MINUTES OF TOWER LAKES

BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING

Date: October 21, 2002

Location: Village Office

Time: 7:38 pm

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

ROLL CALL: Present: Village President Kuskowski, Trustees Adams, Aitken, Parro, Village Clerk Leitner, and Village Treasurer Gidley. Absent: Trustee Cantieri, Filippell and Rigali.Also in attendance: Dorothy Pratt, Deputy Village Clerk and newsletter correspondent.

2. APPOINTMENT OF BRIAN GIDLEY AS TRUSTEE: The Village Board concurs with the appointment of Brian Gidley to replace Trustee Michael Filippell, who resigned as trustee earlier this month. Brian has tendered his resignation as Village Treasurer, but will continue as Acting Village Treasurer.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion was made by Trustee Parro and seconded by Trustee Adams to approve the minutes of the September 16, 2002 with corrections, and followed by a voice vote. Trustee Gidley abstained.

4. STUDS TERKEL AWARD: President Kuskowski presented to Trustee Parro the Studs Terkel Humanities Award. Nominated by Pres Kuskowski, Tr Parro is one of 81 Illinois recipients, and is recognized for his efforts in publishing the history of the Village of Tower Lakes on the Website he created.

5. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.

6. PLAN COMMISSION: Pres Kuskowski reported that the Plan Commission is looking at: 1) tighter zoning regulations for teardowns; 2) permits for home businesses; and 3) consider looking at whether outbuildings should be better defined. They have created teams of two members each to address each issue. Pres Kuskowski told Tr Adams that the driveway restriction request will be deferred.

7. ZBA: No report.

8. BUILDING AND ZONING: No report.

9. TREASURER’S REPORT AND FINANCE REPORT: Acting Treas Gidley distributed the monthly expenditures summary, profit and loss statement, YTD budget expenditures, bank statement balances. P/L: the Village is experiencing a $70,000 negative balance for the month; and the Village’s total annual income from the state is down about 11.5%. Cuba Township monthly billings are still out—at $6,000 per month. Expenses are in line, down about 7%; and the total net income ytd is $148,000 (down from $187,000 for 2001). Acting Treas Gidley doesn’t anticipate more income for the year. Revenue stream drying up –may get tighter. In reviewing a breakdown by income, Acting Treas Gidley was able to identify where income percentages are coming from. Note that the water system loss of $3,500 runs January thru December (the Village fiscal year runs May through April), with a net income of approximately $13,000. Consumer’s Water corrected management contract bill due soon, and it will consume the $13,000 balance. The monthly expenditures list has all itemized expenditures on it.

Monthly Bills: Motion to approve the bills was made by Trustee Parro and seconded by Trustee Adams, and followed by a Roll Call vote: VOTE: AYES: Trustees Parro, Adams, Gidley, Aitken. NAYES: None. ABSENT: Cantieri, Rigali.

Yard waste stickers-- are available and cost $1.75 per bag. The Village purchased 500 tickets at a total cost of $875, and has sold 85 stickers ($148.75).

Vehicle Stickers-- third and final notices were sent out last month, and some residents have still not responded, and their names will be published in the newsletter.

The Board will consider amending the vehicle sticker ordinance to provide for collection of attorneys fees as well as outstanding vehicle sticker fees and fines in the event the Village needs to enforce the ordinance through lawsuit.

10. POLICE REPORT: Monthly Activities Report-Tr Aitken presented the 643 monthly activities report, on file at the Village office. The Board discussed charging for false 911 alarms.

11. STORM WATER MANAGEMENT: No report. President Kuskowski noted that the Village had a fund to perform recent work in Country Club Estates. Residual funds transferred to general acct.

12. ROADS: Tr Parro reported that Gitchells has begun fall brush removal. Two problems on West Lake Shore Drive discussed; Tr Parro will check with Cuba Township, then Performance Paving. A proposal on a feasibility study on Paddock Drive is being prepared by Baxter and Woodman. Pres Kuskowski has sent letters to residents with vegetation impeding corners or rights of way—most residents have been helpful and cooperative in trimming or removing vegetation.

13. HEALTH AND SANITATION: Mosquito Abatement Grant---Pres Kuskowski has submitted with Lake County forms for reimbursement from the State of Illinois for mosquito abatement expenses.

SWALCO-household waste collections scheduled in November.

14. UTILITIES:Water System Pres Kuskowski noted that the report is not in yet, but the Village’s water usage is reportedly back to normal.

JULIE Resolution-The Village of Tower Lakes is being required by the State of Illinois to join JULIE. Discussion ensued. Tr Adams made a Motion to join JULIE by January 1, 2003, as required by state law, seconded by Tr Aitken and followed by a roll call vote: VOTE: AYES:Adams Aitken Parro Gidley. Resolution passed

15. URBAN FORESTRY: IDOT to take care of dead trees on parcel across Rte 59 from the Village Office. Hendricksen for Trees has been hired to do this work.

Tree Commission Meeting- Tr Adams held a meeting 9-24-02 with the commission members—Randy Spiess, Mark Shircel, John Yancey, Sue Cochrane and Daryl Voska. Village Arborist Rich Bergland attended also. Combined share programs considered. Tr Aiken mentioned that resident Tom Hannagan used to run a similar program in the Village: he should be consulted. Pres Kuskowski has an additional list of trees that need to come down.

16. BACOG REPORT:BACOG has reviewed its previous assessment of various villages using 75% population and 25% ‘expenses’. Considering various options; decided to use population only. since residents are the ones who get the benefit of BACOG, not commercial enterprises. Motion to approve the BACOG proposed method of assessment using population only: Tr Parro, second Aitken Roll call vote: Aitken, Parro, Gidley, Adams, Kuskowski.

A BACOG Resident made a proposal that all residents should be given potassium iodide pills to prevent radiation damage of thyroid. 24 hour effectiveness; about $.10/piece. No action taken.

BAGIS-Tr Parro reported that he and Debbie Baggett will attend a BAGIS training session on October 29. November’s BAGIS meeting will plan for next year’s update. Tr Adams asked if there is an urban forestry layer.

17. OLD BUSINESS:

Grants and information-: President Kuskowski met with Sen Fitzgerald’s office and spoke to his Washington office to see if a $2 million grant feasible? It could be a project on the appropriations bill in 2004. If the Village applies in 2003, Pres Kuskowski thinks completing the water system would be the project to request.

Lake County Community Development Block Grants—Tower Lakes doesn’t qualify due to lack of low income housing.

CATS grants- improve traffic; we don’t really fit the requirements of these.

18. NEW BUSINESS: Tr Gidley-Audit filed, and the Village should soon receive the audit letter and opinion from Dam Snell and Taveirne. The audit letter will be a qualified letter because we do not have a fully amortized schedule yet, as required by law.

Check signers –we’re down to three, and need one more. A trustee needs to be appointed.

BACOG Impact fee committee-Tr Gidley received notice of meeting.

Historical Society Storage-Tr Parro got space from historical society to store village records, and has moved a group down there.

MEETING ADJOURNED: Motion to adjourn the Board meeting at 8:59 pm made by Tr Parro and seconded by Tr Adams and followed by unanimous voice vote.

Respectfully Submitted,

Kathleen Leitner

Village Clerk

11-12-02