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HomeMy WebLinkAboutVILLAGE BOARD - 11/14/2000 - MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF ELK GROVE VILLAGE, ILLINOIS HELD AT THE CHARLES J. ZETTEK MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 901 WELLINGTON AVENUE ON TUESDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2000 Mayor Craig B. Johnson called the meeting to order at 8:02 p.m. 1. ROLL CALL: Present: Mayor: Craig B. Johnson; Trustees: Nancy J. Czarnik, Bart K. Dill, Patton L. Feichter, Samuel L. Lissner, James P. Petri, Chris Prochno Also Present Village Manager, Gary E. Parrin; Village Attorney, George B. Knickerbocker; and Village Clerk, Ann I. Walsh A quorum was present. 2. Pledge of Allegiance The Mayor led the Board and members of the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on October 24, 2000 as submitted. MOVED: Trustee Petri SECONDED: Trustee Dill VOICE VOTE MOTION CARRIED Liquor Commission Report - The Mayor, with the permission of the Board, announced there would be a deviation from the Agenda to consider an Ordinance proposed by the Liquor Commission regarding identification requirements for the sale of liquor and the responsibility of restaurants and bars regarding sale of alcohol to minors. The Mayor, as Liquor Commissioner, explained this issue has been under discussion by the Board since July of this year and is not to be construed as a result of the tragic events surrounding the death of Carrie Burke in a recent automobile accident. Mayor Johnson then expressed his condolences to the Burke family on behalf of the Board and the community. The accessibility of liquor to minors has become a problem of epidemic proportion and one that is most difficult for all Officials to control. The Board members were commended for their efforts to provide all that is possible for the health and safety of this community. Mayor Johnson gave a brief background of the Police stings that have taken place during the four years this Board has served the community. Specifically noted was that the young people who participate in the "sting" do not carry any type of identification and only those who appear to be under the age of 21 years are chosen. Young women do not partake in Police stings as cosmetics can alter their appearance and make them look older. The first Police sting conducted four years ago resulted in a 40% failure rate. A policy was set forth by the Liquor Commission whereby the first time a business appears before the Liquor Commission and is found to be in violation of the Liquor Ordinance a guaranteed minimum fine and court costs are imposed. A second offense results in a fine, court costs and suspension. The liquor licenses are revoked permanently if a third offense occurs. Mayor Johnson stated fines have been increased up to $2500 according to rules set forth by the State Statutes. The Liquor Commission is unable to increase that amount due to provisions of the State Liquor Commission. Particularly disturbing to the Liquor Commission members was the arrest by Elk Grove Police of a Schaumburg teen for purchasing liquor in the Village. The teen stated the purchase was made in Elk Grove Village because "everyone knows you can buy alcohol in Elk Grove without identification." It was at this time, the Liquor Commission discussed the proposal to card for all packaged goods sales. Restaurants and bars were also discussed but it was decided those businesses do not seem to pose a problem. Following an October meeting of the Liquor Commission a recommendation was made for consideration of the whole Board. On the effective date of January 1, 2001, all businesses will be required to card every patron buying alcohol. An AARP card, a driver’s license, or a state I.D. were all mentioned as identification that would be acceptable. Upon approval of this ordinance, packaged goods stores will be served a notice of its passage with signs to be displayed for six weeks prior to the effective date (January 1, 2001). The Mayor commended the Super Kmart Store for initiating the above policy last August on their own accord. Under the conditions of the Ordinance, restaurants and bars will not be required to ask for identification for purchases of alcohol. However, as part of the penalty of a violation for selling to a minor without identification, there could be the requirement to ask for identification for up to a period of one year. This option would be at the discretion of the Liquor Commission. Elk Grove is the first community in Illinois to adopt this policy. The Secretary of State is very supportive of the Village's action. The Mayors of other communities are also interested in the success of this policy. Mayor Johnson again gave credit to the Board for taking on this issue. Motion to adopt Ordinance No. 2786 entitled, "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 3 LIQUOR CONTROL OF TITLE 3 OF THE VILLAGE CODE OF THE VILLAGE OF ELK GROVE VILLAGE BY ENACTING PROVISIONS RELATING TO MANDATORY IDENTIFICATION EXAMINATION.” MOVED: Trustee Petri SECONDED: Trustee Lissner (The Mayor invited comments from the Board of Trustees. Trustee Prochno stated her support although she did not fully support the idea as first presented and noted that the protection of a child from possibly getting alcohol is far more important than the small inconvenience this may cause a few people. The policy is something to try and possibly review after a year to see if it is working. Trustee Feichter, as a high school educator, citizen of Elk Grove Village and Village official stated his support and noted something must be done to alleviate this problem. Trustee Czarnik reported that although she was initially not totally in favor of this measure, due to discussion and the compromising of certain issues regarding the restaurants and banquet halls, is now supportive of the measure. Trustee Petri, a member of the Liquor Commission, related several examples where identification is required for discounts and/or people boarding planes and stated the ordinance would not cause an imposition. Trustee Petri then expressed his support. Trustee Lissner commented on his support of the ordinance and the importance of the publicity received thus far. Trustee Dill, as a supporter of the ordinance, noted a message would be clearly sent that Elk Grove takes this mission seriously and added he is proud to be part of this decision.) AYES: Trustees Dill, Feichter, Lissner, Petri, Prochno, Czarnik MOTION CARRIED For the record, Mayor Johnson noted his strong support of the ordinance and commented that Elk Grove Village has taken a first step regionally, statewide and country wide to try anything possible to keep young people from drinking. Recess from 8:27 p.m. 8:35 p.m. Meeting resumed with all members present as stated at the beginning of the meeting. 4. REPORT OF THE MAYOR AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES Proclamations - Mayor Johnson issued the following Proclamations: "Winter Storm Preparedness Week" November 26-December 3, 2000 "American Cancer Society's Great American Smoke-Out" Thursday, November 16, 2000 SOC Rally/March - The Mayor expressed his appreciation and gratitude to Elk Grove Village. Over 1800 people participated in the march and rally held on October 29, 2000. A loud and strong message was sent out to all representatives both on the State and Federal level. Fenton and Elk Grove High School students will deliver the thousands of postcards signed that date to Governor Ryan's office in Chicago. The Mayor pointed out the importance of the outcome of this election regarding the O'Hare expansion. On behalf of the Village Board, the Mayor thanked the residents, the Police Department, Public Works, Fire Department, and Administration for an outstanding job. Oath of Office - Mayor Johnson administered the Oath of Office to Donald G. Childress recently appointed to replace Edward R. Hauser on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Trustee Dill reported he and Trustee Prochno attended the groundbreaking ceremony and 40th anniversary of the Christus Victor Lutheran Church on November 5, 2000. Trustee Dill, on behalf of the Mayor and Village Board, presented a Certificate of Recognition to Peter Sagartz of Elk Grove Village and a member of the Boy Scouts of America Troop 495 who achieved the rank of Eagle Scout at the Kenneth Young Center. Congratulations were extended to Peter and his family. A similar Certificate of Recognition was presented on November 12, 2000 by Trustee Dill to Brian Voss of Boy Scouts of America Troop 95, who also received his Eagle Scout Award. The ceremony took place at Christus Victus Lutheran Church in Elk Grove. Trustee Dill extended congratulations to the Voss family. Trustee Lissner reported on his attendance at the Illinois Municipal League Conference offered last September and encouraged the Board members to consider attending next year. Trustee Petri recognized the outstanding work done by Tom Cech and the Public Works Department during the past year. Jack Gray, Building & Fleet Service Superintendent, was singled out and thanked for his excellent job in maintaining the Village vehicles.