West Cook News

Village of Indian Head Park Board of Trustees met Oct. 10.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Hinshaw

The regular meeting of the Village of Indian Head Park Board of Trustees was held on Thursday, October 10, 2019, at the Municipal Facility, 201 Acacia Drive and was convened at 7:00 P.M. by Mayor Hinshaw.

ROLL CALL: Sharon Allison, Village Clerk

 PRESENT (and constituting a quorum):

 Mayor Tom Hinshaw

 Trustee Sean Conboy

 Trustee Rita Farrell-Mayer

 Trustee Shawn Kennedy

 Trustee Christian Metz

 Trustee Brenda O’Laughlin

 Trustee Amy Wittenberg

ALSO PRESENT:

 John DuRocher, Village Administrator

 Mike Kurinec, Police Officer

 Patrick Brankin, General Counsel, Schain, Banks, Kenny & Schwartz

 Maureen Garcia, Village Treasurer

 Linda Merrifield, Deputy Clerk and Administrative Assistant

 Argelia Garbacz, Finance Manager

 Nick Tantillo, Cable Station Manager

VISITORS: 23 Indian Head Park Residents and Others

MAYOR’S REPORT:

 Sterigenics—Sterigenics has announced that it will not be reopening its plant in Willowbrook. State Senator Durkin is collecting signatures on a petition for legislation to make it more difficult for similar companies to open businesses in Illinois.

 Sidewalks—Some striping has been done on Wolf Road near the Heritage Center. Regarding Phase 1 of the Sidewalk Project to make Wolf Road a “complete street” (curb gutter, center lane, sidewalk/pedestrian lane) is still in process with the county (county wants more copies of the application). Related to Wolf Road—the county has notified IHP that it will not approve patching on Wolf Road during this season.

Also, the Invest in Cook Grant Study which involves a feasibility of a pedestrian path has been approved.

 I-294 Update—A good amount of trees and brush has been trimmed from the roadside in anticipation of the highway construction. The O’Hare Oasis has been removed. The Hinsdale Oasis will be removed in the near future.

 Road Repair and Improvement Grant—A grant from the state amounting to $573,000 with matching funds from the Village had been sent to State Senator Durkin. We hope to find out soon if our bid for the grant has been accepted.

 Smart 911—This is the way that we communicate for emergencies within the Village. If a resident has not completed registration for this system, please do so as soon as possible.

 PACE Transportation—The PACE Transportation has been changed to MVT Transportation/Batavia. The bus number—699—and the route will remain the same.

 Tax Appeal Seminar—Commissioner Dan Patlock of the Board of Review will be hosting 2 seminars—one in LaGrange and one in Lyons—during October. This meeting is to assist residents in appealing their taxes.

 Cannabis Issue—The Village Planning and Zoning Commission held a Town Hall meeting on October 1 at which time residents had an opportunity to discuss the sale of cannabis starting January 1, 2020. Mayor Hinshaw spoke to the fact that the residents of various points of view had a very respectful discussion. He expressed the Village Board’s attempt to remain open and transparent in all matters. The meeting was very helpful in hearing these various opinions.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Numerous residents spoke to the sale of cannabis in the Village beginning January 1, 2020. The majority of residents were in favor of rejecting the sale of cannabis.

Several residents commented about dog attacks in the Village over the last month. One recommended that the Board look at the Western Springs ordinance with regard to animals. Another questioned whether there would be a specific meeting about this issue. Mayor Hinshaw commented that the Board would consider the Western Springs ordinances when planning those for IHP. He also said that there is not a specific meeting planned because the issue is up for adjudication later in October.

CONSENT AGENDA:

Motion to Establish Consent Agenda as Printed.

Moved by Trustee O’Laughlin. Seconded by Trustee Kennedy.

Motion carried by roll call vote (6-0). Trustees Conboy, Farrell-Mayer, Kennedy, Metz, O’Laughlin, and

Wittenberg voted Yay. No Nay Votes.

Motion to Approve Consent Agenda as Established.

Moved by Trustee O ‘Laughlin. Seconded by Trustee Farrell-Mayer.

Financial report given Village Treasurer Maureen Garcia. Cash on Hand on August 31 was $3,110.051.07. Payables for the Period Ending September 30, 2019, in the amount of $1,004,209.02 (due to the large pay-out regarding the Water Main project) was accepted. Total Revenues amounted to $197,692.56. Ending Balance on September 30 ,2019, was $2,303,534.61.

Motion carried by roll call vote (6-0). Trustees Conboy, Farrell-Mayer, Kennedy, Metz, O’Laughlin, and Wittenberg voted Yay. No Nay votes.

NEW BUSINESS:

A. SALE OF SURPLUS PROPERTY:

Motion to pass Ordinance 2019-17, an ordinance allowing for the disposal of Surplus Property.

Moved by Trustee Metz. Seconded by Trustee Conboy.

Administrator DuRocher explained that Illinois law requires an ordinance whenever we dispose of anything of value. Currently we have materials left over from the Water Main project. Among this material are 15 fire hydrants. If a resident wants to purchase a hydrant, the cost will be $50 (if picked up) or $70 (if delivered). At the end of the year, any leftovers will be sold to a scrap dealer.

Motion carried by roll call vote (6-0). Trustees Conboy, Farrell-Mayer, Kennedy, Metz, O’Laughlin, and Wittenberg voted Yay. No Nay votes.

B. SPECIAL USE/VARIANCE SHED:

Motion to pass Ordinance 2019-18 allowing for a special use and variance for a shed to be allowed at 6312 Wolf Road.

Moved by Trustee Farrell-Mayer. Seconded by Trustee Wittenberg.

A report was presented by Noreen Costelloe, chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission:

On October 1, the Commission met. All but one commissioner were present. At this meeting, the main point of discussion was the cannabis issue. The Commission heard many opinions regarding the sale of cannabis in the Village. The majority of residents were against selling cannabis. They felt that a cannabis dispensary is not in compliance with our village character. The Commission voted 3-3. It presented this vote to the Board for further discussion.

On October 8, the Commission met to discuss a petition for a variance to build a shed on the property of a resident. Most residents who attended this meeting were not in favor of allowing this shed to be built. The Commission voted No (0-6) against recommending that a variance be allowed by the Board.

Motion to allow for a variance for a shed to be built at 6312 Wolf Road was defeated by roll call Vote (0-6). Trustees Conboy, Farrell-Mayer, Kennedy, Metz, O’Laughlin, and Wittenberg voted Nay. No Yay votes.

C. FIRST READING OF POTENTIAL ORDINANCE REGARDING DOGS IN VILLAGE:

Several residents requested information about the dog-related incidents that took place in the village in September. One brought forth readings from the ordinance regarding dogs currently in place in Western Springs. She offered to assist in drawing up a similar ordinance for IHP. Mayor Hinshaw accepted her offer. The Board will look forward to presenting an animal ordinance for further discussion at the November or December meeting.

D. ORDINANCE 2019-19—TAXATION OF RECREATIONAL CANNABIS:

Motion to pass Ordinance 2019-19, an ordinance amending the Indian Head Park municipal code by the addition of section 34.21 to chapter 34 imposing a municipal cannabis retailers’ occupations tax.

Motion moved by Trustee Metz. Seconded by Trustee Kennedy.

Motion was amended to group the discussions of Ordinances 2019-19, 2019-20, and 2019-21 at this time with each ordinance having a separate vote.

Motion amended by Trustee Metz. Seconded by Trustee Kennedy.

Attorney Brankin put together a synopsis of the Cannabis Tax Act. It allows for use of recreational cannabis as of January 1 ,2020. This is already state law. Municipalities cannot restrict the use of cannabis, but it can choose to allow dispensaries within their jurisdiction. Licensing will be controlled by the state of Illinois while local municipalities can enact land-use restrictions on facilities. Administrator DuRocher stated that the locations that could allow a dispensary in IHP are the Brookside Plaza, the Triangle, and the Roofers Road area. Local governments can also set the tax (up to 3% of sales) within their jurisdiction. Law enforcement issues regarding cannabis were also discussed.

Motion to pass Ordinance 2019-19 carried by roll call vote (4-3). Trustees Conboy, Kennedy, Metz, and Mayor Hinshaw voted Yay. Trustees Farrell-Mayer, O’Laughlin, and Wittenberg voted Nay.

E. ORDINANCE 2019-20—MEDICAL CANNABIS

A motion to amend the Indian Head Park zoning ordinance by the addition of regulations regarding medical cannabis in the Village of Indian Head Park was previously made by Trustee Metz, seconded by Trustee Kennedy.

Motion to pass Ordinance 2019-20 carried by roll call vote (4-3). Trustees Farrell-Mayer, Kennedy, Metz, and Mayor Hinshaw voted Yay. Trustees Conboy, O’Laughlin, and Wittenberg voted Nay.

F. ORDINANCE 2019-21—RECREATIONAL CANNABIS

A motion to pass Ordinance 2019-21, an ordinance amending the Indian Head Park zoning ordinance by the addition of regulations regarding adult-use cannabis in the Village was previously made by Trustee Metz, seconded by Trustee Kennedy.

Motion to pass Ordinance 2019-21 failed to pass by roll call vote (4-2). Trustees Kennedy and Metz voted Yay. Trustees Conboy, Farrell-Mayer, O’Laughlin, and Wittenberg voted Nay.

REPORTS:

TRUSTEES:

Trustee Metz: A Heritage Center meeting will take place in November. There is presently a bumper crop of honey from the 5 hives in the village that will be for sale for the holidays. 

VILLAGE CLERK: None

VILLAGE TREASURER: None

VILLAGE ATTORNEY: As a result of today’s vote regarding cannabis, Attorney Brankin recommended that there be an “opt out” vote on the November agenda.

VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR:

 Adjudication Process—The Adjudicator holds local court on the third Wednesday of every month at 9:30 A.M. The Adjudicator will mostly be dealing with minor local violations such as building codes, overnight parking violations, animal violations.

 Garbage Franchise/Leaf Pick-Up is still being evaluated. A survey is in process to determine what is being done in other local communities. Several options are being considered, including garbage pickup for the entire Village and fall leaf pick-up.

 Water Main Project is in its final stages. Work should be completed by October 15.

Landscaping restoration will take place next spring. Thanks to all for your patience throughout the entire project.

POLICE OFFICER: Officer Mike Kurinec reported that a murder-suicide took place on Cochise on September 27. It was a busy month regarding police activity and police training. We also purchased Watch Guard cameras for squad cars.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Resident Sharon Kalinowski commented that the man from Cochise who died was a good citizen, kind man. She recommends naming the new street in his honor.

Several residents came forward to express feelings about the cannabis votes tonight. One was unhappy about the Village’s failure to notify the village about the vote this evening; another was happy and thanked the Board for its action on Ordinance 2019-21.

At 9:01 P.M. Trustee Wittenberg motioned to adjourn to Closed Session to discuss the following:

5 ILCS 120/2

(C) (1) The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of a specific employee.

(C) (6) The setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the Village.

Motion seconded by Trustee Conboy.

Motion carried by a roll call vote (6-0). Trustees Conboy, Farrell-Mayer, Kennedy, Metz, O’Laughlin, and Wittenberg voted Yay. No Nay votes.

http://www.indianheadpark-il.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10102019-244