West Cook News

Village of Western Springs General Government Committee met August 14.

Here is the minutes as provided by the committee:

Present

General Govermnent Committee Chair Tymick, General Govermnent Committee Member

Tyrrell, Manager Higgins, Deputy Manager Vellane, Director Scott, Director Budds,

Assistant to Manager Baer, Attorney Michael Jurusik and WSBA President Mike O'Brien

Electronic Attendance at Meeting: There was none.

Chair Tymick called the General Govermnent Committee meeting to order at s :30 p.m.

Agenda Items

l. Public Comment

There were no public comments.

2, Approval of Minutes

Chair Tymick moved, seconded by Committee Member Tyrrell, to approve the

minutes of July 10, 2017 as read.

3. Western Springs Business Association (WSBA) Fall Festival Liquor License Request

with Hillgrove Tap

Director Scott presented a request from WSBA President Mike O'Brien in

conjunction with Hillgrove Tap for a Class "J" liquor license for the 2017 Fall

Festival which takes place on the Tower Green. This family event is scheduled on

Friday, October 6 from 4:30 until 8:30 p.m. WSBA provided an event layout map

and other details to the committee. This event was started by WSBA approximately

seven years ago and last year WSBA was granted a license to sell and serve alcohol at

the event. As proposed, Hillgrove Tap would be the applicant since they are a current

license holder. The process allows the request to bypass the Liquor Commission

before proceeding to the Village Board since this is a repeat event. Staff will

continue to review the event with WSBA. Director of Law Enforcement Budds said a

minimum of two officers would be provided and no problems were reported in the

past. WSBA events are very well mn. Mr. O'Brien said the food supply will be

monitored to make sure there is plenty especially in the event the weather is favorable

to large crowds. With the consensus of the committee, this request will be presented

to the Board this evening with approval in the September meeting cycle.

4. Resolution Appointing a Delegate and an Alternate Delegate to the Intergovernrnental

Risk Management Agency of Western Springs

Director Vellane presented a draft resolution which provides for the appointment of a

Delegate and Alternate to serve on the Intergovermnental Risk Management Agency

(IRMA) Board of Directors. This is required by IRMA and these are the primary

contacts for the Village with IRMA. Ms. Velkme said it is recommended that Ellen

Baer, incoming Director of Administrative Services, is named as the Delegate and

Director Turi will remain as the Alternate. The committee concurred with the

recommendation and will present the resolution to the Board for approval later this

evemng.

s, Strategic Plan

During the interview process for the Village Manager position, Director Velkme

noted there is a strong interest in conducting a strategic planning session to identify

issues and prioritize objectives for the Village Board and staff. The Village of

Western Springs previously worked Dr. Gregory Kuhn of the Center for

Governrnental Studies at Northern Illinois University. Director Velkrne, President

Gallagher and Ms. Baer met with Dr. Kuhn to discuss a proposal for a strategic plan

for the Village. A proposal from Dr. Kuhn was provided to include input from the

community, focus groups, interviews and most importantly the Village Board. The

estimated cost for the pro5ect would range from $7,800 to $13,800. Discussion about

how to prepare for the project followed. Manager Higgins noted the study should

address where we are as a Village, where we want to go and how we get there.

Possible dates for the workshop are Tuesday, October 17, Wednesday, October 18

and Wednesday, November 1. References and sample reports were provided for

review. Chair Tymick indicated he hoped the cost could be kept well below the

maximum figure and actionable and Director Velkme said that is very likely and

always the goal. The committee will present the proposal to the Board later this

evening with a recommendation to approve the contract.

6. Soda Tax Issue

President Gallagher said she was interested in obtaining the Board's input on this

matter. Cook County Commissioner Morrison asked for feedback on the soda tax.

Commissioner Gorman has drafted a resolution to rescind the tax. After discussion,

both Chair Tymick and Member Tyrrell came to a consensus to move forward with a

letter and an opposition resolution since this tax puts businesses in our community at

a competitive disadvantage. The letter of objection could be sent to Commissioner

Morrison while the resolution is drafted and before the Village Board for

consideration. President Gallagher will also ask the Board later this evening for their

input on how they would like to proceed on this matter.

7. Sanctuary City/Welcoming City Matters

This issue was discussed by the General Government Committee earlier in the year

prior to the seating of new Board members and the new committee assignments. An

update on this issue was provided by Attorney Jurusik with input from Director

Budds on the potential impact to the Village regarding federal funds should a decision

to adopt a Sanctuary City or Welcoming City ordinance be made. Director Budds

said his department rarely, if ever, encounters situations which require interaction

with US Department of Homeland Security or ICE with individuals or offenders in

the community. Additionally, Director Budds noted that the department already

meets and fulfills the Sanctuary City points and objectives through CALEA best

practices. The committee determined that a welcoming resolution should be drafted

for the Board to consider during the September meeting cycle.

8. Swearing in of Village Manager Vellane and Deputy Village Manager Kenny

Manager Higgins noted that Ingrid Velkrne will be sworn in as Village Manager,

effective on Friday, August 18, at s :OO p.m. at the Board meeting later in the evening.

At that time Patrick Kenny will be sworn in as Deputy Village Manager. Director

Velkrne announced that Ellen Baer will be appointed Director of Administrative

Services at that time.

9. Fit Family 5K Temporary Use Permit Request

Director Scott presented a request from Dr. Michelle Boyd, Back in Balance, for a

Field Park 5K event on Saturday, September 16, 2017 at s :OO p.m. This event was

held in the past with no problems reported. Director Scott said the Field Park PTO

will be submitting an application and Attorney Jurusik will draft a temporary use

permit and an indemnification agreement for consideration at the September 11, 2017

workshop meeting. Representatives of staff from the Police Department, Public

Works and Community Development will meet with the organizers prior to the event.

Because the event is on September 16, a combined workshop and special meeting will

be needed on September 11 to consider approval of the request. The Board will be

updated on this request later this evening.

With no further business to discuss, Chair Tymick moved, seconded by Committee Member

Tyrrell, to adjourn the meeting at 6:13 p.m.

http://www.wsprings.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08142017-611