Village of Indian Head Park Board of Trustees met October 12.
Here is the minutes provided by the Board:
Call to Order: Mayor Pro Tem Amy Jo Wittenberg
The regular meeting of the Village of Indian Head Park Board of Trustees was held on Thursday, October 12, 2017 at the Municipal Facility, 201 Acacia Drive and was convened at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Pro Tem Wittenberg.
Roll Call: John J. DuRocher, Village Administrator/Recording Secretary
Present (and constituting a quorum):
Mayor Pro Tem Wittenberg
Trustee Conboy
Trustee Mann
Trustee Farrell-Mayer
Trustee Metz
Absent:
Trustee O'Laughlin
Also Present:
John DuRocher, Village Administrator
Edward Santen, Public Works Superintendent
Bob Cervenka Chief of Police
Argelia Garbacz, Finance Manager
Patrick Brankin, Counsel, Schain, Banks, Kenny & Schwartz
Visitors: – 15
Pledge of Allegiance: recited
Mayor’s Report:
Hello and welcome to everyone, thanks for coming.
The Mayor stated that attendees have two opportunities to speak tonight, during the public comments section and at the end of the meeting.
Public Comments-None
New Business
Motion To Establish Consent Agenda Items A Through E, Removing Item AII (aII. Approval of August 10, 2017 Minutes (REMOVED); b. Approval of Warrants for the month ending September 30 in the amount of $3358,039.19; c. Current balance sheet, September 30; d. Budget Report for the period ending September 30, 2017 e. Approval of Payout #1 to Crowley Sheppard.
Moved by Trustee Farrell-Mayer, seconded by Trustee Mann.
The items on the consent agenda were briefly explained.
Motion carried by roll call vote (5-0-1). Mayor Pro Tem Wittenberg, Trustees Metz, Conboy, Mann, and Farrell-Mayer voted yes. No Nay votes. Trustee O’Laughlin absent.
Motion To Approve Consent Agenda Items A Through E Removing Item AII. (aII. Approval of August 10, 2017 Minutes (REMOVED); b. Approval of Warrants for the month ending September 30 in the amount of $3358,039.19; c. Current balance sheet, September 30; d. Budget Report for the period ending September 30, 2017 e. Approval of Payout #1 to Crowley Sheppard.
Moved by Trustee Mann, seconded by Trustee Farrell-Mayer.
Motion carried by roll call vote (5-0-1). Mayor Pro Tem Wittenberg, Trustees Metz, Conboy, Mann, and Farrell-Mayer voted yes. No Nay votes. Trustee O’Laughlin absent.
Motion To Approve The 2016-2017 Audit As Presented By Sikich Llp
Motion Moved by Trustee Metz, seconded by Trustee Farrell-Mayer to Accept the 2016-2017 Audit as presented by Sikich LLP
Mayor Pro Tem Wittenberg asked for discussion. Administrator DuRocher presented the general findings of the audit and the findings of the Management Letter (both to be posted on the Village’s website). He introduced Brian LeFevre of Sikich who presented the audit findings. The Village received a “clean opinion” in that there were no adverse findings in the financial statements that the staff presents to the Village Board. He commented specifically on the improved debt rating, the improvements in financial controls in the accounting practices, and other improvements implemented by staff.
Motion carried by roll call vote (5-0-1). Mayor Pro Tem Wittenberg, Trustees Metz, Conboy, Mann, and Farrell-Mayer voted yes. No Nay votes. Trustee O’Laughlin absent.
Motion To Approve Ordinance 2017-23 An Ordinance Establishing A No Parking Area Along A Portion Of Cascade Drive
Trustee Farrell-Mayer made a motion to approve Ordinance 2017-23 an ordinance establishing a no parking area along a portion of Cascade Drive. Motion was seconded by Trustee Mann.
Mayor Pro Tem Wittenberg asked for discussion. Administrator DuRocher commented that the Village already has signs in place along portions of Cascade but that there is no ordinance in the books allowing for this. He stated that this was discussed at the public Works Committee and they are recommending the signs stay in place. He stated that he also reached out to the Acacia Association twice and they are indifferent to the matter.
Motion carried by roll call vote (5-0-1). Mayor Pro Tem Wittenberg, Trustees Metz, Conboy, Mann, and Farrell-Mayer voted yes. No Nay votes. Trustee O’Laughlin absent.
Motion To Approve Ordinance 2017-28 Establishing Water Rates In The Village Of Indian Head Park
Trustee Metz made a motion to approve Ordinance 2017-28, an ordinance establishing water rates in the Village of Indian Head Park. Motion was seconded by Trustee Conboy.
Mayor Pro Tem Wittenberg asked for discussion. Administrator DuRocher stated that this is predicated on a water rate increase that ultimately started with the City of Chicago and wound its way through McCook and Countryside (the direct seller to the Village). He said that if the Village did not increase the rates that the water department budget would basically go into deficit spending. The increase would go into effect November 1, 2017. He stated that the staff is looking into automatic consumer price index increases for the water rates.
Motion carried by roll call vote (5-0-1). Mayor Pro Tem Wittenberg, Trustees Metz, Conboy, Mann, and Farrell-Mayer voted yes. No Nay votes. Trustee O’Laughlin absent.
Discussion Regarding Future Gaming Licenses In The Village
Mayor Pro Tem Wittenberg asked for discussion
Administrator DuRocher presented his findings with regards to what other communities had in terms of gaming facilities based on population. He presented per capita data and information based on facilities per municipal square mileage. Discussion among the Trustees centered on how many is “right” for the Village especially with the potential redevelopment of the “Triangle” (that area of the Village bounded by south of Joliet Road, west of Wolf Road and north of the Tollway). Trustee Farrell-Mayer stated that she would like to study this issue over the next several months. Those present were in consensus with this.
Discussion Regarding the Heritage Center
Mayor Pro Tem Wittenberg asked for discussion
Heritage Center. Administrator DuRocher stated that the Village continues its investigation as to the structural and physical integrity of the building. Trustee Metz gave his report on the activities of the Committee. Trustee Farrell-Myer stated that her concerns for keeping the Heritage Center open were budgetary in nature and that the Village had more important matters to spend is resources on. Mayor Pro Tem Wittenberg stated that she wanted to define what is “safe enough”? Trustee Mann read the following statement and asked that it be included in the record:
"The questions that have yet to be addressed are:
What potential health-safety issues might be present on the property or in the building that could have a negative impact, short-term or long-term, on users of the facility.
To the best of our knowledge, the original "due diligence" done before the original purchase of the property years ago did not include an Environmental Phase I nor a Phase II site investigation. Furthermore, no engineering analysis of the structural sufficiency of the existing building was performed to evaluate how safe the structure was for public use.
The Environmental Phase I Study (EP1 Study) would primarily consist of a records search to determine if the site had any potentially hazardous materials present, such as:
1) buried heating oil tanks, that should have been removed along with any contaminated soil;
2) whether the original water well was properly abandoned and sealed;
3) was there evidence of possible hazardous materials in the building, i.e. mold, asbestos (or lead) containing floor, wall or ceiling materials, or possible radon presence in the basement area;
4) other potential health hazards.
An Environmental Phase II Study (EP2 Study) would be performed if the EP1 Study revealed the possible presence of any of the noted conditions/materials or other potential health-safety issues. The EP2 Study would consist of physical on-site sampling of the materials of possible concern, such as checking the basement are for mold, radon, checking floor, wall and ceiling coverings for asbestos containing materials, checking painted surfaces for the presence of lead containing materials.
As best I have been able to determine, no such investigations have been performed and no records are available in the facility file regarding any such investigations before the property was put into public service.
Lastly, a Forensic Structural Engineering Investigation (FSE Investigation) should have been performed, but no record has been found to date according to John. The importance of this was revealed in the brief building inspection authorized by our Village Administrator, where it was revealed that the first floor joists were toenailed into the supporting beams; reportedly not a safe nor acceptable condition under today's standards, particularly in a 150-year old structure built as a single-family residence, but now open to public usage. This condition was noted in the exposed basement area ceiling; what about the second floor system (covered by plaster/drywall which is likely constructed in the same manner!
I believe these are all life-safety issues that have been all too glibly left unanswered, and I for one, cannot in good conscience agree to keep the Heritage Center open the public until these investigations are performed, revealing what, if any, remediation might be necessary. In lieu of failing to perform the needed environmental and engineering evaluations, the property should be sold forthwith, following the original wishes of a significant majority of the respondents in the earlier advisory referendum."
Discussion continued for several more minutes. Trustees Metz and Conboy speaking in favor of it remaining to be opened and that further investigation continue. This will be an agenda topic for future meetings.
Trustee Reports: None
Village Clerk: Laurie Scheer - No report.
Village Treasurer: Maureen Garcia - No report.
Attorney Report: Patrick Brankin – Explained the process for municipal adjudication of local ordinance violations. These can include local ordinance violations, weed/tall grass violations, inoperable motor vehicles, and low level criminal violations. He explained the implementation process and what would be needed by the Village. More on this at future meetings. We are looking to jointly share this program with another community.
Administrator’s Report: John DuRocher – As presented in written report.
Staff Reports:
a. Ed Santen Public Works – Drainage repairs have just been completed. Paving repairs will be completed next week.
b. Robert Cervenka Chief of Police –Gave activity report for the department.
Public Comments:
Diane Andrews of Arrowhead Trail asked about maintenance of the sidewalk in her area during winter. Administrator DuRocher stated that it was the Village of Burr Ridge’s responsibility. He stated that he would get back to her but that the Village wanted to provide equal levels of service to all.
Motion To Go To Closed Session And To Adjourn Thereafter
Trustee Conboy made a motion to closed the open session and adjourn to closed session for the purposes of discussing personnel per 5ILCS120/2/C(1) and to review closed session minutes per 5ILCS120/2/2C(21), seconded by Trustee Farrell-Mayer.
Motion carried by roll call vote (5-0-1). Mayor Pro Tem Wittenberg, Trustees Metz, Conboy, Mann, and Farrell-Mayer voted yes. No Nay votes. Trustee O’Laughlin absent. 8:40 p.m.
The Regular Meeting reconvened at 9:10 p.m. with the following in attendance: Mayor Pro Tem Wittenberg; Trustees Metz, Conboy, Mann, and Farrell-Mayer. Trustee O’Laughlin absent. Administrator DuRocher, Attorney Brankin
Motion to adjourn, moved by Trustee Farrell-Mayer, seconded by Trustee Mann. Motion passed by voice vote.
http://www.indianheadpark-il.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10122017-142
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