VILLAGE OF TOWER LAKES
BOARD MEETING
Date: February 16, 2009
Time: 7:30 pm
Location: Village Hall
1) Roll Call, Pledge, and Sign-In: Meeting called to order at 7:30pm. President Leitner, Trustees Bolger, Rolfs, Baggett, Parro, deVries (late 7:33) and Merkle (late 7:38).
Also attending: Treasurer Rolfs, Building Inspector Cantieri, Village Clerk Parro, Chief Sinacore, Alan Merkle TLIA and residents Skiba and Gold.
2) Public Comments: Alan Merkle encouraged the Board to adopt an ordinance to prohibit the use of phosphorus fertilizers in TL. Board members agreed in principle and will seek more information from local lawn care services and will review a similar ordinance adopted in Antioch with VA Bateman. Implementation targeted for early fall.
3) Approval of Minutes: A motion to approve the January 2009 minutes with no changes was made by Tr. Parro and seconded by Tr. Rolfs followed by unanimous vote.
4) Treasures Report and Payment of Bills: A motion to approve the payment of bills was made by Tr. Merkle and seconded by Tr. Bolger followed by unanimous vote.
5) Building and Zoning: (i) Report is on file. Four permits were issued: 606 ELSD, TLIA for suspension bridge, 25876 Rt 59 and 26985 Fenview. Inspections ongoing. Resident on Marian Ct. in violation of out building was sent a letter and did not respond. A letter will go out from the VA. (ii) Zoning ordinance modification draft is being prepared by VA Bateman. VB will discuss further in March. VC Parro to ask PC to schedule a Public Hearing at their March meeting.
6) Finance: Sub committee meeting was held Feb 10. Completed first pass at the 2009 budget with another meeting to be held before the March Village Board Meeting.
7) Police: Monthly report is on file. Sub committee meeting was held Jan. 29. After considering alternate tornado siren locations and having discussed at length with TLIA, the committee has agreed to move forward with the original site recommendation with installation asap. Committee unanimously agreed not to post police hours on the Village website. Recent vandalism cases remain under investigation. The increase in late night patrol hours is permanent and included in the 2009 budget. A police dept. meeting will be held March 8 with Q&A and 2009 budget discussion. Public safety CPR class to be held Feb 25 at the Wauconda Fire Dept. 6-9pm. EMA working on mission statement and operating plan.
A motion to accept the ZBA recommendation to grant a variance to allow for installation of a tornado siren to be installed in spring of 2009 was made by Tr. Baggett and seconded by Tr. Bolger followed by unanimous vote.
A motion to approve the above variation ordinance will be made at the March VB meeting.
8) Utilities: Federal grants are not available to TL due to our high median income level. Interest free revolving loans are available and we will apply for them for the water system. Committee is gathering a wish list.
9) Roads: Due to safety concerns, it was proposed to change the yield sign to a stop sign at Essex and Gateway. A motion to approve an ordinance to adopt this change was made by Tr. Parro and seconded by Tr. Merkle followed by unanimous vote.
10) Grounds: Tr. deVries asked if the plastic chain links along the bike path on Roberts Rd. can be changed to cables. Tr. Parro to check with Lake Co.
11) Storm Water Management: Quite a few major projects scheduled for 2009. Additional costs are expected to permanently fix roads patched with gravel. The culvert collapse under the road at 219 ELSD to be added to list.
12) Health and Sanitation: Subcommittee meeting was held Feb 11. The garbage tax levy has lapsed and cannot be reinstated without a referendum in fall 2010. Cost estimated at $160 per household but can be tax deductable. Motion to approve the President signing the SWALCO intergovernmental recycling agreement was made by Tr. Bolger, seconded by Tr. Rolfs, followed by unanimous vote.
13) Urban Forestry: No report
14 Administrative/ Legal/ Outside: VB agreed to the need for a separate insert into the current newsletter. This is a better way to communicate Village information to residents. Pres. Leitner to kick off with “state of the Village” insert in March newsletter.
15) Old Business: None
16) New Business: Some residents are looking into the establishment of a community Foundation.
The following residents are running for office in the municipal election April 7, 2009: Tr. Mike Rolfs, Tr. Sophia deVries, Tr. Tom Bolger, all running for re-election to 3 available seats.
A motion to adjourn at 9:20 pm was made by Tr. deVries and seconded by Tr. Baggett followed by unanimous vote.
Respectfully submitted,
Marilyn Parro Village Clerk