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HomeMy WebLinkAboutVILLAGE BOARD - 03/13/2007 - 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 MARCH 13, 2007 Mayor Craig B. Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. 1. ROLL CALL: Present: Mayor: Craig B. Johnson; Trustees: Nancy J. Czarnik, Patton L. Feichter, Samuel L. Lissner, James P. Petri, Chris Prochno Absent: Trustee Bart K. Dill Also Present: Village Manager, Raymond R. Rummel; Village Attorney, George B. Knickerbocker; and Village Clerk, Ann I. Walsh A quorum was present. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Johnson led the Village Board and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on February 27, 2007 as submitted and dispense with the reading. MOVED: Trustee Petri SECONDED: Trustee Czarnik VOICE VOTE MOTION CARRIED 4. REPORT OF THE MAYOR AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES Mayor Johnson welcomed Village Manager Raymond R. Rummel to his first official Village Board meeting as Village Manager. March 7, 2007 – Mayor Johnson taped the Comcast program “Headline News” and was interviewed on the airport issue and responded to comments made by Rosemary Andolino on a previous program. Mayor Johnson reported this time of year the Village election campaigns are in progress and misinformation is being put out from people who are uninformed. The information is detrimental to the community and is based on incorrect facts. People spreading false information have not made an effort to learn the issues, attend meetings or meet with the Board. It is a disservice to the community. The Mayor noted he and the Trustees would meet with anyone who would want to meet with them on a one-to-one basis. Mayor Johnson stated he would set a few things straight so people understand exactly what is going on when it comes to Elk Grove and the airport. Lincoln Airport – The Mayor reiterated his support for a third airport in this region. He noted that the Village has fought expansion of O’Hare as far back as 1969 under the leadership of Village President Jack Pahl and said the reason we are still fighting this problem 40 years later is because there has never been a solution to the problem. The solution is we need more air capacity for flights in Illinois. The Mayor explained flight caps imposed by the FAA alleviated air space problems keeping flights within the capacity it was designed for. Current flight delays have been due to inclement weather, but if we don’t find a place to put the increasing number of flights in the future this battle against O’Hare expansion will just continue. Mayor Johnson talked about the differences between the Lincoln Airport and expanding O’Hare. Over thirty towns surrounding the Lincoln Airport location have accepted the invitation to be partners and to have a say in the third airport and benefit from the airport. This differs from O’Hare and its surrounding municipalities where Chicago has sole control. People are saying we spent $4 to $5 million towards the Lincoln Airport which is not true. The Mayor noted that the municipalities of Elk Grove, Bensenville and Park Ridge originally invested 1.3 million dollars to initiate the third airport project. This was done because if a third airport were constructed, Elk Grove would not have to spend dollars to fight O’Hare expansion. The Village’s investment in the Lincoln Airport will be returned, with interest at prime plus one (1) point. SOC - Mayor Johnson said there are lots of rumors going around about SOC (Suburban O’Hare Commission). Mayor Johnson explained that SOC still exists, but the main fight has been taken up by Bensenville and Elk Grove Village. No dues have been paid to that Commission by Elk Grove or Bensenville in the last four (4) years and there is still about $100,000 available for mailings on a region wide basis. The Mayor stressed SOC has never ever filed a lawsuit or been party to a lawsuit. It has always been municipalities such as Elmhurst, Addison, Wood Dale, Elk Grove, Bensenville or Park Ridge that took legal action. Bensenville - The Mayor praised the Village of Bensenville and contradicted comments recently made that the municipality is bankrupt. Mayor Johnson said there is nothing farther from the truth. Bensenville is very solvent, in good shape, and is $40,000 to the good. The Mayor stated Bensenville is a great community and partner and those people should not make comments that downgrade or belittle their community. Court Cases - The Court case before the 7th Circuit Court has been on going with little to no progress seen. The Mayor noted this is frustrating and cited the reason for the delay is the cemetery issue and First Amendment. The Court is delaying a decision/ruling because they know if they follow the law they have to rule in our favor. This decision would get their political friends in Chicago mad at them. The 7th Circuit Court does not want to rule and set precedent that would become law of the land about religious rights throughout the country. The courts have always been our salvation and should follow through now. Other Court cases in the U.S. Appeals Court in Washington D.C. is on-going. O’Hare Project – Mayor Johnson said no work is really being done at O’Hare. The northern runway, which was supposed to have been completed in 2004, was only bid out in September 2005. That bid came in too high. So far, no concrete has been laid down nor have they bid on it yet. O’Hare is one billion dollars over budget just for the first phase. The airlines have said no more money will be given for the expansion plan. Mayor Johnson pointed out, as promised, thus far no land has been taken away from Elk Grove Village. Airport Roadway - The roadway, as shown on the IDOT maps is located west of Elmhurst Road. Mayor Johnson said that would devastate Elk Grove. Elk Grove Village conducted a detailed study based on the proposed location of the roadway shown on two IDOT maps. The Village’s study reported there would be an annual loss of ten million dollars to the Village if the roadway were located as described on those maps. The school districts would experience a loss of twenty million dollars and the Park District and Library millions. Former Village Manager, Gary E. Parrin, the Director of Engineering and Community Development and Mayor Johnson met with IDOT representatives five months ago. IDOT was asked to find out from the FAA if the roadway could go closer to the airport. The Village’s study stated the FAA said it couldn’t go any closer to the airport. IDOT has not replied because they know the roadway goes exactly where it was shown on the two maps. Business Park - Mayor Johnson said he is tired of people saying we can put up hotels. The surrounding communities can accommodate the tourists and it makes no sense for Elk Grove to try and duplicate hotel/restaurant business. The Mayor made reference to a Crain’s Chicago Business magazine article that questioned why would anyone want to destroy the most successful business park in the world. Mayor Johnson added Elk Grove is not a tourist destination. The Business Park provides 85 cents to every dollar for this community and provides almost half the funding for High School District 214 and the seven towns in that District and almost 80 percent funding of the grade schools for 4 towns. The Elk Grove Business Park is in great shape and the vacancy rate is only at six percent. Residents were asked to remember the business park is over 100 million square feet under roof. Hanover Park has about 9 million square feet in their business park which they have been developing for over a decade. Businesses are coming into the Business Park. Businesses are coming in –tearing down older buildings and reinvesting millions to build new ones. The Business Park is not failing – The ICRC has put in almost 40 million dollars to upgrade the Park. Mayor Johnson reported there is no price for selling Elk Grove. It is not for sale. Four million dollars has been invested over the last five years to fight expansion. The Village will lose 4 million dollars in 5 months if we let the expansion go through. Police Station – The Mayor talked about the Board’s five-year search to purchase land and relocate the Police Station. There being no land found, it has been determined the most cost effective solution would be to build a new Police Station and administration wing at 901 Wellington. The Board did the due diligence-they watched out for the taxpayers. Mayor Johnson asked the audience to listen to what people say and to stay informed. He noted that no candidates were present in the audience and said he wished they would attend and find out the facts. They do not have the right to scare people. The candidates were commended for running for office but asked to stop spreading incorrect information that hurts Elk Grove Village. Smoke Free Logo Awards – Michael Cavallini joined the Mayor at the podium. He spoke of the efforts by the Committee for Smoke Free Elk Grove to promote smoking cessation and education. Sandy Messinger, a member of the committee representing Elk Grove High School, talked about the students’ involvement in the Logo Contest. The contest was offered through the high school art departments. Ten top entries were submitted to the Village Board who then picked the top three favorites. The following student logos were chosen. 3rd prize – Erick Alvarado (junior) $100.00 gift certificate 2nd prize – Tracy Matz (senior) $150.00 gift certificate 1st prize – Mayur Patel (senior) $750.00 scholarship All students were from Elk Grove High School. Poster Slogan Contest – As part of the Committee for Smoke Free Elk Grove programs, a poster contest was conducted in the grammar and junior high schools. The three top winners are as follows: 4th and 5th Grade 3rd prize - Peter Wilson (4th grade) $ 50.00 gift certificate 2nd prize – David Kellner (5th grade) 75.00 gift certificate 1st prize - Annie Nagle (5th grade) 100.00 gift certificate All the above are students at Queen of the Rosary