MINUTES OF THE VILLAGE BOARD OF LONG GROVE

Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 7 P.M.

3110 RFD, LONG GROVE, ILLINOIS 60047-9613

 

CALL TO ORDER:

At 7:03 P.M. President Rodriguez called the February 23, 2010 Village Board Meeting to Order.

 

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

Village President:                                Rodriguez

Trustees:                                              Acuna, Barry, Marshall, Schmitt, Wachs, Weber

Village Clerk:                                      Schultheis

Also Present:                                       Village Manager Lothspeich, Village Counsel Filippini, Village Superintendent Block and Arts and Music Commissioner Fraley

 

Homeowner Associations: 

Creekside - Bobbie O'Reilly.  – Village Manager Lothspeich said that HOA President O’Reilly had reported to him the positive response toward the way that the Village Snowplowing had been handled. – No action was taken. 

Eleanora Estates – Richard Eterno.  – No one was present. No action was taken.          

 

THERE WERE NO ITEMS FROM THE AUDIENCE

 

ACTION ITEMS:

Item #1:    Second Public Hearing Re: Establishment Of The Business District (Sunset Grove).

The first public hearing was opened and closed without comment during the February 9, 2010 Board

Meeting.  As provided for in the Sunset Grove Redevelopment Agreement (RDA) for the purpose of

generating up to an additional one percent (1%) sales tax revenue by Sunset Grove to partially fund and

accelerate funding of the following uses of the Business District Sales Tax revenue: (a) paying principal or

interest on, or other amounts due or arising from, the TIF Note or Bonds as provided in Section 14 of the

RDA; (b) paying (either directly or by reimbursing other Village funds) reimbursements of Developer

Expenses, as referenced in Section 14 of the RDA; (c) reimbursing the Village for any Deferred Amounts

that are waived by the Village pursuant to Section 12 of the RDA; (d) reimbursing the Village for any

unpaid amounts that are due to the Village pursuant to Section 12 of the RDA; (e) costs for the Deep Well

Water System (including financing costs) that are not fully paid by the Water SSA taxes; and (f) costs

incurred by the Village in establishing or administering the Business District or the TIF District. 

At 7:04 P.M., Trustee Schmitt moved to Open the Second Public Hearing Regarding the

Establishment of the Business District; seconded by Trustee Barry.

VOICE VOTE:

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

 

There were no comments from the Audience.

 

At 7:04 P.M., Trustee Schmitt moved to Close the Second Public Hearing Regarding the

Establishment of the Business District; seconded by Trustee Marshall.

VOICE VOTE:

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

 

Item #2:    Resolution Supporting Recovery Zone Bonds Application For The Water System.

Lake County is administering the Recovery Zone Bond on a lottery basis with each municipality eligible

for a maximum of $3.0M in funding.  With prepayments received to date totaling $850,422 and the initial

year SSA tax levy receipts totaling $510,000 ($1.36M), the IL 83 Water System requires an additional

$1.89M of funding if the construction costs max out at the $3.25M SSA limit. 

Trustee Barry moved to Approve a Resolution Calling for the Application Through Lake County

For Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds for the IL 83 & Downtown Water Plant and

Distribution System; seconded by Trustee Weber.

ROLL CALL VOTE:

Acuna – aye; Barry – aye; Marshall – aye; Schmitt – aye; Wachs – aye; Weber – aye.

(Motion carried 6 – 0).

 

Item #3:    Ordinance Approving The Long Grove Water Plant Final Plat Of Subdivision.

As directed during the February 9, 2010 Board Meeting, Village Counsel Filippini prepared a draft ordinance

approving the Long Grove Water Treatment Plant Final Plat of Subdivision. –

Trustee Acuna moved to Approve an Ordinance Approving the Long Grove Water Treatment Plant Final

Plat of Subdivision; seconded by Trustee Acuna. 

ROLL CALL VOTE:

Acuna – aye; Barry – aye; Marshall – aye; Schmitt – aye; Wachs – aye; Weber – aye.

(Motion carried 6 – 0).

 

Item #4:    Village President Rodriguez.

Commission/Committee Appointments.   – To be discussed in Executive Session. – No action was taken.

 

Item #5:    Village Trustee Acuna.

A. Continued Discussion Re: Draft Village Budgets FY 2010/11.  The DRAFT Village Budget incorporates

the following changes since the January 26, 2010 Board Meeting. The public hearing for the Village Budgets

is scheduled for the upcoming March 9, 2010 Board Meeting.  Please note the following:

 

·        The Current Fiscal Year (FY 2009/10) Year To Date (YTD) have been updated to include revenues and expenditures as of January and the forecasts have been updated to reflect these refined YTD figures.

·        The Current FY 2009/10 revenues includes an additional $241K of "fines" for the anticipated ILMRMA payment re: Vision litigation.

·        The draft budget Expenditures includes a reduction in the mosquito abatement by approx 50% as offered by Clarke.

·        The current budget results in a positive General Fund balance of $29K prior to possible reductions in Park District and/or LGBCP.  It should be noted that this includes a significant reduction in the road paving program budget.

·        The draft IL 83 Water Special Service Area (SSA) was updated to include prepayments totaling $850K by The Promenade and The Executive House.

                       

Discussion began regarding the Budget and Items.  Trustee Acuna said that the Budget was basically balanced.  He said that the biggest items left to be discussed regarding the budget were the contributions made by the Village to the Long Grove Business Community Partners and Park District.  Trustees discussed how they wished to reduce the contributions. 

In response, Park District President Lee Bassett told the Board that the major sources of income for the Park District were 1) the Village annual grant of $50,000, 2)revenue from the cell tower, 3) Private donations (under $10,000), 4) Recreation (break even), and 5) Interest on Money Invested. He concluded that the Village grant was about 30% of the annual revenue source.

Trustees noted that the drop in housing starts and impact fee monies meant that the grant was more difficult to justify.

President Rodriguez asked Park District President Bassett what the future outlook of the Park District would be, and how they would fund their budget if the Village grant were phased out.

Park District President Bassett said that at the current time the main objective of the Park District was the preservation and maintenance of open space, not recreation.

Village Manager Lothspeich said that there would be an approximate $31,000 deficit in the Park District Budget without the Village grant.

Trustees noted that roadwork and other projects had been reduced or cut from the budget in order to make it balance, and that there would have to be some cuts in grant monies.  The suggested monies for the budget were $30,000 in 2010; $15,000 in 2011; and $0 starting in 2012 for Park District grants.

As for the LGBCP, there was discussion from the Trustees regarding whether or not the Village should be funding business entities.

Trustee Acuna suggested that the discussion continue until the next meeting.

Trustees and Staff reviewed the Budget by line item.  Trustee Schmitt noted that recycling has picked up and that the Village could expect to get an extra $2000 to add to the Budget.

It was also noted that by switching to a paperless delivery of Trustee and Meeting materials, the Village was estimating a savings of $3,000 per annum.

There was a consensus among the Trustees that after two years of flat wages, the Staff should be given a 2% raise (about $8,000 added to the Budget).

There was discussion regarding the $9,000 in Reserve for Extra Police Patrols if needed. That was to be lowered to $1000.  Police Services received high grades from the Staff, and it was noted that the Village was in the second year of a three-year contract with the Sheriff.

Regarding the question as to whether the Village should retain its status as a Certified Community, Village Manager Lothspeich said that there was a benefit to the Village to maintain that status. Superintendent Block said that he controlled costs by handling on-site inspections himself to determine whether or not the Village Engineer should be involved.

Other discussion followed regarding various budget issues and suggestions.

It was concluded that the Budget should state for the Public Hearing that the 2010 Budget Numbers would be:

Park District - $30,000; LGBCP - $40,000 and Donations/Community Events - $6500 (These numbers were to be open for public discussion)

No action was taken.

B.Sunset Grove Performance Guarantee Reduction #3.  As reported during the January 13, 2010 and January 25, 2010 Board Meetings for the first and second reductions, the request for the third reduction.   – Trustee Acuna moved to authorize the reduction not more than $36,080.00; seconded by Trustee Schmitt.

ROLL CALL VOTE:

Acuna – aye; Barry – aye; Marshall – aye; Schmitt – aye; Wachs – aye; Weber – aye.

(Motion carried 6 – 0).

C.Northwest Lake Michigan Water Planning Group – Upcoming Lake Michigan Water Allocation Hearing – March 12, 2010.  Village Superintendant Block and Staff represented Long Grove during the February 18, 2010 Water Planning Group Meeting.  A brief verbal update will be provided during the upcoming February 23, 2010 Board Meeting.  Village Engineer Chiczewski is finalizing the updates to the Village’s application as suggested during the January 14, 2010 Pre-hearing for the upcoming March 12, 2010 IDNR Hearing.  Village President Rodriguez, Village Superintendant Block, Village Attorney Filippini, Village Engineer Chiczewski and Staff plan to participate in the IDNR Lake Michigan allocation pre-hearing on March 12, 2010.  – Village Counsel Filippini said that the process is ongoing. – No action was taken.

 

Item #6:    Village Trustee Barry.

Flu Shot – Trustee Barry said that citizens should be advised to get their H1N1 flu shot – No action was

taken.

 

Item #7:    Village Trustee Marshall.

Long Grove Business & Community Partners Board Meeting – February 16, 2010.  Trustee Marshall and

Staff represented the Village during the LGBCP Meeting.  – Trustee Marshall said that the LGBCP had

installed new officers.  He said that there had been some discussion by some of the merchants to go back to

neon signs. Trustee Marshall said that the Village needed to look at other options for the merchants

regarding lighting and signage.

New Shops:  Trustee Marshall said that “Dandy Things” has opened in Long Grove, featuring toys,

clothing, jewelry and art-related products. – No action was taken.

Bridge – Trustee Marshall said that the shop owners would like to have The Bridge distributed

electronically to them.  – No action was taken.

Ice Meltin’ Blues – Trustee Marshall said that on March 27-28, 2010, Long Grove would have an event

valuing residential customers.  Blues Musicians will be featured around the downtown for those two days.

– No action was taken.

 

Item #8:    Village Trustee Schmitt.

Soccer Fields – Trustee Schmitt said that the Village and the Park District were looking into ways to best manage the soccer fields.  She also said that costs for sprinkler systems and maintenance were being discussed – No action was taken.

 

Item #9:    Village Trustee Wachs.

Nothing to report. No action was taken.

 

Item #10:  Village Trustee Weber.

Sweet Whimsy – Trustee Weber said that the bakery was selling organic dairy products and eggs.  – No

action was taken.

 

Item #11:  Village Clerk Schultheis.

Nothing to report. No action was taken.

 

Item #12:  Village Manager Lothspeich.

Nothing to report. No action was taken.

 

Item #13:  Village Superintendent Block.

Robert Parker Coffin Bridge – Superintendent Block said that it was in need of repair, and that steel plates

would be installed during non-rush hour times so as to have the least effect on the traffic. – No action was

taken.

 

 

Item #14:  Village Planner Hogue.

Not Present.

 

Item #15:  Village Attorney Filippini.

Nothing to report. No action was taken.

 

Item #16:  Approval of Board Meeting Minutes.

February 9, 2010 Board Meeting Minutes.  – Trustee Marshall moved to Approve the February 9, 2010

Village Board Minutes as amended, seconded by Trustee Schmitt.

VOICE VOTE:

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

 

Item:         Executive Session.

At 8:59 P.M., Trustee Barry moved to go into Executive Session to discuss (1) Executive Session

Minutes; (2) Investments; (3) Litigation; (4) Acquisition and Disposition of Property; and (5) Personnel; seconded by Trustee Marshall.

ROLL CALL VOTE:

Acuna – aye; Barry – aye; Marshall – aye; Schmitt – aye; Wachs – aye; Weber – aye.

(Motion carried 6 – 0).

                 

Item:         Other Business.

January 26, 2010 Executive Session Meeting Minutes.

 

February 9, 2010 Executive Session Meeting Minutes. – Trustee Wachs moved to Approve the January

26, 2010 and February 9, 2010 Executive Session Minutes as amended, but not for Public Released;

seconded by Trustee Marshall. 

VOICE VOTE:

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

 

Item:         Adjournment.

At 11:05 P.M.; Trustee Wachs moved to Adjourn; seconded by Trustee Marshall.

VOICE VOTE:

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