MINUTES OF TOWER LAKES
PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
Date: March 19, 2001
Location: Village Office
Time: 7:05 p.m.
PLEDGE: Trustee Kuskowski called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Sign in sheet circulated.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Trustees Cantieri, Filippell, Parro, Kuskowski, and Village Clerk Leitner. Absent: Trustees Aitken and Heagarty.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Trustee Parro made a motion to approve with changes the February Village Board Meeting, which motion was seconded by Trustee Cantieri and followed by a Roll Call vote: AYES: Trustees Cantieri, Filippell, Parro, Kuskowski.
Julie Kendirck,601 East Lake Shore Drive—Resident attending meeting is concerned with damage to Village property and her own property in front of her house. She has spoken with Trustees Parro and Heagarty Trustee Kuskowski noted that the retaining wall built in front of her house is on village property, but was erected by a previous owner and the Village would not repair. However, for safety’s sake, the Village will come and review the situation, and perhaps consult Kermit Smiddy on the appropriate slope of grade there.
WATER SYSTEM REPORT:
Monthly Production Report: Trustee Kuskowski reported that we are back to our normal water usage, after repair of leak. Re: the $250,000 Grant: copies of projects to date are on file in the Village office. The well house work proposal is $93,000. Work on Tomahawk is to begin March 20, 2001. Work on Esther is completed and other projects are planned.
Regarding water bills, Trustee Kuskowski asked Trustee Parro if TLIA has begun notifying Village of house sales. This should be tied to payment of dues report issued by TLIA for a house sale.
PLAN COMMISSION: Trustee Parro and Trustee Kuskowski attended the Lake County Framework Plan meeting held on March 7, 2001 for the Cuba Township Region. The public input section is scheduled for April 11, 2001 at 6:45pm at the Wauconda Township Hall. Dorothy Hawkes, Chair of the TL Plan Commission reported on the Boundary Agreement history and state that a public hearing for the Religious Land Use will be scheduled. She inquired whether a public hearing was necessary for a building teardown- to be discussed with Trustee Cantieri and ZBA Chair Gold.. Finally, Chair Hawkes reports that former Village resident Bill Fitzpatrick will be a consultant to the Plan Commission.
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS: No report.
BUILDING AND ZONING:
Monthly Report: Trustee Cantieri gave the monthly report: Three new permits; two re-roofs, one bathroom remodel. Two violations, no permits, both red-flagged. 241 West Lake Shore Drive had a pipe break and flood, which prompted renovation and repairs. The other at 238 Abbot Place-don’t know extent of work there.
Parking Violation: Groh Property on Rte 59. Sent first violation letter.
Road Bond Process: Trustee Cantieri convened the Building and Zoning Committee to discuss proposed changes to the Road Bond and Permit Fees. Proposes abolition of road bond for minor remodel projects because in 4 years, the Village has not held one back, and this $2,000 can be a hardship for some people. Also, it requires a lot of administration time. The road bond is not abolished for brand new construction, room additions and any project the building inspector determines in his discretion. Permits are still required for all projects, and the permit fees have changed. For new construction projects, the bond will be returned upon issuance of the CO. The Village Treasure will establish a separate bank account for overweight bonds and construction bonds. Since there is not a quorum tonight, a special meeting is called for April 2, 2001 to vote on the new permit fee schedule.
TREASURER'S REPORT:
Brian Gidley, Village Treasurer reported that the resolutions for Barrington Bank and Trust have been reviewed by the Village Attorney and can be signed off on. The state will require the Village to use the accrual method of accounting in two years. Road repair and new roads will be included in this. Brian will follow this with Village’s accountants. Treasurer Gidley mentioned House Bill 2388 which would allow smaller municipalities to go through less rigorous accounting requirements. The trustees agreed to write letters to representatives in support of this bill. Treasurer Gidley is negotiating with our bank to aggregate our accounts so that the Village can earn higher interest.
Motion to approve the Treasurer's Report and monthly bills made by Trustee Cantieri, seconded by Trustee Filippell, and followed by a roll call vote.
VOTE: AYES: Cantieri, Kuskowski, Parro, Filippell. NAYES: None. ABSENT: Aitken, Heagarty.
FINANCE: Trustee Filippell discussed the Revenue Spread Sheet, which includes $575,000 for the general fund. T Filippell stated that the motor fuel tax fund must be used for road related expenses. Discussion ensued of coding expenditures for accounting purposes, so that budgeted aggregated accounts can be easily segregated. Also discussed discretionary and non-discretionary items for the 2001-2002 Budget. Treasurer Gidley will check whether the annual SSA tax should be reducing. T Filippell would like the Trustees to approve the coding of bills before the Treasurer pays them in order to keep closer track.. Finally, Trustee Filippell will call a meeting of the Finance Committee to finalize the proposed budget before next month’s meeting.
POLICE:
Monthly Police Report: Trustee Kuskowski reviewed the monthly Police Activity Report, which is on file at the Village Office.
STORM WATER MANAGEMENT: No report.
ROADS: Trustee Kuskowski gave the report. The Cuba Township contract will be increased per COLA. Road sweeping will be performed in April.
HEALTH AND SANITATION:
Mosquito Abatement—Rick’s Mosquito Spraying Co. never responded to Trustee Cantieri’s request for a bid, so the Village will stay with Clarke.
UTILITIES:
Consumer’s Illinois Water: the 2001 water contract proposal projects a 3.4% increase in the base fee based on the Consumer Price Index. Trustee Parro requested a three-year agreement; they countered with a five-year agreement. Pass Through cost breakouts for mains, power, chemicals and water sampling is estimated each year and the Village makes a monthly payment based on this estimate. In 1998, the estimate was $58,000 ($20,000 set); 1999 was $50,000 ($30,000 set) ; 2000 $51,000 ($38,000 set). There remains a$13,000 balance from 2000 to be paid. T Parro estimates that each main break the Village experienced in 2000 really average $1,000 but we estimated each at $750. For the 2001-2002 budget, T Parro estimates 15 breaks @ $1,000 apiece. He also estimates that an additional 50 new water meters will be installed @ $4,800. The old meters read low, so the Village should replace more meters. He will increase the estimates for power, chemicals and lower water samples estimate. Discussion ensued over benefits of one-year, three-year and five-year contract. The Village will notice a substantial savings over the five-year contract, but there is a question on specific performance provisions of Events of Default. T Parro made a motion to approve in principal the five-year agreement, pending review and comment by Village Attorney Bateman, second by T Kuskowski and followed by a roll call vote.
VOTE: AYES: Cantieri, Kuskowski, Parro, Filippell. NAYES: None. ABSENT: Aitken, Heagarty.
DSL Availability: The Village of North Barrington is installing a Booster station for DSL @ their Village Hall late in 2001.
Flag Display Letter: read into the record as requested by resident. T Cantieri will have night lights installed as soon as weather permits. He will also follow up with Police on raising and lowering of flag.
URBAN FORESTRY:
Brush pick-up is scheduled for May 14. TLIA Lake Clean-up is May 15. The Village received its Tree City Certificate for 2000. Arbor Day Proclamation is set for April 27 Rich Bergland, the Village Arborist, will select a tree for planting. Fields of Green proposal was received. T Kuskowski will modify the Urban Forestry 2001budget to include this proposal. T Parro asked about the Elm Trees along Roberts Rd – Bergland says the state will take care of these trees.
OLD BUSINESS:
TLIA Revocable Use Permit, Pedestrian Path at Bays Place: TLIA presented a License Agreement drafted by Russ Mathias. T Cantieri made a motion to follow the advice of the Village Attorney regarding the hold harmless, 90-day cancellation, and vegetation maintenance provisions, which Agreement should be signed by T Kuskowski as President ProTem; seconded by T Parro and followed by a roll call vote.
VOTE: AYES: Cantieri, Kuskowski, Parro, Filippell. NAYES: None. ABSENT: Aitken, Heagarty.
Vondrak Easement: Baxter and Woodman to provide a legal description for easement.
Codification: Village Clerk Leitner presented Sterling Codifiers proposal for updating Village Code. T Cantieri made a motion to approve expenditure of up to $9,000 for revising Code and award the contract to Sterling Codifiers, T Parro seconded and followed by a roll call vote.
VOTE: AYES: Cantieri, Kuskowski, Parro, Filippell. NAYES: None. ABSENT: Aitken, Heagarty
Barclay Woods: Baxter and Woodman plans discussed. The public hearing will be in two months. The plot plan has changed and the annexation agreement needs to be modified for the permit process. Discussed with Village Attorney. Discussion ensued.
Bays Place "Road Closed" sign will come down.
NEW BUSINESS:
BACOG—Rte 53 Resolution—T Kuskowski wants to pass a Tower Lakes Resolution to endorse the Rte 53 extension T Cantieri made a motion to so endorse a resolution, seconded by T Filippell, and followed by a roll call vote.
VOTE: AYES: Cantieri, Kuskowski, Parro, Filippell. NAYES: None. ABSENT: Aitken, Heagarty
Flood Plain Ordinance- compliance discussed.
Wauconda/Island Lake Boundary Agreement-Island Lake seeks a change, no village signatories are agreeing to the change.
Liquor Regulations- abridged version of Ordinance presented. To be voted on at next meeting.
T Kuskowski wants trustees to write letters to state representatives opposing removal of the Motor Fuel Tax. Trustees approved.
The Village has received a request from TAC to pass a resolution opposing the widening of state rte 59. North Barrington, Lake Barrington and Fox River Grove are actively opposing the widening of Rte 22; they are working with a consultant. Consultation with them and their approach discussed.
Dare Bill- is really high. It is based on a cost-per-student-per-town Question raised whether we should continue to participate in this program, since national statistics show that the program is not effective. Trustees agree to pay this bill.
Fire Department Inspection-The Village office passed with some work required The Fire Department will be back March 27, 2001 to re-inspect.
Office will be closed next week for Spring Break.
MEETING ADJOURNED:
Trustee Cantieri made a motion to adjourn the Board meeting, seconded by Trustee Filippell and followed by unanimous voice vote.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kathleen Leitner
Village Clerk
04-15-01