Village of Hodgkins Village Board met Sept. 23.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
Meeting called to order: 7:00 P.M.
Those Present:
President: Noel Cummings
Trustees: Timothy Kovel
Vicky Moxley
Larry Rice
Paul Struve
Dominic Misasi
Lida Mills
Attorney: John O'Connell
Pledge of Allegiance
Motion to Approve Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting on August 12, 2019 as recorded by the Village Clerk. A motion to approve the Minutes of the August 12, 2019 Board Meeting was made by Mr. Misasi. Second by Mr. Rice. Voting Aye: Mr. Kovel, Mrs. Moxley, Mr. Rice, Mr. Struve, Mr. Misasi and Mrs. Mills. Voting Nay: None
Motion to file for Audit the Financial Statement for July 2019. A motion to file for Audit the Finance Statement for July 2019 was made by Mrs. Moxley. Second by Mr. Rice. Voting Aye: Mr. Kovel, Mrs. Moxley, Mr. Rice, Mr. Struve, Mr. Misasi and Mrs. Mills. Voting Nay: None
Motion to approve bills as submitted for the month of August 2019. A motion to approve bills as submitted for the month of August 2019 was made by Mr. Struve. Second by Mr. Kovel. Voting Aye: Mr. Kovel, Mrs. Moxley, Mr. Rice, Mr. Struve, Mr. Misasi and Mrs. Mills. Voting Nay: None
Motion to approve/deny purchase of 6510 Chester Avenue. Mr. O'Connell explained this
property is in Fore Closure. The building inspector has informed the Village that it would cost a lot of money to bring this property up to current code. No more than $100,000 would be offered for the property. A motion to approve the purchase of 6510
Chester Avenue for no more than $100,000 was made by Mr. Rice. Second by Mr. Struve. Voting Aye: Mr. Kovel, Mrs. Moxley, Mr. Rice, Mr. Struve, Mr. Misasi and Mrs. Mills. Voting Nay: None
Motion to approve/deny invoice from John O'Connell regarding Dostal case. Mr. O'Connell explained he has not submitted any invoices on this case since November 2016. Mr. O'Connell gave an update on the current Dostal Case. A motion to approve invoice from John O'Connell for Dostal case was made by Mr. Struve. Second by Mrs. Moxley. Voting Aye: Mr. Kovel, Mrs. Moxley, Mr. Rice, Mr. Struve, Mr. Misasi and Mrs. Mills. Voting Nay: None
Motion to approve/deny making closed session minutes open. A motion to table this to the October Board meeting, due to this needing to be in Resolution format was made by Mr. Struve. Second by Mr. Rice. Voting Aye: Mr. Kovel, Mrs. Moxley, Mr. Rice, Mr. Struve, Mr. Misasi and Mrs. Mills. Voting Nay: None
Discussion regarding Referendum for Real Estate Transfer Tax. Mr. O'Connell explained the Village would like to have a Real Estate Transfer Tax in place so that The Village can inspect homes for habitability and Code Enforcement prior to homes being sold. Some people are not notifying the Village when they are selling homes. The home owner has to pay the fee, have the inspection and have a stamp on the deed to get the Title to the home. The Village is not looking to make money on this. By law a Referendum would need to be on the March 17, 2020 ballot. The Board will need to vote formally that they would want to do this, the County Clerk would need to be notified, the question would need to be prepared and submitted to the County Clerk to be put on the ballet. This Referendum would not apply to Mobile Homes, as a Mobile Home is personal property, not Real Estate. Mr. Struve reiterated that the Village is not looking to make money, as they do not want to put a burden on anyone. Trustees are looking to make homes safer for the new homeowners that would be coming in. This would include industrial properties also. Mr. Kovel explained this is being done so record of sales is being completed. This Referendum would need to be voted on in the March 2020 election by the Hodgkins Residents.
Motion to approve/deny Attorney Letter to Hodgkins Police Pension Board regarding stipend. Mr. O'Connell explained there was a closed session meeting prior to this Special Board Meeting to discuss the Police Pension Stipend. Attorney Kathryn Thomas was present at the closed session and gave an update regarding the stipend that has been deemed illegal according the Illinois Appellate court and sustained by the Illinois Supreme court by not taking the case. The Village is paying approximately $150,000 per year for this illegal stipend. It is not the fault of the pensioners. The village would like to send a letter to the Village of Hodgkins Police Pension Board to cease and assist paying this stipend. If they will not do so, then the Village would file suit. The
Pensioners would not be asked to repay anything up to this point. A motion to approve the Attorney letter to the Hodgkins Police Pension Board was made by Mr. Misasi. Second by Mr. Struve. Voting Aye: Mr. Kovel, Mr. Rice, Mr. Struve, Mr. Misasi and Mrs. Mills. Voting Nay: None. Abstaining from Vote: Mrs. Moxley
Old Business
Mr. Struve explained a piece of property at Santa Fe Drive and Leon Cook Drive has come up for sale. He would like all the Trustees to think about the Village possibly purchasing this property. Cost is unknown at this time and will be researched.
New Business
Chief Millsap explained there have been 53 applicants for the upcoming Police test on October 3, 2019. The Physical Agility test will be October 15, 2019. Both will be at the Hodgkins Park District.
Audience Comments
A motion to adjourn the Special Board Meeting was made by Mrs. Moxley. Second by Mrs. Mills. Voting Aye: Mr. Kovel, Mrs. Moxley, Mr. Rice, Mr. Struve, Mr. Misasi and Mrs. Mills. Voting Nay: None
Meeting Adjourned 7:24 p.m.
https://www.villageofhodgkins.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Special-Board-Mtg-Sept-23-2019.pdf
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