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HomeMy WebLinkAboutVILLAGE BOARD - 02/09/2010 - HEART OF A MARINE FOUNDATION 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 FEBRUARY 9, 2010 Mayor Craig B. Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. 1. ROLL CALL: Present: Mayor: Craig B. Johnson; Trustees: Nancy J. Czamik„ 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 Judith M. Keegan A quorum was present. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Village Board Meeting held on January 26, 2010 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 started by complimenting Vito Sammarco, Director of Public Works and the Public Works Department for the great job they are doing with the snow removal and salting of Village streets. Roy and Georgette Frank from Heart of A Marine Foundation presented Mayor Johnson with a plaque in appreciation to the Village of'Elk Grove, the Mayor and Board of Trustees for the outstanding support of the Foundation and its goals. Mrs. Frank stated that without that support the Foundation would not have been able to accomplish many of the goals which had been set long ago. Mrs. Frank thanked the Mayor and Board and stated that every goal has come to fruition with the Village's support. Mayor Johnson accepted the plaque and stated that the Heart of A Marine Foundation and the scholarship program are going to be the two charities that are going to be supported by the 2010 Alexian Brothers Tour of Elk Grove. Mayor Johnson stated that this year they are going to try and raise more money. Each year there is a Charity Time Trial. The entrants pay a fee to enter and that money is split between the Foundation and the scholarship program. This year Mayor Johnson is going to ride the track and set a time. The Mayor will donate an additional $10.00 to the charity for each person that beats his time. Mayor Johnson thanked the Franks on behalf of the Village for all they have done. Trustee Franke announced that the CERT training class will be starting on April 8, 2010. It will be on Thursdays for six weeks. The training will be offered three times this year. A registration form will be available on the website or contact the Fire Department to register. The Citizen's Police Academy will be starting at the end of March. Registration information can be found on the website or by calling the Police Department. Both classes are filling up quickly. I 1 vBM 2-9-2010 Trustee Feichter announced the Heart of A Marine Foundation is having a dinner dance this Saturday, February 13, 2010. There are 3243 people attending but there is still room if anyone would like to attend. It is a wonderful event. There are people there from all branches of the service in full dress uniform. Anyone interested in attending can get information from the website www.heartofamarine.oror you can call 847/621-7324. It is being held at Stonegate and it is called the Hearts of Valor Ball. Trustee Prochno presented a picture from the Sunday paper which featured the Conant and Elk Grove High School Cheerleading Squads. Conant celebrated with a first place trophy after taking first place in the large school division on Saturday at the IHSA State Cheerleading Finals and Elk Grove High School celebrated a first place win for co-ed teams also at the IHSA Cheerleading Finals in Bloomington. This is the fifth year in a row that Elk Grove has come in first place and the competition for co-ed teams has only existed for five years. Trustee Prochno congratulated both cheerleading squads. Mayor Johnson added that this coming weekend the Elk Grove Bowling Team who won the Sectionals is going for the State Championship. 5. APPROVAL OF WARRANT Motion to authorize payment of invoices as shown on the January 31, 2010 Accounts Payable Warrant in the amount of$524,235.04. MOVED: Trustee Petri SECONDED: Trustee Czarnik AYES: Trustees Feichter, Franke, Lissner, Petri, Prochno, Czarnik NAYS: None MOTION CARRIED Motion to authorize payment of invoices as shown on the February 9, 2010 Accounts Payable Warrant in the amount of$1,546,410.08. MOVED: Trustee Petri SECONDED: Trustee Czarnik AYES: Trustees Feichter, Franke, Lissner, Petri, Prochno, Czarnik NAYS: None MOTION CARRIED 6. CONSENT AGENDA It was moved and seconded that the Consent Agenda of the February 9, 2010 Regular Village Board Meeting be approved as presented. (Mayor Johnson asked for comments or questions from the Village Board, staff or members of the audience. There were none) Motion to approve Consent Agenda items "A, B and C" A. Roscor Corporation. Mount Prospect. IL—Award a purchase contract for the purchase of three (3) HD EFP camera packages in the total amount of$44,919 from the Cable Television Fund. B. Geographic Information System (GIS)— Adopt Resolution No. 9-10 entitled "A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND VILLAGE CLERK TO EXECUTE AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE VILLAGE OF ELK GROVE VILLAGE AND COOK COUNTY FOR ACCESS TO GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS)." C. Building Activity Code—Adopt Ordinance No. 3224 entitled "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 8, CHAPTER 4 OF THE BUILDING ACTIVITY CODE OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE VILLAGE OF ELK GROVE VILLAGE." 2 VBM 2-9-2010 MOVED: Trustee Czarnik SECONDED: Trustee Feichter AYES: Trustees Feichter, Franke, Lissner, Petri, Prochno, Czarnik NAYS: None MOTION CARRIED 7. REGULAR AGENDA A) Amend fees/Plan Review. Inspection Fees and Construction Permits—Adopt Resolution No. 10-10 entitled, "A RESOLUTION AMENDING FEES FOR PLAN REVIEW, INSPECTION, AND CONSTRUCTION PERMITS." Mayor Johnson stated that the last time the permit fees were reviewed and amended was in 1992, eighteen years ago. There was a recommendation by the Director of Engineering and Community Development to approve the fee increase. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 10-10 entitled, `A RESOLUTION AMENDING FEES FOR PLAN REVIEW, INSPECTION AND CONSTRUCTION PERMITS." Mayor Johnson asked if there were any questions or comments from the Board. Trustee Lissner commended the Mayor and Village staff for all the steps they have been taking to reduce Village expenses. Trustee Lissner stated that he plans on voting "no" for this item and the next item as well. Trustee Lissner feels during these times of high unemployment, foreclosures, business park vacancies and wage cuts that it is not the time to raise fees. He feels that raising the fees at this time can be detrimental to the business park even though the fees are much lower than surrounding communities. Anything that we can do at this time to entice companies to the business park is to our advantage. Trustee Lissner also expressed that it is a shame the fees have not changed in such a long time and that maybe we should adopt a resolution to look at the fees on a more frequent basis. Trustee Petri expressed that we are raising fees for the first time in eighteen years. The fee increases are not out of line and are lower than surrounding communities. They are not excessive and would not stop someone from making improvements that require a building permit. Trustee Petri feels they are well within the boundaries and he supports the increase. Trustee Lissner agreed that the fees are low but again stated that now is not the time to raise the fees and maybe they can be looked at again in a year or so when we get out of these tough times. Trustee Franke stated that he looked at the fees and does not want to add an extra burden on anyone that is having a hard time. We are facing hard times ahead and if other forms of revenue options have to be looked at in the future it would be difficult to raise these fees and additional fees or taxes which the Board does not want to do. The fees should have been raised years ago just to keep up with the cost of road salt alone which has skyrocketed. Trustee Franke hates to see the fees raised but we need to be proactive and try to keep things running in the Village. Mayor Johnson asked Alan Boffice, Director of Engineering & Community Development to give a history and offer comparables of the fees, stating that Trustee Lissner offers a valid point in the fact that we do not want to be chasing any businesses away during this type of economy. Mr. Boffice stated that even with the proposed changes, Elk Grove Village will still be the best deal in the Chicagoland area. Mr. Boffice went on to say that we have to look at more than just permit fees. While we are raising permit fees, we have to compare the whole package. Surrounding communities charge their businesses forty to sixty dollars per inspection for inspections by the Health Department, Building Department and Fire Department, this is something that is included in Elk Grove Village. There are other communities that have very large impact fees for connecting to sanitary sewers, storm sewers and the water distribution system. DuPage County has a transportation impact fee 3 VBM 2-9-2010 I that affects every business that builds a building there. Other communities have recapture fees which Elk Grove Village does not have. Other communities also charge separately for the Fire Department and Health Department plan reviews. Those reviews are all included in the one stop shop building permit fee. Other communities have tap on fees. Communities in DuPage County are charging twelve thousand dollars to connect to a sanitary sewer. The Village does not charge anywhere near those types of fees and even though we are increasing our fees after eighteen years, we are still, and will continue to be the best deal in the Chicagoland area. Mr. Boffice does not feel that adjusting these fees would deter construction or stop people from being attracted to our business park. Elk Grove Village has so much to offer and our fees are still low in comparison to others in the Chicagoland area. Mr. Boffice also stated that the Engineering Department is still maintaining their ten working day turn around period for the first set of plan review comments. Mr. Boffice is not aware of any other community in the Chicagoland area that can state that. Mayor Johnson stated that the paper reported that with layoffs in some of the other communities it is taking up to one or two months for plan reviews. Trustee Lissner stated that he appreciated Mr. Boffice's comments and he knows they are very accurate but he is not concerned with competing against other communities, he is more concerned with someone making the decision to not do anything because of fee changes. Trustee Lissner reiterated that we can still do these things at the current rate and wait until the economy is better and take another look at things. Mayor Johnson said that these fees are user fees and user fees should be reflective on the cost for the user. To a business `'time is money" and when other communities are taking months for plan reviews, that is going to cost a business money. Even with the fee increases Elk Grove Village still has some of the lowest fees and the Mayor does not feel that would deter businesses. Mayor Johnson would like to continue to see that we have enough user fees coming in so that we can continue to have enough staff to maintain that ten day turn-around time. Trustee Lissner has always had the view that during difficult times you don't increase costs on residents or businesses. That is why the Board held back on a property tax increase. The Mayor would rather increase the user fee than tell a business it could take months for a plan review. He feels that would cost a business more money. We need to continue providing the best services for the best price. MOVED: Trustee Feichter SECONDED: Trustee Petri AYES: Trustees Franke, Petri, Prochno, Czarnik, Feichter NAYS: Trustee Lissner MOTION CARRIED B) Amend Village Code—Adopt Ordinance No. 3225 entitled, "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 6-2-2 AND SECTION 6-2-6 OF CHAPTER 2 OF TITLE 6 OF THE VILLAGE CODE OF ELK GROVE VILLAGE PERTAINING TO VEHICLE LICENSE FEES AND SECTION 6-54C. DOG AND CAT LICENSE TAG FEE." Mayor Johnson stated that currently vehicles are charged $20.00 and the increase would be to $25.00, trucks will be variable depending on the weight and the senior citizen fee is currently fifty cents and that would increase to $3.00. The last time the vehicle sticker fee was increased was in 1992. It was increased from $15.00 to $20.00. The senior citizen fee was last amended in 1972, thirty-nine years ago, when the fee was set at fifty cents. The cost to produce the sticker today is approximately $3.00. By making these changes we will still maintain one of the lowest sticker fees in the entire area. I 4 VBM 2-9-2010 Motion to adopt Ordinance No. 3225 entitled, "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 6-2-2 AND SECTION 6-2-6 OF CHAPTER 2 OF TITLE 6 OF THE VILLAGE CODE OF ELK GROVE VILLAGE PERTAINING TO VEHICLE LICENSE FEES AND SECTION 6-5-4c. DOG AND CAT LICENSE TAG FEE." 0 Trustee Lissner stated that his feelings are the same for this item. It has been a long time since the fees have been changed but there are so many people that are losing jobs and taking pay cuts. Other taxes and fees are going up. The state license fee went up from $78.00 to $99.00 and they are asking for 55% instead of 50% of property tax bills for the first installment. Trustee Lissner again feels that during tough times we have to be just like an average person and keep our expenses under control and don't raise fees or taxes until better times when people can afford them. Trustee Feichter has looked at surrounding communities and stated that we have one of the lowest fee rates compared to the other communities. Some communities are raising taxes and fees. We are making a very small increase just to keep up with the cost of things. Trustee Feichter thinks the increase is reasonable and not an overly difficult burden on people in a time that is difficult. Everyone has been affected but we are trying to maintain the type of services that Elk Grove is well known for and minor fee adjustments make sense. It is not something that the Board wants to do but it is something that has to be done. Trustee Lissner responded to Trustee Feichter stating that we do not have the lowest sticker fee, some towns don't even have stickers. Trustee Feichter stated that he did not say we have the lowest sticker fee. Trustee Lissner said the increase is only $5.00 but for someone who is unemployed $5.00 is a lot of money. Mayor Johnson stated that we are not the lowest and that in fact Schaumburg no longer has vehicle stickers but they passed a twenty seven million dollar tax increase. The press will probably state that the Elk Grove Village Board increased the price of senior stickers by 600%, but it was actually changed from fifty cents to three dollars. It is not the intent of the Board that anyone should have to subsidize the cost of a sticker for anyone and the actual cost of the sticker is three dollars. It is not unfair to ask a senior to pay three dollars for the actual cost of the sticker. As far as the other stickers, the cost of road salt has increased dramatically and it is the opinion of the Mayor that public safety is the most paramount thing that we do. The Village has always committed to using road salt, not beet juice on our streets. This is another user fee, if you don't have a car just like if you are not building, you will not be impacted. A property tax hits everyone. Fees have not been raised in years and this is a fair increase. It is never easy to raise fees, but Mayor Johnson would like to see the Village still provide the best quality services. Trustee Prochno also agreed that the fee increases are reasonable and that compared to other communities we are still one of the lowest. For the past thirteen years that Trustee Prochno has been on the Board she has been a defender of seniors and their rights. The Village helps subsidize Dial-A-Ride and many other areas for seniors and Trustee Prochno feels that the seniors who have cars understand the expenses that are involved and enjoy the services that we have to offer and appreciate being able to use the Village roads safely. Put into perspective, the fee increase of$2.50 which covers the cost of manufacturing the sticker alone, is equal to about one gallon of gas in a year. MOVED: Trustee Feichter SECONDED: Trustee Czarnik AYES: Trustees Petri, Prochno, Czarnik, Feichter, Franke NAYS: Trustee Lissner MOTION CARRIED Mayor Johnson stated that he would have voted yes on both issues had he been required to vote. i i I 5 VBM 2-9-2010 I • I - I I BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS 8. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS COMMITTEE - CHAIRMAN PETRI No Report 9. JUDICIARY, PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE - CHAIRMAN LISSNER No Report 10. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE - CHAIRMAN FRANKS The Personnel Committee held an Executive Session today, February 9, 2010 to conduct an exit interview. 11. RECYCLING & WASTE COMMITTEE—CHAIRMAN FEICHTER The Village is still collecting used Christmas lights through February 15, 2010. There has been a tremendous response. If anyone would still like to recycle their used lights, bring them in to the Health Department. A Recycling Newsletter will be going out in the next couple of weeks to all the homes in Elk Grove Village with information about recycling and environmental things. This is not being produced at the cost of the Village, it is being paid for through a fund which was set up from a prize which the Village won for recycling the most cans. 12. INFORMATION COMMITTEE -TRUSTEE PROCHNO A presentation was given during the Committee of the Whole this evening about the Village's new website. New applications have been looked at over the past several months which would consolidate all the different websites that we have now. It will be more hands on and easily accessible. Matt Roan, Deputy Village Manager, gave a wonderful presentation and the Board was very impressed and will be moving forward with it. It will still take another month or two before it is on-line. When it is available, everyone will be able to access information from the Village more easily. 13. INDUSTRIAL/COMMERCIAL REVITALIZATION COMMISSION TRUSTEES LISSNER/PETRI No Report. Trustee Petri asked Alan Boffice, Director of Engineering and Community Development, for the status of the Master Plan. Mr. Boffice stated that he should have a final schedule this Friday, February 12, 2010, that will lay out exactly when the report should be completed and when the review process can begin. A meeting will be scheduled in the near future to go over next year's Budget and to also get approval from the ICRC. I 14. YOUTH COMMITTEE -TRUSTEE FRANKE The dates for the scholarship applications have been changed. The date is being moved back to the end of May so that more people can get involved. Trustee Franke will have information about the dates and where to pick up applications at the next Village Board meeting. 15. PARADE COMMITTEE - TRUSTEE CZARNIK I Trustee Czamik welcomed Rosanne DeFrenza, a new member of the Parade Committee. The parade will be Saturday, June 19, 2010 at 6:00 p.m., Star-Spangled Salute to America is the theme. The Grand Marshals are our Village Service people currently serving in the five branches of the United States Armed Forces. Please call 847-357- 4038 if you or your family is eligible to participate. The next parade meeting will be j Monday, March 1, 2010 at 5:30 p.m. in the lower level conference room. 6 VBM 2-9-2010 I 16. PLAN COMMISSION - VILLAGE MANAGER No Report 17. ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS - VILLAGE MANAGER No Report 18. REPORTS OF OTHER BOARDS, COMMISSIONS & COMMITTEES a. CABLE TV COMMITTEE - TRUSTEES PETRI/LISSNER No Report b. HEALTH & COMMUNITY SERVICES BOARD -TRUSTEE CZARNIK There will be a Blood Drive on April 24, 2010 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Please put that on your calendar and consider donating blood. The Immunization Clinic is now back at Village Hall in the lower level conference rooms on the second Wednesday of each month. If you would like to acknowledge a good deed; nominate someone for the Community Spirit Award. Forms can be picked up at Village Hall, the Library, the Pavilion and Jarosch Bakery. The next meeting of the Health & Community Services Board will be on Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the lower level of the Charles J. Zettek Municipal Building. C. LIQUOR COMMISSION - MAYOR JOHNSON There will be a future hearing for three establishments which failed a recent sting. We do not have the ability to announce who the three establishments are at this time. There is still some work that is being done and the establishments will be announced as soon as possible. d. SPECIAL EVENTS COMMITTEE—MAYOR JOHNSON The summer concert series will be coming up in the month of July. More information will be announced for that in the near future. e. TOUR OF ELK GROVE UPDATE—MAYOR JOHNSON The Tour of Elk Grove will be taking place on July 30th, 31St and August 1, 2010. 19. REPORT FROM THE VILLAGE CLERK No Report 20. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Village Board - None Village Attorney - None 21. REPORT FROM THE VILLAGE MANAGER No Report. Village Manager Rummel wished the Mayor"Happy Birthday". Trustee Prochno pointed out that Trustee Lissner and Trustee Feichter both had birthdays this week. 7 VBM 2-9-2010 i 22. NEW BUSINESS None AUDIENCE— 7:43 p.m. No Response Mayor Johnson acknowledged residents Robert and Helen Leski in the audience and thanked them for their frequent attendance at the Village Board meetings. Mayor Johnson thanked Roseanne DeFrenza for coming to the meeting and welcomed her to the Parade Committee. 23. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:44 p.m. MOVED: Trustee Czamik SECONDED: Trustee Franke AYES: Trustees Petri, Prochno, Czarnik, Feichter, Franke, Lissner NAYS: None MOTION CARRIED Judith M. Keegan Village Clerk Mayor Craig B. Johnson Village of Elk Grove Village The next Village Board meeting will be Tuesday, February 23, 2010. i I i I 8 VBM 2-9-2010 I