VILLAGE OF TOWER LAKES BOARD MEETING

Date: August 18, 2008

Time: 7:30 pm

Location: Village Hall

1)      Roll Call, Pledge and Sign In:

Attendance:  President Leitner, Trustees Bolger, Fitzgibbons, Baggett, deVries, Merkle. Trustee Parro arrived at 7:34 pm.

Building Inspector Cantieri, Village Clerk Parro, Treasurer Rolfs, Terrance Grom of Manhardt Consulting, Plan Commission Chairman Jeff Dehnert, Plan Commission members Barb Kolasinsky, Bob Brown and resident Jacqueline Ipsen.

2)      Public Comments: None

3)      Utilities Management: (i) A report on the water system was given by Terrance Grom of Manhard. The number one priority was a water map update. They are 95% complete on mapping valve and hydrant locations and compiling a list of all working and non-working valves and hydrants. Those critical to be repaired have been identified. (ii) Well #1 (Oxford) needs modest pump upgrade to provide back up to Well #5. 200 gallons per minute can be obtained with repairs to pump and electric, which are in progress. (iii) Well #3 (Indian Trail) currently non-operational. Recommendation is to abandon. (iv) Well #4 (Pebble Creek & Stonhenge) non-productive well also recommended to abandon. (v) Well #5 (Paddock) operating well. (vi) The completion of the pump upgrade at Well #1 will greatly reduce or eliminate the risk of loss of water supply in the event of major repairs at Well #5. Some added surge capacity is also needed to allow for periodic inspection/repair of the main reservoir tank, and various options for adding surge were discussed, one of which requires retaining the Well #3 facility. (vii) The next step is to do a complete line study. (vii) Resident Jacqueline Ipsen raised a concern about lack of nearby resident notification when work is being done on the water system with heavy equipment. The Board noted the concern but feels it is not usually practical to give site specific notification of repair or maintenance operations.

4)      Building and Zoning: (i) Plan Commission Chairman Jeff Dehnert and Plan Commission member Barb Kolasinsky gave a report on the 2008 Resident Survey. The survey document is completed, printed and will be mailed to residents next week. Residents are asked to complete the survey within a 2 ˝ week period. Results will be compiled by the end of September. The Plan Commission will then use the results to work with the Village Board on updating the comprehensive plan, taking one section at a time. Public release of data expected in six months. (ii) The Plan Commission presented a proposed ordinance amending zoning regulations concerning maximum lot coverage ratios and also setting stricter standards for the granting of variations. The proposed ordinance was the subject of a public hearing June 12. A Motion to adopt the Ordinance Amending the Village Code of Tower Lakes re Amendments to Chapters 6 and 9 of Title 10 “Zoning Regulations” was made by Tr. Fitzgibbons and seconded by Tr. Bolger.  Passed 6-0. (iii) The Plan Commission also presented a proposed ordinance changing the notification requirements for variance petitions to include organizations such as homeowners associations who own property within the notice range and to drop the requirement to notify at least five neighbors. The proposed ordinance was also the subject of a public hearing on June 12. A Motion to adopt the Ordinance Amending the Village Code of Tower Lakes re Amendments to Section 10-9-3 “Notice to Property Owners in the Vicinity”, of Title 10 “Zoning Regulations” was made by Tr. Fitzgibbons and seconded by Tr. Baggett. Passed 5-1, with Tr. Merkle voting no on the basis of eliminating the notice to at least five neighbors. (iv) Building Inspector Cantieri’s monthly report is on file. Letter was issued to resident regarding missing permit for driveway. 

5)      Approval of Minutes: (i) Approval of June 2008 minutes was deferred to September. (ii) A motion to approve the July minutes was made by Tr. Merkle and seconded by Tr. Bolger, and followed by unanimous vote.

6)      Treasurer’s Report: A motion by Tr. Bolger and seconded by Tr. Parro to approve the monthly expenditures with the following changes: Add $240.00 to McHenry Analytical, add $1,244.67 to Survey Systems to be paid from the Carryover account for the Plan Commission survey. Change Windy City to $1,965.00 as we will pay 50% at this time.

7)      Budget and Finance (i) 2007 fiscal year audit report is available for Trustees to review. (ii) Tr. Merkle will call a Finance Committee meeting to discuss a desirable reserves goal and moving some funds to higher interest accounts run by the state.

8)      Police and Safety: No Police report was submitted. Police contract renewal with Lake Barrington & North Barrington for North Barrington School traffic control will be proposed to run 3 years with a 5.5% increase plus indexed escalation and an out clause.

9)      Roads and Right Away: (i) More tree trimming will take place throughout the Village. (ii) Still waiting on a design and bids for West Lake Shore Dr. fence. (iii) Expecting salt price to triple for this winter.

10)  Grounds: Tr. Parro proposed the adding of a Grounds Committee with scope to include: Urban Forestry; tree planting, Tree City USA, Tree Commission oversight, tree trimming and removal outside of right of way, mowing contract for all Village property including Village Hall, and beautification activities and maintenance contracts for entry monuments, Village Hall, highway right of ways, traffic islands, and other village properties.

11)  Storm Water Management:  (i) The project at 216 E. Tower is complete and ran over budget due to unforeseen complications. (ii) Engineering drawings were required for two other proposed projects totaling $5,000.00. Due to these two unexpected expenses, Storm Water Management will not have the funds to complete all of the projects intended for completion in 2008. Currently working to reprioritize the remaining projects.

12)  Health and Sanitation:  (i) 6 adult mosquito treatments have been completed year to date. (ii) 6 of 9 larvacide inspections/treatments are complete. We can have 2 more treatments to stay within budget, but may not need as recent dry weather has helped control mosquitoes. (iii) Garbage-some discussion took place about how to implement a potential senior citizen discount.

13)  Urban Forestry: (i) A tree purchase subsidy program for fall is being considered by the Tree Commission. The Village would again pay 50% of the purchase costs. (ii) BACOG is looking at a shared GIS based software for tracking public tree inventory and maintenance.

14)  Administration and Legal : None

15)  Old Business : None

16)  New Business : None

A motion to adjourn at 10:34 pm made by Tr. deVries and seconded by Tr. Bolger and followed by unanimous vote.

Respectfully submitted,

Marilyn Parro

Village Clerk