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Minutes of Village Board Meeting - March 11, 2008MINUTES OF VILLAGE BOARD MEETING President Jason Briscoe called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Members present: John Horvat, Ray Mason, Dennis Martin, Barry Thompson, Dick Parrish (via telephone) and Terry Houchens. Also present: Jim Grabowski - Village Administrator, John Harrington – Village Finance Director, Doug Hayse – Police Chief, Chris Spesia - Village Attorney & Sean Kelly – Village Engineer. President Briscoe asked if there were any objections from the Board members about one Board member attending the meeting via telephone. There were no objections. Changes To Agenda –President Briscoe stated there were no changes to the agenda. Review of Minutes – Minutes of Village Board Meeting of February 26, 2008 were reviewed. Trustee Thompson moved, Trustee Horvat seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the Village Board meeting of February 26, 2008 as presented. Ayes: Mason, Thompson, Horvat, Houchens, Martin & Parrish Nays: None Motion carried. Bills and Transfers – (to be presented at March 25, 2008 meeting) Treasurer's Report – (to be presented at March 25, 2008 meeting) Public Forum – Public forum opened at 7:06 p.m. Mr. Brian Robare of 508 Edgewood Drive, Minooka, IL stated that he had recently applied for a fence permit and was denied and needed an explanation as to why he did not obtain it. Mr. Grabowski stated that he had talked to Terri over in the building department about the drainage in the back of the lot and that the fence would need to be shortened up and wanted to look at different fences in the area. He told Mr. Robare that he would like to talk to him tomorrow because he hasn’t looked into it enough to give a substantial answer at the board meeting. Mr. Robare stated that he would definitely like to talk to him. Hearing no further comments or questions President Briscoe closed the public forum at 7:08 p.m. Consent Agenda – Trustee Thompson moved, Trustee Mason seconded the motion to approve the consent agenda. Hearing no comments or questions President Briscoe called for a vote on the motion. Ayes: Thompson, Parrish, Horvat, Martin, Mason & Houchens Nays: None Motion carried. Resolution authorizing pay request #2 to Bulk Storage, Inc. in the amount of $77,855.00 (2008-R-965) Old Items – there were no items to be considered. New Items – Plan/Zoning Case #2008-04, Variance from Section 5-9 of Municipal Code (Crossroads of Minooka) Ordinance Granting Variance from Municipal Code to Allow Less Than the Minimum Number of Parking Spaces – Administrator Grabowski stated that the variance request was for the Minooka Crossroads Shopping Center which is located at the northeast corner of Ridge Road and Mondamin Street. The owner would like to add a third restaurant in the center and is asking for a variance due to the number of parking spaces. Village code requires one parking space for every 100 square feet of restaurant use and one space for every 200 feet of retail use. The current design without the restaurant requires 208 spaces but with the addition of the restaurant a total of 227 spaces would be required. The lot only has 206 spaces due to the layout of the lot. Trustee Thompson moved, Trustee Martin seconded the motion to approve Ordinance #2008-08 granting a variance from municipal code to allow less than the minimum number of parking spaces. Ayes: Houchens, Horvat, Martin, Mason, Parish & Thompson Nays: None Motion carried. Ordinance Amending Section 3-4-7 (A) of Municipal Code, Liquor Control, Number of Liquor Licenses; Fees (106 S Ridge Road, Suite 100) – Administrator Grabowski stated that the license is for an Irish Pub/Restaurant located in the Crossroads of Minooka shopping center located at Ridge Road and Mondamin Street. The A3 license allows the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises in conjunction with the operation of a restaurant. Trustee Thompson moved, Trustee Parrish seconded the motion to approve Ordinance #2008-09 amending section 3-4-7 (A) of the municipal code to increase the number of Class A3 liquor licenses from 3-4. Ayes: Parrish, Martin, Houchens, Horvat, Thompson & Mason Nays: None Motion carried. Resolution Authorizing the Acceptance of a Plat of Dedication (Kaufman) – Administrator Grabowski stated that the dedication is part of Lennar Homes’ requirement to rebuild and widen Wildey Road. Lennar remains the party responsible for Wildey Road which is to be completed this spring. He went on to say that the dedication is for 50 feet from the center line on Wildey Road and 75 feet from center line on Ridge Road. The dedications were secured at no acquisition cost for the Village. Trustee Thompson moved, Trustee Horvat seconded the motion to approve Resolution #2008-R-957 accepting a dedication for Wildey and Ridge Roads at the Kaufman property. Hearing no comments or questions President Briscoe called for a vote on the motion. Ayes: Martin, Houchens, Thompson, Parrish, Mason & Horvat Nays: None Motion carried. Resolution Authorizing Execution of an Agreement for 2000 Alternative Revenue Bond Refinancing – Administrator Grabowski stated that by refinancing the 2000 Alternative Revenue Bonds the interest rate would drop from approximately 5.70% to 2.60% with the total savings after expenses to the Village to be approximately $80,933. Trustee Martin moved, Trustee Houchens seconded the motion to approve Resolution #2008-R-958 authorizing execution of an agreement for 2000 alternative revenue bond refinancing and to proceed with the selling of the bonds for the refinance only if the Village net is going to save $60,000 or more. President Briscoe stated that he would like to discuss this matter at the next budget committee meeting to consider the existing fund balances and decisions that could be made. Ayes: Mason, Thompson, Horvat, Houchens, Martin & Parrish Nays: None Motion carried. Resolution Urging General Assembly to Stop Making Costly Benefit Improvements and Adopt Reforms that Protect Police and Fire Pensions – Administrator Grabowski stated that the Illinois police and firefighter pension funds are facing uncertainty and a financial crisis is developing. The Illinois General Assembly has continued to add to the growing costs of these pension funds through increasing benefits without providing additional revenues. There is no certainty that the current benefit levels are sustainable by municipalities for the existing and improved benefits and that local taxpayers are ultimately financially responsible for the growing pension obligations and will be expected to pay those costs. Trustee Houchens moved, Trustee Thompson seconded the motion to approve Resolution #2008-R-959 urging the general assembly to stop making costly benefit improvements and adopt reforms that protect police and fire pensions. Ayes: Thompson, Parrish, Horvat, Martin, Mason & Houchens Nays: None Motion carried. Resolution Authorizing Execution of a Public Safety Lighting Upgrade Grant Application – Administrator Grabowski stated that the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation is offering funding through the 2008 Public Safety Lighting Upgrade Grant Program. The grant is based on electric savings (kilowatts) to replace the existing lights with energy efficient lights and to replace the existing ballasts with electric ballasts. He went on to say that the lights and the ballasts run cooler and also reduce heat produced via the lights. Trustee Horvat moved, Trustee Martin seconded the motion to approve Resolution #2008-R-960 authorizing execution of an agreement with United Energy Associates, Inc. Trustee Thompson questioned whether there was a program for getting rid of the light bulbs due to the fact that they could contain heavy metal compounds and Mr. Harrington stated that he would talk to the vendor about getting a certificate or letter stating that they would properly dispose of the bulbs. Trustee Thompson moved, Trustee Martin seconded the motion to amend the resolution to include certification of disposal and handling of bulbs. Ayes: Thompson, Parrish, Horvat, Martin, Mason & Houchens Nays: None Motion carried. Following discussion Trustee Horvat moved, Trustee Mason seconded the motion to further amend the resolution to read "if not in the interest of the Village to proceed with the program and except the grant that no monies are due the consultant." Ayes: Houchens, Horvat, Martin, Mason, Parrish & Thompson Nays: None Motion carried. President Briscoe then asked for a vote on the motion to authorize execution of an agreement with United Energy Associates, Inc. adding language to confirm certification of disposal and handling of light bulbs and that if not in the interest of the Village to proceed with program and except the grant that no monies are due the consultant. Ayes: Houchens, Horvat, Martin, Mason, Parrish & Thompson Nays: None Motion carried. Change Order to Contract A to Salt Dome Facility, "D" Construction Inc. – Trustee Thompson moved, Trustee Horvat seconded the motion to approve Resolution #2008-R-961 authorizing change order #3 to "D" Construction for construction of an asphalt pad for the salt dome in the amount of $100,955.45. Ayes: Parrish, Martin, Houchens, Horvat, Thompson & Mason Nays: None Motion carried. Resolution Authorizing Execution of Harris Bank Pledge Agreement – Administrator Grabowski commented that the Village currently has a pledge agreement with Harris Bank, but that one of the authorized signers is Richard Ellis (former mayor of Minooka). The Village needs to update the authorized personnel to include the village President, Finance Director, Treasurer and Village Clerk. Trustee Martin moved, Trustee Parrish seconded the motion to approve Resolution #2008-R-962 authorizing execution of pledgor/pledgee agreement with Harris Bank. Hearing no comments or questions President Briscoe called for a vote on the motion. Ayes: Horvat, Parrish, Thompson, Houchens, Mason & Martin Nays: None Motion carried. IDOT Resolution for Construction of Water and Sanitary Sewer Facilities Under Interstate 80 – Trustee Thompson moved, Trustee Mason seconded the motion to approve Resolution #2008-R-963 authorizing execution of a permit application to place sewer and water lines beneath Interstate 80. Hearing no comments or questions President Briscoe called for a vote on the motion. Ayes: Parrish, Martin, Houchens, Horvat, Thompson & Mason Nays: None Motion carried. Resolution Approving Pay Request No. 1 to Contract A for Salt Dome Facility to "D" Construction Inc. – Trustee Thompson moved, Trustee Martin seconded the motion to approve Resolution #2008-R-964 authorizing pay request No. 1 to "D" Construction, Inc in the amount of $90,859.91 for the Salt Storage Dome Pad. Hearing no comments or questions President Briscoe called for a vote on the motion. Ayes: Martin, Thompson, Parrish, Mason & Horvat Nays: Houchens Motion carried. Staff Reports – Administrator Grabowski commented that on Wednesday, March 12th he will be going on a retention visit with the Grundy Economic Development Council (GEDC) to United States Cold Storage (USCS). He also stated that on Thursday, March 13th there is a scheduled Committee of the Whole meeting at 7:00 p.m. and that prior to the Committee of the Whole meeting there will be a budget committee meeting at 5:30 p.m. He went on to state that he will be attending a trails meeting with Al Yancey and Jim Brownlee on Friday, March 14th which is being sponsored by the Will County Forest Preserve and also the Grundy County Foundation. He also wanted to thank the police department and in particular Chief Hayse for their actions over the weekend at the high school. A few of the officers gave up a lot of their time to avert what could have been a disaster at the high school. Liquor Commission Report – Chairman Briscoe had nothing to report. Annexation Committee Report – Chairman Briscoe had nothing to report. Executive Session - President Briscoe announced that there was a need for an executive session and entertained a motion. Trustee Thompson moved, Trustee Horvat seconded the motion to go into executive session to discuss appointment of an officer, property acquisition and pending and probable litigation at 7:54 p.m. Ayes: Mason, Thompson, Horvat, Houchens, Martin & Parrish Nays: None Motion carried. Trustee Thompson moved, Trustee Horvat seconded the motion to return to regular session at 8:31 p.m. Ayes: Houchens, Horvat, Martin, Mason, Parrish & Thompson Nays: None Motion carried. President Briscoe noted that there was action to be taken from executive session. Action from Executive Session – Appointment of Building Officer – President Briscoe stated that he wanted to appoint Steve Thornton to position of building officer. Trustee Martin moved, Trustee Mason seconded the motion to approve the appointment of Steve Thornton as the new building and zoning officer for the Village. Ayes: Thompson, Parrish, Horvat, Martin, Mason & Houchens Nays: None Motion carried. As Appropriate – 1. President Briscoe stated that at the budget committee meeting Chief Hayse had requested that he be able to order three police squad cars now, due to the fact that to get the Will County Co-op pricing you need to order by March 20th. Administrator Grabowski stated that in the proposed budget for next year three squads are budgeted (2 replacement, 1 new). President Briscoe pointed out that at the next board meeting there would be an item on the agenda to purchase the vehicles. 2. Administrator Grabowski stated that recently staff had talked about the final plat for Twin Rail #2 park which is at the end of the current Twin Rail Drive and McLindon Road. He stated that there were some issues about easements on the roadway and went back to the developer and thought that they could do a limited final plat. The developer did not like the idea so staff is looking into different ideas. Mr. Grabowski then asked Mr. Kelly to explain a solution. The latest discussion is a 50 foot dedication to the Village, Nicor easement will stay in place because they do not want to vacate it at this time, 20 foot Nicor and ComEd easement, 10 foot Village easement, and a 10 foot landscape easement. The final design would have to work with Nicor to get differences resolved. The Village would have to draft a letter to Nicor to see if they would be willing to sign off on their easement. Attorney Spesia commented that time is crucial because the final plat will have to be recorded by the end of the month because the owner has a sale pending and that the revised final plat would have to be on the next village board agenda for approval. Mr. Kelly also stated that Nicor indicated that it does not have a problem working with the village for whatever the final improvements would be but that they do not want to sign off their rights because they may need to actually change the size of their main. The Village understands because we do not have final design done at this point but wants to know Nicor would work with the Village in understanding that the Village needs the large roadway corridor. President Briscoe asked the Board if they were ok with the amendment to the final plat and everyone stated that they were in agreement with working threw the changes. 3. Trustee Thompson questioned whether an ordinance was going to be changed when a board member is on vacation attending a meeting via telephone because he has attended several meetings via the phone and comments were made to him before about attending a board meeting via telephone while working. He stated that he never attended a meeting via telephone while on vacation. Wants to know if the ordinance should be amended to allow board members to attend meetings via telephone while on vacation? Attorney Spesia stated that the ordinance is a state statute that authorizes telephonic participation and only the state could amend. Hearing no further comments or questions, President Briscoe called for adjournment. Trustee Thompson moved, Trustee Mason seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:47 p.m. All voted yes, motion carried. Milissa Felker, Deputy Clerk Date approved: March 25, 2008
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