MINUTES OF TOWER LAKES
PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
Date: January 15, 2001
Location: Village Office
Time: 7:13 p.m.
PLEDGE: Trustee Kuskowski called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Sign in sheet circulated.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Trustees Aitken, Heagarty, Filippell, Parro, Kuskowski, Village Clerk Leitner. Absent: Cantieri
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Trustee Heagarty made a motion to approve with changes the December Village Board Meeting,which motion was seconded by Trustee Filippell and followed by a Roll Call vote :AYES: Aitken, Heagarty, Filippell, Parro, Kuskowski Absent: Cantieri. Trustee Parro made a motion to approve the December Executive Session Meeting minutes,which motion was seconded by Trustee Heagarty and followed by a Roll Call vote :AYES: Aitken, Heagarty, Filippell, Parro, Kuskowski Absent: Cantieri.
WATER SYSTEM REPORT:
Monthly Production Report: Trustee Kuskowski does not have the report from Consumers Illinois Water Co. for December, but the January report shows that Tower Lakes used 3million gallons, which is the monthly average. Wells 1 and 4 came on during the days of flushing. The report is on file at the Village office.
Trustee Kuskowski reported a major water leak, which pumped twice the normal amount of water for several days. It was not reported, but was near a residence and flowed into the lake.
Re: the $250,000 Grant: no change in status. The repair work scheduled for Esther and Tomahawk has not yet begun due to the weather. Likewise, the well house work status is stagnant. Hopefully, work on both projects can begin soon. Trustee Aitken pointed out that the deadline for use of the grant funds is June 30, 2001.
PLAN COMMISSION: Member Greg Valicka spoke for the Plan Commission. He reported there was no quorum for the December meeting, but the members in attendance continued work on the Comprehensive Plan. They are about halfway through the document.
Greg also noted that the Village Board has given the Plan Commission two items for consideration: 1) the Village of Barrington zoning change, which involves the light and square foot ratio analysis for permitted variances involving teardowns or major reconstruction, and 2) the Religious Plan Use Act, which requires a definition for Churches. The Plan Commission will consider these at the January 22,2001 meeting. Trustee Aitken noted that a public hearing is required should the Plan Commission decide to go through with these items.
Lake County Regional Framework Plan: Trustee Parro has volunteered to attend these quarterly meetings, which are expected to continue over a 24-month period. He asked that a member of the Plan Commission act as his ‘back-up’ when he cannot attend. Greg Valicka offered to discuss this further with Trustee Parro.
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS: No report.
BUILDING AND ZONING:
Monthly Report: Trustee Kuskowski gave the monthly report: Two new permits and three inspections.
Ordinance Enforcement: One parking Ordinance violation remains outstanding, despite first and second notices. Resident has responded both in writing and in a conversation with Trustee Kuskowski that he does not intend to comply. Today is the deadline for his compliance. Materials sent to Village Attorney Bateman, who is preparing a letter to resident.
TREASURER'S REPORT:
Meese Ordinance to Amend SSA—to be sent back to Village Attorney Bateman to revise to reflect current resident (Burgoon) and modify date.
Taxpayers Bill of Rights Ordinance--Motion by Trustee Heagarty to enact this ordinance, which is required by state law, seconded by Trustee Aitken and followed by a Roll Call vote :AYES: Aitken, Heagarty, Filippell, Parro, Kuskowski Absent: Cantieri.
Monthly Bills: Trustee Filippell addressed the distributed list of monthly bills to be paid. It was noted that $10,000 was spent on salt in December. Trustee Kuskowski noted that our area is/may be declared a federal disaster area, for which we can seek reimbursement for this salt expenditure . Trustee Heagarty will discuss with Cuba Township’s Kermit Smiddy .Motion to approve the Treasurer's Report and monthly bills made by Trustee Aitken, seconded by Trustee Heagarty, and followed by a roll call vote.
VOTE: AYES: Aitken, Kuskowski, Heagarty, Parro, Filippell. NAYES: None. Absent: Cantieri.
Audit: Treasurer Brian Gidley reported that the Audit is complete, though we do not have the finalized copy. Draft copies distributed. Village Clerk Leitner has forwarded the list of expenditures to the Barrington Courier. Once we receive the certified copies of the publication and the final audit, we can forward to the state and county to receive our share of tax revenues.
Treasurer Gidley has purchased the Accounting software he requested last month. It will allow him to update financial and auditing reporting, and can produce graphs, models, etc. Trustee Parro would like to develop something for the website, and will discuss with Treasurer Gidley.
FINANCE: Trustee Filippell addressed everyone’s attention to the 2001-2002 budget, and asked Trustees to pull together their respective budget requests. Trustee Heagarty requested worksheets as used in the past. Treasurer Gidley suggested setting up requests along lines of the spending and taxing ordinances, as well as current line item budget items.
POLICE:
Monthly Police Report: Trustee Aitken reviewed the monthly Police Activity Report, which is on file at the Village Office. Trustee Heagarty asked whether there exists an ordinance to keep snowmobiles off of our streets and thoroughfares. No ordinance exists, but it is against state law, per Trustee Aitken.
STORM WATER MANAGEMENT:
See Water System Report. A South Hills resident asked for the specifics of the South Hills drain project. President Kuskowski stated that three new drains will be installed on South Hills, and all three will drain into the existing swale and drain to the lake. Trustee Kuskowski said the engineer’s are sure the existing system will accommodate three additional drains. Resident requested a copy of the engineer’s report from Trustee Kuskowski.
ROADS:
Vehicle Stickers: Only one delinquency remains outstanding on the Vehicle Stickers. Trustee Aitken suggests revising our method of enforcement for the upcoming year.
HEALTH AND SANITATION: No report.
UTILITIES:
ATT Digital Cable: Trustee Parro noted that ATT is offering an opportunity to sign up for digital enhancement, which requires a converter box for each TV. The advantage to digital over satellite is that digital allows you to choose which TV you would like the enhanced reception on. With satellite, it’s all or nothing. The converter works over your telephone line, even if you are using the telephone. Broadband is still not available. Basic cable fees are going up 5 percent. Treasurer Gidley noted that not all areas of the Village have cable.
ComEd: Trustee Parro has been contacted by ComEd , who has offered free electric service for the Village Hall in exchange for the franchise. Trustee Parro will compare with the existing franchise agreement.
Nicor: Continuing its investigation into leaks.
URBAN FORESTRY:
President Kuskowski reported a Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District program for private landowners who keep up their shoreline. The program offers a 75/25 split of costs with the Conservation District picking up the 75%. Trustee Kuskowski has an application and information to pass along to TLIA’s Dave Burnidge.
OLD BUSINESS:
Codification: Village Clerk Leitner reported that she is gathering two estimates for this project. Fortunately, the Code was updated in 1992, so the project is not as large as initially thought. Zoning is a separate project. Initial estimates run between $1500-$2500.00. Written estimates should be ready for the 2001-2002 budget.
NEW BUSINESS:
Independent Contractor Agreement: Trustee Aitken discussed form of agreement developed by Village Attorney Bateman for use with Dick Latham, a resident who will maintain our gas light fixtures. Treasurer Gidley pointed out that Village needs to be sure to obtain either the Independent Contractor’s Social Security Number or Tax ID Number for all such contractors for end of year reporting.
JS James Annex to Wauconda President Kuskowski passed out this resolution, which requests a revocable use permit for TLIA, for review by the Board. He will also pass it along to TLIA for review. He would like to discuss it next month.
Proclamation from Governor Ryan declaring this Martin Luther King week. Trustee Kuskowski will post in the office. Trustee Parro wondered whether there was a state or federal law that required municipal offices is closed. Consensus held there is none.
Boundary Agreement: James Builders requests a modification to the Tower Lakes’ Boundary Agreement with Wauconda to allow annexation of the property on the south side of Ivanhoe Road. Trustee Parro expressed the Board’s general concern that by giving up control of this parcel we might impair our wetlands, as well as the concern over high-density development. Trustee Filippell asked whether Tower Lakes is in any way compelled to consent. If not, what incentive is there for Tower Lakes to consent? Trustee Aitken feels TimberLakes should be included since they are in the Boundary Agreement and this development will be in their backyard. Resident Dorothy Pratt asked what county approval is necessary/available?
Road Wrecks: 1)Trustee Heagarty will look into putting flags on fire hydrants; this after a snow plow took out one of our fire hydrants while plowing heavy snows. 2)Resident Julie Kendrick seeks Village’s repair of a retaining wall at her property after a car slid into it. Discussion ensued whether this was a Village obligation. None of the Trustees believe the Village installed the retaining wall, so that it should fall under the Homeowner’s insurance (whether it is on the Village property or not).
Petition Papers Reminder: Village Clerk Leitner reminds everyone that nominating papers and petitions, along with receipt for Economic Interest Statement, need to be submitted no later than Tuesday, January 23, 2001.
Party for Fitz: Village Clerk Leitner spoke to former president Bill Fitzpatrick, who requested a party in a more public forum. The party will be held at the Village Inn in Wauconda on Sunday, February 25 from 2-5pm. The Village Inn can do beer, soda and appetizers for a nominal charge (ex: $400.00 for 50 people). VC Leitner to call to Ralph Jensen to be certain this is okay.
MEETING ADJOURNED:
At 9:05 pm., Trustee Aitken made a motion to adjourn the Board meeting , seconded by Trustee Kuskowski and followed by unanimous voice vote.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kathleen Leitner
Village Clerk
01-16-01