HomeMy WebLinkAboutVILLAGE BOARD - 06/17/2008 - OHARE UPDATE, PARADE WINNERS,PREVAILING RATE 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 JUNE 17, 2008
Mayor Craig B. Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:25p.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 - Pastor Jim Pendowski, Northwest Filipino Church, delivered the invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Mayor Johnson led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Village Board Meeting held on May 27, 2008 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
Bike Race – Mayor Johnson stated a portion of the proceeds raised at the upcoming August Alexian Brothers Tour of Elk Grove bike race would be donated to the Soldier Memorial Fund.
The monies provide scholarships for students and financial assistance to the Heart of the Marine Foundation, which assists all individuals and the families of active duty military personnel.
As a special feature this year, thirty people will be given the opportunity to ride the time trial course on Friday night, August 1, 2008, prior to the professional time trials being
held that evening. The entry fee is $250.00 per rider with 100% going to the Soldier’s Memorial Fund.
Anyone interested in participating can obtain registration information at www.tourofelkgrove.com under the link “fundraising race.”
May 18, 2008 – Mayor Johnson and Attorney Joseph Karaganis were interviewed on WBBM’s “At Issue” program regarding the O’Hare Airport expansion issues.
June 4, 2008 – The Mayor, Trustees Lissner, Petri, Czarnik and Feichter attended the DARE Graduation held at Grove Jr. High School.
June 6, 2008 – The Mayor and Assistant Village Manager, Beth Jacobsen, volunteered at the “Relay for Life” event held at Elk Grove High School.
June 14, 2008 – The Mayor mentioned he had participated in the Saturday June 14, 2008 Hometown Parade which Trustee Czarnik would report on later in the meeting.
Sheraton Suites Hotel – The Mayor stated the Elk Grove Sheraton Hotel had just completed a $17 million renovation of the facility.
Condolences – Condolences were extended to the family and friends of long time resident, Mary McCarthy. Mary was an expert on the history of Elk Grove Village and will be missed by
all who knew her.
O’Hare Update – Mayor Johnson reported that Marni Pyke, the new transportation reporter for the Daily Herald Newspapers, attended his taping of the May WBBM “At Issue” Program. The
Mayor stated M. Pyke’s follow-up article “Project Runway”, published in the Herald on June 16, 2008, contained inaccurate statements since M. Pyke never took the time to review or question
information given to her by Attorney Karaganis at the taping.
The Mayor then pointed out several inaccuracies that were quoted in the Herald’s article and presented the true facts with regard to anticipated additional flights and actual costs of
the entire expansion project.
The Mayor noted Chicago originally claimed O’Hare expansion was necessary to accommodate approximately 700,000 additional flights and pointed out that estimate is closer to 200,000 additional
flights. The article in the Herald did not use true comparisons.
Mayor Johnson noted the Herald’s article quoted the cost of the project would be $8 billion dollars, but that figure does not include the project in its entirety. The Mayor explained
a conservative estimate would be closer to $20 billion.
The Mayor noted the Herald’s articles often quoted Joe Schwieterman, a transportation expert from DePaul University and commented that J. Schwieterman was an employee of United Airlines
for 22 years which is the same airline that supports expansion and has the most to benefit.
Mayor Johnson warned the residents to read all articles carefully and said it was disheartening that the paper cannot show both sides of the issue. Not once did the reporter at the
Herald mention any information supplied by Attorney Karaganis.
Mayor Johnson further explained that in order for Chicago to get the full benefits of the Phase 1 project, Chicago must include additional construction projects, such as a new western
terminal and concourse area and taxiway. These projects will bring the cost of Phase 1 to almost $5 billion.
The Mayor congratulated the Chicago Tribune on recent articles published in that paper that accurately reported on flight caps, Chicago’s attorney costs of $15 billion plus, and had
provided investigative information regarding DuPage County Chairman Schillerstrom.
Schillerstrom had been a strong opponent of the airport expansion in the past and had suddenly changed his position. The Tribune article disclosed a former law firm associate of Schillerstroms
had been paid over $112,000 representing the City of Chicago in routine real estate transactions related to the proposed airport expansion. It also discloses that Mr. Schillerstom’s
former partner is now working for Chicago for an amount in excess of six figures on closing property that Chicago is taking in Bensenville. The Mayor stressed that Bensenville and
Elk Grove have been truthful and honest in all dealings and offered to debate anyone regarding the expansion facts.
The Washington D.C. Circuit Court has announced it will hear oral arguments on October 23, 2008 regarding the airport, which means the graves at the St Johannes Cemetery will not be
disturbed until the hearings are decided.
The Mayor reported the Village received a notice that United Airlines would be laying off 335 people in offices located in unincorporated Elk Grove Township.
Summer Season - Mayor Johnson thanked the Rotary Club for this year’s great RotaryFest held in June and noted he knows summer has really begun when the Rotary Fest is held and Dairy
Queen opens.
Harper College – Maria Coons addressed the Board on behalf of Harper College to introduce Harper’s program called PATH which stands for Providing Advice for Tomorrow’s Harper. Harper
College has developed an initial master plan for upgrading, renovating and maintaining facilities and invites all members of the community to participate by submitting suggestions and
recommendations prior to the approval of the master plan. Ms. Coons showed the audience a video that further explained the above.
Ms. Coons held a brief discussion with the Mayor and further explained that the $40 million needed for the completion of the master plan would not be funded by a tax increase.
Trustee Prochno reported she participated in the 10:00 p.m. Relay for Life Survivors’ Walk following her attendance at the NWMC Dinner.
The first Little Boots Rodeo is set to take place on Sunday June 22, 2008. Mayor Craig Johnson and the event sponsor, Jack Groat, have challenged each other to see who can last the
longest on a mechanical bull.
Trustee Prochno pointed out that anyone who may be missing the closed Sanfilippo retail store may shop at the new Fisher Nuts outlet store located on Devon and Tonne Road.
Trustee Feichter reported that he and Trustee Prochno attended the last Community Character Coalition meeting where the Heart of the Marines Organization reported on how the funds being
raised through the Heart of the Marines is being used to provide assistance for rehabilitation for veterans who have been injured. A Heart of the Marines fundraising event will be
held June 18, 2008 at Zanie’s Comedy Club located at 1548 N. Wells in Chicago.
The Woodfield-Chicago Northwest Convention Bureau - A special media tour was given by the Illinois Department of Tourism in Arlington Heights at the Sheraton NW Hotel. Trustee Feichter
reported he and Trustee Prochno attended the tour and reception at the Coco Key Water Resort.
Trustee Petri reported that on June 2, 2008 a meeting was held consisting of members of the ICRC, the Engineering staff, and Land Vision, Inc. regarding the comprehensive master plan
update. Some refinements were made to the plan. Trustee Petri pointed out that Consent Agenda Item 6.J. would award a contract to Land Vision Inc.
Trustee Petri related that on June 5, 2008 various managers and owners of Elk Grove shopping centers attended a presentation given by the Buxton Company. The presentation consisted
of ideas and suggestions for Elk Grove shopping centers. The information was well received and the participants thanked the entire Board for affording them this opportunity, which
was at no cost to them.
Trustee Lissner extended his congratulations and thanks to Trustee Czarnik for the marvelous parade put on by her committee and staff. He specifically mentioned and thanked former Trustee
Bart Dill and Mrs. Dill for serving as Grand Marshall.
5. APPROVAL OF WARRANT
Motion to authorize payment of invoices as shown on the May 31, 2008 Accounts Payable Warrant in the amount of $763,991.80.
MOVED: Trustee Petri SECONDED: Trustee Czarnik
AYES: Trustees Feichter, Franke, Lissner, Petri, Prochno, Czarnik
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED