VILLAGE OF BARRINGTON HILLS
Minutes of the Regular Meeting October 22, 2007
President Abboud called the Regular Meeting to order at 6:36 pm. Roll Call.
Robert G. Abboud, President Catie and Mike Reimer, residents
Fritz H. Gohl, Pro-Tem Pamela Cools, resident
Walter E. Smithe, Trustee Barry and Cathy LeCompte, residents
Steven E. Knoop, Trustee Jenese Busch, resident
George L. Schueppert, Trustee Christopher Shaxted, resident
Beth Mallen, Trustee Kathy Soeder, resident
Douglas Wambach, Village Attorney John Rosene, resident
Michael N. Murphy, Police Chief Nancy Laterza, resident
Elaine Ramesh, Village Clerk Guy Youman, Attorney
Roger Fox, Village Building Officer Hollie Free, resident
Neil Waltmire, Planning and Zoning
Coordinator
Todd Gordon, Village Engineer
Trustee Gohl motioned to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss legal matters at 6:37 pm. Trustee Mallen seconded. Roll Call.
Ayes: 6 (Mallen, Schueppert, Knoop, Smithe, Gohl, Abboud)
Nays: 0
Absent: 1 (McKevitt)
Meeting Adjourned
EXECUTIVE SESSION
PUBLIC SESSION
President Abboud called the Public Session to order at 7:33 pm.
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October 22, 2007 – page 2
MINUTES
Trustee Knoop motioned to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 24, 2007 with certain corrections. Trustee Schueppert seconded. All present said aye.
Motion Approved
Trustee Schueppert motioned to approve the minutes of the Executive Session of September 24, 2007. Trustee Mallen seconded. All present said aye.
Motion Approved
Trustee Knoop motioned to approve the minutes of the Executive Session of August 13, 2007. Trustee Schueppert seconded. All present said aye.
Motion Approved
PUBLIC COMMENTS
President Abboud opened a thirty-five minute session for public comments at 7:37 pm.
President Abboud indicated that the Canadian National Railway has proposed purchase of the E J & E train line. It is anticipated that if the sale goes through, there will be a great increase in freight traffic on the line which goes through Barrington Hills; fundamentally changing its character. BACOG has already taken up this issue. President Abboud asked Mr. Waltmire to distribute BACOG meeting notes on the E J & E matter to all of the Trustees.
Resident Christopher Shaxted of 34 Oak Knoll spoke about an issue with a neighbor’s building project. The neighbor has been building a structure by himself for about 18 months, and the work has progressed very slowly. Mr. Shaxted is not certain what the structure is, but at the rate that the building is being worked on, it could be quite some time before it is completed. He also indicated concern that the exposure of the shell of the building to the elements for so long due to the slow rate of construction could be problematic for the integrity of the building. He requested that the Village consider not further extending the neighbor’s building permit without some timeline for actual completion of the project. Mr. Fox, of the Building Department, will look into the situation.
As there were no further remarks, the public comments session ended at 7:51 pm.
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October 22, 2007 – page 3
FINANCE – Walter E. Smithe
Treasurer’s Report – Trustee Smithe presented the Treasurer’s report for the month of September 2007. Trustee Smithe motioned to accept the Treasurer’s report as presented. Trustee Schueppert seconded. Roll Call.
Ayes: 6 (Mallen, Schueppert, Knoop, Smithe, 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 and the summary of year-to-date activity through September 2007 as presented. Trustee Schueppert seconded. Roll Call.
Ayes: 6 (Mallen, Schueppert, Knoop, Smithe, 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 October to date of $313,981.19. Trustee Mallen seconded. Trustee Schueppert inquired about the reason for the high $4.00 per gallon cost of gas purchased for the Police Department’s vehicles. Chief Murphy agreed to look into this matter. Roll Call.
Ayes: 6 (Mallen, Schueppert, Knoop, Smithe, Gohl, Abboud)
Nays: 0
Absent: 1 (McKevitt)
Motion Approved
Overtime Reports – Trustee Smithe motioned to approve $ 4,362.63 in overtime expenses for September 1 through 15, 2007 and $ 6,839.61 for September 16 through 30, 2007. Trustee Mallen seconded. The reasons for the overtime expenses were discussed. Roll Call.
Ayes: 6 (Mallen, Schueppert, Knoop, Smithe, Gohl, Abboud)
Nays: 0
Absent: 1 (McKevitt)
Motion Approved
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October 22, 2007 – page 4
FY 2008 Budget – A first draft of the 2008 fiscal year budget was provided for the Trustees’ review. Trustee Smithe thanked the members of the Board for turning in their worksheets on time. Trustee Schueppert prepared summaries for the Board’s review. President Abboud asked Trustee Smithe to consider the amount of money which would potentially be needed in the legal budget for the E J & E matter in the next fiscal year.
ROADS AND BRIDGES – Julie McKevitt
Monthly Report – In Trustee McKevitt’s absence, Mr. Gordon indicated that the road program for this year is nearly complete. The Cook County Board has passed an ordinance to lower speed limits on some of the Cook County roads in the Village. Signage for the new lower speed limits should be installed within the next two weeks.
Equestrian Commission – At the most recent meeting, the Commission discussed building code requirements for large equestrian-related structures.
PLANNING – Steven E. Knoop
Monthly Report – Trustee Knoop reported that the Planning Commission will review the Comprehensive Plan at their November meeting.
PUBLIC SAFETY – Fritz H. Gohl
Monthly Report – Trustee Gohl deferred to Chief Murphy who presented the Police Report for activity in the month of September 2007. Police Officer Gary Hammelmann received a Cook County Medal of Merit award for twenty-five years of continuous service to the Village.
Surplus Property Disposal Ordinance – Trustee Gohl motioned to approve Ordinance 07-18 regarding disposal of certain property by auction on eBay. Trustee Smithe seconded. The property includes, among other items, used furniture and unclaimed costume jewelry. Roll Call.
Ayes: 6 (Mallen, Schueppert, Knoop, Smithe, Gohl, Abboud)
Nays: 0
Absent: 1 (McKevitt)
Ordinance 07-18 Approved
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October 22, 2007 – page 5
Police Vehicle Purchase - Trustee Gohl motioned authorization of the purchase of a 2007 Chevy Impala (patrol car) for $20,077 from Miles Chevrolet. Trustee Smithe seconded. Payment for the car was already approved amongst the bills approved during this meeting. The vehicle has already been delivered. Roll Call.
Ayes: 6 (Mallen, Schueppert, Knoop, Smithe, Gohl, Abboud)
Nays: 0
Absent: 1 (McKevitt)
Motion Approved
BARN Radio Equipment Purchase Resolution – Trustee Gohl motioned to approve Resolution 07-17 regarding the purchase and installation of police radio equipment not to exceed an amount of $29,331.63. Trustee Smithe seconded. Roll Call.
Ayes: 6 (Mallen, Schueppert, Knoop, Smithe, Gohl, Abboud)
Nays: 0
Absent: 1 (McKevitt)
Resolution 07-17 Approved
CentraCom Radio Equipment Purchase Resolution – Trustee Gohl motioned to approve Resolution 07-18 regarding the purchase and installation of police radio equipment not to exceed an amount of $16,647.00. Trustee Smithe seconded. Roll Call.
Ayes: 6 (Mallen, Schueppert, Knoop, Smithe, Gohl, Abboud)
Nays: 0
Absent: 1 (McKevitt)
Resolution 07-18 Approved
BARN
Inverness has requested to join the Barrington Area Radio Network (BARN). If they become members of the network, Inverness will have to pay a portion of the expenses of the service. Trustee Schueppert motioned authorization for the Police Chief and Attorney Wambach to work with Barrington to craft an amendment to the Intergovernmental Agreement with Barrington for the operation of BARN which would allow Inverness to become a member of the network. Trustee Knoop seconded. All present said aye.
Motion Approved
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October 22, 2007 – page 6
BUILDING AND ZONING – George L. Schueppert
Building Permit Report – Trustee Schueppert reported that three building permits had been issued during the month of September 2007; for one residence, one alteration and one demolition. The number of permit applications continues to decline in comparison to previous years.
ZBA Report – Trustee Schueppert reported that at the most recent meeting, the ZBA approved petitions for two variances; while three other petitions were continued. A request for a special use PCS permit by SAC and Verizon Wireless (to be installed on an existing power line tower) on Com Ed’s Helm Rd property was not heard due to deficiencies in public notice. The deficiencies will be corrected and the Applicants plan to appear before the ZBA again in November. The ZBA voted to request that the Board of Trustees authorize public hearings on two matters: to review the draft heritage tree preservation ordinance and to review the draft cell tower ordinance.
Trustee Schueppert motioned to authorize the ZBA to hold a public hearing on the proposed ordinance on personal wireless services. Trustee Smithe seconded. A number of meetings have already been held to obtain public input, but the language of the ordinance could still be modified by the ZBA after the public hearing. All present said aye.
Motion Approved
Trustee Schueppert motioned to authorize the ZBA to hold a public hearing on the proposed heritage tree preservation ordinance. Trustee Mallen seconded. Two public meetings have already been held on the subject and the ZBA has also had meetings with experts on this matter. Trustee Smithe noted that young or juvenile trees aren’t protected by this ordinance, and requested that their protection also be included. All present said aye.
Motion Approved
Cell Tower Special Use Permit Moratorium - Residents have requested that the Village consider declaring a moratorium on the granting of special use permits for cell towers until an ordinance covering cell towers is in place. Communications from the residents regarding this matter were circulated for the trustees’ review. Trustee Schueppert motioned that the Village of Barrington Hills immediately establish a moratorium on accepting any further applications for personal communications services facilities (cell towers) and that furthermore the Village Board not approve any requests for special use permits for such facilities for a period not to exceed December 1st, 2007. Trustee Smithe seconded. Roll Call.
Ayes: 6 (Mallen, Schueppert, Knoop, Smithe, Gohl, Abboud)
Nays: 0
Absent: 1 (McKevitt)
Motion Approved
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Building Permit Requirements for Equestrian Facilities Ordinance – Trustee Schueppert motioned to approve Resolution 07-19 regarding building permit requirements for equestrian facilities. Trustee Knoop seconded. The trustees discussed the matter in detail, and Dr. LeCompte also made remarks about this matter. President Abboud requested that Dr. LeCompte meet with the Building Officer and the Director of Administration to resolve his outstanding issues. Roll Call.
Ayes: 4 (Schueppert, Knoop, Smithe, Abboud)
Nays: 0
Absent: 1 (McKevitt)
Abstaining: 2 (Mallen, Gohl)
Resolution 07-19 Approved
A developer purchased a property at 46 Otis Rd., and demolished the existing home. The developer has applied for a building permit to construct a new home, with a variance for gross lot area, as the part of the property that constitutes a buildable lot lake is only 3.3 acres. Attorney Wambach will provide his assessment with respect to the 46 Otis Rd. property at the next Board meeting.
INSURANCE – George L. Schueppert
Monthly Report – Trustee Schueppert reported that so far only $1600 for outstanding claims in the month of September, has been paid to the previous healthcare provider; an amount much lower than anticipated.
HEALTH, BUILDINGS & GROUNDS, ENVIRONMENT – Beth Mallen
Strategic Plan for Village Building – Trustee Mallen reported that the new furniture for the meeting room had been delivered; that the Village Hall’s septic tanks have been scheduled for cleaning and that lock-up renovations continue.
Communications Committee – The Village’s Fall newsletter is now available on-line. The last event of the Village’s 50th anniversary celebration will be the November 17th Gala dinner.
ATTORNEY – Douglas Wambach
Attorney Wambach stated that matters of litigation had been addressed in Executive Session.
Agreement with MPI Prairie Stone, LLC - Trustee Schueppert motioned approval of Resolution 07-20 authorizing the execution of an agreement with MPI Prairie Stone LLC and directing the Village President, the Chairman of Planning Committee and the Village counsel to negotiate an agreement substantially similar to the agreement attached to the resolution. Trustee Knoop seconded. The purpose of the agreement is for the Village to
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October 22, 2007 – page 8
consent to an amendment of the Declaration which includes some protective covenants which control the use of the property. Roll Call.
Ayes: 6 (Mallen, Schueppert, Knoop, Smithe, Gohl, Abboud)
Nays: 0
Absent: 1 (McKevitt)
Resolution 07-20 Approved
ADMINISTRATION – Robert G. Abboud
Laterza Property Donation Matter – Guy Youman, attorney for Mrs. Laterza explained the donation of property to the Village which his client wished to make. A footpath and all of Lot 1 near the intersection of Haeger’s Bend Road and Chapel Road is to be donated. The family has agreed to install fencing and cut the path, but the Village would be responsible for keeping the path clear and policing it. The donor wished to limit the path to pedestrian use during certain limited hours; and wished not to have a parking area for users of the path. Path users, those maintaining the path or the police would only be able to park in the right-of-way on Haeger’s Bend Rd. Trustee Schueppert motioned approval for the Village President with the assistance of the Village Attorney and Director of Administration to facilitate the Busch donation during the next month. Trustee Gohl seconded. Roll Call.
Ayes: 5 (Schueppert, Knoop, Smithe, Gohl, Abboud)
Nays: 1 (Mallen)
Absent: 1 (McKevitt)
Motion Approved
Creation of Employee Handbook for Village Employees – The Personnel Committee met and continued their work to create an employee handbook. Employment agreements also under development are for Village Officers and a policy for extended leave of absence.
Trustee Gohl motioned to adjourn the Public Session at 11:25 pm. Trustee Smithe seconded. All present said aye.
Meeting Adjourned
Approved ________________