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HomeMy WebLinkAboutVILLAGE BOARD - 09/11/2007 - 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 SEPTEMBER 11, 2007 Mayor Craig B. Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. 1. ROLL CALL: Present: Mayor: Craig B. Johnson; Trustees: Nancy J. Czarnik, Patton L. Feichter, Jeffrey C. Franke, Samuel L. Lissner, James P. Petri, Chris Prochno Also Present: Village Manager, Raymond R. Rummel; Village Attorney, George B. Knickerbocker; and Village Clerk, Ann I. Walsh A quorum was present. 2. INVOCATION – Deacon Ted Czarnecki, Queen of the Rosary Church, delivered the Invocation. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Mayor Johnson led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. The Mayor indicated that the Catholic Archdioces would soon choose a new pastor for Queen of the Rosary Church to replace Father Art Fagan who passed away recently. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on August 21, 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 The Mayor reported: August 30, 2007 – He spoke to the Realtor’s Association concerning the Village and housing market. September 11, 2007 – On the invitation of Township Supervisor, Nanci Vanderweel, the Mayor spoke to the Elk Grove Township Senior group at a luncheon held at Elk Grove Township. Appointment - Mayor Johnson requested concurrence of the Board to fill the position left vacant due to the appointment of Trustee Franke and appoint Larry A. Dohrer to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Motion to concur with the Mayor’s appointment of Larry A. Dohrer to the Zoning Board of Appeals, term ending April 30, 2012. MOVED: Trustee Feichter SECONDED: Trustee Czarnik AYES: Trustees Feichter, Franke, Lissner, Petri, Prochno, Czarnik NAYS: None MOTION CARRIED The Oath of Office will be administered at the September 25, 2007 Village Board meeting. September 11, 2007 – Mayor Johnson commented that six years ago, following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack in New York City, the Village had raised over $50,000 during its “Coins for the Community/Coins for the Country” to help the September 11th victims. Halloween Fest – James Cronin, Philip Frank, John Olson, and Adrianna Salem of Elk Grove Village, lost their lives while serving to protect the Country following September 11th . The Fallen Soldier Memorial Fund has raised over $72,000 towards their $100,000 goal. The fund was established to help families that serve and have served in the military and funds were used towards the purchase of the memorial statue. A silent auction, facilitated by the Community Character Coalition and Elk Grove Village will be held during the Park District’s Halloween Fest on Friday October 26, 2007 to benefit the Fallen Soldier Memorial Fund. August 2007 Storm - The Mayor invited Village Manager Raymond R. Rummel, Police Chief Stephen Schmidt, Deputy Director of Public Works Vito Sammarco, and Fire Chief David Miller to join him at the podium. Mayor Johnson thanked them for their leadership and efforts put forth to provide emergency services to the residents following the storms on August 23rd and 24th. The Mayor talked about the devastation to homes and trees caused by flooding and wind damage within the area. Several messages and letters sent to the Village were shared with the audience expressing resident’s appreciation for the Village’s quick response to traffic control and clean-up efforts. Mayor Johnson stated it was a phenomenal job that could not have been done without the cooperation of the Village staff and residents who stepped up and assisted their neighbors. The Mayor stated residents who still have debris may place the branches in the parkway and the Village would pick them up. It was noted over 200 trees have been taken down and will be replaced this fall or early spring. O’Hare Update – Mayor Johnson referenced a Sun Times article that featured Rosemary Andolino, Executive Director of the O’Hare Modernization Program, and questionable dealings in a house deal. Attorney Joseph Karaganis presented an update to let the public know where we stand on various court proceedings. Attorney Karaganis stated three years ago Elk Grove and Bensenville challenged Chicago’s use of $200 million dollars of Federal money for the project. Two years ago the Federal courts sustained the complaint filed by Elk Grove and Bensenville and threw out the award of the money. Last year, Elk Grove and Bensenville were back in Court to challenge $337 million dollars of federal grant money to be used by Chicago for the project. The Court accepted Chicago’s statement that if they did not receive the money, they would simply go to another location and get the money. The Federal Aviation Administration had recently ruled that Chicago would now be allowed to collect $1.2 billion in federal passenger fees to use for the O’Hare expansion project. The Courts have already ruled that Elk Grove and Bensenville have the right to challenge those kinds of awards and challenges will be filed this week. In addition, Karaganis informed the public that information provided by Chicago indicates not a single home in Bensenville is needed for the current project. Bensenville recently went to Court to ask for an injunction against Chicago when Chicago started bulldozing homes and claimed they were simply trimming trees. The Courts ordered Chicago to stop and ruled Chicago must complete the proper comprehensive environmental testing. Karaganis spoke of the Federal Religious Laws and First Amendment and the total tax revenue lost due to condemnation of Bensenville residential homes and businesses and the devastating consequences on that Village. Attorney Karaganis stated a Freedom of Information request filed for documents regarding Chicago’s plans for the ring road and Irving Park Road produced only one letter on the ring road and no documents on Irving Park Road. Mayor Johnson talked about the Legal Defense Trust fund, created six years ago for use in the continuing fight against O’Hare Expansion. As a show of unity, the Township, Library, and Park District contributed funds. Periodically a transfer of funds is required to pay bills. The Mayor reported that Bensenville has always paid their fair share. Motion to approve a transfer of $500,000 in funding from the Legal Defense Trust Fund to the Legal Defense Fund. MOVED: Trustee Franke SECONDED: Trustee Petri AYES: Trustees Feichter, Franke, Lissner, Petri, Prochno, Czarnik NAYS: None MOTION CARRIED Oath of Office – Chief David Miller joined Mayor Johnson at the podium. Mayor Johnson administered the Oath of Office to the newly promoted Fire Lieutenants George W. Burger and Ronald C. Naida. Bill Heaton Bicycle Give-Away – Sue Heaton stated the second bike give-away held during the Alexian Brothers Tour of Elk Grove was held in honor of her late husband, Bill Heaton. It was noted eight bikes would be awarded that had been donated by Sue Heaton, Peter, owner of Charlies’ Char House and the Elk Grove Walmart. Donations were also received from personal friends of Sue Heaton. Bikes were presented to: Kim Maionchi, Amanda Kaplan, Brooke Brottman, Linda Boulton, Garrick Gelarden, Josh Hartman, Sebastian Ramos, and Sam Jasutis. Trustee Lissner reported he attended an August 29, 2007 Joint Action Water Association (JAWA) meeting. He posed a question to the Chairman as to JAWA’s position on the pollution of Lake Michigan. A resolution is forthcoming. Trustee Petri attended the grand opening of the Noritz Company located at 861 Busse Road. This new company sells tankless water heaters. Trustee Petri discussed the efficiency and benefits of the product, such as tax credits and decreased operational costs. The Village is exploring the purchase of this item for use at Village Hall. Trustee Petri also announced a delegation from our Sister City, Termini Imerese, Sicily, would arrive in Elk Grove Village on October 11, 2007. The visitors will participate in the October 13th Columbus Day Parade held in Chicago, have lunch at the Rotary on the 18th and observe activities at Alexian Brothers Medical Center. A gala dinner will be held in their honor on October 19, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. at the Avalon Banquets. Mayor Johnson related Alexian Brothers is looking forward to having the visitors tour the hospital. Tickets for the dinner cost $80.00 per person. Contact the Village Hall at 847-357-4030 for information. Trustee Czarnik mentioned Community Services is collecting coupons from the Sunday newspapers. Proceeds will be used to purchase items needed by our American troops. A collection box is located in the Community Services office. Trustee Feichter reported the Community Character Coalition is sponsoring a thank you to our troops letter campaign between September 23 and September 30, 2007. Residents were invited to join the schools in this effort. Stationery will be made available at the drop boxes located at the Village Hall, Elk Grove Library, Park District Pavilion, Hattendorf Center, Kenneth Young Center, Elk Grove Township office, Staples on Meacham Road and all Elk Grove schools. The letters will be delivered to the troops hopefully by Veterans Day, November 11, 2007.