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HomeMy WebLinkAboutVILLAGE BOARD - 10/14/2003 - TAXES INCREASED/SALES, TELECOMMUNICATION AND AMBULANCE FEES ESTABLISHED 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 OCTOBER 14, 2003 Mayor Craig B. Johnson called the meeting to order at 8:06 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; Attorney, William Payne; and Village Clerk, Ann I. Walsh A quorum was present. 2. INVOCATION Reverend Thomas Smith, St. Nicholas Episcopal Church, delivered the invocation. This would be the last Village Board meeting to be attended by Reverend Smith since he has been transferred to another location and parish. Reverend Smith has lived in Elk Grove Village for 36 years and delivered the invocation prior to the Village Board meetings for the last 29 years. Invocations are given by Elk Grove clergymen on a rotation basis. The Reverend was commended and thanked by the Mayor for his service to the community. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on September 23, 2003 as submitted and dispense with the reading. MOVED: Trustee Petri SECONDED: Trustee Czarnik VOICE VOTE MOTION CARRIED Elk Grove Junior High – The students of the 7th and 8th grade chorus, under the direction of Choral Director Ms. Heather Wietrecki, serenaded the audience with two songs in recognition of Illinois Art Week - October 12 through 18, 2003. The program was closed with an unrehearsed rendition of the Chicago Cubs 7th inning song, “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” 4. REPORT OF THE MAYOR AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES Mayor Johnson introduced Attorney William Payne who would be substituting for the Village Attorney tonight. The Mayor proclaimed October 25, 2003 as Make-a-Difference Day and urged all citizens to observe this day by engaging in projects benefiting the community, and October 19-25, 2003 as Character Counts Week in support of the Community Character Coalition’s efforts to promote the six pillars of character. September 30, 2003 – Mayor Johnson gave his annual State of the Village address at the Senior Center and thanked the seniors and Phil Barry for affording him this opportunity. October 1, 2003 – Spoke to the Holiday Inn area Managers at the Elk Grove Holiday Inn. Oath of Office – With the consensus of the Village Board, Mayor Johnson appointed and administered the Oath of Office to Ryan Bookler to fill the vacancy on the Community Service Board for a term ending April 30, 2005. Tax Increases – This portion of the Mayor’s report addressed tax increases necessary due to the current economy and expenditures incurred in the fight against O’Hare. Revenue increases are needed to protect the Village from a projected shortage of Village reserves in the next two to three years. The Mayor highlighted this Village Board’s past record noting property taxes were raised only one year out of six. Property taxes were increased by 3% one year and in one year the sales tax was increased by .25%, however, the Board reduced the scavenger tax in the Industrial Park to the benefit of Elk Grove businesses. Mayor Johnson stated it would now be necessary to look to the taxpayers to help keep the Village financially strong. Measures were cited that have been taken by the Village to keep costs down: a 6% cutback in workforce, elimination of non-essential equipment, travel, and educational seminars. The Board is unified in their decision to keep all Village services at the current level of service and to move forward with capital projects. Members of the Village Board proceeded to discuss increases to one or more of the following taxes for approximately $2.5 million needed: Entertainment Tax, Telecommunication Tax, Hotel/Motel Tax, Vehicle License fees, Gasoline Tax, Natural Gas, Property Tax, Ambulance fees (for residents and/or for services in Busse Woods and I-290). Each Board member discussed the proposed tax increases and stated his/her support or opposition to an increase of that specific tax. There was unanimous agreement of the Board to enact ambulance fees for non-resident calls in Busse Woods and on I-290. Subsequently, it was decided to poll the Trustees as to their choice of the following two options: Option A.(2% Telecommunication Tax, .25% sales tax, no gas tax). Trustees Dill and Prochno chose Option A. Trustee Dill stated his concerns and opposition to a natural gas tax. Option B. (1% telecommunication tax, .25% sales tax and a $0.01 per therm gas tax) were supported by Trustees Lissner, Petri, Czarnik, Feichter and Mayor Johnson. Trustee Czarnik requested the Board look into increasing the vehicle sticker fees sometime in the future and stressed the importance of enforcement of the ordinance. The Village Manager reported the Police Chief and Village Attorney are currently reviewing the enforcement issue. Discussion ensued regarding the establishment of penalties for violators who do not purchase a sticker. Mayor Johnson suggested consideration of an amnesty program to be offered prior to the effective date of any new penalties enacted. Mayor Johnson directed staff to prepare the necessary ordinances for adoption at the October 28, 2003 Village Board meeting in order for their passage and effective date to be within the deadline requirements of the State of Illinois. The Mayor commended the Board on the work and diligence put forth in this difficult decision. Trustee Dill commented on his attendance at the September 30, 2003 State of the Village presentation at the Senior Center. Trustee Czarnik reminded the audience of the Blood Drive on Saturday November 1, 2003 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Charles J. Zettek Municipal Building. Appointments can be scheduled by calling Life Source at 845-803-7943. Walk ins are welcome. Identification is required showing name, date of birth and one of the following: drivers license, state I.D. or passport. The flu clinic locations and dates were announced with further information available by calling the flu clinic hot line at 847-357-4075 or the Elk Grove Health Department. Trustee Prochno, responded to recent inquiries by stating outdoor fireplaces are illegal to use in Elk Grove Village. Violators will be ticketed. 5. APPROVAL OF WARRANT Motion to authorize payment of invoices as shown on the September 30, 2003 Accounts Payable Warrant in the amount of $213,423.95. MOVED: Trustee Petri SECONDED: Trustee Czarnik AYES: Trustees Dill, Feichter, Lissner, Petri, Prochno, Czarnik NAYS: None MOTION CARRIED Motion to authorize payment of invoices as shown on October 14, 2003 Accounts Payable Warrant in the amount of $853,939.12. MOVED: Trustee Petri SECONDED: Trustee Czarnik AYES: Trustees Dill, Feichter, Lissner, Petri, Prochno, Czarnik NAYS: None MOTION CARRIED 6. CONSENT AGENDA A. Monarch Waste & Recycling, West Dundee, IL – Concur with the Village Manager’s authorization to waive the business license fee requirements to allow Monarch to collect refuse in Elk Grove Village during the refuse strike. B. South Central Industries, Inc., 2531 E. Devon Avenue – Grant a request to hold an annual Christmas Warehouse Sale during business hours from November 1, 2003 through December 23, 2003. C. RAI Concrete, Inc., Carol Stream, IL – Increase a contract for the self-funded portion of the Private Participation Concrete Replacement Program in the amount of $56,031.10. D. Plan Commission Public Hearing/1800 Nicholas Boulevard Authorize a public hearing before the Plan Commission to consider the petition of Krusinski Construction Company for a Special Use permit to operate a truck terminal in an I-2 Industrial District. E. Oakfield Ford, Inc., Village Park, IL – Award a contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the purchase of one (1) 1 ½-ton flatbed truck in a total contract amount not to exceed $40,602.25, including a trade-in credit of $4,000.