VILLAGE OF TOWER LAKES BOARD MEETING

 

Date: November 20, 2006

Time: 7:35pm

Location: Village Hall

 

Attendance: Pres Gidley, Trustees Bolger, Parro, deVries, Fitzgibbons (late), Building Inspector Cantieri, Village Treasurer Rolfs, Village Clerk Leitner. Absent: Tr Baggett.

 

1) Roll Call, Pledge and Sign In:

 

2) Approval of Minutes: approval of minutes of the October, 2006 meeting: motion to approve the minutes as amended made by Tr Parro, seconded by Tr Fitzgibbons and followed by a voice vote: ayes: Pres Gidley, Trs Bolger, Parro, Fitzgibbons.

 

3) Plan Commission: Chair Jeff Dehnert reports on recommendations from Plan Commission meeting with Tr deVries re developing a working document on the Village’s water system following the Village Comprehensive Plan.

 

PC is also gathering data for update of Comprehensive Plan. Considering how to gather input from residents throughout all of village on such topics as: where do residents see residency of village be going; considering lot coverage ratios, expiration of intergovernmental agreements, water system investment for the future.  PC will be utilizing surveys, informal letters and new info gathering techniques.  Pres Gidley pleased that PC intends to write a Comprehensive Plan with identifiable goals completable within a year.

 

PC also met with BI Cantieri and Pres Gidley to clarify requirement for set back from lake.  Currently 50 ft off high water mark. Problem is determining ordinary high water mark. PC wants to recommend using existing Zoning Ordinance Section 10-1-3 base flood elevation, which is Lake County’s certified 100-year high water mark (“BFE”) as the consistent point around the lake. The question is: How to determine? PC is creating a list of submittal docs, including a topographical survey, BFE definitions and  requirements.

 

PC also looking at Zoning Ordinance Section 4-3-4-3 . Front yard setback and waiting period for demolition. Board has definitions for its review and voting. Board will vote on these next month. PC will then proceed to a public hearing.

 

4) Finance report and Treasurer’s Report—Report from Bill Kunkel our auditor. Comments to audit due to Treas Rolfs by Dec 2. Final will be prepared for the 18th then submitted to the state.

Monthly bills— Current  insurance bill is  $19,000.00,  rates are climbing 20-30% per year. Budgeted $18,000.00 for the year, Board will need to budget more next year.  Mot ion to pay the bills made by Tr deVries, seconded by Tr Parro: Motion: ayes- Trs Fitzgibbons, deVries, Parro, Bolger, Gidley.

 

Transfers Motion to transfer water co-owed funds of $111,019.78 to general fund from earlier loan made by Tr deVries, seconded by Tr Fitzgibbons:  all ayes—Trs  Bolger, Parro, deVries, Fitzgibbons, Gidley.

 

5) Utilities: Tr deVries reported that a Water Company rate increase proposal is coming. In the ten years the Village has owned the water company, only emergency maintenance has been performed, not preventive maintenance or new work ( including upgrading the alarm system). Public hearing required.  deVries reported that, while redoing lights on South Hills, JULIE took out the South Hills lights— for ten hours. On North Lake, COMED conducted an infrared check of lines there and found need of repairs on that line. Explains power outages on North Lake.

 

6) Old Business: Easements on West Lake Shore Drive: Village Board is aware of the counterproposals offered by resident and will respond.

 

Leicht—Pres Gidley reported on his and Village Attorney Bateman’s meeting with Mr Leicht and his attorney, Rich Nakon, to discuss Mr Leicht’s lack of compliance with existing agreement terms.

 

7) New Business— Village joined other Barrington area villages in hiring Alzavar Company to perform an audit of various utilities’ billing in the Village—tracking to see of TL is being paid requisite franchise fees, telecomm taxes.  The Village will pay Alzavar 50% of the first year’s findings, but the audit should result in an annual increase in collections for the Village.  These fees are paid already by each household, but may not be credited to our village properly.

 

New Village Clerk still needed. This stipended position offers a great opportunity to work with the Village Board, Plan Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals.  Learn what makes the Village tick! Opportunity to shape the job to your schedule.  Will work with the Village Office Manager to designate recently approved 500 hours of paid office time.

 

Three trustees and the President’s are up for reelection this spring, including positions held/most recently held by Parro, Baggett, Gidley as well as the president’s post. Finance background useful; residents from Fenview and Country Club Estates very welcome and encouraged to participate.

 

8) ZBA—no report.

 

9) Health and Sanitation—no report.

 

10) Residents Comments—none.

 

11) Stormwater Management- no report.

 

12) Building and Zoning- permits issued at village office.

 

13) Police report—on file at village office.

 

14) Roads—tree trimming in Fenview performed.

 

15) BACOG meeting –Motion made by Tr Parro, seconded by Tr Fitzgibbons to approve BACOG’S upcoming agenda: all ayes.

 

16) Urban Forestry—no report.

 

Motion made to adjourn made, seconded and followed by a voice vote.

 

 

Respectfully submitted, 

 

Kathleen Leitner

Village Clerk