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VILLAGE OF LINDENHURST REGULAR MEETING OF THE VILLAGE BOARD |
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CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Lahr called the Regular Rescheduled Meeting of the Village Board to order at 7:00 pm. ROLL CALL: Roll call showed those present were Trustees: Dunham, Marturano, Messmer, Metzelaar, Wayne, Zerba. Also in attendance were Administrator Stevens, Attorney Phillips, Chief of Police McKeever, Engineer Welsh, and Clerk Chybowski PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF MINUTES: REGULAR BOARD MEETING OF May 14, 2007: Mayor Lahr asked for a motion to approve the Regular Board Meeting minutes of May 14, 2007. Trustee Zerba made a correction to page 6, adding that past requests to post signs and banners have been denied. Mayor Lahr called for a motion to approve the minutes with this addition. Trustee Zerba motioned, Trustee Metzelaar seconded. The motion carried on a voice vote. The minutes were approved. COMMUNICATIONS, COMMITTEE, BOARD & STAFF REPORTS: Randi Scherer, 387 Northgate Road, Lindenhurst, gave a presentation about installing a peace pole/garden in Lindenhurst. Scherer stated the purpose of a peace pole is to foster the hope of world peace throughout the community. The actual pole can be anywhere from 8’ to 12’ tall, made from stone, granite, wood or aluminum. Surrounding the peace pole would be plants, shrubs, flowers. The project would be 100% funded by donations from individuals and area businesses. Ideally, Scherer stated, completion of the project would be by Earth Day, 2008. There was a question as to placement of a peace pole in Lindenhurst. Scherer stated she has seen peace poles erected at various war memorials throughout the country. Trustee Dunham clarified that, in Lindenhurst, we have a veterans memorial. Scherer stated that she is flexible as to location, with a desire to locate the peace pole on public land in Lindenhurst. Bill Scherer, 387 Northgate Road, Lindenhurst, stated that, in order for the project to move forward, they would need a letter from the Village clarifying their not-for-profit status so that an account could be opened at a financial institution for the purpose of collecting donations. Administrator Stevens suggested perhaps, if the project comes to fruition, a Village escrow account could be established for donations. Bill Scherer said they will be presenting illustrations to the Village for approval depicting exactly how the peace pole would look. Discussion ensued regarding potential placement of a peace pole in Lindenhurst. Resident Brenda Balin, 149 Dittmer Lane, Lindenhurst, stated she thought the Veterans Memorial could be a good location because it would provide balance with the veterans memorial. Resident Roger Pretzel, 1901 Grand Avenue, Lindenhurst, shared his perspective about erecting a peace pole in the vicinity of Lindenhurst’s Veterans Memorial, stating he believes a peace pole located adjacent to the Veterans Memorial could diminish the service of veterans. Since location seems to be the main issue, Mayor Lahr recommended that the Veterans Commission and the Environmental Commission review this issue and provide feedback. Additionally, Mayor Lahr requested that Trustee Wayne, as park district liaison, find out whether there is an opportunity to partner with the park district on the potential erection of a peace pole. Trustee Wayne agreed to this idea, requesting a consensus vote to see whether there is Board agreement to move forward. This in no way commits the Board to anything other than consideration of the idea. Trustee Maturano stated openness to exploring the idea. Trustee Dunham would be open to exploring the idea; however, would be opposed to erecting a peace pole at the Veterans Memorial. Trustee Dunham also stipulated there should be no Village funding. Trustee Messmer agrees with the concept; however, expressed concerns about locating this at the Veterans Memorial location. Trustee Zerba agreed with the concept, concurring with Trustee Dunham regarding location. Trustee Zerba commented that a location where children would be exposed to the peace pole would be desirable; additionally, she expressed agreement that the Village should not provide funding. Trustee Wayne supported the idea and would like to see a study done by a group or commission to give some thought as to where the most appropriate place would be. Trustee Metzelaar commented on the good presentation of Scherer and stated presenting the concept to the Veterans Commission for their feedback would be a good step. Mayor Lahr commented that Scherer should work with Paul Baumunk (Chairperson of the Veterans Commission), Shawn Lahr (Environmental Commission), and Trustee Wayne will assist with Park District to provide options for potential locations. Trustee Zerba stated that the next Environmental Commission meeting will be held June 6 at 6:00 pm. Resident Paul Baumunk, 402 N. Beck Road, Lindenhurst, Chairman of the Lindenhurst Veterans Memorial Commission, stated that an informal survey of Veteran Commission members was taken, and had received a letter from the Commander of VFW Post 4894, and that a letter was forthcoming from the Lake Villa VFW Post and State VFW Commander, stating the consensus of these groups was that the Veterans Memorial would be an inappropriate place for the peace pole. Baumunk stated that the Commission does not feel the concept is bad, but that we need to be sensitive to the wishes and needs of veterans and their families. Baumunk went on to state that site location is critical. Additionally, a peace pole may be something OliverMcMillan would be willing to consider financing, as a peace pole / garden could be a focal point for a gathering place at Village Green. Veterans Commission: Trustee Messmer reported that on May 28, the Veterans Memorial Commission and VFW 4894 held observance of the new memorial and rededicated the Post’s plaque. It was estimated that more than 300 people attended. The 85th Army Division Band and the Victory Lakes Vocaleers performed and the Army Color Guard was also present. Tribute was paid to Ed Bybie, a Lindenhurst resident who fought in the Normandy Invasion in 1944 and subsequent battles. Trustee Dunham, on behalf of VFW #4894, thanked the Veterans Commission for assisting with the events of May 28. OLD BUSINESS: None NEW
BUSINESS: Mayor Lahr requested a motion. Trustee Marturano made a motion to allow the signs be posted for the period mentioned; Trustee Metzelaar seconded. Trustee Zerba stated she spoke with Lake Villa resident Dan Venturi, expressing concern about how money from the township was going to contribute to another village’s event. She was told that the contribution from the Township was quite minimal, along with the manpower required from highway department: $300. These monies would become a contribution to cardboard boat races being held at the Celebration of Summer event. It was also communicated that the Township would be glad to reciprocate for Lindenfest. Mayor Lahr commented that we would like to be more involved with neighboring villages and that this was a step in the right direction. Trustee Dunham stated it would be prudent to make sure the Township and Village of Lake Villa understand the restrictions for signs and the fact that they cannot be placed in the right-of-way. We must adhere to Lindenhurst’s sign ordinance. Trustee Wayne expressed concern regarding any potential precedent that could be set by allowing another village’s signs to be posted in Lindenhurst, but if there is cooperation and reciprocation between communities, it would ultimately be a positive step. Mayor Lahr announced the motion carried with all in favor on a voice vote.
B.
Amendment to FY 07/08 Police Budget: DUI SB-740 Fund. Trustees Dunham and Wayne both agreed this was a good idea. MOTION: A motion was made by Trustee Messmer to amend the FY 07/08 police budget relative to the DUI SB-740 Fund as discussed, seconded by Trustee Wayne. ON
ROLL CALL THE VOTE WAS: Motion Carried.
C.
Authorization for
Linden Plaza to conduct a sidewalk sale on June 23, 2007 Trustee Metzelaar stated she spoke with one business owner in Linden Plaza and that they were positive about the event. Attorney Phillips commented that since outside sales are restricted by Village ordinance, we would need to approve outside sales on only this specific date in Linden Plaza. Trustee Wayne was in agreement of the concept, allowing business owners to continue to maintain and build momentum from the redevelopment of the Plaza especially in light of upcoming retail development coming to the area. MOTION: A motion was made by Trustee Wayne to authorize outside sales in Linden Plaza on June 23, 2007, seconded by Trustee Dunham. ON
ROLL CALL THE VOTE WAS: Motion Carried. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: Brenda Balin,149 Dittmer Lane stated that it is great exhibiting flexibility with Lake Villa’s Celebration of Summer and that it will be good to see more cooperation between villages. MOTION: Motion was made by Trustee Wayne, seconded by Trustee Dunham, to go into Executive Session regarding a topic of potential litigation. ON
ROLL CALL THE VOTE WAS: Motion Carried. EXECUTIVE SESSION: The Board went into Executive Session. ADJOURNMENT: The Regular Board Meeting reconvened. A motion to adjourn the Regular Rescheduled Village Board Meeting was made by Trustee Wayne, seconded by Trustee Dunham. Upon voice vote, the motion carried. Adjournment was at 8:15 pm. |
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