MINUTES OF TOWER LAKES

BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING

Date:        October 15, 2001

Location:   Village Office

Time:                7:40 pm

PLEDGE: President Kuskowski called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Sign in sheet circulated.

1. ROLL CALL: Present: Village President Kuskowski, Trustees Adams (7:45pm), Aitken, Cantieri, Filippell, Parro, Rigali, and Village Clerk Leitner, Village Treasurer Gidley.

Also in attendance: Dorothy Pratt, Deputy Village Clerk and newsletter correspondent.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion by Trustee Cantieri to approve the minutes of the Special Meeting of the Village Board as amended, seconded by Trustee Parro and followed by a Roll Call vote: AYES: Trustees Aitken, Cantieri, Filippell, Parro, Rigali NAYES: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion by Trustee Parro to approve the minutes of the September Village Board Meeting as amended, seconded by Trustee Rigali and followed by a Roll Call vote: AYES: Trustees Aitken, Cantieri, Filippell, Parro, Rigali NAYES: None. ABSTAIN: None.

3. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Margaret Patronik, 301 Warwick Road and Sarah Sellers, Rose Terrace, requested that the Village Board consider restriction of –if not outright repeal of—the Village’s Leaf Burning Ordinance. Ms Petronik and Ms Sellers cited medical and environmental concerns. They offered as alternatives: reducing the number of days and/or hours of burning, and leaf vacuuming. They will investigate the possibility of leaf vacuuming with surrounding municipalities and Lake County and report to Tr. Rigali.

Bill and Joanne Herr sent a letter to Tr. Adams re: ATT Broadband’s failure to bury cables after three months. The Herrs would like the Village to force ATT to perform Tr. Adams had invited the ATT representative to attend this meeting; but the rep had to cancel. Discussion included contacting state representatives to put additional pressure on ATT. Tr. Adams will use this info in negotiations with ATT.

4. WATER SYSTEM REPORT: Pres Kuskowski reported that the August report (the latest available) shows our average daily water usage at 134,000 gallons, down from 160,000 gallons daily. Decreases at this time of year are normal.

DCCA Grant: President Kuskowski requested payment approval for three bills: two to Fields of Green for landscaping at Wells 1and 2; and one to John Johnson, a Tower Lakes resident who drew a drainage map for the Village. Payment of these three bills will leave @ $4,000.00DCCA Grant funds available. Pres. Kuskowski has the paperwork to close out the Grant. Motion to approve the DCCA expenditures made by Trustee Aitken, seconded by Trustee Adams. VOTE: AYES: Trustees Adams, Aitken, Cantieri, Filippell, Parro, Rigali. NAYES: None.

5. PLAN COMMISSION: Greg Valicka, Chair of the Plan Commission, circulated Draft #5 of the Comprehensive Plan. Pres. Kuskowski seeks review and comment by all Trustees by November, 2001 meeting. Chair Valicka suggested an Acknowledgement section as well as a Map section. Pres. Kuskowski said that after the Board review, a Public Hearing would be scheduled.

BARCLAYS WOODS: Baxter and Woodman are ready to sign off that developers have met all governmental requirements. (Has the Plan Commission received a letter from Baxter & Woodman to this effect?) A Plan Commission Public Hearing needs to be scheduled for the middle of November. Chair Valicka has heard concerns from some Tower Lakes residents. Questions presented: Can the Village require a construction entrance from Rte 59? If not, can the Village restrict road access? Is this strictly an IDOT issue? Should the Village videotape roads?

6. ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS: Chair Larry Gold presented the recommendation of the Zoning Board of Appeals to grant the Murray’s variance request for a front yard setback. The Murrays seek relief from Tower Lakes Zoning Ordinance Section 13.02 in order to add a portico over the existing front step footprint. This footprint was built over the allowed front setback, probably prior to enactment of the building code. The Murrays seek a 4-foot variance. Motion to approve the variation as presented made by Trustee Rigali, seconded by Trustee Parro VOTE: AYES: Trustees Adams, Aitken, Cantieri, Filippell, Parro, Rigali. NAYES: None.

7. BUILDING AND ZONING: Tr Cantieri reported that six building permits were issued this month along with two parking violations (Log Attached.)

8. TREASURER’S REPORT: Monthly Bills: Last month’s formatting confusion discussed. This month’s report includes bills from September 18th through and including bills received by Monday, October 8, 2001. Treasurer Gidley noted that the old system doesn’t work with the new accounting software, and our accounts payable process needs to change. The bills are being coded and sent to each respective trustee for approval, then to the Office Manager for payment. The Tuesday prior to the meeting needs to be the cut-off for bill approval to allow processing time. A Motion to approve the bills was made by Trustee Filippell and seconded by Trustee Cantieri. VOTE: AYES: Trustees Adams, Aitken, Cantieri, Filippell, Parro, Rigali. NAYES: None. ABSTAIN: None.

Treas Gidley and Tr Filippell note that the SSA payment of $75,000.00 is payable in November, in addition to another $90,000 expenses due in November and another $100,000 due in December. Please defer as many expenses as possible until after the February SSA reimbursement.

9. FINANCE REPORT: Tr. Filippell has four items for discussion:

  1. The State has reported a shortfall of $450 Million; therefore the State’s budget will be cut 2%. As we expected $88,000 from the State, we will receive @ $1,700 less. Question: Do we want to reduce our budget by 2%?
  2. As noted in the Illinois Municipal Review, if the Village intends to raise property taxes by 105% over last year’s extension, then a public notice is required. The tax levy needs to be approved at the November meeting. Village Clerk to contact Village Attorney to prepare Tax Levy Ordinance.
  3. Tr. Filippell, Pres. Kuskowski and Office Manager Debra Baggett met with an Ameritech rep on our phone bills. Currently, the Village averages $440 per month, including calls over three Band Widths plus basic charges. It was noted that the Village Internet access is through the more expensive Band B (formerly through Band A), which has significantly increased our costs. An ISDN proposal was put together to save the Village approximately $200 per month in telephone expenses. Tr Parro wondered if the Village couldn’t switch its ISP to Band A. Tr Rigali recommends keeping Linebacker service. ISDN would require a change to the Village E-mail address, and would help the Police access to the Internet. Question whether the monthly $93 charge includes the ISP. Motion made by Tr Rigali to approve the ISDN Proposal for one year, provided that it is confirmed that: 1) we can switch from ISDN to DSL whenever we choose; 2) we can keep the linebacker service; and 3) the $93 charge includes an ISP, 2 e-mails, and telephone charges, seconded by Tr Cantieri, and followed by a roll call vote. VOTE: AYES: Trustees Adams, Aitken, Cantieri, Filippell, Parro, Rigali. NAYES: None. ABSTAIN: None.
  4. Tr Filippell proposes to have the Office Manager an account signatory since Ms Baggett often has difficulty tracking down any two of the three existing signatories. After discussion, it was determined to name Tr. Cantieri as an account signatory instead, to address internal audit concerns.

10. POLICE REPORT: Trustee Aitken presented the monthly activities report, on file at the Village office.Tr Aitken noted two commendations received for the Police Department’s work. Police Chief Sinacore discussed an Emergency Beacon Light, available through the Police Department, as well as a Halloween Candy Hotline. A Motion to approve the Ordinance on Abandoned and Inoperable Vehicles, which changes procedures, increases fines and adds inoperable vehicles to the existing ordinance, was made by Trustee Aitken and seconded by Trustee Cantieri. VOTE: AYES: Trustees Adams, Aitken, Cantieri, Filippell, Parro, Rigali. NAYES: None. ABSTAIN: None.

11. STORM WATER MANAGEMENT: Trustee Rigali reports that the WLSD problems near W. Tower Drive—catch basin will be moved. Kathleen Connelly’s concern with a big piece of cement-will be gone within the week; has a meeting scheduled Oct 16 (tomorrow) with Pre Kuskowski to review status of other projects.

12. ROADS: Trustee Parro reported that Vehicle Sticker nonpayers would have their names published in the Newsletter. Cuba Township patching is complete. RE: tree pruning for Snow Plows: Tr Aitken noted that in 1998, Gitchell’s performed the 12-foot trimming for the Village at $75 per hour, for 51 hours (total $3,800.00). Tr. Parro said Cuba Township has installed poles for new signs, and he has provided Chief Sinacore with a list of Stop and Yield signs based on residents inquiries. Tr Parro has issued a letter to utilities regarding line burying. Tr Cantieri circulated pictures while he described the mess left in front of his and his neighbor’s houses by an overturned semi-trailer (formerly) full of rocks earlier in the month. Nonhazardous Hydraulic fluid leaked on the roadside. Fields of Green will provide an estimate to dig and remove with filed stone replacement. Tr Cantieri will review the estimate. The expense is covered by insurance. Tr Parro discussed removal of sand shoulders along certain portions of Village road.

13. HEALTH AND SANITATION: Tr Rigali noted the presentation given earlier by residents Patronik and Sellers—he will follow up with them. Pres Kuskowski reported the corncob experiment to be successful. Corncobs are available at the Lake Zurich Highway Department. Tr Adams will join Tr Rigali at the next SWALCO meeting—all interested are invited.

14. UTILITIES: ATT Broadband- Motion to approve an Ordinance extending the existing Cable Agreement with ATT Broadband for an additional three months was made by Trustee Adams and seconded by Trustee Rigali. VOTE: AYES: Trustees Adams, Aitken, Cantieri, Filippell, Parro, Rigali. NAYES: None. ABSTAIN: None.

It was noted that coax cable burying requires Village approval to replace damaged cable. Pres Kuskowski said that Tr Adams can authorize. Tr Adams will contact residents about exposed cable problems.

15. URBAN FORESTRY: Tr Adams reported that trees have been identified and Gitchell’s had cut them down. Tr Aitken noted the Catalpa tree behind the Village office is hollow and needs to come down. Gitchell’s will require a boom truck. Tr Parro suggests checking with the Village Arborist on the best time to prune American Elms.

16. OLD BUSINESS:

Codification: Hard copies and discs due this week. Ten copies are coming for distribution.

WLSD Pillar: The Village has received an insurance check for $3,400.00 The original builder, Ruiz, will rebuild for $2,500.00.

Census Count: Tr Parro awaiting NIPC info.

BACOG Training Session: Pres Kuskowski reported that the session was very informative; training tapes are available.

17. NEW BUSINESS:

Ice Cream Vendor Ordinance-- Motion to approve the Ice Cream Vendor Ordinance made by Trustee Aitken and seconded by Trustee Cantieri. VOTE: AYES: Trustees Adams, Aitken, Cantieri, Filippell, Parro. NAYES: None. ABSTAIN: Rigali.

JAN and FEB Village Board meetings will remain as scheduled. Plan to honor holiday namesakes.

Impact Fees Roundtable to be attended by Pres Kuskowski and Tr Cantieri .

French Week to be recognized by Village Nov. 7-13, 2001.

Gov. Ryan declared Oct. 27, 2001 ‘Make A Difference Day’.

State of the Village letter to be prepared by Pres Kuskowski for residents.

Lechtanski broken water meter- their ins co’s attorney has filed a claim against the Village. This matter has been referred to Ralph Jensen for coverage.

 

 

 

 

MEETING ADJOURNED: At 11:10 pm, motion to adjourn the Board meeting made by Tr Cantieri and seconded by Tr Adams and followed by unanimous voice vote.

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Kathleen Leitner

Village Clerk

10-24-01