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HomeMy WebLinkAboutVILLAGE BOARD - 05/22/2007 - 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 MAY 22, 2007 Mayor Craig B. Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:07 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 INVOCATION Reverend Jeremiah Clapper, Elk Grove Baptist Church, delivered the invocation. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on May 8, 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 May 18, 2007 - Mayor Johnson reported on his attendance at the Elk Grove Theatre ribbon cutting ceremony, which is located at Arlington Heights and Biesterfield Roads. The owners have expanded the theater by adding two new movie screens with stadium seating and state of the art picture and sound. May 22, 2007 Mayor Johnson addressed representatives of the Elk Grove Village business community and gave the State of the Village report. The 7:30 a.m. breakfast meeting was held in the Council Chambers of the Charles J. Zettek Municipal Building The Community Character Coalition sponsored the annual Youth Celebration in the lower level of the Municipal Building between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Mayor Johnson remarked on the excellent student displays. Mayor Johnson recognized Police Chief Stephen Schmidt who had been awarded the “Chief of the Year” by the Illinois Crime Prevention Association (ICPA). Coyotes – Cook County initiated a comprehensive study of coyotes in the Cook County area. Coyotes were tracked day and night in order to learn more about their habits. Mayor Johnson talked about simple precautions to be taken to avoid conflicts with coyotes. For example, do not feed coyotes, protect pets and don’t let them run loose, and consider fencing more than 4 feet in height. Presentations: Alexian Brothers Medical Center – Kathleen Prunty of Alexian Brothers and Jim Arey of Elk Grove High School presented a $5000 check to the Soldier Memorial Fund on behalf of Alexian Brothers and in memory of the former CEO of Alexian Brothers, Roger Johnson, who recently passed away. Soldier Memorial Fund Scholarships – Birdie Bisceglie, representative of the Community Character Coalition, joined the Mayor at the podium to award three $1000 scholarships to the following high school seniors: Alicia Lindquist, Ryan Felde and Elizabeth Satern. Community Character Coalition – A youth celebration was held earlier this evening in recognition of the youth groups who have participated in activities related to character. The student groups attended the Village Board meeting and were introduced to the audience. Certificates were presented to each student group in recognition of their yearlong projects. The students represented Elk Grove High School, Link School, Holmes Junior High School, Admiral Byrd School, Stevenson School, Forest View, Grove Junior High School, and Mead Jr. High School. A group picture was taken with the Mayor, and a chocolate Elk Grove Village memento was given to each student. Relay for Life – Mayor Johnson read a Proclamation proclaiming Friday, June 8 and Saturday, June 9, 2007 as Relay for Life Days in honor of the annual Cancer Society fundraiser in Elk Grove Village. Representatives of the Cancer Society accepted a framed Proclamation and expressed appreciation to the Board and community for their support in this endeavor. Residents were encouraged to participate and/or stop by during the event. Recess: 8:02 Reconvene: 8:04 Trustee Lissner reported he represented the Mayor at the groundbreaking ceremony at the Magnetic Inspection Laboratories on Wednesday, May 16, 2007. Trustee Feichter stated he had received a phone call from Congressman Roskam’s office about the Congressional Page Program in Washington D.C. The Congressman’s Office inquired as to whether there were any high school students in Elk Grove or from the Congressional District that would be interested in the Program. Trustee Feichter told the audience to contact him at the Village Hall or at his home if they would like additional information. 5. APPROVAL OF WARRANT Motion to authorize payment of invoices as shown on the May 22, 2007 Accounts Payable Warrant in the amount of $1,463,195.85 MOVED: Trustee Petri SECONDED: Trustee Czarnik AYES: Trustees Feichter, Lissner, Petri, Prochno, Czarnik NAYS: None ABSENT: Trustee Dill MOTION CARRIED Off-Track Betting – The Mayor called for public comments prior to the Board making a decision regarding an off-track betting site at the Ringside at Devon Avenue and Tonne Road. Mayor Johnson commented he and the Board initially had some concerns about the impact an OTB would have on the community. The Board directed staff to conduct a survey of municipalities that have off-track betting facilities, such as in Chicago, Niles, Oakbrook Terrace and Tinley Park. The result of that survey noted that the only problem experienced thus far was an increase in traffic on a busy day or an occasional passing of a counterfeit bill. Mayor Johnson stated every location was contacted. The Mayor opened discussion for questions by the Board. Bob Bilocerkowycz, President and CEO of Inter-Track Partners, was in attendance and available to answer questions. Trustee Lissner requested information on training of the Inter-Track staff and how they intend to scrutinize patrons who had been over-served or have a gambling problem. Trustee Petri asked about the “cash only” betting policy. Trustee Czarnik asked about the set up of the facility. Inter-Track stated patrons would be integrated within the Ringside facility but all betting would be done in a separate area. Trustee Feichter requested information on the age requirement to gamble and what cross-section of patrons is expected to visit the facility. Trustee Prochno asked about security precautions. During discussion it was noted the State of Illinois law allowed patrons 18 years and older to gamble. The following members of the audience approached the Board to present their views. Nancy Duel of Arlington Heights and United Methodist Church presented information and financial statistics on gambling and off-track betting parlors. Suellen Satern of 128 Tottenham Lane stated her opposition. A person who identified himself as Stan wanted additional information on how and when the proposal was brought before the Board. Mitch Gora of 604 Bristol Lane had no objections to the off-track betting and asked if the age to gamble at the facility would be 21 years of age since it was a place that served alcohol and what controls would be in place. Jason Satern of 128 Tottenham Lane expressed disappointment that the Village would consider this proposal. Jeff Snyder 1901 Albany Court approached the podium and was told by the Village Attorney that, as stated in a written notice sent to Snyder, Snyder’s privilege to address the Board had been revoked and had not been reinstated. The Village Attorney referenced prior actions taken by Snyder that initiated this policy. Suellen Satern of 128 Tottenham suggested mandatory identification as a safeguard against anyone under 21 years old wanting to wager. There was further discussion regarding age requirements to gamble and if the Village decided its policy would require a person to be 21years old would some type of carding system be established as a control. The CEO of Inter-Track Partners answered they would honor the policy of the Village. Rick Cotini, owner of Ringside, assured the Board the Ringside staff checks patrons and Ringside would abide by whatever the Board decided upon. In closing, the Mayor asked for a motion to adopt an ordinance to allow gambling at Ringside Bar and Grill located at Devon Avenue and Tonne Road. The Village Attorney stated the Board would have a period of time to further investigate regulations and guidelines. . 7.A. Motion to adopt Ordinance No. 3128 entitled, “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 3-3-10A OF THE VILLAGE CODE PERTAINING TO THE PROHIBITION OF GAMBLING AT ESTABLISHMENTS LICENSED TO SELL ALCOHOLIC LIQUOR TO EXEMPT OFF TRACK BETTING FROM THIS SECTION AT LOCATIONS APPROVED BY THE VILLAGE BOARD”. Moved: Trustee Feichter SECONDED: Trustee Lissner AYES: Trustees Lissner, Petri, Prochno, Czarnik, Feichter NAYS: None ABSENT: Trustee Dill MOTION CARRIED Inter-Track and Ringside representatives agreed they would abide with whatever the Board decides upon when it comes to oversight by a Gambling Commission and/or age and identification requirements. The Mayor noted the oversight policies and details to be required by the Village Board should be prepared and ready for consideration at the June 19, 2007 Village Board meeting.