MINUTES OF THE VILLAGE BOARD OF LONG GROVE

Tuesday, April 8, 2008 at 8 P.M.

3110 RFD, LONG GROVE, ILLINOIS 60047-9613

 

 

CALL TO ORDER:

President Rodriguez called the meeting to order at 8:00 P.M.

 

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

Village President:                      Rodriguez

Trustees:                                   Acuna, Barry, Hannon, Lazakis, Schmitt, Wachs

Village Clerk:                            Schultheis

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

 

HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONS/ITEMS FROM THE AUDIENCE

Homeowner Associations:                       

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

Promontory Ridge/Oak Hills #7 – Debbie Keyes. – Randy Sinker asked when Rte. 22 was to be completed? Superintendent Block stated that there were a number of things to be completed, that still were not; such as seeding.  He also said that IDOT said that the rest of  Rte. 22 would be completed in its entirety by 2015. – No action was taken.

Stockbridge Farms – Sai Nimmagadda. – HOA President Nimmagadda said that he had general concerns. – No action was taken.

 

Status:      The enclosed March 10, 2008 invite letters were sent to the Homeowner Association (HOA) Presidents listed above.

 

Item:         Raffle License Application:   Rotary Club Of Long Grove Re: Heritage Run – Sept. 6, 2008.

Waiver of the $25 Application Fee and Bond Requirement Requested.

The Rotary Club Of Long Grove filed the attached request for approval of a raffle license and waiver of the

bond or fee requirements. 

Trustee Hannon moved to approve the request by the Rotary Club of Long Grove for a raffle license

and the waiving the bond and $25.00 application fee requirements for the September 6, 2008 Heritage

Run; seconded by Trustee Schmitt.

ROLL CALL VOTE:

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

(Motion carried 6 – 0)

 

There were no items from the audience.

 

ACTION ITEMS:

Item #1:    Report Of The March 24, 2008 Architectural Board Meeting.

The AB will be considering the following items during their upcoming meeting.  – Informational

Purposes.  No action required.

A.     Elevations For The Long Grove Promenade, Northwest Corner Illinois Routes 83 & 53.

B.     Signage For The Keeping Room, 130 Old  McHenry Road (Formerly Cassandra’s).

C.     Signage For The Olive Tap, 308 Old  McHenry Road.

D.    Signage For The Olive Tap Gourmet Market, 201 Robert Parker Coffin Road.

E.     Gazebo Addition For The Long Grove Cafe, 235 Robert Parker Coffin Road.

 

Item #2:    Report Of The April 7, 2008 Plan Commission & Zoning Board Of Appeals Meeting.

A.     Final Planned Unit Development (PUD) Plans And Plat For The Canterbury Estates Subdivision, Within The R-1 Single Family Zoning (Total Net Property Size Of 35.5 Acres +/- ) Subdivided Into Thirteen (13) PUD Single Family Lots Located On  The South Side Of Cuba Road South Of And Adjacent To The Glenstone PUD, The Canterbury Park LLC (Discussion By Full PCZBA). Continued Due To Late Submittal.  – Continued until the April 15, 2008 Special Meeting. No action needed.

 

B.     PUBLIC HEARING: An 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).  Continued At The Request Of The Petitioner. - Continued. No action needed.

 

C.     PUBLIC HEARING: Various Amendments To The Village Code For The Village Of Long Grove, Title 5, Zoning Regulations As They Relate To The Duties And Procedures Of The Architectural Board. (Discussion By Full PCZBA).  Recommended Approval.  – Trustee Hannon moved direct Village Counsel to prepare the draft ordinance amending the Village Code as the relate to the duties and procedures of the Architectural Board, including the name change for consideration during the April 22, 2008 Board meeting; seconded by Trustee Lazakis.

                        ROLL CALL VOTE:

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

                        (Motion carried 6 – 0)

       

Item #3:    Resolution Directing ESI to Prepare Pathway Grant

Trustee Barry moved to approve a resolution to authorize ESI to establish a grant application;

seconded by Trustee Schmitt.

ROLL CALL VOTE:

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

(Motion carried 6 – 0)

 

 

Item #4:    Ordinance Amending Subdivision Code To Permit Property Transfers Among

Adjoining Property Owners Subject To One Owner Being A Local Government.

As directed during the March 25, 2008 Board Meeting, Village Counsel Filippini prepared the draft

ordinance that would permit CF Industries to sell portions of their property to the Lake County Forest

Preserve without having to go through the formal subdivision process. –

Village Counsel Filippini discussed the amendment to the subdivision code.

Robert Klatt – resident of the Salem on the Lake subdivision regarding his opposition to the

development of the land as Forest Preserve property.  He referenced a  1974 ordinance, stamped as

document 1665544, that the site would remain free of structures. (The documentation provided and

letter that was read to the Village Board and Ordinance was submitted to the Village Clerk for the

Record). He also said that discussions with the County had yielded different stories, and that he had

only learned of the Resolution three days prior to the Meeting. Village President Rodriguez informed

him that the agenda did show the Resolution.

Village Counsel Filippini said that CF Industries owns the land, not the Village.  He said that the

agreement from 1974 has a use variation in it.  He also stated that by state law, the Forest Preserve

maintains open space in the county. 

Lake County Commissioner Talbett said that there is currently no conceptual plan for the acquisition.

He said that the ownership of the property is approved but not closed.  Commissioner Talbett said that

he was looking forward to working with the residents.

Resident Susan Klein stated that some people own part of the lake, and that the residents did not see the need for another forest preserve.  She added that the residents did not want to see a public facility in a private, rustic setting.

President Rodriguez said that open space was the Village’s goal.  She also reminded the residents that the resolution was not a change to the zoning.

Gary Lundgren of Crestview Drive stated that he believed that the value of home in the area would decline if the Forest Preserve assumed control of the land.  He was worried about parking and picnickers on the lake.

Village Counsel Filippini told the audience that under Illinois law, Villages cannot control land usage of a Forest Preserve; and that CF Industries had no limitation on the sale of its property.

The consensus of the residents of the Salem on the Lake subdivision was that the Village had not gone far enough to prevent the sale of the land to the Forest Preserve.

President Rodriguez replied that the Board believed the acquisition to be a beneficial thing regarding open space and land usage, and that historically, the Lake County Forest Preserve was very cooperative with their neighbors. 

Village Counsel Filippini said that if the ordinance did not pass, the sale could go through anyway.  He said that scheduled closing date was June, 2008.

 

 

 

 

Trustees echoed some concerns of residents, but were of the consensus that the Forest Preserve acquisition was beneficial to the Village.  President Rodriguez added that the cooperation of the Forest Preserve in the Buffalo Creek area set a precedent for cooperation.

Resident David Klein wanted to know why Lake County considered this land so valuable.

Commissioner Talbett said that the Forest Preserve did not have a lot of holdings in this area, and that land value in Long Grove is at a good price.  He said that the goal of the County was forty acres of Forest Preserve for every 1,000 residents.

Trustees noted that the Village Board had given a lot of thought to other possible buyers of the land, and believed that the Forest Preserve was a “white knight” compared with the other usages being considered by other potential buyers.  They also reiterated that the Village had very little power to stop the purchase.

Trustee Lazakis moved to approve an Ordinance Amending the Village of Long Grove Subdivision Code to Permit Property Transfers Among Adjoining Property Owners Subject to One Owner Being a Local Government Entity; seconded by Trustee Schmitt.

ROLL CALL VOTE:

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

(Motion carried 6 – 0)

 

Item #5:    Public Hearing Re: Draft Village Budgets FY 2008/09.

The enclosed public notice was properly published in the Daily Herald on March 11, 2008 and the

draft Budgets were properly posted at the Village Hall and available for public inspection since March

27, 2008 (posted on the Village’s web site on March 29, 2008).  The revised draft budget incorporates

the following changes from the March 25, 2008 Village Board Meeting, including.

At 9:50 P.M., President Rodriguez opened the Public Hearing on the 2008-09 Budget.

Trustees discussed dollar amount for an Open Land Manager.

Park Commissioner Lee Bassett said that there was, as of yet, no dollar amount assigned to the Land

Manager; but that a job description had been set.

There was discussion regarding new software for the Staff.  Superintendent Block said that he would

follow up with any questions regarding the software and its applicability; including estimating the cost

of conversion.  Superintendent Block suggested that a Stevenson High School student could be

employed to convert the data.

There was further discussion regarding the new vehicle for the Superintendent, signage and the cost of

the Emergency Warning System

Trustee Hannon said that she was working on the final numbers.

President Rodriguez asked if there were any questions from the audience, There were none.

The Public Hearing was officially ended at 10:17 P.M.  No action was taken.

 

Trustee Schmitt asked that the comments regarding construction work should reflect to read Mardan

Estates, not Mardan Woods. – No action was taken.

 

Item #6:    Village President Rodriguez.

A.  IL Route 53 Update.  – President Rodriguez said that there would be a meeting on April 28, 2008 –

where she hoped there would be a local presence in attendance – No action was taken.

B. EJE/STAR Line.   – President Rodriguez stated that a Strategic Planning Meeting would discuss

more than just transportation, and Trustee Lazakis said that these meetings were not well attended, but

that the process was a dynamic and important one.  President Rodriguez said that a full page ad was

taken out against the purchase of the EJ&E line. – No action was taken.

C.Letter to Ed Sullivan – Regarding Route 83 improvement and the pathway system. – No action

 was taken.

 

Item #7:    Village Trustee Acuna.

IL 83 Water SSA Update & Direction For Establishment.  During the February 12, 2008 meeting, the Village Board opened and closed the public hearing without there being any comment from the public.  Statute requires a 60-day “cooling off” period for any affected property owners to file an objection to the establishment of the SSA.  The cooling off period expires on April 11, 2008.  To date there have not been any objections filed, however, the attorney that was recently hired to represent the Bluebird property owners is reviewing the matter and may recommend that they file a formal objection.-

Trustee Acuna said that at the meeting at the Reed-Turner Center that the bottom line was that the “South 15 Group” wants a joint water system.  He said that the Bluebird properties were not completely on board with the proposed venture.

Trustee Acuna moved to direct Counsel to prepare the necessary documents for establishing the IL 83 Water Special Service Area for consideration during the April 22, 2008  Board Meeting; seconded by Trustee Hannon.

ROLL CALL VOTE:

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

(Motion carried 6 – 0)

       

Item #8:    Village Trustee Barry.

Pathway Grant – Trustee Barry said that the IDNR Grant can be used to match the enhancement grant

No action was taken

 

Item #9:    Village Trustee Hannon.

A. Treasurer Report For March 31, 2008.

Trustee Hannon moved to pay the bills as presented; seconded by Trustee Schmitt.

ROLL CALL VOTE:

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

(Motion carried 6 – 0)

 

Trustee Hannon moved to accept the account balances as presented; seconded by Trustee Lazakis.

ROLL CALL VOTE:

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

(Motion carried 6 – 0)

B. Actual and Budget Comparisons For Period Ending March 31, 2008.  For informational purposes

only, no motion required. – No action was taken.

Azavar Utility Audit – CONTINUED. No action was taken..

 

Item #10:  Village Trustee Lazakis.

Nothing to report. No action was taken.

 

Item #11:  Trustee Schmitt.

Teasel Education: - Trustee Schmitt said that the Park District had voted a grant application for a Long

Grove teasel education program. – No action was taken.

 

 

Item #12:  Village Trustee Wachs.

                  A. Downtown B1&B1A Master Plan & Design Guidelines – Update.  – Trustee Wachs said that he had attended a meeting on April 8, 2008, and that preparations were being made for the next version the following Tuesday.  Trustee Wachs said that “signage” needed to be worked on in greater detail.  He said that the Open House would answer questions. – No action was taken.

B.     Lake County Sheriff Contract Renewal.  The Lake County Sheriff has proposed renewing the current contract for another four (4) years with an annual 4% increase each year.  If the Village Board is agreeable. – Trustee Wachs said that more information was needed regarding the content of the contract. - CONTINUED. No action was taken.

C.     Emergency Communications Network.  The Public Safety Committee (Trustee Wachs and Trustee Barry), Village Superintendent Block and Staff developed a draft Emergency Communications Network Request For Proposal (RFP).  The Public Safety Committee will be coordinating the Village’s efforts with the Lake County Sheriff, Long Grove and Countryside Fire Protection Districts (including CERT) and the local school districts for further report and consideration by the Village Board in the coming months. –  Trustee Wachs said that bids were being taken. - No action was taken.

 

Item #13:  Village Clerk Schultheis.

Nothing to report. No action was taken.

 

Item #14:  Village Manager Lothspeich.

Not present.

 

Cost for Grant for Pathways – Trustee Barry reported that the most recent numbers for the pathway indicate that the initial costs were inaccurate; and that the difference was substantial.

Trustee Barry moved to reconsider the costs for pathway system grant; seconded by Trustee Acuna.

VOICE VOTE:

All ayes, no nays (Motion carried 6 – 0)

 

Trustee Barry moved to approve an increased cost in the ESI grant application based on the revised figures presented; seconded by Trustee Wachs.

ROLL CALL VOTE:

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

(Motion carried 6 – 0)

 

Item #15:  Village Superintendent Block.

Permit Fees – Superintendent Block said that Menards had begun work. – No action was taken.

FEMA – Superintendent Block stated that within the next 6-8 weeks, FEMA would be sending the

Village a check for $33,000 to cover expenses during the Snow Emergency.  This reimbursement was

based upon application to FEMA by the Superintendent – No action was taken.

 

Item #16:  Village Planner Hogue.

Nothing to report. No action was taken.

 

 

Item #17:  Village Attorney Filippini.

No action was taken.

 

Item #18:  Approval of Board Meeting Minutes.

 

Status:      March 25, 2008 Minutes. – Trustee Wachs moved to approve the Minutes as amended;

seconded by Trustee Schmitt.

VOICE VOTE:

Five ayes, no nays, one abstain (Trustee Acuna abstained)

 

Item:         Executive Session.

At 11:29 P.M.; Trustee Barry moved to go into Executive Session to discuss (1) Executive Session

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

seconded by Trustee Wachs.

ROLL CALL VOTE:

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

(Motion carried 6 – 0)

 

Item:         Other Business.

February 26, 2008 Executive Session Meeting Minutes.  – CONTINUED. NO action was taken.

 

March 11, 2008 Executive Session Meeting Minutes.  – CONTINUED. No action was taken.

 

March 25, 2008 Executive Session Meeting Minutes.  – CONTINUED. No action was taken.

 

Commercial Sub Area Plan – President Rodriguez assigned Trustees Acuna and Hannon as part of the

Subcommittee for the Commercial Sub Area Plan and possible annexation of territory. – No action was taken.

 

Item:         Adjournment.

At 1:03 A.M., Trustee Barry moved to adjourn; seconded by Trustee Acuna.

VOICE VOTE:

All ayes, no nays (Motion carried 6 – 0)