VILLAGE OF TOWER LAKES

BOARD MEETING

Date: March 16, 2009

Time: 7:30 pm

Location: Village Hall

1) Roll Call, Pledge and Sign-In: Meeting called to order at 7:30 pm. President Leitner, Trustees Bolger, Baggett, Parro ,  Merkle, deVries (late 7:35pm). Absent:  Tr. Rolfs.

Also attending: Treasurer Rolfs, Building Inspector Cantieri, Village Clerk Parro , Chief Sinacore, PC Chair Jeff Dehnert, Terry Grom and Greg  Gruen from Manhard.

2) Public Comments: Jeff Dehnert gave a report from the Plan Commission:

      i) PC will hold a Public Hearing in April regarding text amendments replacing the term High Water Mark with Base Flood Elevation for every applicable spot in Section 10 of zoning code.  

      ii) PC is sending a draft of the Impervious Surface Ordinance to the ZBA, BI Cantieri and Tr. Rolfs for review before bringing to the Village Board. The definition of Impervious Surface includes the other areas such as driveways, walkways, and other man made areas that are considered impervious. The new ordinance will recommend a % of allowable impervious surface area.  

      iii) The PC has made great progress in the first phase of Comprehensive Plan review. The first phase includes Land Use, Utilities, Community Facilities and Services and Economic Development. The PC is asking for input from Village Board members before   presenting first phase to the Board in June.

Greg Greun of Manhard made a presentation explaining what money may be available through IEPA and the Federal Stimulus Plan to pay for water system improvements via an interest free loan. A water system priority plan was also presented. Fast action is required as the distribution is expected be to the first projects ready to proceed. Also, most of the engineering work must be done before the award. The Finance and Utilities committees have recommended to therefore only proceed with a reduced scope application based on engineering for projects that would be done in the near future regardless of special loan availability.

3) Approval of Minutes: A motion to approve the February 2009 minutes with no changes was made by Tr. deVries, and seconded by Tr. Merkle followed by unanimous vote.

4) Building and Zoning: i) Report on file. 1 roof permit issued, various inspections are ongoing, compliance of violation of out building on Marian Ct. is being reviewed, and one skate ramp violation was reported, with a letter sent to the resident. A request for final inspection has been made by owner of new house on Essex.  A water hook up fee is still outstanding for this property. BI Cantieri will meet with builder. ii) Roads sub committee will meet to discuss the addition of overweight truck fees into the building permit process.

5) Treasurers Report and Payment of Bills: A motion to approve the payment of bills less the payment to Allsafe Fred’s Gas was made by Tr. Merkle and seconded by Tr. Bolger followed by unanimous vote.

6) Budget and Finance:  i) Discussion took place about sharing risk with Manhard on engineering costs for the stimulus loan application. ii) A motion to approve expenditures of up to $80,000 to Manhard toward the engineering and preparation and submission of the application for stimulus loan within the 2009/2010 budget, contingent on confirmation by the VA, was made by Tr. Baggett and seconded by Tr. deVries followed by unanimous vote with Tr. Merkle abstaining. iii) 2009/2010 budget recommendations developed at March 10 Finance committee will be finalized at a meeting of the Finance committee in April and presented for vote at the April Board meeting.

7) Police and Public Safety: Report on file. February committee meeting was canceled. All police officer performance evaluations have been completed. Police vehicle is in repair after auto accident.

8) Utilities: Tr. deVries to meet with Manhard to discuss the breakdown of engineering fees and overall pricing of water system improvements.

9) Roads: February salt bill reduced to $5,800. New stop sign on Essex has been installed. Oxford road was temporarily closed again due to flooding last week. The spring brush pick-up will be held the week of May 11th. Engineering estimates have been requested for 2009 paving projects on South Hills Dr, Esther Dr, Tomahawk Ln, Raleigh Pl & the last 2 blocks of West Lake Shore Dr.

10) Grounds:  New Grounds subcommittee meeting was held March 11. 2009 mowing contract was signed with no increase. SK Landscape will also bid on maintenance for flower beds.. Resident Linda Kuna will consult with Grounds on flower bed design. Tr. Merkle will head the Beautification subcommittee.

11) Stormwater Management: There will be a meeting of the Stormwater and Roads committees on March 18. Cuba Township Road District will attend.

12) Health and Sanitation: Tr. Bolger will continue to work with VA to develop proposed enabling ordinance for future referendum.

13) Urban Forestry:  The Tree Comm. will handle Arbor Day activities. Urban Forestry will now be a part of Roads & Grounds

14) Administrative/Legal/Outside: All Village officials were reminded to fill out Economic Interest Statements. Trustees Bolder, deVries and Rolfs are running for re-election on April 7, 2009.

15) Old Business: A motion to approve the Zoning Variance Ordinance for the Tornado Siren on Rt 59 at Indian Trail was made by Tr. Baggett and seconded by Tr. Bolger followed by unanimous vote.

16) New Business: None.

A motion to adjourn at 9:44 pm was made by Tr. Baggett and seconded by Tr. Bolger followed by unanimous vote.

Respectfully submitted,

 

Marilyn Parro Village Clerk