Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutVILLAGE BOARD - 10/12/2010 - PROPERTY TAXES 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 OCTOBER 12, 2010 Mayor Craig B. Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. I. ROLL CALL: Present: Mayor: Craig B. Johnson: Trustees: Nancy J. Czarnik, Jeffrey C. Franke, Samuel L. Lissner, James P. Petri, Chris Prochno Absent: Trustee Patton L. Feichter 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/INVOCATION Pastor Stephen Somogye, Shinnyo-En USA Temple delivered the invocation. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Village Board Meeting held on September 28, 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 reported on October 4, 2010, the Village along with the Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce hosted an informational meeting for Elk Grove Village business property owners. Cook County conducted its tri-annual reassessment of property values in the Business Park. The increases in the reassessments are beyond belief. On the day of the meeting we found out from the County officials that the increases did not even include the 15% increase in the multiplier. The increases are outrageous. In this type of economy, with property values so deflated, there are no words to describe what it is like for the County to come in and make these increases on the businesses. Mayor Johnson stated the Village is probably one of the few government entities out there that is telling the Village businesses to please appeal. The Village wants the businesses to pay their taxes, but only their fair share. Tomorrow night, Wednesday, October 13, 2010, Elk Grove Township is going to have a summit for businesses that would like to go for help and guidance. The summit will be held at the Elk Grove Township Hall, 2400 S. Arlington Heights Road, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Mayor Johnson encouraged business property owners to attend. The Mayor stated October 21, 2010 is the last day for business owners to file an appeal of their assessment. Mayor Johnson asked Pastor Somogye, Shinnyo-En USA Temple to join him at the podium. The Shinnyo-En Temple has been in Elk Grove Village for nine years. Mayor Johnson read and presented Pastor Somogye with a Proclamation honoring the 401h Anniversary of Shinnyo-En in the United States. Pastor Somogye thanked Mayor Johnson and the Board of Trustees. The Pastor stated they expect close to five thousand people to attend the Anniversary event in San Francisco at the main Temple. Pastor 1 VBM 10-12-2010 Somogye stated he would personally deliver the Proclamation to Shinso Ito at the Anniversary celebration. Mayor Johnson asked Firefighter Percudani and Fire Chief Miller to join him. Chief Miller introduced Mark Percudani, Sr. and some of his family members in the audience. The Chief gave a history of Mark's employment and committee involvement with the Village. Mark was promoted to Fire Lieutenant in August, 2010. Mayor Johnson administered the Oath of Office to Fire Lieutenant Mark Percudani, Sr. Lieutenant Percudani thanked Mayor Johnson, the Board of Trustees, Chief Miller; fellow firefighters and his family. Trustee Prochno stated that she and Trustee Feichter are members of the Community Character Coalition. Saturday, October 23, 2010 is Make a Difference Day in the United States. The project the Community Character Coalition chose for Make a Difference Day this year is called "Pack the Pantry." Trustee Prochno asked that everyone assist in helping those in need right here in Elk Grove Village. Volunteers will be stationed outside of Walgreens and Walmart asking that while people are shopping, they consider buying an extra item that will be on a list provided, and deposit it with the volunteers outside the store for the Pantry. The Community Character Coalition is counting on everyone to help out the Pantry. On Tuesday, October 5, 2010, ten members of the Elk Grove Village Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) participated in a full scale exercise at Judson College in Elgin. They were joined by fourteen Palatine CERT members and utilized them as victims. The scenario was a domestic dispute which resulted in an explosion injuring students and staff. The scenario was complicated by bad weather, and no responding help from Elgin Police or Fire Departments. Campus Safety and Campus CERT were responsible for searching for victims, removing them and treating their injuries. The Elk Grove Village and Palatine CERT members were invaluable to the success of the exercise. Trustee Franke, Trustee Czarnik and Trustee Prochno are all graduates of the Elk Grove Village CERT program. Trustee Prochno participated as one of the victims in this disaster drill. Trustee Prochno stated it was a very realistic disaster drill that gave the CERT members experience in how to handle a real disaster. Trustee Franke announced the last CERT class for the year will be held Friday, October 15; Saturday, October 16 and Saturday, October 23, 2010. There are a few spots open for the class. Anyone interested in attending should contact the Fire Department at 847-734- 8025. The Fire Department will start a wait list if necessary. Trustee Franke stated CERT is important for the Community and for each individual and their family. Trustee Czarnik announced Mary Paliganoff a member of the Health & Community Services Board passed away. Mary was on the Board over thirty years. She was an integral part of starting Community Service and a member of the Board throughout many transitions. Trustee Czarnik expressed the Boards' deepest sympathy and condolences to her husband Dave, her children, grandchildren and her mother. Mrs. Paliganoff will be deeply missed. Mayor Johnson stated that her husband, Dave, currently serves on the Plan Commission and that Mary will be deeply missed. 5. APPROVAL OF WARRANT Motion to authorize payment of invoices as shown on the September 30, 2010 Accounts Payable Warrant in the amount of 5600,704.89. MOVED: Trustee Petri SECONDED: Trustee Czarnik AYES: Trustees Franke, Lissner, Petri, Prochno, Czarnik NAYS: None ABSENT: Trustee Feichter MOTION CARRIED 2 VBM 10-12-2010 Motion to authorize payment of invoices as shown on the October 12, 2010 Accounts Payable Warrant in the amount of$1,006,839.39. MOVED: Trustee Petri SECONDED: Trustee Czarnik AYES: Trustees Franke; Lissner, Petri, Prochno, Czamik NAYS: None ABSENT: Trustee Feichter MOTION CARRIED 6. CONSENT AGENDA A. Authorization to hold the Regular Village Board Meetings at 7:00 p.m. in 2011 on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month with the exception as follows: • March - add March 15, 2011 Budget Meeting for budget purposes at 6:00 p.m. • June - hold one Regular Village Board Meeting to convene on June 21, 2011 • July - hold one Regular Village Board Meeting to convene on July 19, 2011 • August - hold one Regular Village Board Meeting to convene on August 16, 2011 • November - hold one Regular Village Board Meeting to convene on November 8, 2011 • December - hold one Regular Village Board Meeting to convene on December 6, 2011 B. Authorization to accept the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the Fiscal Year ended April 30, 2010. C. Civiltech Engineering. Inc.. Itasca. IL—Authorization of the following: • to award a professional service contract for the Beisner Road Improvement Project in an amount not to exceed $35,954. • to increase the Capital Projects Fund in the amount of$35,954. D. Authorization to adopt Resolution No. 54-10 entitled "A RESOLUTION DETERMINING THE APPROPRIATENESS FOR CLASS 6B STATUS PURSUANT TO THE COOK COUNTY REAL PROPERTY CLASSIFICATION ORDINANCE AS AMENDED FEBRUARY 15, 2006 FOR CERTAIN REAL ESTATE LOCATED AT 201 LIVELY BOULEVARD, ELK GROVE VILLAGE. ILLINOIS' E. Authorization to adopt Resolution No. 55-10 entitled "A RESOLUTION DETERMINING THE APPROPRIATENESS FOR CLASS 6B STATUS PURSUANT TO THE COOK COUNTY REAL PROPERTY CLASSIFICATION ORDINANCE AS AMENDED FEBRUARY 15, 2006 FOR CERTAIN REAL ESTATE LOCATED AT 521 BONNIE LANE, ELK GROVE VILLAGE. ILLINOIS" F. Authorization to adopt Resolution No. 56-10 entitled "A RESOLUTION DETERMINING THE APPROPRIATENESS FOR CLASS 6B STATUS PURSUANT TO THE COOK COUNTY REAL PROPERTY CLASSIFICATION ORDINANCE AS AMENDED FEBRUARY 15, 2006 FOR CERTAIN REAL ESTATE LOCATED AT 1100 CHASE AVENUE, ELK GROVE VILLAGE. ILLINOIS' 3 VBM 10-12-2010 G. Authorization to adopt Ordinance No. 3246 entitled "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 2994 AUTHORIZING THE ELK GROVE VILLAGE FIRE AND POLICE COMMISSION TO INCREASE THE APPLICATION PROCESSING FEE FOR CANDIDATES TO THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS" H. Authorization to adopt Ordinance No. 3247 entitled "AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A VARIATION OF SECTION 3-7:D()) OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE TO PERMIT THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FORTY TWO INCH HIGH SPLIT RAIL FENCE WITHIN THE FRONT YARD ALONG BOTH THE NORTHWEST CORNER AND SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 597 GATESHEAD NORTH ELK GROVE VILLAGE" Motion to approve Consent Agenda items "A, B, C, D, E,F, G and H." Mayor Johnson asked for comments or questions from the Village Board or staff. There were none. Mayor Johnson asked if anyone in the audience would like to address the Board on Consent Agenda items A through H. There was no response. MOVED: Trustee Petri SECONDED: Trustee Czarnik AYES: Trustees Franke, Lissner, Petri, Prochno, Czarnik NAYS: None ABSENT: Trustee Feichter MOTION CARRIED 7. REGULAR AGENDA A) Authorization to amend a previously approved sign variation for the Elk Grove Village Public Library at 1001 Wellington Avenue. Item Proposed Permitted by Ordinance Variation Requested Monument structure Twelve foot (12') One monument sign Additional two feet portion of the sign. wide monument not to exceed ten feet (2) in width. sign. (10') in width. Mayor Johnson stated there was a recommendation from the Engineering & Community Development Department to approve the sign variation. Mr. Kaplan of the Library Board was in the audience to represent the Library. Mayor Johnson asked if any of the Trustees had any questions. There were none. MOVED: Trustee Lissner SECONDED: Trustee Petri AYES: Trustees Franke, Lissner, Petri, Prochno, Czarmk NAYS: None ABSENT: Trustee Feichter MOTION CARRIED BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS 8. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS COMMITTEE - CHAIRMAN PETRI Trustee Petri stated he would like item c. Add Streets to 2010 MFT Street Resurfacing Program, to remain on the Agenda until all work is complete. There is good progress being made on Nicholas and Northwest Point. 4 VBM 10-12-2010 Item C. on the Consent Agenda was the awarding of a professional service contract to Civiltech for the Beisner Road Improvement Project by the hospital to lengthen the left turn lane and put in a couple of medians to alleviate the traffic congestion at rush hour. Mayor Johnson stated he received a call from someone at the hospital today and asked what the timeframe was for completion of that project. Mary Jo Pye, acting Director of Engineering & Community Development, stated the project should be completed by next fall. The Mayor stated there was some concern about the cleanup and condition of the roadway. Ms. Pye stated the construction was completed on the water main and it has been patched temporarily until next year when the project begins. It was confirmed that a temporary patch will be fine with the snow plows. Trustee Petri stated that Ms. Pye provided him with a preliminary drawing of the project if anyone on the Board was interested in seeing it. 9. JUDICIARY, PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE - CHAIRMAN LISSNER No Report. 10. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE - CHAIRMAN FRANKS No Report. 11. RECYCLING & WASTE COMMITTEE— CHAIRMAN FEICHTER Trustee Franke reported in Trustee Feichter's absence. Last weekend a document destruction event was hosted at Village Hall. Two hundred seventy three cars came through in two hours. The amount of tons shredded is not available yet. Trustee Franke helped unload some of the cars and stated there was a lot there. People were able to pull their cars over and watch the documents being shredded via camera. 12. INFORMATION COMMITTEE - TRUSTEE PROCHNO Trustee Prochno stated she has received calls from residents and has also been stopped in the grocery store by people asking about the two new restaurants that are coming to the Town Center. People are wondering when they will be opening. Trustee Prochno stated she was under the impression that it was this coming weekend. Trustee Prochno said she was wrong and stated that Deputy Village Manager Matt Roan went to visit both locations today and was informed that Good Tequila will be opening in roughly two weeks and Crazy Buffet will be at least another month. Trustee Prochno was also questioned about the Dine-In Elk Grove cards. The cards have expired. Mayor Johnson stated that all of the participating businesses have been contacted about renewing. There have been positive responses and we were waiting to see if the two new restaurants wanted to be a part of the program. Mr. Roan is waiting for their responses. Dine-In Elk Grove will be coming back and cards will be sent out to all the residents. Josh Grodzin; Director of Business Development and Marketing will be handing out cards in the Business Park. The current restaurants stated they will accept the expired cards until the new ones are issued. Mayor Johnson stated he has had several people comment to him recently that everyone on the Board seems to get along so well and that there isn't any controversy at the Board Meetings. The Mayor commented that isn't it nice that everyone gets along, that there aren't any council wars and the Board can all work together. The Board may vote differently sometimes and there may not always be a unanimous vote. It shows how government can work together, unite after a decision is made, and move forward together. Mayor Johnson stated that people have responded by stating that makes a lot of sense. It is nice to see Government that can work together. Government should work together to accomplish what is good for the community. 5 VBM 10-12-2010 Trustee Prochno stated that a lot of the decisions are easily made but there are many difficult decisions also. Trustee Prochno referenced the recent decision made about the Village Waste Hauler contract, stating it was not an easy decision to make. There were many discussions and debates over a period of months before a decision was made. Negotiations cannot be made public, but there was a lot of discussion. Mayor Johnson confirmed that the Board does do a lot of work in the background that people do not see. 13. INDUSTRIAL/COMMERCIAL REVITALIZATION COMMISSION TRUSTEES LISSNER/PETRI Trustee Petri pointed out that there were three Class 6B items on the Consent Agenda. All three will be assets to the Village. It shows that the Business Park is still vital. There are vacancies but there are also new businesses going in there. The one building at the corner of Lively and Chase is an extremely large building. It will be good to get it back into operation. Item 23 on the Accounts Payable Warrant, $5800 to Civiltech, was a payment for item c. Busse Road, Greenleaf Avenue & Pratt Boulevard Intersection Projects. Trustee Petri referred to Mayor Johnson's comment about contacting staff and stated that he had contacted Mary Jo Pye today for a copy of the Beisner Road drawing which was referenced earlier in the meeting. It is only a preliminary drawing but it gives an idea of what is going to be done. Trustee Lissner commented on the Class 613's on the Consent Agenda, stating if they are approved by the County, they should add fifty to fifty-six full time jobs. Those people would hopefully support our local restaurants which support our property taxes and sales taxes. Also, they are investing over$650,000 which would hopefully mean additional jobs. Trustee Petri pointed out the $650,000 is just for improvements, not the cost of the buildings. Mayor Johnson stated that Josh Grodzin, Director of Business Development and Marketing, has scheduled a tour of the Business Park with Real Estate Developers and business owners on October 26, 2010. Thirty-six people will be participating in the tour. Mayor Johnson said things are looking up and thanked Josh for the hard work he is putting in on behalf of the community. 14. YOUTH COMMITTEE - TRUSTEE FRANKE Trustee Franke stated he will be contacting the other Youth Committee members to schedule a meeting sometime between Halloween and Thanksgiving. 15. PARADE COMMITTEE - TRUSTEE CZARNIK The Parade will be on Saturday, June 18, 2011. The theme will be "Broadway on Parade." Trustee Czarnik stated the Committee has already accomplished so much that they are possibly not going to have any meetings in November and December. The next Parade Committee meeting will be in January, 2011. If something comes up, then they will hold a meeting prior to January. The date of the meeting in January will be announced at a future Village Board meeting. Parade applications will be sent out after the New Year. The Parade Committee is going to accept applications for "Broadway on Paradefloat themes on a first come first serve basis to avoid repetition or duplication of a lot of the same theme. 16. PLAN COMMISSION - VILLAGE MANAGER No Report. 6 VBM 10-12-2010 17. ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS - VILLAGE MANAGER ZBA Docket 910-5 - The homeowner at 230 Greenbriar Street is seeking to replace an existing fence. After appearing in front of the Zoning Board of Appeals three times, the Zoning Board has voted unanimously to grant the zoning variation for the fence replacement. The Petitioner is not present. Mayor Johnson stated that he had sent a notice to the Village Board that due to a family hardship, the Petitioner would not be able to make it to the Board meeting. Based on the numerous meetings with the Zoning Board and the unanimous approval, the Village Board was in concurrence to grant her the ability to not attend the Village Board Meeting. Motion to concur with the recommendation of the Zoning Board of Appeals and direct the Village Attorney to prepare the necessary documents. MOVED: Trustee Czarnik SECONDED: Trustee Petri AYES: Voice Vote MOTION CARRIED Mayor Johnson stated the Village Board does expect people to attend the Board meeting after the Zoning Board has made a decision. In this case there was a hardship with the family and the Board was completely well versed on the issue. Under normal circumstances the Board does expect the Petitioner to attend the Village Board meeting. 18. REPORTS OF OTHER BOARDS, COMMISSIONS & COMMITTEES a. CABLE TV COMMITTEE - TRUSTEES PETRI/LISSNER Trustee Lissner reported that Comcast has a new digital channel available, Channel 890. It became available late in the day on October 5, 2010. The channel is called "My Government." It shows short five to six minute videos on various items. It offers election information, census information and various items which might be of interest to voters. Trustee Lissner does not know if AT&T offers anything similar. AT&T has not sent the Village any information if they do so. Trustee Lissner acknowledged that resident Don Gould passed away recently. Mr. Gould was quite a friend to Channel 6. Mr. Gould did sports broadcasting for Channel 6 and was also a referee. Trustee Lissner stated how sad it was to lose two wonderful volunteers in such a short time. b. HEALTH & COMMUNITY SERVICES BOARD -TRUSTEE CZARNIK The Farmer's Market is over for this year. Trustee Czarnik thanked all of the participants and stated she was looking forward to next year. Trustee Czarnik met with Debby O'Neil of the Park District to start planning vendors for next year. Trustee Czarnik encouraged people to contact her with any suggestions. There are some Community Spirit Award winners who will be featured on Channel 6's "In the Grove"program starting in November. Trustee Czarnik stated she is looking forward to seeing them and hopes that everyone else will watch too. Trustee Czarnik will let everyone know who they are as soon as she gets a schedule. Acknowledge a good deed or kindness by nominating someone for the Community Spirit Award. Forms are available at the Village Hall, the Library, the Pavilion and Jarosch Bakery. Flu Clinics will be held Wednesday, October 20, 2010 at the Library from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Monday, October 25, 2010 at the Sheila Ray Center from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 7 VBM 10-12-2010 The Blood Drive is Saturday, November 6, 2010, 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the lower level of the Zettek Municipal Building. Walk-ins are welcome. Blood is always needed. One pint serves three different people. The next meeting of the Health & Community Services Board will be Wednesday, October 20, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the lower level of the Zettek Municipal Building. C. LIQUOR COMMISSION - MAYOR JOHNSON No Report d. SPECIAL EVENTS COMMITTEE—MAYOR JOHNSON The Tree Lighting Ceremony will be taking place on the Friday after Thanksgiving at 5:30 p.m. This year the special tree lighting guests will be students here from Sicily. e. TOUR OF ELK GROVE UPDATE—MAYOR JOHNSON The 6`h Annual Tour of Elk Grove will take place on August 5, 6 and 7, 2011. 19. REPORT FROM THE VILLAGE CLERK Early voting began today and will continue through October 28, 2010, Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 20. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Village Board - None Village Attorney—Direct the Village Attorney to prepare the necessary documents to allow the construction of a variation of a forty-two inch (42") high split rail fence along both the northwest corner and the southwest corner of the property located at 597 Gateshead North. The documents were prepared and approved under Consent Agenda Item H. 21. REPORT FROM THE VILLAGE MANAGER No Report 22. NEW BUSINESS None Trustee Petri announced that he and Village Manager Rummel will be going to the Solid Waste Agency and Northwest Municipal Conference meetings tomorrow evening. Trustee Lissner pointed out that Coffee with the Mayor and Board will be taking place on November 6`h, the same day as the Blood Drive, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. AUDIENCE—7:47 p.m. Mr. James Sanders. 898 Wellington Avenue—Mr. Sanders stated he was at the meeting representing the Homeowners Association of Village on the Lake. He is the President of the Association. Mr. Sanders stated he had sent correspondence to the Mayor and Board earlier this month with regards to waste hauling. Mr. Sanders said he had seen this evening's Committee of the Whole meeting about waste hauling and complimented the Board on doing their due diligence. Mr. Sanders asked if his communication was received and if he could expect a response back from the Mayor and Board. 8 VBM 10-12-2010 Mayor Johnson stated the communication was received. The Mayor explained that their situation was a little difficult and that staff has been reviewing the history and gathering information. The Mayor advised Mr. Sanders that when the review is complete a response will be prepared and if Mr. Sanders would like to discuss the situation further, he could contact the Mayor's office and set up an appointment to meet and go over things. Mayor Johnson stated he wanted to make sure the response to Mr. Sanders was accurate and complete. Mayor Johnson explained that he and the Board receive numerous inquiries and they always respond. Sometimes it takes a little bit longer to respond but the Mayor and Board take pride in responding fully and accurately. Mr. Chuck Courtney. 720 Wellington Avenue— Mr. Courtney also lives at Village on the Lake and is on the Board of his building. Mr. Courtney commended Trustee Franke for arranging the document destruction event and for also advising people about the electronics recycling event which took place at Motorola. Mr. Courtney stated he was there to inquire about the Village smoking ordinance. The building Mr. Courtney lives in was recently notified by the Village, and they complied with the notification, telling them to remove all of the ash trays from the outside of their building. They inquired whether the ash trays could be moved 15 feet away from the building and Mr. Courtney stated they were told absolutely not and if they did they would be fined. Mayor Johnson asked Mr. Courtney who told him that. Mr. Courtney stated it was a Village Inspector. Mayor Johnson stated that staff would investigate the matter and contact him with a reason why they were directed to remove the ash trays and also provide information on the correct placement of the ash trays. Mr. Courtney stated he would give his contact information to the Mayor after adjournment. Mr. Tim Burns. 217 Wellincton Avenue— Mr. Burns started by saying that he likes to be involved with projects and community service. Mr. Burns stated he worked with Tom Cooke of the Elk Grove Park District to organize the first "Foundation Five" 5K run this year. Mr. Burns noted that he had the opportunity to enjoy the fireworks show recently held at Elk Grove High School. Mr. Burns stated he would enjoy it even more if he could invest in it and take part in it. Mr. Burns said he has approached several people in the community to make the fireworks display at Elk Grove High School something more. He would like to make it a scholarship opportunity, something where the community gets involved. Mr. Burns stated when he was investigating the fireworks display at Elk Grove High School he discovered that the permit for the display contained false information. The permit lists the Village of Elk Grove Village as the sponsoring agent of the fireworks display. Mr. Burns said he had a lengthy conversation with District 214 and would be approaching the District 214 Board on October 21" about the fireworks display. Mr. Burns stated his concern with the permit is that it is misleading. The Village of Elk Grove Village is not the sponsoring agent of the display. He stated that in future years the permit should accurately reflect who the individuals are that are sponsoring the fireworks display. Mr. Burns said that is his only comment. Mayor Johnson responded by stating the fireworks display put on at Elk Grove High School has been taking place for numerous years. The Mayor stated that in 2001 he approached the high school and asked who paid for the fireworks each year. The principal at that time, Ray Broderick, informed the Mayor that the money comes out of the Student Council funds. At that time Mayor Johnson asked if he could sponsor the fireworks so that the Student Council could use those funds for other things. This was the ninth year the Mayor has sponsored the fireworks. The high school always makes an announcement at the homecoming game thanking Mayor Johnson for sponsoring the fireworks. Mayor Johnson said he is very proud and happy to be able to sponsor the homecoming fireworks every year. The Mayor explained that Johnny Rockets is the company the Village uses for fireworks displays throughout the year. Mayor Johnson stated he asked Johnny Rockets to do the homecoming display on his behalf and that he would pay for them personally, not the Village. Mayor Johnson stated he did not know about the name on the permit, that it is the responsibility of the company 9 VBM 10-12-2010 doing the display to obtain the permit. The Mayor stated the Village would look into the name on the permit. Mayor Johnson stated that Mr. Burns has submitted several FOIA requests to the Village. Mayor Johnson pointed out to Mr. Burns that the FOIA requests cost the taxpayer's money. Numerous manpower hours and paper is wasted. The Mayor asked Mr. Burns as a fellow elected official to just call and request the information; it is not necessary for him to submit a FOIA. Mayor Johnson said he has left several messages for Mr. Burns and Mr. Burns has not returned his calls. The Mayor stated he could verbally answer Mr. Burns' questions. Mr. Burns stated he was speaking at the Board meeting as a citizen not as a Board member of the Elk Grove Village Public Library. Mr. Burns referenced the FOIA requests stating that was the only way that he could obtain copies of documents. Mr. Burns stated the permit clearly shows the sponsoring agent as the Village of Elk Grove and that he was going to be addressing the District 214 Board with regards to the ethics and gift ban. Mr. Burns pointed out that the State Board of Elections lists Mayor Johnson as the person paying for the fireworks and that he has concerns about District 214 accepting a gift. The Mayor stated that no Board member of District 214 received a gift, it was a donation. The Mayor makes many donations to different organizations. The money is from the Mayors campaign fund and the law states the donation has to show that it is coming from Mayor Craig Johnson not just Craig Johnson. Mayor Johnson said it was disheartening that Mr. Burns would be against someone sponsoring the fireworks display for the high school so that the students don't have to use their money. Mr. Burns stated he was not against it; but that he would like to see a true community event that is politics free. Mayor Johnson stated he did not see it as political. Mr. Burns stated his concern is that the Mayor is using campaign funds on District property. Mayor Johnson reiterated that he uses political campaign funds to make donations to numerous organizations. The Mayor stated that he tells the people that donate to his campaign fund that the money not used for campaigning would be donated back to the community in different ways. Mayor Johnson told Mr. Burns if he could raise the money to put on a fireworks display that the school is accustom to, that it would be wonderful and the Mayor would thank him. Mr. Burns said he would like to discuss that further and he would like to have a true community funded event instead of an endorsement of one political candidate. Mayor Johnson stated it was not an endorsement that it was just where the money for the event comes from. Mayor Johnson reiterated to Mr. Burns that he does not have to FOIA information from the Village that all he has to do is call and we will provide him with the information and copies of documents that he would like. Elk Grove Village is very transparent and the Mayor and Board are very proud of how they have been running the Village. There has not been a property tax increase in years and the Board is very frugal. The FOIA requests are costing the taxpayer's money. Mr. Burns stated per Illinois law that he has paid for the FOIA requests. Mayor Johnson stated the fifteen cents per page that the FOIA law allows does not cover the Village's costs. Mr. Burns stated the Mayor should take that up with the Attorney General. Mayor Johnson said the Village is trying to save money and that unlike Mr. Burns; the Village did not raise property taxes. Mr. Burns stated he would not comment on that because he was here as a citizen not as a representative of the Library Board. Mayor Johnson stated the Library Board raised their taxes over nine percent. Mr. Burns stated he was not going to discuss that issue this evening. Mayor Johnson asked Mr. Burns to please return his phone calls in the future. The Mayor stated that he spends $1,500 a year for the fireworks display and that if Mr. Burns can put together a coalition to fund the fireworks, he should contact the Mayor and he would be happy to let them do it and would thank them as an alumnus of Elk Grove High School. Mr. Burns stated he wasn't going to waste anymore time talking at the Board meeting because he has less than 365 days to make things happen. Mayor Johnson thanked Mr. Burns and wished him good luck. 10 VBM 10-12-2010 23. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:13 p.m. MOVED: Trustee Czarnik SECONDED: Trustee Lissner AYES: Trustees Lissner, Petri, Prochno, Czarnik, Franke 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 October 26, 2010 at 7 :00 p.m. 11 VBM 10-12-2010