Village of Western Springs General Government Committee met Jan. 5.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
Present
Chair Tyrrell, Member Rudolph, President Gallagher, Village Manager Baer, Deputy Village Manager Biernacki, and Village Attorney Michael Jurusik
Chair Tyrrell moved to open the committee meeting, seconded by Member Rudolph. The motion passed on a roll call vote. Voting aye: Chair Tyrrell and Member Rudolph. The General Government Committee meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
Agenda Items
1. Public Comment
There were no public comments.
2. Approval of Minutes
Chair Tyrrell moved, seconded by Committee Member Rudolph, to approve the minutes of the meeting of December 1, 2022, as read. The motion passed on a roll call vote. Voting aye: Chair Tyrrell and Member Rudolph. Voting nay: None.
3. Conveyance of Portion of Spring Street Right-of-Way to the Illinois Toll Highway Authority Per Intergovernmental Agreement
Attorney Jurusik reported on actions he is requesting the Village Board take relative to the conveyance of a portion of Spring Street right-of-way to the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority. On September 26, 2022, the Village Board approved the IGA that covered the performance of the 47th Street Watermain and Sanitary Sewer Facilities Project, the performance of the 55th Street Watermain and Sanitary Sewer Facilities Project, and the performance of the Western Springs-Hinsdale Emergency Watermain Connection Project, the construction of the Cul-de-Sac and Detention Basin Project at the south terminus of Commonwealth Avenue by the ISTHA, the performance of the Creek Drive 49th Street Culvert work, and the vacation of the ROW Parcel and Conveyance of the ROW Parcel to the ISTHA.
Attorney Jurusik is requesting the Board approve a Quit Claim Deed for "Parcel TW-5- 16-091" which is located on the East Side of I-294 (Tri-State Tollway) and consists of a portion of the west end of Spring Street right-of-way and the Oak Street Cul-de-sac (the "ROW Parcel"). Included in the agenda back was a copy of the parcel plat re: Acquisition of Fee Simple Partial TW-5-16-091 (Spring Street at Oak Street) dated 9.20.2021 and a screenshot partial TW-5-16-091 (Spring Street at Oak Street) dated April 14, 2022.
Attorney Jurusik is also requesting to hold a public hearing for the vacation of the ROW Parcel and conveyance of the ROW Parcel to the ISTHA, as required by the Illinois Vacation Statute (65 ILCS 5/11-91) and the Village's Right-of-Way Disposal Policy, and as already agreed to by the Village and the ISTHA per an intergovernmental agreement approved by the parties in September 2022.
The committee concurred with the recommendations of Attorney Jurusik and will report to the Board on January 9, 2023, on the committee's recommendation to proceed. A public hearing will be scheduled on February 13, 2023, to consider vacation of the ROW parcel.
4. Settlement Agreement Between the Village of Western Springs and Commonwealth Edison Company ("ComEd") and ComEd (the Municipality, and ComEd together, the "Parties", and each a "Party"), and Azavar Audit Solutions, Inc.
This item is an update to the committee. In 2017, the Village was approached about participating in a suit against Commonwealth Edison Company brought by a variety of municipalities regarding additional municipal utility tax which may be owed to them. The law firm of Kosin O'Connor hired Azavar to conduct an audit and based on that audit, a settlement agreement was developed. The amount the Village of Western Springs will receive as settlement is approximately $600. Village Manager Baer signed off on the settlement agreement. This is an informational item only.
5. Resolution in Support of Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
Deputy Clerk Haeske presented a Fact Sheet on Tax Increment Financing and a draft resolution in support of TIF which the Village received from Illinois Municipal League (IML) Executive Director Brad Cole today by email. Last week, Mr. Cole met with State Senator Ann Gillespie (D, Arlington Heights) and State Representative Mark Walker (D, Arlington Heights) in their district offices to discuss past, present and future legislation involving tax increment financing (TIF). They met as a small group, with their respective staff also attending, for more than an hour and had a thorough conversation on wide-ranging topics that involve TIF districts. Mr. Cole related that while he was a little spirited at times in his defense of TIF, the meeting was positive and the dialogue meaningful, for which he thanked everyone.
In his transmittal email, Mr. Cole said that it is his understanding that Senator Gillespie will file legislation again this spring to address TIF reforms that she believes are necessary. The IML, as you may recall, engaged in efforts in opposition to SB 2298, which Ms. Gillespie filed last year. A letter to the General Assembly was effective in communicating the IML's concerns at that time.
In conjunction with the IML's previous actions, they have asked municipalities to adopt resolutions in support of tax increment financing. Those resolutions are helpful to the IML as they advocate on our behalf, and they indicate local support for the much-needed developments TIF districts encourage and incentivize. The IML general fact sheet is a helpful resource and was included in the agenda packet.
The committee discussed the request and will report to the Board on this matter on January 9, 2023. It is the committee's recommendation that the Board adopt this resolution in support of TIF and provide same to the IML. The TIF fact sheet will also be made available to those interested in learning more about TIF.
6. Schedule Next Committee Meeting
The next General Government Committee meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at 7:00 p.m.
7. Adjourn
MOTION:
Chair Tyrrell made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Member Rudolph. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote. The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
https://www.wsprings.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_01052023-1471
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