meeting will be held on September 14 to obtain residents’ views on the matter.
Non-Residents’ Recreational Use of Village Roads – Trustee McKevitt will consider a licensing program for recreational road users.
PUBLIC SAFETY – Fritz H. Gohl
Monthly Report – Trustee Gohl deferred to Police Chief Murphy who presented the Police Report for activity in the month of July 2006. The Police Chief reported that issuance of traffic citations is up 57% from January to date this year over the same period last year. This increased activity can be partly attributed to the Police Department’s new automated equipment. Trustee Smithe queried how traffic on Lake Cook Rd. might be alleviated. President Abboud replied that this issue was already under discussion at BACOG, but also suggested that it might be useful to form a transportation working group composed of members from Deer Park, Barrington and Barrington Hills to address solutions to the problem.
PLANNING – Steven E. Knoop
Monthly Report – Trustee Knoop reported that at the most recent Plan Commission meeting, the developers of the Wamberg parcel made a presentation of their plans. A fifteen-office building plan for lot 5 was discussed, but questions about the plan for lots 1 and 2 weren’t answered. The scope of the latest iteration of the project may be outside that previously agreed to by the Village. President Abboud will hold a follow-up meeting on this topic.
Development Committee – At the most recent meeting, the Committee discussed the Berndtson property.
Gold Cup Subdivision – Trustee Knoop motioned approval of the final plat of subdivision for the Gold Cup subdivision. Trustee Schueppert seconded. The plat is of a minor subdivision of two lots and a new easement of access as well as an equestrian easement from Braeburn Lane. Roll Call.
Ayes: 7 (Schueppert, Knoop, McKevitt, Smithe, Horne, Gohl, Abboud)
Nays: 0
Absent: 0
Resolution 06-23
Village Board Meeting
August 28, 2006 – page 6
Country Creek Subdivision – It has been reported that the property owner is advertising property for sale as in Barrington Hills which is not currently part of the Village. This matter will be investigated further.
BUILDING AND ZONING – George L. Schueppert
Building Permit Report – Trustee Schueppert reported that fourteen building permits had been issued during the month of August 2006. They included permits for two residences, one septic, five additions, two accessories, three demolitions and one site development. The total number of permits for the year to date is still down, though the houses being built this year are larger on average.
Zoning Board of Appeals Report – Trustee Schueppert reported that at the most recent meeting, the ZBA discussed the issue of floor area ratios and how that calculation is connected to the elevation of a property. A public hearing may be held on the matter. Additionally at the last meeting, the ZBA held a public hearing on a proposal by American Tower to place a cell tower on the Barrington Countryside Park District’s Bateman Rd property. As a result of the hearing, further information was requested from American Tower, so the proposal will be reconsidered at the next ZBA meeting.
School District Issues - President Abboud reported that he met with the President of the District 300 School Board. He plans to follow up by writing a letter to District 300 regarding their non-consideration of the petition of a group of Barrington Hills residents to deannex. He also reported that BACOG and MCOG are proposing legislation which would allow municipalities to expend funds on school district-related issues.
INSURANCE – George L. Schueppert
Monthly Report – Trustee Schueppert reported that the bonds for the Village’s Trustees and Officers have been renewed. He continues to monitor the costs of the employees’ health care program on a monthly basis.
HEALTH, BUILDINGS & GROUNDS, ENVIRONMENT – Theodore L. Horne
Monthly Report – Trustee Horne reported that there was no meeting of the Flint Creek Partnership this past month. He also indicated that at this past month’s meeting, the Board of Health reviewed the Gold Cup subdivision.
Solid Waste Management Report – Trustee Horne reported that approximately 12 percent of the residential waste collected in the month of July 2006 was recyclables diverted from landfills.
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August 28, 2006 – page 7
Strategic Plan for Village Building – Trustee Horne reported that the plaque for the Kempe monument has been ordered, and should be installed in the next few months. President Abboud requested that the helicopter pad be mowed once a month.
ATTORNEY – Douglas Wambach
Attorney Wambach stated that matters of litigation had been addressed in Executive Session.
ADMINISTRATION – Robert G. Abboud
Executive Session Recording Archives – Trustee Smithe motioned to approve destruction of the audio recording of the approved minutes of the executive session of November 22, 2004. Trustee Schueppert seconded. All present said aye.
Motion Approved
Trustee Knoop motioned to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss pending litigation and a personnel issue at 11:40 pm. Trustee McKevitt seconded. Roll Call.
Ayes: 7 (Schueppert, Knoop, McKevitt, Smithe, Horne, Gohl, Abboud)
Nays: 0
Absent: 0
Meeting Adjourned
EXECUTIVE SESSION
PUBLIC SESSION
President Abboud called the Public Session to order at 12:37 am.
Trustee Smithe motioned to adjourn the Public Session at 12:37 am. Trustee Gohl seconded. All present said aye.
Meeting Adjourned
Approved ________________