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

                                                 Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at 8 P.M.

                                  3110 RFD, LONG GROVE, ILLINOIS 60047-9613

 

 

CALL TO ORDER:

President Rodriguez called the meeting to order at 8:02 P.M.

 

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

Village President:                  Rodriguez

Trustees:                       Acuna, Hannon, Lazakis, Schmitt, Wachs

Trustees Absent:                       Barry

Village Clerk:                  Schultheis

Also Present:                             Village Manager Lothspeich, Superintendent Block, Village Planner Hogue, Village Engineer Chiczewski, and Village Counsel Filippini

 

HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONS/ITEMS FROM THE AUDIENCE

Homeowner Associations: 

Fields Of Long Grove – Karen Grandt. – No one was present. No action was taken.

Cobblestone – Darren Knapp. – No one was present. No action was taken.

 

Item:         Lake County Forest Preserve:      Heron Creek Expansion: CF Industries, etc.

In January 2008 the Lake County Forest Preserve purchased an additional 119 acres located immediately to the west of these properties resulting in roughly 358 acres of Forest Preserve in Long Grove and Kildeer (for comparison, Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve is 387 acres).  The Lake County Forest Preserve will have spent more than $18 million toward the purchase of these properties and millions more toward the improvements of the properties (ecological and passive recreational). -

President Rodriguez told the Board that the purchase of the site at Heron Creek spared (240 acres) the area from having up to 200 homes. It means that the area will be made into forest preserve.  The Commissioner of the Lake County Forest Preserve, Mike Talbett said that the trails should be open by Fall, 2008.  Commissioner Pam Newton was instrumental in getting this property purchased at a reduced rate.  Commissioner Talbett said that there would be a Strategic Planning Meeting on March 31, 2008 at the ELA Library to hear what the public wants for the future in terms of the Forest Preserve. 

President Rodriguez wanted to thank Barbara Turner for her “tenacious” efforts in pointing out this open space. – No action was taken.

 

Item:         Special Event Applications:

The Long Grove Business and Community Partners recommended approval of the following events

during their February 26, 2008 meeting:

 

·        Chocolate Fest. – The chocolate chef tent and chocolate fashion show have been moved to Mill Pond. 

·        Strawberry Fest. – The event is similar to previous years with the exception of relocating events back to Towner Green.  

·        Apple Fest. – The Apple Fest is similar to previous years with the exception of relocating events back to Towner Green.  –

John Maguire, Director of the LGBCP, wanted to thank the Board for putting together the Master Plan, and said that the Business Partners were grateful for the efforts of the Village.  He also said that the events had grown in size and scope, and that a consultant had been hired from “Star Events” to “systematize” the events.

John Barry of Star Events spoke about prioritizing existing businesses, and looking at new formats along Robert Parker Coffin Road.  They are looking to extend hours and change the signage.

Trustee Lazakis asked if the LGBCP was looking for profitability from the events.

John Maguire said that the events were already becoming more profitable, and that there was a hope to build on that, and increase the quality of the events.

Trustee Wachs moved to approve the Annual Chocolate Fest from May 2, 2008 thru May 4, 2008; the Annual Strawberry Fest from June 20, 2008 thru June 22, 2008; and the Annual Apple Fest from October 3, 2008 thru October 5, 2008; seconded by Trustee Schmitt.

VOICE VOTE:

All ayes, no nays (Motion carried 5 – 0; Trustee Barry absent).

 

Item:               Egg Hunt:

President Rodriguez mentioned that the Egg Hunt would take place on March 15, 2008 and that volunteers would be needed.  She also said that due to the mud, the location of the choir would be changed to the Village Tavern – No action was taken.

 

ACTION ITEMS:

Item #1:    Report Of The March 4, 2008 Plan Commission & Zoning Board Of Appeals Meeting.

The PCZBA considered the following items during their meeting:

 

A.     PUBLIC HEARING: Amendment To A Previously Approved Special Use Permit And/Or Additional Relief Necessary And/Or Appropriate Under The Zoning Code To Allow Co-Location Of Additional Antennas On An Existing Monopole Telecommunications Tower At 5105 Arlington Heights Road And Zoned Under The R-2 Zoning District Classification As Submitted By Cricket Communications. (Discussion by full PCZBA).  Item continued at the request of the Petitioner – No action was necessary.  No action was taken.

 

 

 

B.     PUBLIC HEARING: Variation Of The Front And Corner Yard Setback Requirement For Lot 21 In Skycrest Estates Subdivision And Zoned Under The R-2 Zoning District Classification To Allow For An Addition To An Existing Residence At 5301 RFD, As Submitted By Kristin Wojick And Don Tyer (Discussion by ZBA only).  Recommended approval. – Village Planner Hogue said that the structure predates all of the Village regulations, as it was built in the early 1900’s.  He also said that the ZBA had found conditions for hardship.

Trustee Schmitt moved to approve directing Village Counsel to prepare revised draft ordinance granting approval of the front yard and side yard setback variations for consideration during the March 25, 2008 Board Meeting; seconded by Trustee Wachs.

ROLL CALL VOTE:

Acuna – aye; Barry – absent; Hannon- aye; Lazakis – aye; Schmitt – aye; Wachs – aye.

(Motion carried 5 – 0; one absent)

 

Item #2:    Request For Referral To The Plan Commission & ZBA Meeting – April 1, 2008.

Village Counsel Filippini discussed some of the parameters of the amendment stating that Village

Board could review any of the Architectural Board rulings based upon the request of a Village Board

Member. –

Trustee Acuna moved to approve the April 1, 2008 Plan Commission & Zoning Board of Appeals

Meeting for public hearing on an application for Zoning Code Amendment re: Architectural

Board duties; seconded by Trustee Hannon.

VOICE VOTE:

All ayes, no nays (Motion carried 5 – 0; Trustee Barry absent).

 

Item #3:    Resolution Opposing The Sale Of EJ&E Rail Line To Canadian National Railroad.

As directed during the February 26, 2008 Board Meeting, Staff prepared a draft resolution objecting to

the sale of the EJ&E Rail Line to Canadian National Railroad.  –

President Rodriguez stated that the status of the situation changes every day.  She said that

Representative Melissa Bean and Senator Durbin were championing the movement to include the Star

Line in discussions regarding the EJ & E Rail Line. Indian Creek Homeowners Association

Representative said that their subdivision was most impacted by the rail line usage, and that he had

written to the Surface Transportation Board regarding impending traffic, and asking them to consider

an overpass.

Trustee Wachs moved to approve a Resolution Opposing the Sale of the EJ & E Rail Line to

Canadian national Railroad; seconded by Trustee Schmitt.

VOICE VOTE:

All ayes, no nays (Motion carried 5 – 0; Trustee Barry absent).

 

Item #4:    Resolution Awarding The Contract For Replacement Of Oakwood Bridge Guardrail.

Of the three (3) bids received, Northern Contracting, Inc. with a bid of $54,386.00 is the apparent low

bidder.   The following summarizes the guard rail bids received:

 

Bidder                                                    Bid Amount:

Northern Contracting, Inc.                      $54,386.00                

GFS Fence, Guardrail & Signage, Inc.   $64,830.00                     

Midwest Fence Corp.                              $85,445.00

Village Engineer Chiczewski said that he had checked the references of the low bidder.  He said that the money from the insurance was only a partial payment for the amount of work that was needed..

Trustee Lazakis moved to approve a Resolution Awarding a contract for the Replacement of the Oakwood Bridge Guardrails to Northern Contracting, Inc. in the Total Amount of $54, 386.00; seconded by Trustee Acuna.

ROLL CALL VOTE:

Acuna – aye; Barry – absent; Hannon- aye; Lazakis – aye; Schmitt – aye; Wachs – aye.

(Motion carried 5 – 0; one absent).

 

Item #5:    Annual Updates To Village Zoning Map.

As required by the Village Code, the resolution approves the annual updates to the official

Long Grove Zoning Map.  The proposed updates are limited to minor corrections and do not reflect any

change in zoning.

Trustee Schmitt moved to approve a Resolution Approving Annual Updates to the Village Zoning

Map; seconded by Trustee Wachs.

VOICE VOTE:

All ayes, no nays (Motion carried 5 – 0; Trustee Barry absent).

 

Item #6:    Ordinance Vacating Wildlife Way.

As directed during the February 12, 2008 Board Meeting, Village Counsel Filippini prepared the draft

ordinance vacating Wildlife Way to the former Ducks Unlimited building/property.  Procedurally, the

ordinance must be adopted by 3/4 of the trustees then holding office, or 5 of the 6 trustees.  No notice

or public hearing is required since Wildlife Way is within the Village's boundaries.  –

Due to the fact that Trustee Barry  is absent, Village Counsel Filippini said that it would be necessary

for President Rodriguez to cast a vote regarding the motion to be in compliance with the requirements

for the Ordinance.   Trustee Wachs suggested that there should be pathway easements – the other

Trustees agreed.

Trustee Wachs moved to Approve an Ordinance vacating Wildlife Way; seconded by Trustee Lazakis.

ROLL CALL VOTE:

Acuna – aye; Barry – absent; Hannon- aye; Lazakis – aye; Rodriguez – aye; Schmitt – aye; Wachs – aye.

(Motion carried 6 – 0; one absent).

 

Item #7:    Ordinance Amending The Village Code Re: Liquor License Regulations.

As directed during the February 26, 2008 Board Meeting, the draft ordinance amends the Village's

liquor license regulations for The Village Tavern  and other holders of that license category.  –Trustee Schmitt moved to approve an

Ordinance Amending the Village Code regarding Liquor License Regulations; seconded by

Trustee Wachs.

ROLL CALL VOTE:

Acuna – aye; Barry – absent; Hannon- aye; Lazakis – aye; Schmitt – aye; Wachs – aye.

(Motion carried 5 – 0; one absent).

 

Item #8:    Discussion Of Draft FY 2008/09 Village Budgets.

The draft budget were circulated during the upcoming March 11, 2008 Board Meeting.  The draft

budget included the basic operating budget with possible projects (wish list items) for consideration by

the Village Board.  The Village Board is asked to discuss each of the possible projects and identify as

either (1) “approved”; (2) “not approved”, or (3) “on hold” for possible consideration so that the

“approved” items can be implemented.  – Trustee Hannon said that Menards is expected to open in

November, 2008.

Discussion followed regarding various budget items.  There were also discussion regarding wish list

items. – No action was taken.

 

Item #9:    Village President Rodriguez.

A.  IL Route 53 Update.  – President Rodriguez said that there was a regional board hearing  - No

action was taken.

B. Sunset Foods. – President Rodriguez said that Sunset Foods had met with the Long Grove Rotary Club to introduce themselves as members of the Community – No action was taken.

 

Item #10:  Village Trustee Acuna.

Lake Michigan Water Feasibility Study Update.  Applied Rep John Callan reports that the “original”

seven communities met on February 14, 2008 to review the preliminary reports and agreed to invite the

“new” communities to their next meeting tentatively scheduled for April 11, 2008.  Mr. Callan noted

that in addition to the Village of Lake Zurich, the Village of Volo had expressed an interest in being part

of the study.  Mr. Callan reiterated that the costs were looking better than expected and that the draft

report would be circulated after their financial consultant audited their numbers (3rd week in March) and

before their next meeting. – Trustee Acuna said that Lake Zurich and Volo wanted to be included in the

study; and that everyone involved was waiting for the auditor’s review to see what the cost of the

feasibility study would be. – No action was taken.

 

Item #11:  Village Trustee Barry.

Absent.

 

Item #12:  Village Trustee Hannon.

A.     Treasurer Report For February 29, 2008.  – Trustee Hannon moved to approve the paying of the Bills; seconded by Trustee Wachs.

                        ROLL CALL VOTE:

                        Acuna – aye; Barry – absent; Hannon- aye; Lazakis – aye; Schmitt – aye; Wachs

                        aye.

(Motion carried 5 – 0; one absent).

 

Trustee Hannon moved to approve the Account Balance; seconded by Trustee Lazakis.

                        ROLL CALL VOTE:

Acuna – aye; Barry – absent; Hannon- aye; Lazakis – aye; Schmitt – aye; Wachs – aye.

(Motion carried 5 – 0; one absent).

 

 

B.     Actual and Budget Comparisons For Period Ending February 29, 2008.  For informational purposes only, no motion required. – No action was taken.

 

Item #13:  Village Trustee Lazakis.

Nothing  to report. No action was taken.

 

 

 

Item #14:  Trustee Schmitt.

The Bridge:  - Trustee Schmitt reported that The Bridge would be a month late. – No action was

taken.

 

Water Testing: Trustee Schmitt reported that water bottles were available to have local water tested. 

She said that the water had to be tested within 24-hours. – No action was taken.

 

SWALCO: Trustee Schmitt said that the Village had collected $5,349 worth of recyclables thus far.

She also said that SWALCO is looking into recycling electronic products. – No action was taken.

 

Plan Commission Agendas:  There was a request to the Staff that Plan Commission agendas be

distributed to the Trustees before the meetings. – No action was taken.

 

Item #15:  Village Trustee Wachs.

                  A. Downtown B1&B1A Master Plan & Design Guidelines – Update.  Trustee Charlie Wachs and Staff met with the Master Plan Task Force on February 26, 2008 and met again on March 11, 2008.  – Trustee Wachs stated that the Plan Commission was looking to review the Master Plan further during their next meeting.  Village Engineer Chiczewski said that there are several key dates coming up.  He also said that the Way Finding System design should be ready by May, 2008.  He also said that there was a Public Open House on April 17, 2008. – No action was taken.

 

                  B. Lake County Sheriff Annual Incident Report – 2007.  – Trustee Wachs said that the Police Incident report could easily be put in The Bridge.  Trustee Hannon noted that there were too many items under MISCELLANEOUS that needed to be identified. Trustee Lazakis said that we ought to be tracking crime rate so that it could be compared to other communities. – No action was taken.

 

Item #16:  Village Clerk Schultheis.

Nothing to report.  No action was taken.

 

Item #17:  Village Manager Lothspeich.

IDOT:  Village Manager Lothspeich said that the widening of Route 45 has been scaled down because of objections from Mundelein.  They are now looking at improvements to intersections – No action was taken.

 

Pathway  - Village Manager Lothspeich said that IDOT is open to a Path to connect Ravenna to Route 45.   – No action was taken.

 

Route 22 – Village Manager Lothspeich said that all but one property remains in the right of way on Route 22 and North Krueger.  It is the one property that gave the Village an easement. He said that there was an idea to put in a pedestrian crosswalk. – No action was taken.

 

Menard’s – Village Manager Lothspeich said that there is talk about relocating the lift station to an area on the S-curve on Checker Road.  There is also the question of how Menard’s will be able to keep traffic flowing on Checker Road when they start construction.  Village Manager Lothspeich said that when a plan has been given to the Village, the Village will contact any affected residents. – No action was taken.

 

Item #18:  Village Superintendent Block.

Snowplowing/Salt – Superintendent Block said that snow and salt for the 2007-2008 Winter has cost

$334,000 (the Village had budgeted for $220,000).  The problems were the amount of snow, and the

inability to obtain salt.  He suggested that there might be more usage of liquid than salt next year. – No

action was taken.

 

Un-built Lots:  Superintendent Block said that there were two housing permits that are on hold until Fall,

2008.  He also said that Menard’s has not sold any of its out-lots, yet. – No action was taken.

 

Item #19:  Village Planner Hogue.

Nothing to report. No action was taken.

 

Item #20:  Village Attorney Filippini.

Nothing to report. No action was taken.

 

Item #21:  Approval of Board Meeting Minutes.

February 26, 2008 Minutes. – Trustee Wachs moved to approve the February 26, 2008 Minutes as

amended; seconded by Trustee Lazakis.

 VOICE VOTE:

All ayes, no nays (Motion carried 5 – 0; Trustee Barry absent).

 

Item:         Executive Session.

At 10:53 P.M., Trustee Schmitt moved to go into Executive Session to discuss (1) Executive

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

Property; seconded by Trustee Lazakis.

ROLL CALL VOTE:

Acuna – aye; Barry – absent; Hannon- aye; Lazakis – aye; Schmitt – aye; Wachs – aye.

(Motion carried 5 – 0; one absent).

 

 

Item:         Other Business.

February 26, 2008 Executive Session Meeting Minutes.  – Continued.

 

Burying Power Lines:  President Rodriguez asked for a consensus as to whether or not the Board was in

favor of or against spending money to bury power lines.  It was estimated that it would cost $400,000 to

do so.  The Board was split. – No action was taken.

 

Item:         Adjournment.

At 12:12 A.M., Trustee Wachs motioned to adjourn; seconded by Trustee Schmitt.

VOICE VOTE:

All ayes, no nays (Motion carried 5 – 0; Trustee Barry absent).