VILLAGE OF LONG GROVE
MINUTES OF THE VILLAGE BOARD OF LONG GROVE

Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 8 P.M.

3110 RFD, LONG GROVE, ILLINOIS 60047-9613

 

                                                                   

CALL TO ORDER:

President Rodriguez called the meeting to order at 8:03 P.M.

 

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

Village President:                      Rodriguez

Trustees:                                   Barry, Borawski, Hannon, Lazakis, Schmitt

Trustees Absent:                       Klein

Village Clerk:                            Schultheis

Also Present:                            Village Manager Lothspeich, Village Superintendent Block,                               Village Counsel Tappendorf

 

President Rodriguez reminded the audience that there was a Candidate’s Forum on Thursday, April 12, 2007 at Woodlawn Middle School at 7:30 P.M.

 

VISITOR’S BUSINESS:

 

Homeowner Associations:                       

Promontory/Oak Hills #3 – Boris Geeza. – No one was present. No action was taken.

Promontory Ridge/Oak Hills #7 – Debbie Keyes.      - Residents from the subdivision spoke of the

difficulties regarding visibility when turning eastbound on to Rte 22.  Superintendent Block said

space bars will be relocated so as to improve visibility.  Residents also complained that the design was

flawed because of topography issues. Superintendent Block stated  there were weekly meetings

regarding the road construction, and that he would bring the sight line issue to their attention.

Members from the Subdivision wanted Debbie Keyes and Randy Sinker to be the point people to

contact.  There was also the issue of cut-through traffic that was degrading the integrity of the

infrastructure, and the frustration of residents in the area in their lifestyle.  Village Manager Lothspeich

stated that a RIGHT TURN LANE is planned as part of the improvements, and will abate the cut—thru

traffic situation – completion is scheduled for the end of June, 2007.No action was

taken.

Stockbridge Farms Sai Nimmagadda. – Chris Borawski was resident present.  Nothing to

report. No action was taken.

 

Special Event Applications:

Chocolate Fest. – The chocolate chef tent and chocolate fashion show have been moved back to Towner Green from Fountain Square

Trustee Lazakis moved to approve the Annual Chocolate Fest from May 4, 2007 thru May 6, 2007; seconded by Trustee Schmitt.

VOICE VOTE:  All ayes, no nays (Motion carried – 5 - 0; Trustee Klein absent).

The Kids Are Alright Concert. – This is the first year for this event to be held at Buffalo Creek is being coordinated by Merchant John Kopecky (Country House) and sponsored by the Lions Club-

TrusteeLazakis moved to approve The Kids Alright Concert from May 19, 2007; seconded by Trustee Schmitt.

VOICE VOTE:  All ayes, no nays (Motion carried – 5 - 0; Trustee Klein absent).

Strawberry Fest. – The event is similar to last with the exception of relocating events back to Towner Green Trustee Lazakis moved to approve the Annual Strawberry Fest from June 22 thru June 24, 2007; seconded by Trustee Barry.

VOICE VOTE:  All ayes, no nays (Motion carried – 5 - 0; Trustee Klein absent).

 

Temporary Sign Requests:

32 Sq. Ft. (single sided) Leasing Sign – 7101 Hwy Route 83.

March 27, 2007 Board Meeting. 

The motion to approve the request for a 63 sq. ft. (double sided) sign failed due to a lack of a second.

Petitioner Patrick O’Looney compromised on  single-sided 4’ x 8’ sign with the stipulation of one

Year; facing Rte 83.

Trustee Borawski moved to approve one temporary sign of 4’ x 8’ “for lease” sign on the 7101

Hwy. Route 83 commercial property for a period not to exceed 12 months; seconded by Trustee

Schmitt.

VOICE VOTE: Four ayes, One Nay (Motion carried 4 – 1, Trustee Klein absent).

 

Hope Lutheran Church – Annual Vacation Bible School: 2 – 36”x 45” vinyl banners from May 1, 2007 thru June 22, 2007 (at the following locations: (1) north-east edge of their property along Arlington Heights Road and (2) south-east edge of their property at the corner of Checker and Arlington Heights Road.  Trustee Barry moved to approve the request from Hope Lutheran Church for one temporary banner to advertise the Annual Vacation Bible School; seconded by Trustee Schmitt.

VOICE VOTE:  All ayes, no nays (Motion carried 5 – 0; Trustee Klein absent).

 

Raffle Licenses - Waiver Of Application Fee and Bond Requirements.

Chocolate Fest.  Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago submitted a  raffle license application

and requests wavier of the bond and fee requirements. Trustee Lazakis moved to approve a waiver

of the $25 application fee and bond requirements for Easter Seals Metropolitan of Chicago for

Chocolate Fest; seconded by Trustee Barry.

ROLL CALL VOTE:  Barry – aye; Borawski – aye; Hannon – aye; Klein – absent; Lazakis

aye; Schmitt – aye. (Motion carried 5 – 0)

The Kids Are Alright Concert.  The Long Grove Lions Club submitted a raffle license application for

the May 19, 2007 concert in Buffalo Creek Park and requests wavier of the bond and fee requirements.

-Trustee Hannon noted that the application needed to state to whom the funds were earmarked;

as well as having the appropriate box checked (“Religious” was accidentally checked).

Trustee Schmitt moved to approve a waiver of the $25 application fee and bond requirements

for The Long Grove Lions Club for The Kids Are Alright Concert as corrected; seconded by

Trustee Barry.

ROLL CALL VOTE:  Barry – aye; Borawski – aye; Hannon – aye; Klein – absent; Lazakis

aye; Schmitt – aye. (Motion carried 5 – 0)

 

 

Coyote Presentation – Lake County Forest Preserve Wildlife Biologist.

Nan Buckardt, Lake County Forest Preserve Education Manager & Superintendent Of Ryerson

Woods, provided information regarding coyotes and their habits.  She said that coyotes were not

attacking dogs for food, but that they attacked during mating season and when the dog had entered

their territory.  She said if confronted by a coyote:

1)      Do not run – it gives the impression that you or your pet might be prey.

2)      Keep pets on a leash to keep them from exploring too close to a coyote habitat.

3)      Shout at the coyote or throw something at them -  take an aggressive stance to make them back off.

She also said that it was not natural for coyotes to travel in packs; and that coyotes that appeared to be aggressive should be reported to the IL Department of Natural Resources (847-608-3100) or the Lake County Forest Preserves (847-367-6640).  A coyote brochure could be downloaded at www.LCFPD.org.

Nan Burkardt also noted that the coyote population of the County had not risen nor declined in the last decade.

Informational Only.  No action was taken.

 

ACTION ITEMS:

 

Item #1:    Report of the April 4, 2007 CSCC Meeting.

The Conservancy Scenic Corridor Committee meeting was cancelled due to low attendance. – Nothing to report. No action was taken.

 

Item #2:    Ordinance Approving Comprehensive Amendments To Zoning Code.

The draft ordinance (clean) and executive summary were posted on the Village’s web site and available

at the Village Hall beginning March 9, 2007- Trustees were involved in discussion in various aspects

of what was to be voted upon.  Trustee Hannon submitted and reviewed Recommendation and

Questions she had regarding the Zoning Code amendments.  Trustees discussed the possibility of a

fence code. Trustees suggested waiting before voting upon amendments. 

Trustee Schmitt suggested that a Tree Preservation Ordinance needed to be more explicit; Trustee

Barry agreed.  Lori Lyman of the Architectural Board also agreed, stating that the younger (3” caliber)

trees represented the next fifty years of growth.

Village Manager Lothspeich told the Board that the reason that the Trustees were being asked to make

a decision was to clear up certain inconsistencies and conflicts in the current code.

There was some discussion about continuing the maximum floor area and maximum height regulations to a later Village Board meeting to allow the Architectural Board to review and report its comments to the Plan Commission’s recommendations and voting on the remainder of the Comprehensive Zoning Code Amendments at the next Village Board meeting.  There was a consensus to move forward in this manner at the next Village Board meeting on April 24, 2007.

No motion was made. No action was taken.

 

Items from the Audience:  Country Club Meadows resident Larissa Bingham said that speeding was

an issue in her subdivision and that she had a petition representing residents in the area that wanted

traffic calming with ninety-two (92) signatures on the pages. –

No action was taken.

 

Item #3:    Public Hearing Re: Draft Fiscal Year 2007/08 Budgets.

The draft budget has been revised to incorporate the updates from the March 13, 2007 Board Meeting, including:

 

Forecast and Budget:

Ø     Rounded both revenue and expenditures to the nearest 100.

Ø     Included forecasted amounts under “Engineering” to include: Streetscapes; Route 22; Stormwater; Zoning; Pathways and Public Water Supply.

 

Proposed Items:

Ø      “Additional Police Coverage” increased from $146,000 to $195,800 based on the current contract rates and increasing the number of hours per week from 40 to 56 (1 additional full-time shift).

Ø     “Emergency Warning System” reduced from $15,000 to $7,500 based upon elimination of the $7,500 start up fee.

Ø     “Community Events” in the amount of $10,000 was added.

Ø     “Village Forester/Open Lands Mapping” in the amount of $20,000 was added.

Ø     “Replacement Server” increased from $7,000 to $20,000 as a very rough estimate to replace the server and add individual email accounts and laptops for Trustees and Village Clerk.

Ø     “New Vehicle (Superintendent)” for $20,000 was eliminated.

 

Ø     Trustee Susan Klein confirmed that SWALCO membership recently approved the membership fee of $1.00 per household which equates to $1,962 based upon the 2000 Census.  This amount will need to be added to the budgeted expenses. –

 

Trustees and President Rodriguez discussed the Budget Wish List items, and noted to the audience that these items were being discussed for wish list, and would not necessarily be implemented.

 

In particular, there were questions regarding the proposed Roundabout for the intersection of Old McHenry and Robert Parker Coffin Roads.  Resident Charlie Wachs stated that he did not think that roundabouts were safe for pedestrians.  President Rodriguez noted that the Roundabout was not a done deal, and that monies provided from a Streetscape grant could not be used for Research and Study.  Another resident in the audience said that studies showed that roundabouts do not work in the heart of a retail district. Trustees asked for pedestrian friendly versus traffic moving be studied.  John Maguire (representing the Downtown Merchants) said that the Roundabout should not be a standalone, piecemeal solution but part of a long term, comprehensive plan. 

 

Discussion began on the $90,000 earmarked for Traffic Calming.  Lori Lyman (HOA President for Edgebrooke Downs said that Village should not be bound to spend money on specific traffic calming items if have only heard from one of the four subdivisions affected by the Schaeffer Road solutions suggested.  President Rodriguez said that the Wish List was conceptual.  HOA President Camy Gould of Country Club Estates said that the Budget reflected specifics, not general traffic calming; items like the safety of kids on bus stops has not been addressed.  Mary Hartung of Country Club Estates said that the behavior of the residents needed to be changed. Bridgewater Farms  HOA President Sophia Hanson said that traffic calming money should not be spent until a policy has been set and residents are apprised of what is to be done; specifically that the petition circulated in favor of Schaeffer Road traffic calming had not originated nor been explored by her subdivision despite its reference to Bridgewater Farms.  Village Manager Lothspeich assured the residents that the public would be kept informed and involved.  He also stated, in response to a question from the audience, that Menard’s would repave roads it had dug up for sewers, but would not contribute to improvements or traffic calming. 

 

Additional Police Coverage and Stockade Fence were removed from the Wish List, and Traffic Calming was lowered from $90,000 to $50,000.

No action was taken.

 

Item #4:    Resolution Supporting Roadway Improvements Re: Village Wide Traffic Study.

The focus is on State Routes to improve the bottleneck identified in the north-south corridor of IL 53 to IL 83 and Arlington Heights Road to IL 83 and does not include the local issues of cut-through traffic and the downtown intersection of Old McHenry and Robert Parker Coffin Road.  Please note that the following priorities are based upon the results of the study, however, the Village Board may have other priorities:

 

1.      Illinois Route 83, from Arlington Heights Road to north of Aptakisic Road

2.      Illinois Route 53

3.      Arlington Heights Road and Lake Cook Road

4.      Illinois Route 22

Trustee Lazakis moved to approve a Resolution Identifying and Prioritizing Certain Traffic Projects for further Study and Consideration; seconded by Trustee Borawski.

VOICE VOTE:  All ayes, no nays. (Motion carried 5 – 0; Trustee Klein absent)

                 

Item #5:    Proposal From K-Plus Engineering For The Construction Of A Modern

Roundabout.

Based upon the Village Board feedback during the March 13, 2007 Board Meeting, K-Plus

Engineering was asked to prepare a proposal for the detailed engineering/construction plans

for the downtown modern roundabout.  It should be noted that downtown property owners and

merchants have expressed concerns about how the modern roundabout would work in the downtown

and its impact on pedestrian traffic.  As previously noted, the costs for the engineering and construction

of the modern roundabout appear to be eligible expenses for the existing $200,000 Streetscape Grant

that expires June 30, 2007.  If so directed by the Village Board, the engineering and construction

planning costs would be applied toward this Grant with any remaining Grant funds being applied

toward reimbursing the Village for eligible expenses previously incurred and if this total amount

exceeds $200,000, application would be made to the State requesting use of the additional $40,000+ of

interest earned toward these expenses.

Village Manager Lothspeich stated that Public Outreach was needed to be put into the timing. 

Trustee Lazakis moved to approve a Proposal from K-Plus Engineering for a Detailed

Engineering and Construction Management for the Construction of a Modern

Roundabout at the Old McHenry Road and Robert Parker Coffin Intersection for an Amount

not to Exceed $52,000 (except for Public Outreach); seconded by Trustee Hannon.

ROLL CALL VOTE:  Barry – aye; Borawski – aye; Hannon – aye; Klein – absent; Lazakis

aye; Schmitt – aye.  (Motion carried 5 – 0; one absent)

 

Item #6:    Resolution Authorizing A New Account With Allegiant Assets.

The proposed “Allegiant Asset Management Company Investment Management Agreement” will

authorize the designated officials to establish a new account with Allegiant Assets. 

Trustee Schmitt moved to approve an Investment Management Agreement with Allegiant Asset

Management Company, subject to the Village setting up an account with National City

Bank; seconded by Trustee Barry.

ROLL CALL VOTE:  Barry – aye; Borawski – aye; Hannon – aye; Klein – absent; Lazakis

aye; Schmitt – aye.  (Motion carried 5 – 0; one absent)

 

Item #7:    Consideration Of Schedule For Newly Elected Officials Oath Of Office.

As noted in the March 6, 2007 memorandum from Village Counsel (originally included in the

March 27 Board Packet), the earliest possible date for swearing in the newly elected trustees (oath of

office) coincides with the May 8, 2007 Board Meeting.  Since the County may not provide the

canvassing of votes until the day of this meeting, the Village Board may want to establish the date for

the oath of office for the next regularly scheduled Board Meeting on May 22, 2007. 

Trustee Schmitt moved to approve the May 22, 2007 Board Meeting as the date for presenting

the oath for newly elected trustees; seconded by Trustee Lazakis.

VOICE VOTE:  All ayes, no nays.  (Motion carried 5 – 0; Trustee Klein absent)

 

Item #8:    Village President Rodriguez.

A.     Treasurer Report For March 31, 2007.   Trustee Hannon moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report for March 31, 2007; seconded by Trustee Lazakis.

                  ROLL CALL VOTE:  Barry – aye; Borawski – aye; Hannon – aye; Klein – absent; Lazakis – aye; Schmitt – aye.  (Motion carried 5 – 0; one absent).

 

                  Trustee Hannon moved to approve monies for payment of bills; seconded by Trustee Schmitt.

                   ROLL CALL VOTE:  Barry – aye; Borawski – aye; Hannon – aye; Klein – absent; Lazakis – aye; Schmitt – aye.  (Motion carried 5 – 0; one absent)

B.     Actual and Budget Comparisons For Period Ending March 31, 2007.   No action was taken.

 

Item #9:    Village Trustee Barry.

Nothing to report. No action was taken.

 

Item #10:  Village Trustee Borawski.

Nothing to report. No action was taken.

 

Item #11:  Village Trustee Hannon.

Trustee Hannon reported that Trustee Klein wanted mentioned that the Village did get new sign designs – No action was taken.

 

Item #12:  Village Trustee Klein.

Not present.

                 

Item #13:  Village Trustee Lazakis.

 April 4, 2007 Long Grove Business & Community Partners “Spring Kick-off” Meeting.  Trustee

Lazakis and Staff attended the April 4, 2007 meeting.  Please refer to the enclosed meeting materials. 

 - Trustee Lazakis noted that more people are getting involved, and that they have hired a

Communications Coordinator – Kelly Haaft.No action was taken.

 

Item #14:  Trustee Schmitt.

Nothing to report. No action was taken.

 

Item #15:  Village Clerk Schultheis.

Nothing to report. No action was taken.

 

Item #16:  Village Manager Lothspeich.

Nothing to report. No action was taken.

 

 

 

Item #17:  Village Superintendent Block.

Superintendent Block discussed flooding throughout the Village since February.  The 24 inches of snow

cover that melted caused damage in Eleanora Estates subdivision that was not covered by flood

insurance. Emergency Management in Lake County, the Police and Superintendent Block and his team

resorted to the use of sandbags and sump pumps.  Superintendent Block noted that there are some homes

in the area that have Farm tiles from the 1940’s running underneath their property; and if they break, the

Drainage Act states that it is the responsibility of the homeowner to take care of the problem; but given

the dire situation of the homeowners in Eleanora Estates, the Village and Police assisted. – No

action was taken.

 

Item #18:  Village Planner Hogue.

Not present.

 

Item #19:  Village Attorney Tappendorf.

Nothing to report. No action was taken.

 

Item #20:  Approval of Board Meeting Minutes.

March 13, 2007 Minutes. Trustee Schmitt moved to approve the March 13, 2007 Board Minutes

as amended; seconded by Trustee Borawski.

VOICE VOTE:  All ayes, no nays (Motion carried 4 – 0; Trustee Barry abstain; Trustee Klein

absent).

March 27, 2007 Minutes. – Continued until April 24, 2007 Meeting.  No action was taken.

 

Vehicle Stickers:  Trustee Borawski noted that the “Vehicle Sticker” comment in The Bridge referring

to “over zealous” Police and the “snob factor” were inappropriate and offensive. – No action was

taken.

 

Traffic Calming – Plan Commissioner Ed Acuna said that if traffic flow is made smoother through

traffic calming, it will not change the attitude of the speeders.  He further stated that hundreds of

thousands of dollars could be spent for a “no-win” situation, and that a consulting firm suggested more

studies be done.  Trustee Hannon replied that 80% of the people in the subdivision are going 15 miles

over the speed limit. – No action was taken.

 

Item:  Executive Session.

At 12:10 A.M., Trustee Borawski moved to go into Executive Session to discuss (1) Executive

Session Minutes; (2) Personnel; (3) Litigation; and (4) Acquisition & Disposition of Property;

seconded by Trustee Schmitt

ROLL CALL VOTE:  Barry – aye; Borawski – aye; Hannon – aye; Klein – absent; Lazakis

aye; Schmitt – aye.  (Motion carried 5 – 0; one absent).

 

Item:  Other Business.

March 27, 2007 Executive Session Meeting Minutes.   Trustee Lazakis moved to approve the

Executive Session Minutes, though not make them available for public release; seconded by

Trustee Barry.

VOICE VOTE:  All ayes, no nays.  (Motion carried 5 – 0; Trustee Klein absent).

 

Item: Adjournment.

At 12:27 A.M.; Trustee Schmitt moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Trustee Barry.

VOICE VOTE:  All ayes, no nays.  (Motion carried 5 – 0; Trustee Klein absent).