AMENDED MINUTES OF TOWER LAKES
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
Date: November 19, 2001
Location: Village Office
Time: 7:01 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, Aitken, Parro (7:15 pm), Filippell, Rigali, and Village Clerk Leitner, Village Treasurer Gidley. Absent: Trustee Cantieri.
Also in attendance: Dorothy Pratt, Deputy Village Clerk and newsletter correspondent.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion by Trustee Rigali to approve the minutes of the October Village Board Meeting, seconded by Trustee Adams and followed by a Roll Call vote: AYES: Trustees Adams, Aitken, Filippell, Rigali. NAYES: None. Absent: Cantieri.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Representatives from ATT Broadband, Debra Piscola and Daniel Maloney attended to inform the Board of upcoming service changes and to answer questions from the Board. Letters have gone out to residents regarding the changes. Pres Kuskowski initiated questions. Will fiber optic internet access be available in Tower Lakes? ATT has "committed to upgrade within three to five years" but funding, materials and labor availability will determine that. Two years ago the company was flush, but now resources are not as readily available. Tr Parro asked whether the technical upgrades have been significant. ATT has almost completely reconstructed their system over the last two years Tower Lakes is on the same "add-in" schedule as the rest of Barrington, The fiber optics lines are run the same as trunk cables, but with fiber nodes to convert for tvs. Probably the closest communities with fiber optic are Buffalo Grove and eastern Lake County, plus parts of McHenry. Pres. Kuskowski mentioned that TL residents have been complaining about poor response to service requests. ATT acknowledged that there have been problems, primarily because ATT was integrating several systems from consolidation and cable co. acquisitions. ATT is working to streamline its systems and to add additional call centers. They are hiring and training more people. Pres Kuskowski asked if there was an 800 number for Customer Service. ATT will have one at the new Tinley Park call center. In the meantime, call Debra directly. In terms of the Franchise Agreement, there are general response times required, and different reports due quarterly. ATT can process Village requests and written requests, but actual calls from TL are not tracked. Pres Kuskowski indicated that the Village wants to know how things are going. ATT indicated they would look into whether Village can have a local Number to call for service rather than a toll call. Tr Adams would like information on senior discounts and other rate information. ATT will get info to Tr Adams.
4. WATER SYSTEM REPORT: Pres Kuskowski reported that the Village monthly water consumption is at 100,000 gallons per day, which is normal.
DCCA Grant: President Kuskowski reported no change. We still have approximately $4,000.00 to spend out of this fund with a final report to submit to DCCA.
5. PLAN COMMISSION: Re: Comprehensive Plan—Tr Parro had lots of comments on the draft; Trs. Adams and Aitken did as well. Hopefully, the corrections will be ready for the December Board Meeting. The Barclays Woods Public Hearing is scheduled for December 13th. Pres Kuskowski suggests getting questions prepared and forwarded to Pres Kuskowski for presentation to Lageschulte.
6.ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS: No Report.
7. BUILDING AND ZONING: Pres Kuskowski presented the report. Three permits were issued (list attached).
8. TREASURER’S REPORT: Tr. Filippell reported that the Village’s auditors, Dam Snell and Traveirne, have been preparing our audit. They paid Treas. Brian Gidley and Office Manger Debra Baggett this tremendous compliment: "You have turned a checkbook into an accounting system". Still, they suggest implementing systems that create greater accountability for the Trustees, which will make the monthly reports more accurate and useful. It would also be helpful to maintain a list of vendors and amounts paid to them monthly.
The ISDN phone line is due for installation next week. The Village telephone expenses are already down from last month by half, probably due to turning off the computer.
Monthly Bills: Question about an entry under Roads for $5350.00. If it was for tree trimming, does in belong there or under Urban Forestry. To claim it under MV Fuel Tax account, IDOT requires a demonstration of need. Also, it was noted the Cuba Township bill is missing. Pres Kuskowski suggests approving these bills while we locate missing bills. Motion to approve the bills was made by Trustee Rigali and seconded by Trustee Adams. VOTE: AYES: Trustees Adams, Aitken, Filippell, Parro, Rigali. NAYES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Cantieri.
2001-2002 Tax Levy Ordinance: Motion to approve made by Tr Filippell, seconded by Tr Aitken and followed by a roll call vote: AYES:Trs. Adams, Aitken, Filippell, Parro, Rigali. NAYES: None. ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Cantieri.
9. FINANCE REPORT: Tr. Filippell has three items for discussion:
10. POLICE REPORT: Trustee Aitken presented the monthly activities report, on file at the Village office. Tr Aitken noted the $5,000.00 grant previously reported and noted that the Police Department passed their audit and were commended for their excellent record keeping.
11. STORM WATER MANAGEMENT: Trustee Rigali report ed no new issues. Francesca Muscarello, who reported that her driveway bumps are eroding, contacted Tr Parro; she believes it was caused by Village roadwork in the area.
12. ROADS: Trustee Parro reported that Vehicle Sticker nonpayers were listed in the Newsletter. Next step may include having the police talk to these drivers. RE: tree pruning for Snow Plows: Gitchell’s bill for pruning was $5,360.00. Motion to approve the bill was made by Trustee Adams and seconded by Trustee Aitken. VOTE: AYES: Trustees Adams, Aitken, Filippell, Parro, Rigali. NAYES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Cantieri. Tr. Parro will notify Cuba Township that the work has been completed.
Tr. Parro said Cuba Township has installed poles for new signs, but not the signs. The Village has already been billed for the poles. Tr Parro would like the Board to consider moving the Yield sign at the corner of West Tower and West Lake Shore Drive: he has received three complaints already. Tr Parro seeks public comment on signs at the December meeting at East Tower and Devonshire; Barsumian and Robin; East Lake Shore Drive and Devonshire; Melrose, Terrace and East Lake Shore Drive; Gateway, East Lake Shore Drive and Edward; West Tower and West Lake Shore Drive. Resident Gerry Young commented that the Board should be prepared to explain the difference between Yield and Stop signs in terms of accident liability.
Ameritech has responded to Tr Parro’s request regarding Line Burial with an estimate of over $5,000.00. The Board determined to do nothing on this project at this time.
13. HEALTH AND SANITATION: Tr Rigali reported a complaint he received from a resident concerning leaf burning that was a) unattended, and b) performed on the Village road easement. It was determined to put a reminder in the Newsletter that fires need to be attended and must be on homeowner property only.
SWALCO- Tr Rigali attended the meeting and reported Pres Kuskowski’s success with the corn cob experiment. Others reported similar results. Corn cobs are available at the Lake Zurich Fire Department.
14. UTILITIES: ATT Broadband- Discussion of ATT Broadband Cable Agreement. Should also review the Cable Enabling Agreement, which is essentially an ordinance form of the Franchise Agreement.
Tr Adams reported that the USEPA and the FBI are suggesting that all water systems employees have background checks after 9/11/01. Tr Adams will talk to Consumers Water to see what they have done.
15. URBAN FORESTRY: Tr Adams will contact the Village Arborist, Rich Bergland, regarding necessary preventative work on Village Elm trees and regarding removal of the dead tree behind the Village office. Hendrickson trees will most likely use a boom truck there. Also, Gitchell’s has submitted a list of residents who put out tree and yard debris after the scheduled pick up date.
16. OLD BUSINESS:
Codification: Hard copies available. Please review by December meeting.
WLSD Pillar: Completed.
Census Count: Nothing new.
Lechtanski Matter: settled.
17. NEW BUSINESS:
BACOG Impact Fees Roundtable attended by Pres Kuskowski and Tr Cantieri Formulas were proposed, but no particular plan was recommended by BACOG.
Both the TAC Final Report and the Chicago Area Transportation
Study
Are available at the office for review.
The Next BACOG meeting will be held at the Tower Lakes Village Hall. There will be an Emergency Preparedness Presentation and GIS Funding Request.
MEETING ADJOURNED: Motion to adjourn the Board meeting made by Tr Aitken and seconded by Tr Parro and followed by unanimous voice vote.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kathleen Leitner
Village Clerk
12-18-01