VILLAGE OF LINDENHURST ILLINOIS
2301 E. Sand Lake Road
REGULAR MEETING OF THE VILLAGE BOARD
JANUARY 28, 2008
7:00 P.M.
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER Mayor Lahr called the Regular Board meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
ROLL CALL Roll call showed those present were: Mayor Lahr, Trustees: Dunham, Marturano, Messmer, Metzelaar, Zerba. Also in attendance were: Administrator Stevens, Attorney Phillips, Engineer Welsh, Police Chief McKeever, Treasurer Neubauer and Clerk Chybowski. Trustee Wayne was out of town on business.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF
THE MINUTES The minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 14, 2008 were presented to the Board for approval.
Trustee Zerba had an addition, page 3, adding Trustee Zerba “also inquired about the use of white brick, the durability and maintenance of canopies, and the assurance of real slate being used on roofs.”
A motion to approve the minutes, with the above addition, was made by Trustee Dunham, seconded by Trustee Zerba.
On a voice vote, the minutes were approved.
COMMUNICATIONS Presentation: 2007 Lindenhurst Queen portraits
Cindy Homer, Director of Lindenhurst’s 2007 pageant, introduced Shannon McMullin-Lewis, 2007 Miss Lindenhurst (Lakes High School); Julia Bauschke, Junior Miss Lindenhurst (Palombi Middle School); and Sydney Schmidt, Little Miss Lindenhurst (Millburn West School).
After presentation of the portraits, Homer thanked photographer Barry Dowe for supporting the pageant for 21 years and donating portraits to the Village each year. She also thanked the Village for the opportunity to provide community service for the queens. Mayor Lahr accepted each of the portraits and also thanked Mr. Dowe. Lahr stated the young ladies have represented Lindenhurst wonderfully and thanked them.
COMMITTEE BOARD
& STAFF REPORTS Mayor Lahr stated construction of a medical building for Vista was approved for the corner of Deep Lake Road & Grand Avenue. Lahr also communicated that, as expected, the Vista hospital decision was deferred until April. Lahr concluded that she and Art Neubauer recently attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Waukegan for Vista.
Trustee Zerba stated she attended the Plan Commission meeting on January 16 to hear the presentation by Oliver McMillan to ensure it was consistent with the presentation made previously to the Village Board. Zerba shared two inconsistencies that were of concern: 1) At the January 14 Village Board meeting, Oliver McMillan stated the material to be used for roofs would be “real slate.” At the Plan Commission meeting, the same architect described the roofing materials as “slate-like;” 2) Charlie Hickcox made a statement at the Plan Commission meeting in reference to an upscale grocery store, commenting ”if the third (northernmost ) anchor did not come to fruition, that location would become the location for the upscale grocery.” Zerba shared her feeling of mistrust. Mayor Lahr stated that there are strict guidelines regarding building materials outlined in the Annexation Agreement which protect the Village and that the Village needs to communicate areas of focus and the importance of consistency of information to the developer. Ultimately, Lahr added, the Plan Commission determines whether the terms of the Annexation Agreement are being met.
Mayor Lahr commented regarding the grocery store, stating various upscale chains have been considered. Lahr relayed the fact that our area does not necessarily support the specific criteria held by this type of grocer based on income per capita. Zerba expressed her opinion that the presence of either a Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s would surely generate significant shopping traffic for other retailers at Village Green.
Trustee Metzelaar shared that she attended the bike pedestrian meeting for the Park District on January 21, stating the information was good and that the project is progressing. Metzelaar also attended the SWALCO meeting on January 24 and recited a resolution that was presented commending the Village of Lindenhurst for hosting outstanding electronics collection programs in the past. Mayor Lahr asked Metzelaar to extend her thanks to SWALCO for acknowledging the efforts of the Village. Trustee Metzelaar communicated she will attend the Lakes Commission meeting, as well as the next environmental commission meeting, to see how to utilize SWALCO for further promotion of no/low phosphorous fertilizer in the Village.
Trustee Marturano commented there will be one more opportunity for public input regarding the pedestrian/bike trails and that he would like to see more public interest. While the next date is not confirmed, Jim Stout, 2204 Highpoint, Park Board Commissioner, announced the timeframe will most likely be in conjunction with Earth Day and Spring Fest.
Resolution: Support of Raven Glen Olympic Equestrian Center
RESOLUTION 08-01-1675R.
Mayor Lahr stated some options for wording of the Resolution in support have been presented for consideration by the Board. Trustee Dunham suggested Option “E,” addressing the “Millburn Strangler” by building a bypass would be the best solution for traffic flow; Trustee Zerba concurred. Trustee Marturano agreed and suggested the modification of eliminating the word “if” and replacing it with “strongly recommends that….” Trustee Messmer suggested Hwy 45 to the north and south of the “Strangler” are also important areas to address. The Board reached a consensus as to the wording of the Resolution.
MOTION Trustee Dunham made a motion recommending Option E with the stated changes, seconded by Trustee Metzelaar.
ON ROLL CALL Ayes-5 Trustees Dunham, Metzelaar, Messmer, Marturano,
Zerba,
Nays-0
Resolution: Greenest Region Compact (Metro Mayors Caucus)
RESOLUTION 08-01-1676R.
Mayor Lahr described the Metro Mayors Caucus resolution as promoting conservational water projects, recycling, and other key initiatives pertaining to the Village, adding that if we were to accept the Compact, the Village would obtain a supply of fluorescent light bulbs at no charge. Trustee Marturano asked about one of the terms of the Compact – reducing the amount of water used by 15% by the year 2015 – as to how this would be measured. Administrator Stevens stated we have had water conservation measures in place for well over 20 years and how a 15% reduction would need to be based on a growing community. Mayor Lahr pointed out that the Compact references implementing at least seven strategies in reaching that goal and that we are provided suggestions to determine which of the strategies we would focus on.
Trustee Metzelaar stated that many of the items have already been implemented.
MOTION Trustee Dunham made a motion to
accept the Greenest Region
Compact, seconded by Trustee Messmer.
ON ROLL CALL Ayes-5, Trustees Dunham, Messmer, Marturano, Zerba,
Metzelaar
Nays-0
2008 Electronic Recycling Collection Schedule
Administrator Stevens communicated key electronic recycling dates for 2008, scheduled on Saturdays from 9am – 12:30pm, as follows: April 26; June 21; October 13, adding the dates will be communicated to SWALCO and announced throughout the year. In addition, details regarding local electronics stores facilitating electronics recycling returns for store credit will be posted on the Village website.
Recommendation to Fill Vacancy on Police and Fire Commission Board
Volunteers Chief McKeever and Tom Berger interviewed candidates and have recommended Bill Douglas for the volunteer position. Mayor Lahr asked the Board to approve the recommendation of Bill Douglas for the Police & Fire Commission Board.
MOTION Trustee Zerba made a motion to accept the recommendation
Of Bill Douglas for Police & Fire Commission, seconded by Trustee Marturano.
ON ROLL CALL Ayes-5, Trustees Zerba, Marturano, Messmer, Dunham, Metzelaar
Nays-0
OLD BUSINESS None
NEW BUSINESS A. Ordinance: Authorizing Execution of an Electric Supply Agreement
ORDINANCE No. 08-01-1677
Administrator Stevens explained that Lindenhurst has been part of the Northern Illinois Municipal Electrical Cooperative for about one year wherein municipalities with similar electric usage needs secure discounted electric rates. The current contract we are in with Constellation New Energy ends May 31, 2008 and NIMEC will be going to bid by early February. Once the low bid is determined, the ordinance will allow the Mayor, Administrator or Treasurer to sign.
MOTION Trustee Marturano made a motion to adopt the electric supply agreement, seconded by Trustee Dunham.
THE ROLL CALL
VOTE WAS: Ayes-5, Trustees Marturano, Dunham, Metzelaar, Zerba, Messmer
Nays-0
B. Ordinance: Amending and Extending the Jensen Waste and Recycling Contract
ORDINANCE No. 08-01-1678
Mayor Lahr recapped that this item was pending from a previous Board meeting to further review of the fee for a 64-gallon container. Administrator Stevens explained that the additional $1.00 was assigned prior to adding the new 64-gallon container and that since the contract is only for 1-year, rather than multiple years, the full $1.00 surcharge is necessary. Additionally, Attorney Phillips stated the contract term would be modified from ending 9/30/08 to 12/31/08 to include leaf collection.
MOTION Trustee Messmer made a motion to amend and extend the Jensen contract, seconded by Trustee Metzelaar.
ON ROLL CALL Ayes-6, Trustees Messmer, Metzelaar, Zerba, Marturano, Dunham
Nays-0
C. Lindenhurst Health & Fitness Center/Request for Refund Water and Sewer Tap-on Fees
Administrator Stevens stated that, at the request of Lindenhurst Health and Fitness C, an analysis was done on the original fees paid for water tap-on fees. Stevens continued that when LHFC was built, tap-on fees were estimated based on Lake Forest’s facility by using a ratio of water consumption and facility size. The analysis of LHFC’s membership capacity (estimated to be 3,300 persons), compared to actual usage averages, support a rationale for refunding tap-on fees for water in the amount of $26,924.90 and for sewer in the amount of $26,197.20.
MOTION Trustee Dunham made a motion to reimburse LHFC $26,924.90 for water tap-on fees and $26,197.20 for sewer fees, seconded by Trustee Zerba.
ON ROLL CALL Ayes-5, Trustees Dunham, Zerba, Marturano, Metzelaa, Messmer
Nays-0
D. Ordinance: Authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement with the County of Lake/Rabies and Animal Control
ORDINANCE No. 08-01-1679
Administrator Stevens explained this ordinance would allow the county to charge increased fees for services with regard to animal control.
MOTION Trustee Marturano made a motion authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement with Lake County, seconded by Trustee Messmer.
ON ROLL CALL Ayes-5, Trustees Marturano, Messmer, Dunham, Metzelaar, Zerba
Nays-0
E. Ordinance: Authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Lindenhurst Park District
ORDINANCE No. 08-01-1680
Attorney Phillips summarized the status of the Agreement with the Village of Lindenhurst and the Lindenhurst Park District, stating the outstanding issue before the Board is to allow the Village Administrator and Phillips to provide language regarding the easement, completing the Agreement in time for the next Park District meeting.
MOTION Trustee Messmer made a motion authorizing the Intergovernmental Agreement, seconded by Trustee Zerba.
ON ROLL CALL Ayes-5, Trustees Messmer, Zerba, Marturano, Metzelaar, Dunham
Nays-0
F. Discussion: Interim Water Supply Analysis and Potential for Lake Michigan Water
Mayor Lahr stated this issue is regarding whether Lindenhurst should move forward with two plans to secure water: planning a deep well project while simultaneously investigating Lake Michigan water. Engineer Welsh explained the difference between Lake Michigan water and the deep well project and an interim solution to get through the next five years. Welsh continued that estimates show the earliest that Lake Michigan Water could be available to residents is 5-6 years and that we need to make a plan for the interim. Welsh explained the deep well project was initiated 1-2 years ago based on a water study and Lindenhurst had been working on this before being invited to join the Lake Michigan water project. Welsh stated these two projects conflict with each other, as building a deep well would be expensive and that once Lake Michigan water was available, the well would be abandoned. Presently, work by the engineering firm working on the deep well project has been halted until direction is received from the Board.
Welsh communicated a proposal which includes reviewing a test well project report from 2005 and 2006, as well as a 2006 water study report analyzing projected population growth and potential water demands. Welsh stated the population data and existing water supply data could be updated to find out if there is a surplus or a deficit of water from our existing supplies. Mayor Lahr asked whether a shallow well would be considered if there was a deficit and Welsh stated that may be a solution if the sites have promise and are not cost prohibitive. Administrator Stevens added that, with Board consensus, an Engineering Services Agreement could be drafted, for a cost of $8,500, and adopted at the next meeting.
Mayor Lahr asked whether the Board agreed to the direction being proposed and a consensus was agreed to.
PUBLIC
PARTICIPATION Luigi DeAngelis, 2703 Neubauer Circle, complimented the Board for exercising good vision for the Village in developing Village Green and listening to the desires and needs of the community.
David Hartwig, 1816 Skyline Circle, asked Engineer Welsh whether, based on the State’s guidelines for water production and water storage, we are ahead or behind. Welsh replied that for above ground storage we are right where we should be, with the next need for additional storage estimated to be five to six years away. Welsh stated that the State does not have guidelines for water production, but that we are able to meet the demands on the system. Welsh added that securing adequate water supplies is an ongoing effort.
EXECUTIVE SESSION Personnel
MOTION A motion to move to Executive Session at 8:15 pm was made by Trustee Dunham, seconded by Trustee Marturano. No action is anticipated
ON ROLL CALL Ayes-5, Trustees Dunham, Marturano, Messmer, Zerba, Metzelaar
Nays-0
RE-CONVENE The Regular Meeting re-convened at 8:55 pm.
MOTION A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Trustee Marturano, seconded by Trustee Messmer. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 pm.
Date Approved__________________________________
_______________________________ _________________________________
Susan Lahr, Mayor Patty Chybowski, Clerk