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Minutes of Village Board Meeting - March 25, 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. Members Absent: Dick Parrish and Terry Houchens. Also present: Jim Grabowski - Village Administrator, John Harrington – Village Finance Director, Doug Hayse – Police Chief, Martin Shanahan - Village Attorney & Sean Kelly- Village Engineer Changes To Agenda –President Briscoe stated there were no changes to the agenda. Review of Minutes – Minutes of Village Board Meeting of March 11, 2008 were reviewed. Trustee Mason moved, Trustee Horvat seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the Village Board meeting of March 11, 2008 as presented. Ayes: Mason, Thompson, Horvat & Martin Nays: None Absent: Houchens & Parrish Motion carried. Minutes of Plan/Zoning Meeting of February 19, 2008 were reviewed – there were no questions or comments. President Briscoe noted that they would be placed on file. Bills and Transfers – Trustee Martin moved, Trustee Thompson seconded the motion to approve the Bills and Transfers as presented. Hearing no comments or questions President Briscoe called for a vote on the motion. Ayes: Martin, Thompson, Mason & Horvat Nays: None Absent: Houchens & Parrish Motion carried. Treasurer's Report – Trustee Martin moved, Trustee Thompson seconded the motion to approve the Treasurer's Report as presented. Hearing no comments or questions President Briscoe called for a vote on the motion. Ayes: Mason, Thompson, Horvat & Martin Nays: None Absent: Houchens & Parrish Motion carried. Public Forum – President Briscoe opened the public forum at 7:05 p.m. Mr. Mike Laney of 207 Edgewood Drive, Minooka stated that back in August of 07’ he had approached the village board about the flooding issues at his house and several of his neighbor’s homes in Rivers Edge Landing and wondered if any decision had been made about the drainage issue. Mr. Kelly stated that the developer had been contacted about putting a swale in and about the drainage issue. He then told Mr. Laney that they (Robinson Engineering) were looking at putting in a swale at his property. Mr. Laney stated that he did not want a ditch in his backyard due to the fact that children play in the backyard. Mr. Grabowski then stated that Mr. Laney could come into the village hall and discuss the matter further with him. Mr. Jerry Davidson stated that the Lion’s Club Board was donating $250.00 to We Care of Grundy County. He then questioned President Briscoe and the Board if the lower parking lot on Mondamin Street would be enough room for the stage for Summerfest since part of the beautification project was to put up lights and plant trees. He then questioned whether the construction on Osceola Street could hold off until after Summerfest because the arts and crafts show is set up on that street. President Briscoe stated that the Village would take it under advisement. Hearing no further questions or comments President Briscoe closed the public forum at 7:10 p.m. Consent Agenda – Trustee Thompson moved, Trustee Horvat seconded the motion to approve the consent agenda. Hearing no comments or questions President Briscoe called for a vote on the motion. Ayes: Martin, Horvat, Thompson & Mason Nays: None Absent: Parrish & Houchens Motion carried. Resolution Approving 2008 Village of Minooka Zoning Map (2008-R-966) Resolution Approving Pay Request No. 5 for Minooka Streetscape to Allied Landscaping Corp. in the amount of $78,007.50 (2008-R-967) Resolution Authorizing Execution of a Data Sharing Agreement with Grundy County, GIS (2008-R-968) Resolution Authorizing an Agreement for Animal Control Services with Grundy County (2008-R-969) Old Items – there were no items to be considered. New Items – Resolution Approving Final Plat of Subdivision, Plan/Zoning Case #2008-01 (Summerfield Townhouses) – Trustee Martin moved, Trustee Horvat seconded the motion to approve a Resolution approving the final plat for the Summerfield Unit 3 Townhomes. Trustee Thompson feels that the resolution should be amended to include the language from Section 2 and repeat it in Section 3. After discussion Trustee Mason moved, Trustee Horvat seconded the motion to amend the resolution to add language from Section 2 "subject to approval of an amended Annexation Agreement and to Developer’s compliance of the terms of the amended Annexation Agreement and all Village Ordinances to Section 3 as well. Ayes: Martin, Thompson, Mason & Horvat Nays: None Absent: Houchens & Parrish Motion carried. Trustee Mason moved, Trustee Horvat seconded the motion to approve Resolution #2008-R-970 approving the final plat for the Summerfield Unit 3 Townhomes adding in Section 3 that all necessary signatures and approvals on said Final Plat be made by the respective Village officials including, but not limited to, the Village President, Village Clerk and Village Engineer, subject to approval of an amended Annexation Agreement and to Developer’s compliance of the terms of the amended Annexation Agreement and all Village Ordinances. Ayes: Martin, Thompson, Mason & Horvat Nays: None Absent: Houchens & Parrish Motion carried. Resolution Approving Final Plat of Subdivision, Twin Rail Industrial Park 2 (Airport-Minooka Investment, LLC Property) – Administrator Grabowski commented that the final plat consists of 16 lots, of which 13 lots are buildable, one lot is for storm water, one is located to the north of the detention pond and one is situated between the railroad right-of-way and ComEd right-of-way. He also went on to say that as part of the development, Twin Rail Drive will be extended through to McLindon Road. The petitioner had indicated that the detailed development of the individual lots, including landscaping, parking and building review would be included in the site plan approval process for the individual lots. Trustee Thompson moved, Trustee Mason seconded the motion to approve Resolution #2008-R-971 approving final plat of the Twin Rail Industrial Park 2 (Airport-Minooka Investment, LLC Property). Ayes: Mason, Thompson, Horvat & Martin Nays: None Absent: Houchens & Parrish Motion carried. Resolution Authorizing Execution of US Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement – President Briscoe stated that he had received a letter last fall from Miss Manno’s fourth grade class at Aux Sable Elementary School located here in Minooka asking him to consider joining the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement to conserve energy and other natural resources. He stated that he has to give credit where credit is due. He receives many letters but anytime 23 nine and ten year olds write asking him for help, he takes notice. He stated that after receiving the letter he went on to the web site that was referenced in their letter and did some serious research before making his decision. One student (Dakota Coffman) was on hand from Miss Manno’s class to witness the agreement being passed by the village board. Trustee Mason moved, Trustee Horvat seconded the motion to approve Resolution #2008-R-972 authorizing execution of an agreement with the US Conference of Mayors Climate Protection. Hearing no comments or questions President Briscoe called for a vote on the motion. Ayes: Thompson, Horvat, Martin, Mason Nays: None Absent: Parrish & Houchens Motion carried. 2007 IL Department of Transportation MFT Audit Report – Administrator Grabowski stated that Motor Fuel Tax funds are distributed based on population and that over the past year the village used MFT funds for patching streets in the Village. Trustee Horvat moved, Trustee Mason seconded the motion to approve the 2007 Illinois Department of Transportation MFT audit report. Hearing no comments or questions President Briscoe called for a vote on the motion. Ayes: Horvat, Martin, Mason & Thompson Nays: None Absent: Houchens & Parrish Motion carried. Resolution Authorizing Purchase of Three Squad Cars from Currie Motors – Administrator Grabowski stated that by purchasing Ford Explorers they are less in price than Dodge Chargers, they get similar gas mileage, but they perform better in the winter weather. He went on to say that each vehicle is being purchased from the State of Illinois bid list in the amount of $20,645 each. Trustee Thompson moved, Trustee Mason seconded the motion to approve Resolution #2008-R-973 authorizing the purchase of three Ford Explorers for use as police squad units in the amount not to exceed $63,000. Ayes: Horvat, Thompson, Mason & Martin Nays: None Absent: Parrish & Houchens Motion carried. Resolutions Authorizing Execution of an Agreement for 2008 Summer Cinema Series – Trustee Thompson moved, Trustee Mason seconded the motion to approve Resolution #2008-R-974 authorizing execution of an agreement with Sunset Cinema, SpecEvent and Swank Motion Pictures for the 2008 summer movie series not to exceed $7,600 for four events. Ayes: Martin, Horvat, Thompson & Mason Nays: None Absent: Parrish & Houchens Motion carried. Staff Reports – Administrator Grabowski stated that construction on Wabena Avenue and Mondamin Street had started back up as well as work on Osceola Street. The intersection at Wabena Avenue and Mondamin Street will be worked on and Mr. Kelly has been working with the contractor for the job ("D" Construction) on a traffic plan for the closing of the street. Mr. Grabowski wanted to inform the Board of the plans to shut down the street. One of the options is to close the entire intersection down and get it done at one time. Mr. Grabowski and others feel that that would not be the right way to handle the closure. Mr. Grabowski stated that one option was to start on the east side of intersection and close it off and route northbound traffic to move into the southbound lane of Wabena Avenue. The street would be closed to southbound traffic at St. Mary’s Street. Southbound traffic would be diverted west on St. Mary’s Street to Massasoit Street or West Street and south to Mondamin Street and if wanting to get back to south Wabena Avenue they would turn left onto Mondamin Street and go through the lower parking lot. The other option is to close the other side of Wabena Avenue and move the southbound lane of Wabena Avenue into the northbound lane. The duration for each side is three weeks. Trustee Horvat questioned whether the lower parking lot pavement would be able to withstand the truck and car traffic? Administrator Grabowski stated that he didn’t know of another way to re-route the traffic. Mr. Tonarelli stated that the grain elevator trucks have used the lower parking lot quite often over the past twenty or thirty years with no problem to the pavement. Mr. Kelly stated that a concrete walk would be put in front of the retaining wall by the lower parking lot in order to access and utilize the lower parking lot for the businesses. A parking sign would be in place so that customers know that there is parking in the lower parking lot. The businesses on the northeast side of the intersection will have a temporary walk put in. Trustee Horvat feels that we need to communicate with the businesses on the northeast side better than we have so that they can know of the street closures in advance due to the fact that they are smaller businesses and don’t have that much traffic in and out of their business. Mr. Grabowski stated that flyers will be distributed to the businesses about the plans. Mr. Grabowski also stated that the Chamber Expo is scheduled for Sunday, April 30th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the high school. The Village and the police department will have a booth at the Expo. He went on to say that he had a retention visit with the Grundy Economic Development Council at Citizen’s Bank about the road construction. On March 31st there will be a budget committee meeting at 6:00 p.m. Police Chief Hayse reported that some cars were damaged in town over the weekend along with some personal property and that two people are in custody and that a third one will be following. 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 to discuss pending litigation and entertained a motion. Trustee Thompson moved, Trustee Horvat seconded the motion to go into executive session to discuss pending litigation at 7:55 p.m. Ayes: Thompson, Horvat, Martin & Mason Nays: None Absent: Parrish & Houchens Motion carried. Trustee Thompson moved, Trustee Horvat seconded the motion to return to regular session at 8:05 p.m. Ayes: Horvat, Thompson, Mason & Martin Nays: None Absent: Parrish & Houchens Motion carried. President Briscoe noted that there was no action to be taken from executive session. As Appropriate – President Briscoe stated that Grundy County Emergency Food and Shelter Program is in need of assistance. Last week he participated in the mayors ‘Meals on Wheels" program in Morris along with several other local mayors and afterwards had a conversation with the assistant director and Mr. Brent Newman who is the CEO of the housing authority. Mr. Newman sent letters to local municipalities asking for assistance in making up the loss of funds. The reason for the loss in government funding is due to the fact that Grundy County’s unemployment rate came in at 5.4% and in order to qualify for funding and assistance from the federal government the unemployment rate would have to be 5.5% which leaves a shortfall of about $22,000 from the $29,000 that Grundy County received last year. The largest food pantry that is operating for We Care of Grundy County is located here in Minooka at the Minooka Bible Church. It serves approximately 11,000 pounds of food for the Northern Illinois Food Bank. We Care of Grundy County already agreed to provide $5,000 from their small cash reserve and that an additional $2,000 was received from a special state fund which was set aside for the 40 counties in Illinois who did not receive funding. President Briscoe stated that he had sent copies of the letter from Mr. Newman to several organizations in the community asking for their help. As stated in the public forum Mr. Jerry Davidson commented that Minooka’s Lions Club was donating $250.00 to We Care of Grundy County. Trustee Martin stated that according to the chart that Mr. Newman sent, Minooka’s portion for Grundy County is 11% or $2,351.27 and suggested that the Village give the amount of $2,500. The Board members agreed on the $2,500 and Mr. Grabowski stated that a check would be cut immediately after the next board meeting when the resolution is approved. President Briscoe then stated that the Minooka American Legion Post 1188 had put in a request for financial assistance in the amount of $1,000 for the annual Memorial Day Parade which will be on Monday, May 26, 2008. As far as the request for financial assistance from the American Legion, the Board agreed to look at the last amount that the Village gave and match that amount. Trustee Mason stated that he had received several complaints about the monument located at Mondamin Street and West Street and the obstruction of view. He went and looked at the monument and drove up and down West Street and wondered if the Village could look at the location of the monument. President Briscoe stated that he would have the engineer look into it. Hearing no further comments or questions, President Briscoe called for adjournment. Trustee Thompson moved, Trustee Horvat seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:19 p.m. All voted yes, motion carried. Milissa Felker, Deputy Clerk Date approved: April 8, 2008
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